Every single year we see a bunch of elite level athletes enter the NBA Draft. Sometimes these prospects are at the top of the draft class but very often we see elite athletes who are still a long ways away from being NBA ready and are more likely to be later first round or second round prospects (think Payton Watson, Derrick Jones Jr. etc.)
This year there is something special going on: many of the top athletes in the draft class are also some of the top prospects in the class. There are three players on this list that are likely top 10 picks. In fact, all could go in the top 5. Plus there are a few others guys on this list who could be lottery to mid first rounders. It’s been said over and over again how good this draft class is and this is just another data point that shows the awesome strength of the 2026 class.
14 Athletic Freaks For The 2026 NBA Draft
AJ Dybantsa – SF – BYU – Let’s start right at the top. AJ’s athleticism is off the charts and it’s not just about open court speed or vertical pop. He’s one of the most agile 6-9 athletes I’ve ever seen, with a rare ability to move laterally and to cover ridiculous amounts of ground with each step. This makes him nearly impossible to keep out of the lane – and once he gets there he has the strength and leaping ability to score amongst the trees. He’s twitchy and quick, powerful and strong and is an overall sensational athlete. He might also be the no.1 pick in the draft.
Caleb Wilson – PF – North Carolina – Another one of the elite prospects in this class, Wilson has an effortlessness to his athleticism. He’s a great open court player who changes ends in a flash and he’s an awesome above the rim player. When he elevates in the lane he seems to keep rising and rising, even after he dunks the ball. With some players it appears to be a chore to play above the rim. With Caleb Wilson it looks effortless.
Kingston Flemings – PG – Houston – Flemings has a smoothness to his athleticism that can be misleading but he’s one of the most dynamic athletes in the class. He’s got a lightning quick first step and can get into the lane against anyone. And when he does penetrate he’s got the ability to rise up far above the rim and bring down the house with his dunking ability. As quick and as athletic as Flemings is the thing that really stands out is how under control he is. He’s quick but not wild, can stop on a dime and shows a really nice ability to pass on the move and off the live dribble. He’s special.
Coan Carr – SF – Michigan State – When it comes to just straight up explosive nuclear athleticism there is none better than Mr. Coan Carr. The 6-6 Spartan looks like he’s playing Slamball out there, bouncing off the court like it’s a trampoline and playing in an area above the rim that very view humans can enter. He’s also becoming a good basketball player, which is important. I don’t see him as being NBA ready right now but when you combine his rate of improvement with that stupid level of athleticism NBA teams will be intrigued. I think staying one more year in school will do wonders for his draft stock.
Tounde Yessoufou – SG/SF – Baylor (Benin) – Athleticism can be measured and described in many ways. There are fluid athletes, twitchy athletes, jitterbugs and high flyers. And then there are power athletes, which is the best way to describe the broad-shouldered big guard from Benin Tounde Yessoufou. He’s a chiseled 6-5 wing who can overpower college level defenders and looks like a man amongst boys. He still has work to do gaining control of all that power and speed but he’s well on his way to being a NBA level wing.
Tahaad Pettiford – PG – Auburn – Pettiford certainly isn’t a power athlete like Tounde but he is a high-flying jitterbug with blazing open court speed. His real height is about an even 6-feet tall and yet he’s an awesome above the rim player who can put taller defenders on a poster. Part of this has to do with his long arms but mostly it’s his explosive leaping ability. Pettiford can also dance with the ball and get downhill as well as anyone in the country. He’s another prospect I’d prefer to see stay in school and hone his craft.
Koa Peat – PF – Arizona – Another powerhouse type of athlete, Peat is a monster on the court with his broad shoulders and chiseled frame. He’s a great mover for his size with awesome agility, body control and change of direction. He’s not the most high-flying of the athletes on this list but his overall physical and athletic ability is impressive. If he wasn’t playing basketball he’d be an All Pro offensive lineman like his older brother.
Flory Bidunga – PF/C – Kansas (Congo) – Flory is a hyper-mobile big man with overall great movements skills, vertical pop and quickness. He’s made big strides as a basketball player this year and is looking more and more like a NBA level player. He’s still a little light in the pants and will probably never be a truly powerful post player but his open court speed and quick leaping ability are big time assets.
Keba Keita – C – BYU (Mali) – Keita is kind of a lumbering 6-7 big man but has impressive vertical pop for such a burly player. He doesn’t always look smooth to my eyes but he has sudden bursts of quickness and gets off the ground really well, while also being a powerful player. He’s a possible second round pick this year.
Shelton Henderson – SF – Miami – Henderson might be more of a 2027 or even a 2028 prospect but he absolutely deserves a place on this list with his impressive movement skills at his size. He’s a powerfully built freight train of an athlete who carries about 245lbs in a rock solid 6-6 frame. When he gets a head of steam going to the basket he’s impossible to stop. I really hope he stays in school and develops his game but if he does declare this year he’ll be tough to pass on in the second round or maybe even in the late first.
Elijah Freeman – SF – Auburn – Freeman may or may not decide to enter the draft but he is draft eligible and shows up on some draft boards and deserves a mention on this list. He’s a wiry and thin player with explosive leaping ability. He’s got a quick first step and glides up and down the court. Of any players in the country not named Coan Carr he might be the most exciting to watch when he elevates in the lane.
Matt Able – SG – NC State – Able probably isn’t a 2026 guy either but he’s an impressive athlete and a really nice prospect to keep an eye out for (most likely next year). He’s got broad shoulders, good length and a lot of bounce. He instantly passes the eye test on the court and has clear NBA level tools. He’s also a very capable outside shooter who can be streaky hot from downtown.
Billy Richmond – SG/SF – Arkansas – I think of Richmond as an all around athlete who can sometimes go under the radar with just how quick and explosive he is. He’s an awesome open court player who is a constant threat to get out in transition and throw it down. He also slides his feet extremely well and stays in front of ball handlers with ease. Athletes like him tend to get a long look at the NBA level but it would probably be wise for Richmond to stay in school for another year and develop his game.
Trevon Brazile – PF – Arkansas – Brazile is a skinny, springy and quick 6-10 forward who is a sight to behold when he elevates on the fast break. He’s got great length and springs in his legs, allowing him to play near the top of the square. He’s added some good functional strength over the course of his college career but could still stand to put on some more pounds. He’s a possible second round pick or a UDFA who should land with a Summer League team.
Thank you for reading! And please give this post a share if you enjoyed it!