NBA Scouts Reveal Who They'd Draft No. 1 Right Now
Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer have fueled both excitement and debate around the 2026 NBA draft.
Three different archetypes, three worthy No. 1 overall talents, lots of different opinions on this year's true best prospect.
So we asked around the NBA to find out who scouts are favoring in what's being billed as a special Tier 1.
Unsurprisingly, we've heard three separate answers as 2025 comes to a close.
Not everyone was confident in picking their No. 1 with Peterson only playing four games so far and three months left to evaluate. But we were still able to get a sense on the various viewpoints shared across the league.
Making the Case: Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF)
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There seem to be two common perspectives shared on Cameron Boozer.
One of them sees the prize of the draft. The believers sound willing to bet on his unmatched, winning track record since 15 years old. These scouts choose not to overthink or put too much stock into inches, verticals, style or what's perceived to drive upside.
"I have Cam at 1," one scout told Bleacher Report. "For the past five years he's always the best player on the floor, his production is just incredible."
There is support for the idea that Boozer just always finds a way, and he'll continue to do so in the NBA, particularly since his offensive repertoire keeps expanding and becoming more aligned with a modern big's game. He's hit more threes in 12 games (16) than AJ Dybantsa has through 13 (11).
An improving one-on-one scorer, Boozer is 9-of-12 out of isolation with the ability to put the ball down, use advanced footwork off the dribble, move defenders with strength and activate touch with both hands. He's averaging 23.3 points and 10.0 boards on 56.7 percent, operating from the low block, where he's a physical force, out to the arc, where he's become a serious threat to shoot, drive or facilitate.
Every year in the NBA, we see more evidence of ball-handling skill and footwork allowing less-athletic forwards or bigs to create or capitalize on space to attack.
His passing is just another unteachable strength/selling point that creates more versatility and value while highlighting IQ that shows on more than just assists.
Boozer's defensive performance and outlook do seem mixed, and NBA teams typically want positive frontcourt defenders. Still, a 3.1 steal rate shows both quick reactions and anticipation relative to his athletic reputation. And though he's bound to look vulnerable in space or contesting above the rim, the intangibles suggest it's worth banking on a strong team defender.
On the other hand, some scouts are just too hesitant over his lack of explosion and slower delivery when comparing him to Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson.
There aren't as many translation questions around Dybantsa or Peterson's archetypes due to their plus athletic traits and shotmaking prowess. Throw in Boozer's lack of shot-blocking, and there are enough potential roadblocks to hitting upside for rebuilding teams to worry about at No. 1 with Dybantsa and Peterson both on the board.
"Boozer is different from DP, AJ and even Caleb Wilson, for better and worse," another scout said. "You know the concerns with Boozer, and they're just causing a holdup I don't have with the other guys. The Texas game I went to also wasn't great for him."
Boozer's perceived ceiling is really what's causing the divide and rankings of both No. 1 and No. 3. Where he ends up going will come down to how the selecting team weighs skill and historically high impact versus lack of explosion and likely neutral defense.
Making the Case: AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF)
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Coming off a 33-point triple-double after a season-high 35-point game, AJ Dybantsa is in the midst of a very persuasive stretch. Scouts will want to see this carry over against tougher opponents, but watching him hit two threes, dish out 10 assists and collect multiple steals against Eastern Washington, it's clear he has the supporting skills and tools that can add layers of versatility around his signature scoring.
Dybantsa is No. 1 for a chunk of scouts across the league. There is a comfort level with his incredible physical profile (positionally). The shots Dybantsa has been able to earn so far have also appeared easier or higher quality than the ones Darryn Peterson has gotten.
Those who still prefer Peterson or Cameron Boozer cite Dybantsa's shot selection or decision-making in a lead role. And the promising early results have mostly come against much unimpressive competition.
But if there was ever a blueprint for selling preseason skeptics, Dybantsa is executing exceptionally well early.
Shooting 59.1 percent with an assist percentage double his turnover rate, he has been making more advanced reads identifying open space (as opposed to forcing into traffic), knowing when to use his strength and showing strong passing IQ in playmaking situations.
Given how efficient he's been separating and converting from the mid-range—he's 11-of-22 on two-point jumpers and making 65.4 percent of his post-ups—there also doesn't seem to be much concern over the low-volume three-point numbers.
There is always a draw to a prospect that can take over a game, and Dybantsa has done that on multiple occasions early (including against Connecticut) mimicking NBA star wings' explosive finishes, three-level shotmaking and advanced counters.
He scores highest on the eye test, which helps suggest the smallest risk. That could make it more unlikely he falls to No. 3. Maximizing his chances of going No. 1 means continued efficiency against tough competition, avoiding red flags over three-point shooting and consistent signs of improved awareness playmaking for teammates.
Making the Case: Darryn Peterson (Kansas, SG)
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Explosive production at Prolific Prep—plus the fluidity and familiar, star-skill package behind it—led to scouts favoring Darryn Peterson as the projected No. 1 pick. He had all the momentum entering the season, and then a hamstring injury halted it.
Even with just four games played and Cam Boozer and AJ Dybantsa having tremendous freshmen seasons, Peterson still holds the No. 1 prospect title for some.
"It's still gotta be Peterson due to how he can run a team and control it", one executive told Bleacher Report. "The other guys need playmakers with them. Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Steph Curry, they control games. AJ could be that do it all guy but I don't see it today."
The small sample size of Peterson minutes has only given scouts a snapshot of what he showed last year, particularly as a creator. His shotmaking expertise has been evident in limited action. He's actually been more effective off the ball, making 12-of-19 catch-and-shoot jumpers and six of his nine attempts running off screens.
Aside from the diverse shotmaking and being able to hit tough jumpers on the regular, the key sales pitch to Peterson stemmed from how quick and effortlessly he looks getting to spots. He splits defenders with quick-burst moves. He elevates into uncontested pull-ups. He's electric in transition. Give Peterson the ball and he'll create an advantage for himself or teammates with plenty of NBA size and convincing movements.
Dybantsa is now doing that a high level for BYU, and it's raised the bar for Peterson. There are scouts who still need to see him execute and dominate in that No. 1 creator role the way he did in high school.
"Peterson needs to get back, ASAP," one scout texted Bleacher Report.
A full-strength Peterson would ultimately have a case built around more perimeter firepower, less reliance on strength and superior defensive quickness/film compared to Dybantsa.
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