BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson are projected as the top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, a class widely considered one of the deepest in recent years.
The NBA Draft lottery has concluded, with the Washington Wizards emerging as the biggest winners of the 2026 sweepstakes. The final top-four order aligns perfectly with each team’s needs. The Wizards secured the No. 1 overall pick, while the Utah Jazz moved up to No. 2 for the first time in franchise history on lottery day. The Memphis Grizzlies jumped three spots to No. 3, and the Chicago Bulls, under new front-office leadership, climbed from No. 9 to No. 4.
In other notable developments, the Indiana Pacers lost their draft pick to the LA Clippers via the Ivica Zubac trade in February, giving the Clippers the No. 5 selection. The Brooklyn Nets slipped to No. 6, and the Sacramento Kings dropped to No. 7.
The crown jewels of this loaded draft class are BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. A strong group of guards rounds out the top 10. Here’s an updated mock draft based on the finalized order, with key notes:
– Only players ranked in the consensus top 35 by team feedback are included. Freshmen outside that range are excluded, as staying in college offers better earning potential. Players who have declared early but are not included here—such as Tyler Tanner, Flory Bidunga, Billy Richmond III, and Rueben Chinyelu—may be added later if they remain in the draft past the withdrawal deadline.
– Ages are as of draft night (June 23, 2026).
– Heights for college freshmen are as listed by their schools.
– Scouts were granted anonymity to speak freely about prospects.
**1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa | 6-9 wing | 19 years old | BYU**
Dybantsa is the most consistent name linked to the No. 1 pick across the league, and he fits perfectly with the Wizards. A dynamic, explosive scorer, he showcased elite three-level scoring ability this season, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 51% from the field, 33.1% from three, and 77.4% from the free-throw line (8.5 attempts per game). He and Michael Beasley are the only two freshmen in college basketball history (since 1953-54, per Basketball Reference) to average 25 points, shoot 50% from the field, and take at least eight free throws per game.
Dybantsa combines explosive athleticism with a powerful frame, allowing him to attack the rim with straight-line drives and dominate in transition. His midrange game has become a serious weapon. Still, he’s not a finished product—his jumper projects to improve with age, and his passing took a big leap this season, with room for more growth alongside NBA talent. Defensively, he hasn’t yet reached the impact his physical tools suggest. Nevertheless, Dybantsa is viewed as a prospect with both extremely high upside and a remarkably high floor. For the Wizards, he would slot in seamlessly on the wing, regardless of the team’s direction next season.
