Dybansta or Peterson?
Which young superstar will hear their name called first in the NBA Draft?
The 2026 NBA Draft Class is one of the deepest classes in recent memory when it comes to NBA potential and college success. With four first-years in top ten in scoring, while others proved to be leaders at such a young age. But those tools and abilities don’t always equal success in the NBA.
Plenty of top picks that scouts claimed had all the tools to thrive at the next level failed to reach their full potential. These mistakes can ruin an NBA franchise plan for future success. Take Jabari Parker, who was drafted second overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Despite a promising start to his career, ACL tears to both his legs derailed his career and cost the Bucks a future star.
Low end selections who were barely expected to make the roster have turned into superstars. Nikola Jokic fits perfectly in this category. The now 3x MVP, 8x All-Star and Finals MVP was drafted 41st overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, and his selection was shown during a Taco Bell commercial. But he proved to be one of the biggest steals in the history of the NBA Draft.
2026 is a unique draft class because it doesn’t have a consensus number one overall draft selection. There are three guys that have the potential to change the course of the franchise that selects them. With the draft coming up quickly, this is where I project these three future stars to go.
Wizards – AJ Dybansta
While it’s still highly debated if Dybansta will go number one, it’s not debated that he is a generational prospect. After receiving one of the largest NIL deals of all time, with his valuation sitting at 7.5 million, Dybansta proved he was worth it, and then some.
The first-year led the NCAA in scoring with 25.5 PPG, along with nearly seven rebounds per contest. His fearless ability to get to the rim made him a terror for opponents to contain.
Standing at six foot nine inches, the former BYU forward’s height allows him to shoot over smaller competition and be a tenacious shot blocker on the defensive end. His size was a large part to his success with his mid-range jumper last season, shooting nearly 57% from inside the arc.
The one part of Dybansta’s game that isn’t fully developed is his three-point jumper. He just 33% from range last season, a below average number in today’s game. But with the efficiency of his mid-range jumper, it’s just a matter of time before the outside shots start falling.
Jazz – Darryn Peterson
Peterson is a smooth operator like Dybansta, but he’s also just a pure scorer. Peterson battled a nagging hamstring injury throughout the entirety of the 2026 season, causing him to miss 11 games and have scouts question his toughness.
But when Peterson was on the floor, it was undeniable that he was a special talent.
Peterson’s ability to create his own shot was the strongest part of his game. The first year averaged 20.2 PPG while shooting a respectable 38.2% from three-point range.
Peterson felt unguardable at times. When he got hot, it didn’t matter where the defense was; it felt like Peterson was knocking the shot down. His elite scoring ability and explosive athleticism make him a threat from anywhere on the floor.
The one downside to Peterson is his ability to stay on the floor. His lingering injuries caused him to miss significant time at Kansas and may have cost him the top spot in the draft. But there is no question that, if Peterson can stay healthy, he can be one of the best players in the NBA.
Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer
Boozer is the most complete player on this list. The son of former two-time NBA all-star Carlos Boozer has paved his own path on the court. Boozer’s ability to do it all on the court is what earned him the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2026.
Boozer, like Dybansta, can get to rim with ease, partly due to his six-foot nine inch, 250-pound frame. But, like Peterson, Boozer can create his own shot and knock down shots from behind the arc.
The Duke first-year averaged 22.5 PPG and led the ACC in rebounds with 10.2 per contest, while helping to lead the Blue Devils to the elite eight.
Boozer is also an elite passer for his size. The former Duke forward averaged 4.1 assists last season, which led the Blue Devils.
The one thing that Boozer lacks in comparison to Dybansta and Peterson is explosive athleticism. While it’s not that important to be lacking in, the lack of athleticism may catch up to him in the league.
Other stars like North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Arkansas’s Darius Acuff Jr. would be top picks in other drafts, but they will have to wait a little longer in 2026. The question will remain if this has the chance to be the deepest draft class in NBA history?
This article was written by Lukas Schulze. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @LukasschulzeMU.