The beginning of the college basketball season means it’s time for another 2026 NBA Draft mock for a class that continues to grow its collective strengths. We’ve mostly seen prospects meeting or exceeding expectations early on and some have put on utterly dominant performances.
Since we’re many months away from the draft, I’ll base the selections primarily based on what I would do at each spot, not what I think will happen, considering team fit to some extent. The draft order is sourced from Tankathon as of November 5th.
1. Washington Wizards – Darryn Peterson, Point Guard, Kansas
After accruing numerous complementary pieces across the previous few drafts, Washington lands its superstar cornerstone prospect. Peterson is one of the most complete, high-ceiling guard prospects to enter the NBA in years, laden with advanced skill, athleticism, scoring touch and defensive impact. He’s the kind of two-way primary prospect that could immediately vault the Wizards up a tier or two.
2. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke
A season lost to injuries could produce a significant silver lining, as the Pacers add another elite player to a mostly intact NBA Finals core. Boozer’s elite feel for the game, versatile scoring upside and rebounding all fit Indiana’s style. He’s a good enough player today to impact winning at the NBA level and should help a Pacer team contend immediately once Tyrese Haliburton returns to the court in 2026-27.
3. Brooklyn Nets – AJ Dybantsa, Wing, BYU
Dybantsa makes his East Coast return in this mock, joining the Brooklyn Nets as their franchise centerpiece. After drafting five players with major scoring warts in 2025, the Nets add one of the best wing shot-creator prospects in decades. Dybantsa’s special blend of athleticism, skill and touch could quickly turn him into an elite offensive NBA player within a few years of entering the league.
4. Dallas Mavericks – Caleb Wilson, Forward, North Carolina
Wilson dominated Darryn Peterson’s Jayhawks on Friday, showcasing his star defensive package and efficient scoring potential. He won’t stay this hot on jumpers all season and his shooting will be a major swing for his NBA ceiling. If Wilson can shoot the ball, his all-NBA defensive potential, elite athleticism and feel for the game project star upside next to Cooper Flagg.
5. Atlanta Hawks – Mikel Brown Jr., Point Guard, Louisville
Atlanta’s offense desperately needs more ball-handling talent next to Trae Young (or a potential successor if he ever changes teams). Brown Jr.’s elite 3-point shooting on the move and NBA range let him play on and off of the ball, though his upside will come at point guard. If Brown Jr. can prove himself a capable downhill scorer, he’d supercharge the Hawks’ offense and to a core of young defensive talent.
6. Memphis Grizzlies – Nate Ament, Wing, Tennessee
The Grizzlies keep Ament in the state, adding a talented, two-way wing to bolster their collection. He’s a dynamic off-ball shooter and fluid, physical driver with forward size and that mobility lets him guard multiple positions and guard the rim on defense. An in-flux Memphis team will appreciate a player like Ament, who will fit next to all kinds of stars and role players with high-end off-ball scoring potential.
7. Utah Jazz – Jayden Quaintance, Big, Kentucky
Quaintance provides the defensive anchor Utah desperately lacks aside from Walker Kessler. He’s a special athlete with elite vertical pop and mobility to block shots and guard the perimeter. He hasn’t shot the ball well yet, but Quaintance’s athleticism fuels high-end driving flashes and he’s a solid passer as well, whose play finishing could fit well in Will Hardy’s offense.
8. Memphis Grizzlies – Labaron Philon, Point Guard, Alabama
Philon could be Memphis’s long-term Ja Morant replacement if the relationship with their star point guard reaches a breaking point. He doesn’t have Morant’s bounce but Philon has a sudden burst and change of speed with improved strength in year two. Expanding his jumper will round out his offensive game, setting him up to toggle on and off ball and add value on defense.
9. Charlotte Hornets – Koa Peat, Forward, Arizona
After Peat’s dominating performance against Florida, he’s beginning to establish himself as an elite two-way prospect. He’s a throwback four with brilliant footwork and touch, but Peat separates with exceptional strength, power and explosiveness for his size. The Hornets would benefit greatly from his interior scoring, rebounding and defensive versatility.
10. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach, Big, Washington
Charlotte continues to bolster its frontcourt with another skilled, physical big man. Steinbach rivals Peat’s sheer strength and force and pairs that with excellent coordination and ball skills. Despite his weaker outside shooting and shot blocking, Steinbach’s elite scoring and rebounding upside are enough for a lottery case.
11. Sacramento Kings – Karim Lopez, Forward, NZ Breakers
Lopez is the versatile forward Sacramento has failed to acquire for years. He’s an impressive driver who wins with physicality, athleticism and footwork, fueling potential star driving upside. While he isn’t a consistent defender yet, Lopez’s athleticism and physical tools provide pathways to two-way value on top of his versatile offensive skillset.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Elyjah Freeman, Wing, Auburn
The loaded Thunder can afford to swing on a Division II transfer with immense talent who’s flashed some of that early on. His unique blend of ball skills, explosiveness, size and change of direction made him a frightening creator prospect as he hones his decision making and outside shooting. His slashing creation is a star trait worth betting on, especially for an ecosystem like Oklahoma City.
13. Boston Celtics – Patrick Ngongba II, Center, Duke
While Neemias Queta has manned Boston’s center spot admirably so far, the Celtics will search for a long-term backstop. Ngongba is an exceptionally strong, physical big man with the skill and feel to fit the modern NBA. He isn’t an overwhelming athlete, but his dribbling and passing fit Boston’s free-flowing offense.
14. Miami Heat – Tounde Yessoufou, Wing, Baylor
Yessoufou is one of the draft’s premier developmental athletes who leans on his tools and motor for impact. He’s an excellent cutter, rebounder and defensive playmaker with potential to develop into an elite defender with an enormous wingspan and fluid movement skills. He’ll need to refine his outside shooting, handling and decision making, but Miami is an ideal landing spot to grow his game.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves – Bennett Stirtz, Point Guard, Iowa
The Wolves have missed a true secondary ballhandler next to Anthony Edwards and Stirtz is an ideal fit. He’s a special processor and decision maker with the ball, accustomed to high-volume pick-and-roll offense. Stirtz is also a phenomenal off-ball player with enough shooting to scale down next to Edwards and Minnesota’s defensive roster minimizes his limitations on that end.
16. San Antonio Spurs – Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke
San Antonio still lacks high-volume outside shooters and Evans has a case as the draft’s best movement shooter. He was a flamethrower against Texas and has added strength as a sophomore. Continuing to develop his off-dribble scoring and defensive technique only accentuates his already elite shooting and high motor.
17. Toronto Raptors – Kingston Flemings, Point Guard, Houston
Flemings flashed star-level advantage creation in his college debut and has the talent to earn more of a role as the season goes on. If he can earn more playing time and establish his place on this Cougars team, he’s skilled and athletic enough to leave after one season. Shooting is the swing skill, but the Raptors desperately need a true point guard who generates paint touches and passes like he does.
18. Golden State Warriors – Thomas Haugh, Forward, Florida
Haugh’s offense looked improved in Florida’s loss to Arizona, making him a far more enticing two-way prospect. His off-ball defense was already excellent, but an aggressive version of Haugh on offense boosts his value. Even with scoring questions, his defensive versatility and feel fit Golden State’s ethos.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder – Dash Daniels, Guard, Melbourne
Daniels is tailor-made for a Thunder defensive scheme reliant on rangy, aggressive defenders who defend multiple spots. He’ll have plenty of time to improve his offensive game in Oklahoma City’s developmental system, building on his solid touch and playmaking feel. His star defensive upside makes him worth a swing in this range, especially as the youngest player in the class.
20. Milwaukee Bucks – Kam Williams, Wing, Kentucky
Williams is off to a slow start to hsi Kentucky career, but his size, defensive playmaking and movement shooting are all traits the NBA covets. He’ll need to prove he can handle more offensive responsibility than he did at Tulane, but Williams’s blend of size, shooting and processing feel render him an enticing 3-and-D bet.
21. Chicago Bulls – Chris Cenac Jr., Center, Houston
Despite boasting center size, Kelvin Sampson deployed Cenac Jr. as a jumbo wing in his first college game. That produced some exciting highlights, where he demonstrated his outside shooting touch and defensive mobility. He needs plenty of skill and feel development on both ends, but the Bulls will happily bet on his size and shotmaking upside.
22. Atlanta Hawks – Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan
Lendeborg fits the mold of versatile forwards that NBA teams value, especially considering his outside shooting progression over the past few seasons. His defensive playmaking, connective passing and improved shooting make him a strong role player bet later in the first round for a Hawks team hoping to contend as soon as possible.
23. New York Knicks – Braylon Mullins, Guard, UConn
Mullins is one of the draft’s premier shooting prospects, capable of NBA-range movement shots and pull-ups off of ball screens. He’s not an imposing on-ball creator but Mullins’s cutting and off-ball passing complement his shooting. New York’s spacing and offensive flow will benefit from his skill set.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Sebastian Williams-Adams, Forward, Auburn
Larry Nance Jr.’s arrival in Cleveland proves the value of versatile bigs next to their star center duo and Williams-Adams is flashing strong role player potential. He’s a quick ball mover with an impressive handle and excellent instincts on the defensive end. If he proves himself a competent scorer, NBA teams will value his athleticism, feel and ball skills.
25. Denver Nuggets – Sergio De Larrea, Point Guard, Valencia
De Larrea provides a long-term rotational guard option for the Nuggets with potential to run bench units and fit next to Jamal Murray and the starters. His improved athleticism boosts the value of his elite pick-and-roll playmaking and he’s a good enough playmaker to force closeouts off-ball.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder – Dame Sarr, Wing, Duke
Oklahoma City can’t have enough rangy, athletic wings with burgeoning offensive skill. Sarr brings exceptional speed and movement skills for a gigantic wing, suggesting immense on-ball stopping and off-ball playmaking upside. Proving himself as a strong off-ball shooter will help him outplay this range of the draft.
27. Detroit Pistons – Cayden Boozer, Point Guard, Duke
Detroit’s lack of ball-handling outside of Cade Cunningham has limited them in the past and Boozer would help remedy that. His scoring will limit his ceiling but Boozer’s elite playmaking feel and defensive potential project him as a strong role-playing guard if he improves his 3-point shot.
28. Los Angeles Lakers – Jacob Cofie, Big, USC
Cofie is a dunking machine with the athleticism to impact the game as a complementary two-way big. He’s a potential option as the Lakers search for more long-term depth in the front court, as his explosiveness, shot blocking and efficient interior scoring would mesh well with a Luka Doncic offense.
29. Chicago Bulls – Shelton Henderson, Wing, Miami
A fast-paced Chicago team would welcome Henderson’s athleticism and energy on the open floor. He’s built like a linebacker with impressive handling and playmaking skills for his size and should live at the hoop and the line in college. Improving his outside shot will be critical for unlocking his strength-based offense and two-way profile.
30. Washington Wizards – Isiah Harwell, Wing, Houston
Harwell fits the mold of the 3-and-D wings that fit on all sorts of rosters and with elite primary initiators like hypothetical Wizard Darryn Peterson. His excellent strength and mobility make him a strong on-ball defender with enough shooting to force closeouts and make basic secondary plays.
