My Unofficial 2026 NBA Draft Board

Every year, I have my Unofficial Big Board, and I decided to release the first round of it!  I also wrote a couple sentences about each player.  I do not do this full-time, which is why I had been resistant to release many of my past boards prior to the 2024 Draft, but I thought it would be fun to discuss.  While I consider a combination of what they’ve shown, analytics, and how they play, the most important part of how I view players is how I project they will be in the NBA, which is what this is all about.  I also included descriptions of why I’m lower on 6 guys who I am predicting will be first round picks.

 

 

1: AJ Dybantsa

It was close for the top spot, but he’s an amazing player who I think can be even better when surrounded by higher level players to make his life easier, especially on offense.  I think he’ll be able to do almost anything at a big size.

2: Darryn Peterson

I went back and forth here (especially since teams are reportedly fine with the medicals), but it’s undeniable his upside on both ends of the court who might be able to do it all.

3: Cameron Boozer

I don’t think he has the upside of the two ahead of him, but I think there is a clear path to him being a key player and likely All-Star, especially since he has a high IQ and is an all-around adept offensive player.

4: Caleb Wilson

While the most raw out of the top 4, he can be an amazing two way player who can do most things at a high level, especially finish and defend.

5: Darius Acuff

I get the defensive concerns, but his offense is by far the best out of all remaining players in this draft class; I think he will be an All-Star easily.

6: Mikel Brown Jr.

Brown can be so smooth and so chaotic within the same minute (I think that might be why I like him so much), but super competitive and has high upside as a playmaker and scorer.

7: Kingston Flemings

While Flemings could have his struggles in the NBA, I think the craftiness, scoring ability, athleticism, and effort on both ends make it likely that he will find a large role.

8: Ebuka Okorie

I’m much higher than consensus on Okorie because I think there is a clear path to success with his scoring.  He reminds me a lot of Collin Sexton, who has been a good guard (albeit having bad luck with the teams he is on), which is a good result at this point in the draft even if he isn’t better than that.

9: Brayden Burries

I don’t think Burries will be a star, but I think he will be a valuable 2-way combo guard who can do a lot on both ends of the court; he’s a great guy to have around stars.

10: Cameron Carr

I absolutely love Carr due to his athleticism and shooting ability.  While he didn’t play hard defensively in college, I imagine he will be better at that with NBA coaching in his ears and a lesser workload.

11: Hannes Steinbach

Even if he never feels comfortable with his jumper, he is an amazing player in the paint on both ends, which should allow him to have a role on a competitive team.

12: Sergio de Larrea

I’m surprised people are so low on de Larrea, but he is a big guard who can shoot and make plays.  Even if he’s not a star, this skillset is so valuable.

13: Christian Anderson

I think Anderson could struggle at first due to his size, but he is really skilled and showcased some athleticism in the Combine; if he figures out how to incorporate that into his game, he could be a stud.

14: Baba Miller

I’m probably higher than most on Miller, but I think he will have value even if he can’t shoot because he is talented at just about everything else; he reminds me a bit of Ron Holland, who I was high on in 2024.

15: Nate Ament

Ament is super raw and likely won’t be a star, making me wary about him, but he has a solid shot, defensive upside, and is just so fluid that I think he’s worth a shot here at the lowest.

16: Labaron Philon

I’m lower on Philon than most of the other guards since I’m not sold on his athleticism, but he improved so much and is such a talented offensive player in particular.

17: Keaton Wagler

I’m lower on him than most because I question if he can be a point guard and am nervous about his athleticism and if he can play faster, but I can’t deny that he could be a really good and smart player.  I could see him being a quality combo guard.

18: Morez Johnson

The only reason I’m a little lower than most is that I prefer prospects be stronger offensive players than defensive players (young players usually stink defensively anyways, so there’s room to grow).  That said, I think Johnson could improve as an offensive player and will be at worst a nice bench defender.

19: Meleek Thomas

I think Thomas is such an underrated player (I can’t bring myself to have him higher, but I love him).  At worst, he will be a guy off the bench who is willing to chuck it, but I think he will be better than that.

20: Bennett Stirtz

Even if he never realizes that he’s more athletic than he thinks he is, he should play a large role as a combo guard due to his shooting and playmaking.

21: Dillon Mitchell

I know that Mitchell can’t shoot and has never played a large role on offense, but he is an amazing defender and rebounder who is developing passing touch.

22: Karim Lopez

I think he is raw and has bust potential due to the athleticism, but eventually you have to consider the fact that he is so big and strong while knowing how to utilize his strength better than many his age.

23: Yaxel Lendeborg

I know I’m lower than a bunch of people due to his athleticism and self-creation ability, but I still believe that he will be able to do almost everything else at a quality level.

24: Quadir Copeland

I’m likely too high on him, but how often do you get a point guard as big as he is?  The fact that he is improving as a shooter makes me excited (maybe a little too much so).

25: Koa Peat

I have no idea what he will be in the NBA, but eventually you have to consider the fact that he is so strong and physical that he will muck things up early and then improve from there.

26: Jayden Quaintance

I wish I could have him higher, but I’m scared about all the injuries.  In fact, if he were healthy and had no injury concerns, he would be in the top-10 on my board due to his defensive ability already at his age.

27: Joshua Jefferson

While the athleticism isn’t good, I think the skillset is good enough that he could be a large backup point-forward, which could cause headaches for defenses.

28: Trevon Brazile

While I don’t fully trust the shot, he is such an impressive athlete and defender that he is worth taking a flyer at this point in the draft.

29: Jack Kayil

He’s not the best athlete and is a little raw, but he can shoot, pass, and defend; I think he could be a steady playmaker.

30: Isaiah Evans

It might take a bit of time for the defense, but the shot so good that I think it is difficult to not find a role for him.

 

There were 10 guys who I considered for the top-30, who were Bryce Hopkins, Malique Lewis, Aday Mara, Jaden Bradley, Emanuel Sharp, Dailyn Swain, Tarris Reed, Bruce Thornton, Tyler Bilodeau, and Braden Smith.

 

Projected First Rounders Who I Am Low On

Every year, there are a few projected first round picks who I am lower than consensus on.  Like most predictions, there are times that I am correct and other times that I am wrong (usually we get some of each in a draft class).  I want to highlight some players who I have projected as first round picks that I do not have in the top-30 on my board.  The number after is where I have them ranked

 

Aday Mara (34)

While I learned a lot about being way too low on Zach Edey, I have concerns about Mara.  While a good drop defender, I think he is really stiff.  Also, he didn’t play many minutes for a junior which concerns me.

Dailyn Swain (36)

If he was doing what he did as a sophomore, he would be a lottery pick for me, but I’m concerned about what he will be on both ends given his handle (I don’t trust it), his jumper (I have faith in it), his defensive effort (which is not good for a junior), and his athleticism.

Chris Cenac (41)

I probably should be higher on him, but it drives me crazy that he will not play in a style that is best suited for him.  He’s so strong, but he shoots so much instead of being physical, though I don’t trust his shot at all.

Zuby Ejiofor (44)

He’s on the fringe of the first round, as he and Tarris Reed went back and forth for me, but I honestly see Ejiofor being a third string center, which is something that I don’t think makes sense to use a first round pick on.

Allen Graves (45)

This might sound weird given how much I love analytics that I’m low on Graves, but he put up monster numbers while coming off the bench at Santa Clara…yet everyone treats it like he was putting up these numbers against Victor Wembanyama.  There’s a reason he came off the bench at a non-power conference school, and I unfortunately think that it will be clear once he gets to the NBA.

Henri Veesaar (47)

It pains me to have him here since he is such a spectacular college player, but I just don’t believe his game will translate in the NBA.  The reason I even have him as high as I do is because his style could be beneficial if it does translate.

 

Who do you like in this draft?  Is there anyone you agree or disagree with me on?  Let me know in the comments!