An early look at the top candidates for 2026 NBA draft

In recent years, Cooper Flagg and Victor Wembanyama have been the NBA’s clear No. 1 overall draft selections. For 2026, AJ Dybantsa has been moving in that direction.

According to ESPN, On3, and Rivals, the BYU signee is the nation’s top prospect and has been a favorite to top draft boards next summer. To make the contest for No. 1 more open, Darryn Peterson, a Kansas signee, leads the list for 247Sports.

Here’s a preview of the lottery prospects for next summer:

The 6-foot-9 forward passed up Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas in favor of the Cougars. His wide range of scoring abilities, particularly when he attacks off the dribble and finishes near the rim, demonstrates his athleticism and adaptability. The Massachusetts native is a member of the USA Basketball Under-19 National Team for the FIBA World Cup this summer after spending the previous season with Utah Prep.

The Ohio 6-5 guard can play both on and off the ball and provides perimeter size. He has the ability to overwhelm lesser guards and have a defensive impact on games by attacking off the dribble or by going outside. Peterson was co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game and played for Prolific Prep in California the previous season.

The 6-9 forward joined twin Caydenin in winning a Florida state championship for the fourth consecutive year and a high school national championship. In the Nike Hoop Summit, the son of former Duke and NBA forward Carlos Boozer led the United States past the World team with an inside-out performance of 22 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists. He was the co-MVP of the McDonald’s game, along with Peterson.

With a variety of skills, the 6-9 forward was named a McDonald’s All-American and Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Although he excels at handling the ball and shooting range, he will get better as he strengthens his slender frame.

With his length and quickness, the 6-9 forward from Atlanta and McDonald’s All-American has two-way ability, including as a shot blocker. The McDonald’s All-American, along with former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith, revealed his UNC commitment on TNT’s Inside the NBA program.

Cenac is regarded by ESPN and 247Sports as the best center in the country. His outside shooting and rangy skills earned him the MVP award in the NBPA Top 100 camp in the summer of 2024.According to Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, the McDonald’s All-American is a basketball player who is six feet ten inches tall, not a big man’s big man.

A member of the National Basketball League’s Next Stars program, which aims to cultivate elite players, the adaptable 6-8 wing from Mexico averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 assists in his 2024–25 season debut. In December, he turns eighteen.

When the 6-9 forward joined Arizona State last season, he was a top-10 recruit and averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. Later on, he transferred to play with the Wildcats.

The 6-3 McDonald’s All-American, who ranks as the top point guard prospect for Rivals, is a significant addition to Pat Kelsey as he begins the second season of his Cardinals career. Alongside Dybantsa, he made the U.S. U-19 squad.

According to ESPN (ranked No. 7) and 247Sports (ranked No. 5 overall), the 6-2 Acuff is the best point guard prospect. The McDonald’s All-American can attack opponents from 3-point range and off the dribble, and he plays well in pick-and-roll situations.

Known for his high-motor style, ESPN’s ninth-ranked recruit has a strong build (about 6-5 and 210 pounds) and varied athleticism. At the Nike Hoop Summit in April, he scored 24 points for the World squad against the United States.

Similar to Lopez, Dyson Danielsis, the younger brother of Atlanta Hawks player, will participate in the NBA’s Next Stars program. Dash is an NBA Academy Australia graduate and a 6-6 point guard.

The 6-6 guard had to add strength to a 175-pound frame after withdrawing from this year’s draft. However, his explosive scoring ability has promise, as evidenced by his unexpected six first-half 3-pointers against Auburn in December.

The 6-4 rookie point guard withdrew from the draft at the last minute. For an Elite Eight squad that recently lost backcourt star Mark Sears, a member of the Associated Press first team All-American, he averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 assists.

ALIJAH ARENAS: The 6-6 guard’s condition is uncertain since he is still recovering from a truck accident in April that put him in a medically induced coma. Arenas’ son, former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas, is a McDonald’s All-American recognized for his scoring and court vision. Arenas said he works out every day this week and plans to shortly join USC’s summer training, avoiding serious injuries.

After a redshirt sophomore season in which he averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, the 6-7 guard from San Diego State withdrew from the draft.

IAN JACKSON: Prior to transferring to St. John’s, the 6-4 guard averaged 11.9 points and shot 39.5% from 3-point range in his five-star rookie season at North Carolina.

YAXEL LENDEBORG: The 6-9, 240-pound forward has played for Michigan after attending junior college and UAB. After playing with the Blazers for two seasons and averaging 15.8 points and 11.0 rebounds, he decided not to enter the draft.

TAHAAD PETTIFORD: For Auburn’s Final Four squad, the 6-1 freshman averaged 11.6 points and made 36.6% of his 3-point attempts. After dropping out of the draft, he is poised for a prominent role.

MELEEK THOMAS: With Overtime Elite, the 6-4 guard scored 33.5 points on average per 40 minutes. He signed with Arkansas and was named a McDonald’s All-American.