With the 2026 NCAA Tournament set to begin on Thursday, we take a look at six prospects to watch beginning Thursday.
With the round of 64 set to begin today and the Wizards sitting second in the NBA Draft lottery, per Tankathon, Thursday marks the chance to watch several exciting prospects in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. We take a look at four first round candidates with the top-eight protected pick almost officially solidified, along with a pair of projected second round prospects who could make a dent on the Wizards roster in 2026-27.
Darius Acuff, Arkansas
In the nightmare scenario that the Wizards fall outside of the top three, there's still a chance to add a difference maker with fewer question marks after a standout freshman season. Acuff became the third player in conference history to be named both the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year, while becoming the first Razorback since Bobby Portis in 2015. Averaging a hair under 23 points including a pair of 30-point games in the SEC Tournament, Acuff could become the latest scoring threat in a backcourt that will already feature Tre Johnson and Trae Young in 2026-27. Arkansas will begin their run at 4:25 PM ET against Hawaii on TBS on Thursday.
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Maybe the best positional fit given the current makeup of the roster, Boozer is also coming off conference honors after being named ACC Player and Rookie of the Year by all but two of 86 voters, becoming the fifth player in program history to record the feat. His feel around the rim has been hard to ignore through an efficient season, averaging 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists ahead of the NCAA Tournament where he's viewed as a consensus top three prospect. Adding him to a front court that already has Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr adds firepower - and optimism to the frontcourt both short and long-term. Duke will kick off against Siena at 2:50 PM on Thursday.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
An AP First Team All American and Big 12 Freshman of the Year after breaking 16 freshman records, Dybantsa has drawn buzz as the likely second overall pick after leading the country with 25.3 points per game. ESPN currently projects the BYU star to land with Washington after projecting the Wizards to land the second overall pick. Dybantsa has also showcased himself as a dynamic scorer who may also be a better defensive prospect than Peterson (more below) as a 6-foot-9 wing. BYU will open against Texas, who beat NC State in the play-in, at 7:25 PM on Thursday.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Considered the top overall pick, the questions with Peterson have stemmed with his availability. Starting all but one of the 22 games he's been made available, but he's also missed 11 games. He also played 25 or fewer minutes, raising concerns about his situation has been through the season after reportedly battling both cramps and a hamstring injury. But when he's on, he's on. It's telling that even with the ongoing questions, Peterson has remained as the likely favorite to become the top overall pick in April's draft. Kansas will face Cal-Baptist at 9:45 PM on Friday night.
Second Round Pick Candidates
With a pair of projected second round picks - that accounts for the one sent to the Knicks as a result of the top-eight protected first round pick - Washington has a chance to restock depth and bolster its G League roster as general manager Will Dawkins maps out his plan. Two who could fit into Washington's plans.
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
For now, the Wizards rank among the worst rebounding teams in the NBA this season. That's also attributed to Alex Sarr missing 23 games while the arrival of Anthony Davis will drastically improve those numbers. But the addition of Ejiofor will elevate the depth in the frontcourt after ranking seventh in the conference with 7.1 rebounds per game, including double-doubles in two of his last six games along with 18 points and nine rebounds in the tournament championship win vs. UConn. He also notched seven blocks against UConn, which somehow wasn't a season high after recording eight vs. Iona and Ole Miss in consecutive games back in mid-December. St. John's opens their run against Northern Iowa at 7:10 PM on Friday.
Tarris Reed Jr, UConn
The Michigan transfer has come on in his second season with UConn after starting in all 29 games, averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds along the way. Reed is better suited for the five as a 6-foot-11 big man, also proving an excellent rebounder after averaging a career-high 8.1 as a senior and at least seven in each of his last three seasons. Reed does well using his body and impressive strength to become a dominant scorer around the rim with developed footwork to create on the block. UConn will take the floor against Furman at 10 PM on Friday night.