Top Five Players in the 2026 NBA Draft

With the 2026 NBA Draft being less than 200 days away, I feel like it's a proper time to breakdown my top five prospects.

This draft possesses one of the deepest and most talented classes that we have seen in years, and there is a very decent chance that the Washington Wizards can walk away with a franchise CORNERSTONE. 

1. Cameron Boozer - Duke | F | Draft Age: 18.9 | 6'9" | Freshman

Boozer is by far my favorite prospect from this years draft class. Son of NBA veteran Carlos Boozer, Cameron is as NBA ready as one could be. His pure strength and ability to dominate a game down low will translate to the next level seamlessly. Boozer is extremely confident with the ball in his hands, especially on the low block. His strength and ability to finish through contact with either hand projects him to be a force down low. But what makes Boozer the number one overall prospect in this years draft to me is his defensive versatility and high IQ. His quick processing ability and elite rebounding makes him a fit for virtually ANY team in the association -- not to mention his ability to guard ALL positions on the court with his six foot nine frame and nimble agility. Boozer has also shown that he can stretch the floor, as he's shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc on 4.3 attempts per game. If Washington could land Boozer, he would be a perfect fix next to breakout big Alex Sarr. 

2025-26 Statistics (10 GP): 23 PPG - 9.9 RPG - 3.8 APG - 1.7 SPG - 1.0 BPG - 56/37/77 shooting splits 

2. Darryn Peterson - Kansas | G | Draft Age: 19.4 | 6'5" | Freshman 

Darryn Peterson has as prolific of a draft profile that you could possibly imagine. Standing at six-foot-five, Peterson has all the tools to become one of the league's best combo guards. His pedigree before even stepping foot on campus was one that NBA scouts would be salivating over. Peterson bursted onto the scene as a freshman at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, averaging 26.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. As a sophomore, his production jumped to 31 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 assists per game. Peterson then transferred to Prolific Prep Academy in California, where he rightfully earned Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors, along with being named McDonald’s All-American Co-MVP and first-team Naismith All-American. Peterson could've gone pro after high school, but he ultimately chose to play for Bill Self at Kansas University. Now, Peterson's 2025-26 campaign hasn't started the way he expected it to as he was sidelined from November 7 - December 7 with a hamstring injury, but the flashes in his first few games were evident. Peterson's combination of size, athleticism and shot-making ability makes him a premier prospect in this years draft. His acceleration and burst draws flashes to Russell Westbrook and John Wall, with his shot-making prowess reminding scouts of Devin Booker. This guy has all the tools to be one of the BEST players in the NBA, and I wouldn't be shocked if Peterson rose to first on this list in a few weeks. 

2025-26 Statistics (3 GP): 20.0 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 2.3 APG - 1.7 SPG - 0.7 BPG - 53.8/42.9/81.8 shooting splits 

3. AJ Dybantsa - BYU | F | Draft Age: 19.4 | 6'9" | Freshman 

Whichever team falls to third overall in this years draft will be getting one of the best consolation prizes EVER in AJ Dybantsa. The highest basketball recruit in BYU history has been sending shockwaves throughout the college basketball landscape. Standing at six-foot-nine with a ridiculously lengthy frame, Dybantsa is one of the most intriguing draft prospects we've seen in quite some time. Dybantsa has one of the most NBA ready bags that we've seen, as his scoring arsenal is already so polished. His ability to finish through contact and rise up over shorter defenders draws shades of Tracy McGrady -- that's saying something. Dybantsa's offensive IQ is one of one, as he excels as a pick and roll ball handler with his ability to get downhill and thrive in the midrange. Dybantsa uses all of his natural athleticism to be a force in transition as well. Something that we don't see very often is 18 year olds who LIVE for the big moment, however, that is not AJ Dybantsa. He possesses what us young kids like to call "dog mentality", and that mentality can take you sky high in the NBA. Dybantsa would've been the number one prospect in many other drafts this decade -- that just goes to show how loaded the 2026 NBA Draft is. Dybantsa would be a great fit for Washington, as his scoring upside and versatility could give this Wizards team their GUY. 

2025-26 Statistics (9 GP): 20.3 PPG - 6.6 RPG - 3.0 APG - 0.7 SPG - 0.4 BPG - 54.2/36.4/78.9 shooting splits 

4. Caleb Wilson - North Carolina | F | Draft Age: 18.5 | 6'10" | Freshman 

Caleb Wilson, where do I even start? I love every aspect of Wilson's game -- his motor, defensive IQ, rebounding, finishing ability, defensive versatility and size. Wilson has been a man POSSESSED this season. He dunks anything in his general area, crashes the boards with zero fear, and defends any position on the court with ease. His defensive celling is the highest in this draft class due to his length, size, athleticism and will to defend at all costs. If you couldn't tell by now, Wilson is quite the  force down low and as a defender. However, Wilson has a very encouraging offensive skillset. His combination of footwork and touch around the rim makes Wilson a legitimate scoring threat from inside the arc. However, there are concerns with his shot diet and strength down low to be a reliable scoring threat at the next level, but I'm confident that Wilson can retune his shot selection and add on a couple more pounds -- after all, he's only 18 years old. Wilson doesn't pose to be a threat from beyond the arc, as he's shooting a poor 18.2% from three on 1.2 attempts per game -- however, his shooting mechanics are positive and I believe that he could become a reliable floor spacer in the NBA. Like Cameron Boozer, Wilson would be a fantastic pairing alongside Alex Sarr as his rebounding and motor would take a lot of weight off of Sarr's shoulders. 

2025-26 Statistics (9 GP): 19.3 PPG - 10.6 RPG - 2.4 APG - 1.6 SPG - 1.2 BPG - 53.2/18.2/77.1 shooting splits 

5. Kingston Flemings - Houston | G | Draft Age: 19.5 | 6'4" | Freshman 

Kingston Flemings has darted up draft boards to start the 2025-26 season. The top riser of the 2026 NBA Draft class has not disappointed this season. Flemings possesses a lightning quick first step, which is crucial for guards to have in the modern day NBA. Flemings has an in-between game that would translate to the NBA smoothly. His tight handle combined with burst and an efficient jump shot gives Flemings three level scoring upside. But what stands out most about Flemings' game is his high IQ and natural feel at arguably the most important position on the floor. Flemings is an extremely efficient shooter, as he's made 56.0% of his three point shots this season on 2.8 attempts. His offensive repertoire is impressive to say the least -- but Flemings' ability to hawk opposing teams' guards for the duration of the game is what has shot him up draft boards. Flemings isn't undersized by any means, standing at six-foot-four, 190 lbs. He takes pride in guarding the opposing teams best guard, and he has held some very talented guards to poor shooting nights. If Flemings continues his efficient play on both sides of the ball, there is no reason for him to NOT be a top five draft pick. Flemings would bring the Wizards a true two-way point guard -- something that they haven't had since the John Wall days. 

2025-26 Statistics (9 GP): 15.9 PPG - 3.6 RPG - 5.0 APG - 2.0 SPG - 0.3 BPG - 60.6/56.0/73.9 shooting splits 

There's no doubt that this is one of the best drafts we've seen in quite some time. Even if the lottery luck doesn't go in Washington's favor (again), they still have a strong possibility at drafting a high level, impact player in June.