Looking ahead at the 2026 NBA Draft, there are already three prospects who are separating themselves from the rest of the class. As 2026 gets closer, the top-three prospects seem to have been cemented over the past couple years. There’s been a fluctuation between one and three. However, no other prospect outside of them has truly shortened the gap. Entering the 2025 college basketball season, the expectation will remain the same unless another prospect elevates their performance and potential to an elite degree.
The Top-Three 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Could Be That Elite
Who’s At the Top?
Darryn Peterson – SG/PG
Over the past eight months, Kansas commit Darryn Peterson‘s stock has only risen after his final high school season. He won the 2025 Naismith High School Player of the Year, recognizing him as the most outstanding player in the nation. Winning the award puts Peterson in elite company as it’s been won by a handful of HOF-level and All-Star caliber players. In addition, he earned MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Peterson possesses an effortless ability to score off-the-dribble, and his combo guard size allows him to utilize his elite versatility at the position. He is an excellent multi-level scorer who can get to his spots inside the arc. In his senior year at Prolific Prep, he averaged 30.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, truly showcasing his two-way combo guard capability. However, he’ll need to develop his outside shot to become a true problem for opposing defenses.
His skill set should be maximized for the Jayhawks as they’ve remained a consistent threat in the Big-12. His commitment should result in another competitive season for Kansas. Head coach Bill Self has repeated the sentiment that Peterson is the best Kansas freshman in his coaching tenure.
AJ Dybantsa – SF
BYU commit and young high school phenom AJ Dybantsa is the other prospect in conversations for the top pick. On ESPN’s “First Take,” Dybantsa announced his commitment to the Cougars and head coach Kevin Young’s program, picking them over other schools like Kansas, Alabama, and North Carolina. For Dybantsa, BYU made complete sense as he attended Utah Prep and already had a strong connection with their coaching staff.
Looking at his skill set, Dybantsa’s offensive game thrives on creating space. His overall footwork and handle has rapidly improved. In his final season at Utah Prep, he averaged 19.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. Additionally, he has continued to utilize his length, movement skills, and elite athleticism more consistently. This has helped him improve his activity on the defensive end. However, Dybantsa still needs to fully commit to his development defensively.
After reclassifying to the 2025 recruiting class, Dybantsa is the highest potential prospect in the upcoming NBA Draft. He’ll have a great chance to display that ceiling in one of the best conferences in college basketball.
Cameron Boozer – PF
Moving away from the multi-level scorers, Duke commit Cameron Boozer gives the Blue Devils yet another elite top freshman prospect. His father, Carlos Boozer, played at Duke for three seasons, winning a national championship in 2001. After Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel starred for Duke last season, Boozer will look to follow in his father’s footsteps, joining his brother Cayden Boozer in hopes of winning a national championship.
Boozer should make an impact early for the Blue Devils. In his high school career, he averaged 21.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, winning four consecutive state championships. Being extremely versatile, he possesses an well-rounded offensive skill set with great rebounding instincts. He’s an underrated ball handler and has an excellent touch around the rim. In addition, Boozer can slide in as a reliable complementary big man, setting screens and finishing possessions on the glass.
Similarly to Flagg, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Cameron Boozer becomes the most impactful freshman in the country and develops into the most pro-ready prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Foreseeing Any Changes
With the top-three as cemented as they are right now, it will be difficult for other prospects to take the leap over these stud freshman prospects. Other first-year stars like Nate Ament at Tennessee and Tounde Yessoufou at Baylor could be in the conversation to fill out the top-five. However, the 2026 NBA Draft discussions should transition to who can position themselves with the next 11 lottery selections.
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