2026 NBA Mock Draft Puts AJ Dybantsa No. 1, Cameron Boozer No. 2
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 17
2026 NBA Mock Draft Puts AJ Dybantsa No. 1, Cameron Boozer No. 2
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 17
Summary
AJ Dybantsa is projected to go first overall after leading Division I scoring as a BYU freshman, with the mock calling him a franchise-altering two-way wing for Washington.
Cameron Boozer is slotted second to Utah instead of the more commonly expected Darryn Peterson, with the pick tied to Boozer’s Player of the Year season and a strong Jazz workout.
Darryn Peterson falls to No. 3 in this projection despite top-pick talent, while Caleb Wilson lands at No. 4 to Chicago and Mikel Brown Jr. is forecast at No. 5 to the Clippers.
The mock describes the 2026 class as one of the deepest in years, warns team boards are still fluid less than a week before the June 23 draft, and says late workouts could still reshape the lottery.
Potential trade chaos remains a wild card, with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo situation flagged as the one move that could scramble lottery projections.
Why might college basketball's unanimous Player of the Year not be the number one pick in the NBA draft?
In the deepest draft in years, why would any team consider trading away the top overall pick?
How much do college red flags matter when a prospect is still considered a 'franchise-changing talent'?
The 2026 NBA Draft Landscape: Elite Prospects, Impact Metrics, and Franchise-Altering Choices
Overview
The 2026 NBA Draft is generating major excitement, with experts highlighting a deep and talented class across all positions. At the top, AJ Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from BYU, is widely projected as the number one pick, followed closely by Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Evaluators are using advanced metrics like box plus-minus to rank these prospects, noting their impressive size, skill, and potential. The draft also stands out for its strong point guard depth, which could shape team strategies and lead to surprises on draft night. Overall, the class promises both star power and depth for NBA teams.