Where AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer Land in ESPN's Latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft
The 2025-26 college basketball season is turning the page to conference play, giving top prospects more chances to boost their stock in the 2026 NBA draft.
ESPN's Jeremy Woo released his latest mock draft on Tuesday, predicting that Kansas star freshman guard Darryn Peterson would be selected by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 1 overall pick. BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa went second to the Sacramento Kings, while Duke freshman big man Cameron Boozer landed with the Atlanta Hawks with the third pick.
The top 10 of Woo's mock draft is as follows:
- Indiana Pacers: Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas (freshman)
- Sacramento Kings: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU (freshman)
- Atlanta Hawks: Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke (freshman)
- Washington Wizards: Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina (freshman)
- Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston (freshman)
- Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville (freshman)
- Charlotte Hornets: Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee (freshman)
- Chicago Bulls: Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky (sophomore)
- Dallas Mavericks: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas (freshman)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, Florida (junior)
Peterson has been in and out of the Jayhawks' lineup due to various injuries this season, but he returned for the start of Big 12 play and topped the 20-point mark in three conference games, including a 32-point outburst in an overtime win against TCU earlier this month.
Dybantsa has been one of the most consistently dominant players in college basketball this year, scoring 20-plus points while shooting over 50 percent in nine straight games and averaging 22.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists this season. Boozer has made a similar impact with averages of 22.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists for the Blue Devils.
Interestingly, eight out of the top 10 picks in Woo's mock draft are freshmen, with Kentucky sophomore center Jayden Quaintance and Florida junior forward Thomas Haugh as the only upperclassmen.
It's clear that an influx of youth is coming to the NBA later this year, and this season's top college basketball prospects will be ready to make an immediate impact when they jump to the next level.
