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Peterson, Dybantsa, Boozer Emerge as Consensus Top Three in 2026 NBA Draft

A high-ranking NBA executive touts their quick All-Star potential following early-season validation of the preseason hype.

Overview

  • New rankings from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo and The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie align on Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer as the class’s top trio, with Peterson frequently No. 1.
  • Vecenie reports Peterson is generating the most scout excitement, reflecting a preseason ordering of Peterson at No. 1, Dybantsa at No. 2 and Boozer at No. 3.
  • Early November performances reinforced evaluations, including standout outings by Dybantsa versus Villanova and UNC, Boozer against UCF and Tennessee, and Peterson in Kansas’s opener and at North Carolina.
  • Evaluators caution the class appears top-heavy, noting question marks for prospects roughly in the Nos. 4–16 range and significant variability beyond about No. 17.
  • Rankings diverge beyond the top four, with sizable gaps between Woo’s big board and Vecenie’s mock on players such as Caleb Wilson and Dame Sarr, while Duke is the only program with two players in Woo’s top 10.