Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa Lead 2026 Draft
Duke's Cameron Boozer and BYU's AJ Dybantsa emerge as favorites for the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, following their remarkable performances during March Madness.
Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) reacts with guard Cayden Boozer (2) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The NCAA tournament continues to reveal future NBA talents, with several prospects using March Madness to boost their stock ahead of the 2026 Draft. This draft class is considered one of the most promising of all time, attracting attention from all NBA franchises.
Cameron Boozer Takes Top Spot in Projections
Cameron Boozer, Duke freshman, debuts in first position of mock drafts after an exceptional season. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, teams believe Boozer would be the « preferred selection » of the Indiana Pacers at the first overall pick due to his « fit potential » alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac.
The ACC Player of the Year may not be the flashiest, but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he brings a winning culture after multiple high school championships and an elite Duke team that reached the Sweet 16.
AJ Dybantsa from BYU follows closely in second position. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points (680) by a wide margin this season. He highlighted his potential in his only March Madness game, scoring 35 points and 10 rebounds, after scoring 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 tournament.
CAMERON BOOZER 24 PTS AND 14 REB TO ELIMINATE CLEMSON FROM THE ACC TOURNEY 🤤 pic.twitter.com/6LPz61rlzI
— ESPN (@espn) March 14, 2026
Promising Talents Throughout the First Round
Darryn Peterson rounds out the top 3. While he’s no longer viewed as the near-certain number 1 pick he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts believe he remains the most talented player in this class.
Among other notable prospects, Caleb Wilson from North Carolina occupies fourth position despite missing the NCAA tournament due to a broken thumb. According to Bart Torvik, before his injury, this All-ACC big man led nationally with 67 recorded dunks.
Kingston Flemings from Houston (5th position) could make a defensive impact for a franchise. The All-Big 12 guard scored 42 points against Texas Tech on January 24 and helped Houston reach the Sweet 16.
This 2026 Draft looks exceptional with many players capable of having an immediate impact in the NBA, making the coming weeks crucial for finalizing rankings before the official selection.
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With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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