BOB’S BIG BOARD 2026

Hello again, it is that time. Here’s my ranking of the top 35 guys in the draft.

TIER 1 - four potential great ones. One of them will fail….who is it?

1. AJ Dybansta 6’9 F BYU 19 years old (consensus 1)
   I went back and forth on him and Boozer an landed on AJ because I think his ceiling is higher. This has shades of more NBA ready Anthony Edwards physically. The issue with saying something like that is I think Ant has the mental makeup of a star and we do not know if AJ does. He has a pretty high floor as well, one that I see being around a Pascal Siakam. Honestly, I see a lot of Siakam in another prospects game too. But when I say this guy at worst should be a multiple time all star and top 10 MVP candidate at least once, you understand why he is considered the top pick. His potential just leaps off the screen when you watch. Great at the rim, athletic as hell, super high usage meaning he will end 1/3 of possessions with the ball coming out of his hands. The potential is there, but there’s risk. His numbers show a lack of efficiency and could struggle early on if he isn’t hitting shots since he’s not a defensive player more often than not. If he is going to be next to Trae, AD, Kyshawn George next year then the Wizards could immediately be a top 6 seed with him being the best player already if things go well. For reference, I wouldn’t take him over Flagg last year, but he would’ve been my #2.

2. Cam Boozer 6’9 F Duke 18 years old (consensus 3)
   I mentioned trying to decide on who to take 1, it was mainly because Boozer seems like such a natural player to me. Very smart, always making the right choice, puts his teammates in positions to succeed, and doesn’t turn it over much. He has some offensive issues to work on, and defensively isn’t a stand out but will be solid. He ultimately is 2 because he can’t score or create at the level of AJ. But if you told me he was the rookie of the year I would bet on it. It all depends on situation. He is the most NBA ready guy in this draft. If he goes to Utah and plays behind or with Lauri and Jaren Jackson Jr. & Keyonte George taking a lot of shots then maybe that stifles him a bit. But if he lands in Memphis? Their best player most likely and takes pressure of Cedric Coward and Edey. I love his game. He is a top 5 offensive player, and a top 10 defensive player in this draft. Only player I can say that about.

3. Caleb Wilson 6’10 F UNC 19 years old (consensus 4)
   At times looked more athletic than AJ, can’t score like him but knows where to go on the floor and is the best in transition of this top 4. He’s the other one I could see being a Siakam type in 5-10 years. Seems destined to be the 2nd best player on a good team if he gets the chance. His energy is fun, likable guy, plays with joy and loves to run and try to jump over or around defenders. Can’t shoot consistently yet but who knows. If he’s going to Memphis he will get a lot of opportunity to run and could make a big impact early. If he goes to Chicago and is asked to be their top guy too fast I could see it not going well since he doesn’t have the moves or IQ of the other 3 guys. There’s a reason he’s 4 on most boards.

4. Darryn Peterson 6’6 G Kansas 19 years old (consensus 2)
   I am probably the lowest on him in all the consensus draft boards because of the bad vibes at Kansas and just how much slower he looked than advertised from his high school highlights. The bad is mainly just that. His injuries & checking himself out of games and maybe having a bad inner circle around him. His lack of explosiveness when he was coming in with that as a huge part of his game. He was supposed to be more offensive minded Kawhi level potential but if Kawhi was already a few years in to his career when he started on his trajectory. I still see some of that. But his year at Kansas plus his weird comments about his cramping do scare me a bit. He’s a little anti social. None of this should matter a ton, but it does a little and these 4 are so close that’s why he falls. Now the positives, he has the most NBA ready offense in this draft. Efficient, great shooter from anywhere, and when healthy & locked in is actually the 2nd best defender of these 4. I just don’t think I’ve see a player with this many red flags succeed as highly as the projections tell me he will. He was supposed to be #1 going into last July. I think he goes 2-4 now.

   TIER 2 - There’s a star in here somewhere…

5. Brayden Burries 6’4 G Arizona 20 years old (consensus 10)
   While I understand rating him lower than the other guards coming up, i found a real potential star here. Some Jamal Murray/Devin Booker if everything goes right here. He’s also a solid defender, and if he’s the lead ball handler maybe thats too much too early but I think in a backcourt with another main ball handler he could become a more perimeter centric impact player the way Castle was early.

6. Kingston Flemings 6’2 PG Houston 19 years old (consensus 8)
   I was dubious of him watching the tourney then I really watched him more and more on youtube and man I fell for this guy. I think at worst he’s a slightly better Davion Mitchell. He has real lead guard potential because of his strength, shotmaking, and stamina to play the entire game. Good defender for his size, and could heat up and take over a game if things go right.

7. Yaxel Lendeborg 6’8 F Michigan 23 years old (consensus 12)
   I think his age is the only thing not making him a for sure top 10 guy. He’s smart and makes the right play more often than basically anyone else in this draft. Led his team to a title and played through injury. Athletically a little limited but is a good shooter, has literally gotten better every year at a clip that isn’t seen often. I think a team wanting to make the playoffs next year should jump on him. Jaime Jaquez at worst here.

8. Labaron Philon Jr. 6’4 G Alabama 20 years old (consensus 15)
   Might be my biggest jump here by saying this guy gives me Maxey lite feelings. He will not be that good, but he could be a step below in the right situation. Defense is not going to be apart of his game, but his pick n roll, shooting, energy, transition work is all near the top of this class. I would run the card to Adam Silver if he makes it to pick 11.

9. Hannes Steinbach 6’11 PF/C Washington 20 years old (consensus 14)
   A very quiet sure to be good player just waiting for a team to find a future starter right here. Top 3 rebounder, basketball IQ is high, moves well for his size, great screener & roller, and i just can’t imagine this guy not playing a decade. I think at best he could be like mixing Clingan with Sengun but we don’t even know exactly what those guys will be yet. I’m obviously a big fan. But he’s at worst Hartenstein.

   TIER 3- Still might have a star but more likely a player or two who starts hot and then cools off into an okay player. Statistically 2 of these guys will be very good.

10. Mikel Brown Jr. 6’5 G Louisville 20 years old (consensus 7)
    I didn’t think I would like this guy so much, but then the more I watched the more I think his game is designed for the NBA. Deep 3 shooter, too skinny and weak but the way he plays might help him early on. I see him being very good early then cooling off. I think he’s best case scenario taller Trae Young, and worst case Bones Hyland type. He’s just got such amazing skill and shot making and I’m not letting lack of defense trick me again.

11. Keaton Wagler 6’6 G Illinois 19 years old (consensus 5)
    I feel bad being lower on him, but I just don’t love all the decision making & shot diet he takes. He had an amazing hot streak during a point of the season but his lack of strength, out of nowhere leap, playing with other pros essentially, and his lesser defense makes me worry. I could see him disappear or become like a Haliburton level player in 5 years. One of the bigger toss ups in recent memory for me. I don’t see him being a bust, but I don’t see the high level liklihood others do. Rooting hard for him though.

12. Darius Acuff Jr. 6’2 PG Arkansas 19 years old (consensus 6)
    I wanted to have him so much higher but couldn’t get there. One of the worst 3 defenders in the draft. So much of his game is getting quick shots off and driving to the hoop to finish really tough layups over guys. He won’t be able to do that at the same level in the NBA, and while Calipari’s track record is pretty good with these guys figuring it out, I think this would be my favorite for guy who is going 20/5/5 in the first few months then cool off and just be 2nd team all rookie. I would stay away unless I had nothing else going for me. Seems too heliocentric and won’t be doing anything off the ball. But! his potential as a self creator is tempting, even more so after we watched Brunson dominate. But he’s 10 years older. Acuff will be frustrating for years when/if he figures it out.

13. Dailyn Swain 6’8 F Texas 20 years old (consensus 23)
    Loved this guy almost immediately once I started watching his games. Looked a lot like Trey Murphy did but will more intensity. The thing about these comps is I never know the mental make up of a guy. Just know if he is up to it I see him being very good in 4-5 years. Defense is great, okay shooter, athletic, and smart in general. I would scoop him up as a playoff team since he’s considered a late 1st rounder.

14. Morez Johnson Jr. 6’9 PF/C Michigan 20 years old (consensus 16)
    This is totally my type of guy. In past years he would’ve been probably my 8th favorite prospect but I’ve learned better than to let my personal player biases get in the way of trying to predict careers correctly. True #1 all defense level potential with high IQ and endless energy. He is like taller & overall better Montrezl Harrell with a great head on his shoulders by all accounts I can find. Hope he falls to the Grizz at 16.

15. Cameron Carr 6’5 G/F Baylor 21 years old (consensus 18)
    Get ready to hear the word wingspan so f’n loud. Carr has like a 7’2 wingspan, is becoming a very good shooter, already a good defender and shot blocker. Would bet some money on him landing to the Thunder somehow. He’s an all around 3 & D wing with potential for more. I bet he takes a year or two but should show up somewhere in the playoffs guarding one of the other teams best players and making corner threes in a few years.

16. Allen Graves 6’9 F Santa Clara 19 years old (consensus 21)
    The out of nowhere rising up the draft board kid who is a real jack of all trades and smart. That’s one thing I noticed about this draft class is the deeper it goes the more I see how it may not have top end talent but it has sure rotational pieces a few years down the road. This guy didn’t even start most games for a team finishing behind Gonzaga in the WCC and still was stealing, blocking, shooting and defending well enough to end up here. Would love to see him land in a nice established organization but should be fine anywhere. Connective, A+ team defense, and will succeed somewhere.

    
    TIER 4 - We are getting closer to some guys who will be forgotten but I guarantee one to two of these guys will be a starter.
    

17. Christian Anderson Jr. 6’2 PG Texas Tech 20 years old (consensus 20)
    A true heat check bench guard archetype who should make some fan base pretty happy when he goes like 6/11 from three on a random night in March 2027. Pulls up from deep, off the screen, on the move from really anywhere, and is a good passer to go along with it. Don’t see him making a real spot on a great team for himself, but could totally see a 10-15 year career and scoring the lights out on occasion. Low ceiling but high floor from me.

18. Zuby Ejifor 6’9 C St. Johns 22 years old (consensus 29)
    A super hard worker who fits the “we couldn’t get Morez Johnson earlier in the draft so lets get the next best thing” mold. He’s got a lot of Draymond to his game, not hall of fame level of course, but similar style without the attitude and negative issues that plague him. He won’t be a generational defender and connector most likely (because he won’t be playing with Steph and Klay) but he will be solid and should be a good back up for a long time and eventually make starts for someone.

19. Aday Mara 7’3 C Michigan 21 years old (consensus 9)
    So here’s my biggest drop from what is likely to happen. This guy could go as high as 5 but probably won’t drop below 12 unless something unexpected happens. Scouts and analysts are liking him much more than I. I would take Edey and Clingan before this guy for sure. He’s lanky, not strong, not a good defender, and has no special ability that I could find. Maybe he will become a good rim protector over time. He’s a solid passer, but has no post up game like Edey, can’t shoot, and overall just didn’t do anything I loved. His size and IQ on screening should help him be fine, but I wouldn’t waste a top pick on him.

20. Meleek Thomas 6’3 G Arkansas 19 years old (consensus 27)
    Another member of the heat check bench guard club. He won’t provide much defense but isn’t a complete turnstile. Shooting & moving at a high level is what he brings. I think he will be getting up a lot of shots for someone eventually. Has some Cam Thomas with more energy but less self creation to his highlights, but I would bet on his brain more than Cam’s.

21. Joshua Jefferson 6’8 F Iowa St. 22 years old (consensus 32)
    One of my 2 or 3 favorite college players last year but I’m not convinced he can translate all of that to the league. He is a connector, lots of good passing & smart decisions, and he’s kinda good at everything. His physical limitations will hold him back unless he knocks down a lot of shots and doesn’t get cooked on D. Really like him and will be rooting for him.

22. Nate Ament 6’9 F Tennessee 19 years old (consensus 11)
    Another guy I’m much lower on. I think he is not that good at anything and is all theoretical. Very Hawks coded with a lot of his game looking like worse Jalen Johnson and maybe up to Risacher level, but not sure he’s even to that height. I would stay away, but if it’s a team that’s already established and trusts their development coaches then sure, go for it.

23. Koa Peat 6’7 F Arizona 19 years old (consensus 25)
    I should go even lower here but I liked enough on defense and his potential to leave him by Ament, who basically share the same issues. Peat is like smaller and worse Paolo. Can’t shoot, slower, smaller, but a good rebounder and could end up being something nice if he keeps his head in it. Ament is taller and longer and gets scouts excited. Peat is smaller and thicker and stronger and has a lower ceiling. If he commits himself to defense he could stick around. Another stay away for me but can’t deny potential of these last two.

24. Bennett Stirtz 6’4 G Iowa 22 years old (consensus 19)
    Love his game but he’s another like Jefferson where I think he might just be worse Cam Spencer unless he shoots 42% or better from 3. Won’t be able to stay in front on defense, but his offense is so good and smart that I could take him anywhere between 20-30.
    
    TIER 5- the rest, bet I’m wrong about one guy in this group.
    

25. Jayden Quaintance 6’9 PF/C Kentucky 19 years old (consensus 17)
    He’s at best Robert Williams, which is pretty good, but I think he was the worst offensive player in the draft. He has a lot of potential but after a knee surgery and not really working at Arizona St & then we didn’t get to see after 5 games at Kentucky, I’m not willing to bet on him. But he should go top 15 and sit a year and we will find out probably in 2028 if he has anything to offer. I love his game but if he doesn’t land in a decent spot I think he’s destined to be a 10 day guy in a few years.

26. Richie Saunders 6’5 SG BYU 24 years old (consensus 38)
    He is coming off an ACL tear and is older but I really like a lot of his game. Tons of energy, good shooting, and decent to high level offensive playmaking. He plays like a celtic, unsurprisingly if you’ve seen him, and I mean that as a compliment.

27. Braden Smith 6’ PG Purdue 22 years old (consensus 37)
    This one feels dumb as I’m typing it. How is the 6 foot (maybe) older guard who is like a worse version of Stirtz getting a first round grade from you? Well, there was just enough Fred VanVleet in his game and his constant effort and discipline makes me think he can stick around at least a few years maybe getting Patty Mills type run eventually in the right situation. But I’m willing to incorrectly rank the 40th best player in this draft at the 27 spot. I’m brave.

28. Chris Cenac Jr. 6’11 C Houston 19 years old (consensus 22)
    He’s a great athlete who tries more things than he probably should but that leaves me with hope he could be what Jabari Smith is currently doing at some point. But, Jabari came in with way more skill. I don’t have a lot of faith Cenac has anything to give besides like a worse Jarrett Allen who isn’t as strong. But he plays with so much ferocity.

29. Alex Karaban 6’8 F UConn 23 years old (consensus 30)
    Pretty much on the same wavelength here with experts. He’s solid, ultra competitive, and a good shooter. Not good enough to compare to Kennard or someone like that but good enough I could see him becoming a specialist if he gets fortunate. He has the attitude and will to succeed but I wouldn’t take him before 25.

30. Tarris Reed Jr. 6’10 C UConn 22 years old (consensus 31)
    I didn’t mean to put the UConn guys together but I did. What I love about Reed is he is a back up big right now who could play in any NBA rotation right now except for maybe the best 2-3 teams. He’s great in the low post, good defender and rebounder. Can’t switch really, but can help out a lot. I would love to have him as my 9th or 10th guy eventually.

31. Karim Lopez 6’8 F New Zealand league 19 years old (consensus 13)
    Here’s the actual guy I am lowest on compared to the universal feelings. He has some decent slashing skills and is a okay shooter at times. Very streaky and has length that could lead to something. But he reminded me of the Porter brothers, but not near Michael and more like Johntay. Maybe the Saluan pick a few years ago. Never putting it past anyone with his skill to figure it out in 4 or 5 years but I wouldn’t spend a top 25 pick on this guy. And he is being rumored everywhere from 6 to 15.

32. Ebuka Okorie 6’2 PG Stanford 19 years old (consensus 24)
    I wanted to like him more but his size, not great efficiency and lack of competition worried me. He’s on the lower end of heat check guards who play 8-12 minutes. Feels like a Kings player who will play a few years and score for some bad teams. I hope he does well but he’s just worse Acuff.

33. Isaiah Evans 6’6 G/F Duke 20 years old (consensus 26)
    He’s got the Duke pedigree and plays solid basketball most the time but all he offers is a okay shot. Long arms and could be a defender if he commits to that. But as of now his games show a lack of interest there. I just can’t imagine him making a decent team’s rotation anytime soon.

34. Henri Veesaar 7’ C UNC 22 years old (consensus 28)
    He has a lot to work with on offense. Moves well, shoots okay, attacks the rim and has good touch. I just don’t think he can get his offense going enough for it to matter since he is not a rim protector at all and will get dominated by good post players and ran past by good perimeter players. He reminded me of a 3rd Bogdanavich brother who is bigger than both of them but share their distain for defense. So he could become an offense first back up big.

35. Baba Miller 7’ F Cincinnati 22 years old (consensus 35)
    nailed it! Finally, the experts and I agree. I wouldn’t even take him here most likely but hey he’s tall, he runs the floor, okay defender, can’t shoot, and is the oldest guy who I would take the Fran Frischilla line he’s “two years away from being two years away”. So look out for Baba storming into a rotation in 2030.
    —
    Honorable mentions (players who I didn’t get to watch much beyond one video or so but wanted to mention)

    I tried to do all the top 35 guys in the draft. The one who I missed is a Spanish G/F Sergio de Larrea who is 20 years old and looked like he has good touch and driving skills but didn’t do anything to exciting. Would take him over Baba though. Here’s the rest of the guys I didn’t get to that I would take over Baba.

    Trevon Brazille, Jaden Bradley, Emanuel Sharp, Ugonna Onyenso, Bruce Thornton, Otega Oweh, Tobi Lawal, Felix Okpara, Milos Uzan, Kylan Boswell, Nick Boyd.

    —

    MOCK DRAFT

    Now here’s my prediction for how the draft actually goes without any trades.

    1. Wizards - AJ Dybantsa F

    2. Jazz- Darryn Peterson G

    3. Grizzlies- Cam Boozer F

    4. Bulls- Caleb Wilson F

    5. Clippers - Darius Acuff PG
    6. Nets- Keaton Wagler G

    7. Kings- Mikel Brown Jr. G

    8. Hawks- Kingston Flemings PG

    9 . Mavericks- Brayden Burries G

    10 . Bucks- Nate Ament F

    11 . Warriors- Aday Mara C

    12 . Thunder- Cameron Carr G/F

    13 . Heat- Labaron Philon G

    14 . Hornets- Yaxel Lendeborg F

    15 . Bulls- Jayden Quaintance PF/C

    16 . Grizzlies- Morez Johnson PF/C

    17 . Thunder- Karim Lopez F

    18 . Hornets- Christian Anderson PG

    19 . Raptors- Hannes Steinbach C

    20 . Spurs- Allen Graves F

    21 . Pistons- Ebuka Okorie PG

    22 .Sixers- Chris Cenac PF/C

    23 . Hawks- Zuby Ejifor PF/C

    24 . Knicks- Tarris Reed Jr. C

    25 . Lakers- Bennett Stirtz G

    26 . Nuggets- Dailyn Swain F

    27 . Celtics- Alex Karaban F

    28 . Timberwolves- Meleek Thomas G

    29 . Cavaliers- Koa Peat F

    30 . Mavericks- Henri Veesaar C

    
    
    There will obviously be trades, including Giannis, Jaylen Brown, Ja Morant, and more. I’m so excited to see. Pick a player you like and follow them their whole career. It’s very fun to do that. Enjoy your summer.