The Next Generation: Inside the "All-Star" 2026 NBA Draft Class

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While the 2025 class is currently captivating scouts with the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, NBA front offices are already eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft as a potentially historic turning point. Unlike years with a clear-cut No. 1, 2026 is emerging as a “Triple-A” class—featuring three distinct prospects with genuine All-NBA ceilings.

If 2024 was seen as “uncertain,” 2026 is being described by scouts as “stacked,” “historic,” and “loaded with franchise cornerstones.” Here is an early look at the names that will define the league for the next decade.

The “Big Three” at the Top

Scouts are almost universally split on the order of the top three, but the names rarely change. All three are currently freshmen in college, and any one of them would likely have been the #1 pick in three of the last four drafts.

Prospect	School	Pos	Style
Darryn Peterson	Kansas	G	A “pro’s pro” scoring guard. Think Anthony Edwards’ twitch mixed with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s footwork. He is a 6’5″ walking bucket.
AJ Dybantsa	BYU	F	The highest ceiling in the class. At 6’9″ with gazelle-like strides, he combines Giannis-level ground coverage with a silky mid-range pull-up.
Cameron Boozer	Duke	F	The high-floor machine. The son of Carlos Boozer, “Cam” is a 6’9″, 235-lb powerhouse who plays like Alperen Şengün with a reliable three-point shot.

The Rising Tier 2

The depth of this class is what has GMs excited. Beyond the “Big Three,” there is a group of players that draft experts like Sam Vecenie (The Athletic) consider “Tier 2” prospects—players with clear All-Star potential.

Caleb Wilson (UNC): A 6’9″ hybrid forward who is the “Swiss Army Knife” of this draft. He provides elite weak-side rim protection and transition playmaking.

Keaton Wagler (Illinois): A 6’6″ sharpshooter who has seen his stock skyrocket this winter. He is emerging as the premier “3-and-D” wing of the lottery.

Kingston Flemings (Houston): A poised, lightning-fast point guard who has flourished under Kelvin Sampson. He has an uncanny ability to “get to his spots” at will.

International & Special Projects

Karim López (NZ Breakers): A 6’9″ Mexican forward playing in the NBL. His positional size and defensive versatility make him the premier international prospect for 2026.

Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville): An electrifying, albeit thin, playmaker who dropped 29 points in a rivalry win over Kentucky earlier this season.

Jayden Quaintance (Arizona St): A unique prospect who will still be only 18 years old on draft night. He is a physically imposing big man with “modern” defensive mobility.

Why Teams are “Tanking” (Again)

The strength of this class is already impacting NBA trade values. With the league considering a change to allow teams to trade draft picks five years out (up from three), a 2026 first-rounder has become one of the most coveted assets in the league.

Teams like the Nets, Wizards, and Pacers have already positioned themselves to maximize their lottery odds for what is being called the most “superstar-heavy” class since 2003 (LeBron, Carmelo, Wade).