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Ranking the Best 25 NBA Draft Prospects of the Past Decade
The hype around AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer leading up to the 2026 NBA draft has made some wonder about how they compare to other recent prospects.
You'll find the answer to that question here.
We've ranked the top 25 prospects of the last decade based strictly on their pre-draft resumes, physical tools, production, age, upside and the expectations surrounding them at the time—not what they ultimately became in the NBA.
These players represented the highest levels of draft intrigue from 2017 through 2026. Some lived up to the hype, others fell short, but all entered the NBA carrying extraordinary expectations and scouting buzz.
25. Scottie Barnes, Florida State F
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Drafted: No. 4, 2021
Scottie Barnes entered the draft as a unique 6'9" playmaker who could handle the ball, facilitate offense and impact games without needing to score. His feel, passing vision and unselfishness allowed him to function as a point-forward in a variety of lineups.
Barnes' biggest selling point was his defensive versatility. He had the size, length and energy to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes and make winning plays all over the floor.
The primary concern with Barnes was his lack of offensive polish, particularly as a shooter. He struggled to consistently space the floor, and he lacked the scoring aggression that teams typically look for in a top-five prospect.
24. Deandre Ayton, Arizona C
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Drafted: No. 1, 2018
Early in high school, Deandre Ayton separated himself with his physical profile, touch around the basket and a developing face-up game. He scored efficiently in the post, as a rim-runner and from the mid-range, projecting as a potential No. 1 offensive option.
His combination of size, strength and athleticism made him one of the most productive rebounders in college basketball. Ayton consistently controlled the glass and generated second-chance opportunities on both ends.
Despite the questions about his shooting range and defense—and Luka Dončić coming off Euroleague MVP honors—the Phoenix Suns were apparently too convinced by Ayton's tools, production and two-point shot-making to pass him up with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
23. Jalen Green, G League Ignite SG
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Drafted: No. 2, 2021
Before playing for the first G League Ignite team, Jalen Green had already won three FIBA gold medals and an MVP award at the 2018 U17 World Cup.
He was a scary scoring prospect with wild athletic abilities, advanced creation moves and three-level shot-making skills.
Tough shot selection and limited playmaking were the drawbacks to Green. But they weren't worrisome enough for the Houston Rockets, who took him before Evan Mobley during the 2021 draft.
22. Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn PF
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Drafted: No. 3, 2022
In the days leading up to the 2022 NBA draft, Jabari Smith was considered the favorite to go No. 1 to the Orlando Magic.
The 6'10" Smith shot 42.0 percent on 5.5 three-point attempts per game during his lone season at Auburn, looking more fluid around the perimeter than Duke forward Paolo Banchero. He also projected as a versatile defender thanks to his mobility, length and motor. Smith could switch across positions and consistently impacted games with his effort and instincts.
The biggest concern about Smith was his self-creation ability. He lacked an advanced handle and struggled to consistently get all the way to the rim, limiting his upside as a primary offensive option.
21. Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite SF
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Drafted: No. 4, 2023
Amen Thompson entered the 2023 draft as one of the most explosive athletes in recent memory. His ability to collapse defenses and create for teammates made him a dynamic lead ball-handler.
His length, quickness and instincts gave him the tools to defend multiple positions and generate turnovers. Thompson's competitiveness and playmaking pointed to All-Defense potential.
The biggest concern was his perimeter shooting, which remained inconsistent throughout his time at Overtime Elite. Teams had to weigh his elite physical tools and playmaking against questions about how his jump shot would translate to NBA spacing.
20. Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite PG
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Drafted: No. 3, 2023
Before the NIL era, Scoot Henderson averaged 17.6 points and 6.4 assists as a teenager in the G League.
The hype around him started to build early after he scored 28 points against Victor Wembanyama during a preseason exhibition in Las Vegas.
Henderson always stood out with his signature mix of explosion, power and ball-handling. Three-point shooting and decision-making were areas he needed to improve, but a comfortable mid-range game and strong playmaking numbers helped ease concerns.
19. Dylan Harper, Rutgers PG
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Drafted: No. 2, 2025
Dylan Harper quickly became known as the consolation prize behind Cooper Flagg during the 2024-25 college basketball season.
He's one of the best driving and finishing guard prospects of the decade with his combination of ball-handling, strength and instincts at the rim.
Signs of improved shooting during his senior year in high school carried over to Rutgers. And while his shooting percentages kept some from predicting he would develop into a surefire NBA star, Harper had become a confident and potent enough shotmaker for scouts to look past the inconsistency.
18. Evan Mobley, USC F/C
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Drafted: No. 3, 2021
A near 7-footer who changed games defensively but also moved and handled like a wing, Evan Mobley was an easy standout early in high school.
There were some questions about him seemingly being too casual or blending in. But Mobley's combination of rim protection, switchability, ball-handling, passing and shot-making flashes was rare.
Mobley wasn't elite at any one thing offensively, which made him more of a complementary weapon rather than a top option. That led to enough hesitation from the Houston Rockets at No. 2 in 2021. Still, his two-way versatility felt special for a teenager.
17. Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State PF/C
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Drafted: No. 4, 2018
Jaren Jackson Jr. looked like a special defensive prospect at Michigan State. At 18 years old, he blocked a nation-leading 3.0 shots in just 21.8 minutes per game.
But he also shot 39.6 percent on 96 three-point attempts, which occasionally included some step-backs and pull-ups.
Jackson looked like an elite three-and-D big with an effective post game, and he still had so much room to expand his skill set given his age.
The only questions were about his lack of offensive rebounding, high foul rate and limited creativity.
16. Jayson Tatum, Duke F
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Drafted: No. 3, 2017
Former Celtics president Danny Ainge was higher on Jayson Tatum than others. That proved to be prescient.
The eye test approved of Tatum's advanced self-creation and three-level shotmaking, which drew comparisons to Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce.
However, concerns over his inefficiency at Duke led to some hesitation. His mid-range and three-point percentages were underwhelming, and he finished with more turnovers than assists.
Ainge was right to ignore the numbers and put more stock into Tatum's tools, footwork, shot-making versatility, character and high school tape.
15. Anthony Edwards, Georgia SG
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Drafted: No. 1, 2020
Few scoring-guard prospects combined Anthony Edwards' size, power, explosion, creation and shot-making.
Leading up to the 2020 draft, there were questions about Edwards' ability to impact winning based on the film of his decision-making and shot diet. He shot only 40.2 percent overall and 29.4 percent from three during his lone season at Georgia, and he had 91 assists to 87 turnovers.
However, his talent and skill level wound up outweighing the negatives, which the Minnesota Timberwolves rightfully ignored at No. 1 overall.
14. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga PF/C
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Drafted: No. 2, 2022
Chet Holmgren's lack of shot creation in the NBA was predictable based his predraft career. But he also checked a valuable mix of boxes with extreme certainty, having shot 83.0 percent at the rim (including 56-of-56 dunk attempts) and 39.0 percent on 105 three-point attempts while registering a 12.6 block percentage during his lone season at Gonzaga.
Holmgren was a one-of-a-kind big with elite rim protection and finishing tools/metrics, plus a convincing shooting stroke.
Holmgren could single-handedly change a game defensively while providing ultra-efficient complementary offense at the rim and behind the arc.
13. Paolo Banchero, Duke PF
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Drafted: No. 1, 2022
Paolo Banchero had a gradual rise from high school to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft. His ball-handling and perimeter skills continue to expand, creating a 250-pound mismatch who could bully inside or face up and score/pass.
Leading up to the draft, Banchero wasn't the overwhelming favorite to go first overall due to questions about his three-point range, defense and limited explosion.
But more than Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith, Banchero was a player whom coaches could run offense through, whether it was at the point of attack or in the post.
12. Lonzo Ball, UCLA PG
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Drafted: No. 2, 2017
A high school legend at Chino Hills, Lonzo Ball lived up to the hype at UCLA with an incredibly rare mix of scoring efficiency, playmaking production and highlights above the rim.
No other college player finished a season with a true shooting percentage over 65.0, an assist percentage over 30.0 and at least 30 dunks.
Ball, who's one of the best passing prospects in recent memory, also shot 73.2 percent inside the arc and 41.2 percent from three.
Knee injuries ruined Ball's pro career, but few NBA players have received as much predraft hysteria.
11. Markelle Fultz, Washington PG
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Drafted: No. 1, 2017
Markelle Fultz was a special guard prospect before his perimeter shooting abandoned him in the NBA.
He moved differently. He got to spots with advanced ball-handling and footwork maneuvers. He finished with bounce above the rim and acrobatics below it.
He registered a 35.5 assist percentage at Washington, an indication he might be an elite creator and scorer.
But most importantly, he was a 41.3 percent three-point shooter on 126 attempts. He even shot 41.7 percent on two-point jumpers.
Whatever happened to his shoulder, confidence and shooting stroke in the pros continues to be debatable. But he was the consensus No. 1 prospect in a draft that also had Jayson Tatum and Lonzo Ball.
10. LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks PG
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Drafted: No. 3, 2020
Before LaMelo Ball arrived in Australia, there were questions about how he would fare against pros in the NBL. There were also questions about how the Illawarra coaches, players and the NBL at large would embrace an American teenage social media star.
An foot injury limited Ball to just 13 games in Australia, but he averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 boards and 6.8 assists for Illawarra while operating with the same type of flare, creativity and shot-making confidence we've seen in Charlotte.
Ball's low shooting percentages and questionable decision-making led to two teams passing on him in the 2020 draft. But the NBA loves big playmakers, and Ball had just the right balance of 6'7" size, scoring and playmaking that teams covet in a lead guard.
9. Ja Morant, Murray State PG
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Drafted: No. 2, 2019
No other college basketball player on record has totaled at least 25 dunks with an assist percentage over 50.0 percent.
Ja Morant's combination of explosiveness and playmaking looked unprecedented.
During his sophomore year at Murray State, Morant averaged 24.5 points and 10.0 assists while posting a true shooting percentage of 61.2. He also knocked down 1.7 threes per game at a 36.3 percent clip.
8. AJ Dybantsa, BYU F
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AJ Dybantsa may be the favorite to go No. 1 overall in 2026. He's arguably the most convincing pure scorer of the decade when taking into account his BYU production, positional size for the NBA, footwork for creation and three-level shot-making.
Having him behind Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer on draft boards would be due to questions about his low three-point volume, suspect defense and catch-and-hold tendencies. He doesn't possess Peterson's off-ball comfort level.
However, he's as tough of a one-on-one mismatch as there is for a 19-year-old. And given his overwhelming tools, athletic traits, easy ability to separate and shotmaking versatility, Dybantsa seems like a good bet to start finishing near the top of the NBA scoring leaderboards.
7. Darryn Peterson, Kansas SG
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Darryn Peterson wasn't fully healthy at Kansas, yet he still managed to average 20.2 points in 29.0 minutes per game. He ranked seventh nationally in box plus-minus while playing 24 games.
His reputation took off during his senior year at Prolific Prep, where he developed into an elite shot-creator who could operate as his team's primary ball-handler and playmaker. He also proved to be one of the nation's more efficient and potent off-ball scorers, grading in the 99th percentile out of spot-ups and 88th percentile on dribble-handoffs while shooting 38.2 percent on movement threes, per Synergy Sports.
He's going to look even more dynamic on the ball in the NBA with more explosive legs and shooters around him who create far more spacing than he saw at Kansas.
6. Luka Dončić, Real Madrid G
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Drafted: No. 3, 2018
There were a lot of mixed opinions about Luka Dončić's ceiling leading into the 2018 draft.
Skeptics—whether it was fans, media or the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings—overthought Dončić's athletic limitations. They shouldn't have.
A 19-year-old winning Euroleague MVP was unheard of, and Dončić was clearly an outlier type of prospect who could control defenses and games with his handle, pacing, positional strength, shot-making and passing IQ.
Dončić may have even changed the way certain teams evaluate draft prospects, with less stock going into athletic traits and more going into skill and processing.
5. Cameron Boozer, Duke PF
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Opinions on Cameron Boozer's NBA outlook and ceiling remained divided. But he has one of the best predraft resumés of any prospect in recent memory, starting with four state championships, three EYBL Peach Jam championships, two FIBA gold medals/MVPS and National Player of the Year at Duke.
And he doesn't turn 19 until mid-July.
Those who believe Boozer's lack of explosion will restrict him in the NBA don't believe he's a special pro prospect. With that said, it's hard to cap the ceiling of a prospect his age who's 250 pounds, shoots near 40 percent from three, creates from the perimeter with ball-handling and passes at an elite level.
Boozer just averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 boards and 4.1 assists per game during his lone season at Duke. He also has NBA All-Star genes from his dad and is widely known to possess outstanding character/maturity.
Plenty of franchise players and MVP candidates across the NBA aren't overly athletic or bouncy. Most of the household names of today's game thrive with footwork, shotmaking, IQ and instincts.
Boozer will likely be the next.
4. Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State PG
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Drafted: No. 1, 2021
Cade Cunningham looked like one of the most convincing future No. 1 overall picks after he went undefeated with a national championship at Montverde. He morphed into a giant lead guard with ultra-high passing IQ and improving shot-making ability.
He then averaged 20.1 points during his lone season at Oklahoma State while shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range on 155 attempts. That was an exciting development for a player who could create, run offense and defend the point of attack at 6'6".
Cunningham didn't have a ton of help at Oklahoma State, which led to some inefficient performances and an early NCAA tournament exit. But his talent was just too obvious, while his jumbo-playmaker archetype remains one of the most desired in the NBA.
3. Zion Williamson, Duke PF
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Drafted: No. 1, 2019
The NBA had never seen Zion Williamson's unique mix of power, explosion, quickness and ball-handling.
His physical abilities, movement and ball skills made him a true outlier—a player who can dominate a game at both ends without needing traditional self-creation moves or shooting. Williamson was essentially the modern forward version of Shaquille O'Neal.
His 20.1 box plus-minus at Duke is still the highest single-season mark in college basketball history.
2. Cooper Flagg, Duke PF
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Drafted: No. 1, 2025
During Cooper Flagg's senior year at Montverde, he cemented himself as the best American prospect since Anthony Davis.
His game and role gradually evolved from elite glue guy or jack-of-all-trades into a No. 1 option with budding shot-creation, shot-making and playmaking skill.
Flagg went on to win National Player of the Year at Duke after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 38.5 percent from three. Few prospects in recent memory have checked this many boxes.
1. Victor Wembanyama, Mets 92
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Drafted: No. 1, 2023
The "generational prospect" label may get thrown around too loosely, but it was accurate for Victor Wembanyama.
No player of his size (7'4") had ever shown such easy three-point range, functional ball-handling, diverse shot-making skill and the ability to optimize every inch of height and length defensively.
On top of all Wembanyama's outrageous physical talent and skill, his professionalism and competitiveness had been evident at a young age.
Even with the unprecedented hype, it's still hard to fathom how quickly he's risen to the top of the NBA.
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