NBA mock draft 2026: Generational ‘big 3’ lead a class worth tanking for

The 2025 NBA Draft is within the books. Because the basketball world turns the web page to free company, commerce season, and summer time league, it’s already time to begin looking forward to subsequent yr’s draft class.

The 2026 NBA Draft ought to already be on the high of thoughts for groups across the league. It is a uncommon class with three potential No. 1 general prospects who’re all price tanking for. I’ve been masking the NBA Draft right here since 2014, and I can confidently say the 2026 class has the strongest preseason top-three I’ve evaluated in BYU ahead AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Duke huge man Cameron Boozer. Getting the No. 2 or No. 3 decide in 2026 is far more worthwhile than it often is. Getting the No. 4 decide may really feel like an enormous letdown relying the event of the remainder of the category.

Predicting subsequent yr’s NBA draft is an annual custom for me. You possibly can return and browse my early boards for a enjoyable journey down reminiscence lane from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 right here.

Right here’s a way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft, with extra evaluation on this class after the desk.

Let’s dive in to among the huge storylines on this class.

Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and AJ Dybantsa vie for No. 1 in traditionally robust top-3 of 2026 NBA Draft

A stud huge man with an unbreakable pedigree of profitable at each stage. A guard with unbelievable two-way physicality and shot-making means from anyplace on the ground. A wing with prototypical size, power, explosiveness, and shot-making. Who’re you taking No. 1 general?

In the meanwhile, I’d say there’s no improper reply. Boozer, Peterson, and Dybantsa enter the 2026 draft cycle with what looks like an equal share of No. 1 general fairness. The season will decide how this huge three shakes out, however I really feel assured all of them will finish the yr as glorious prospects who challenge as franchise gamers for the groups fortunate sufficient to get them.

I went with Boozer as my preseason No. 1. Right here’s an extended breakdown on all the things that makes him particular from final yr. Briefly, I’m betting on Boozer for his elite IQ and mentality, his dimension and energy, and his rising ability stage. Boozer simply looks like he thinks the sport two steps forward of everybody else on the ground. His means to play with brains and brawn will work on the highest ranges of the sport even when he’s not the largest participant on the ground. Boozer’s passing might be an computerized plus on the subsequent stage with unbelievable outlet passing and the flexibility to be a hub within the halfcourt. The best way he will get his staff working in transition jogs my memory of participant with a very totally different physique sort: Tyrese Haliburton. He’s going to be an excellent scorer off the dribble, too, particularly now that he’s displaying pull-up three-point taking pictures to enhance his bully-ball driving and expert inside ending. Perhaps you assume Boozer is a bit too quick for a middle and never fairly fast sufficient to be a 4. I get it. I wouldn’t be shocked if Boozer goes third within the 2026 draft for these causes, however I nonetheless assume he’s the perfect prospect on this class for his means to impression profitable.

Peterson is an elite prospect, too, and he was briefly No. 1 on my earliest 2026 draft checklist a number of months in the past. The 6’5 guard had a senior yr for the ages, detonating each blue-chip prospect in his path with an absurd mixture of three-level scoring, playmaking, and defensive depth. Peterson is a relentless scorer with a deep bag of methods who by some means not often looks like he’s forcing the motion. His physicality is top-notch for a guard when it comes to size/power/explosiveness, and he’s additionally extraordinarily well-conditioned to play exhausting as hell on each possession. There aren’t many elite offensive guards who’re this disruptive on protection. Peterson is a killer on the basketball flooring in each sense, and he’s going to be a day one star for Invoice Self at Kansas subsequent season.

Dybantsa is essentially the most highly-touted of the big-three, and possibly the probably to ultimately be drafted No. 1 general. He has a really perfect mixture of size (7’1), explosiveness, and taking pictures contact for an NBA wing, and in contrast to Ace Bailey, he already has a developed deal with that permits him to strain the rim, plus the power to complete via contact. Dybantsa is a monster prospect in each sense, I similar to Boozer and Peterson’s recreation a bit bit extra.

Who’re another impression freshmen within the 2026 draft?

Nate Ament, F, Tennessee: A protracted wing with flashes of deal with and taking pictures improvement. Choosing Tennessee for faculty — historically one of many sport’s greatest defensive packages — is an enchanting alternative that might pay main dividends if he develops on that finish.

Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville: A fast and shifty guard with a sophisticated deal with and pace to burn. He’s going to be on the controls for a loaded Louisville staff subsequent season, the place he ought to be capable to showcase his playmaking and down scoring.

Chris Cenac, C, Houston: A stretch huge who can fireplace from deep with flashes of rim safety. A yr below Kelvin Sampson ought to make him more durable and extra disciplined on the defensive finish.

Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina: Athletic ahead with a 7-foot wingspan and an understanding of methods to use it defensively. He’s extra of a connective piece on offense proper now, however UNC will give him all the things he can deal with subsequent season.

Brayden Burries, G, Arizona: Bucket-getting guard who is absolutely previous for his class, turning 20 in Sept. His pull-up taking pictures and downhill scoring ought to have an prompt impression at Arizona.

Who’re the highest faculty returners within the 2026 draft?

Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa: Stirtz had a breakout yr Drake to steer his staff to an NCAA event win and emerge as doubtlessly the nation’s greatest mid-major participant. He had the expertise to be drafted in 2025, however selected to observe his coach from D2 to the MVC to Iowa. He impacts the sport in so many areas as a scorer, playmaker, creating shooter (39 p.c from deep final yr), and defensive thief who posted an enormous steal charge. He’s primed for a monster season.

Yaxel Lendeborg, F/C, Michigan: Level-forward model huge man who additionally gained Defensive Participant of the Yr within the AAC after which took an enormous NIL bag from Michigan relatively than enter the draft. He’s a extremely good playmaker who will capably fill Danny Wolf’s sneakers in that space, he’s a talented inside scorer, and he’ll be a shutdown defender. I believe he has an opportunity to be the perfect participant in faculty basketball subsequent yr (although I’d nonetheless decide Boozer).

Miles Byrd, G/F, San Diego State: 6’7 wing who put up comically large block and steal charges for San Diego State. He completely would have been drafted in 2025, however one other yr in class to assist proceed his taking pictures improvement and enhance his creation means may repay.