How good is the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft class?
Well, let’s look at it this way: If the past five draft classes, as prospects, were all put forth into a gigantic, hypothetical pool, who would go in the top five?
Starting from the 2022 class, where Duke‘s Paolo Banchero went first overall to the Orlando Magic, to this year’s crop of golden freshmen, who would go first?
You know who.
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1. Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92)
Let’s be serious here. Even if we didn’t know what the French titan would become in his first three years in the league, he’d still go first overall as purely a prospect compared to everyone else.
At 7-foot-4 and able to move across the court as he does, there’s never been anyone like him. In a draft of generational talent, Wembanyama transcends eras.
2. Cooper Flagg (Duke)
This is where it gets interesting. Whereas Wembanyama is literally nicknamed “the Alien” for how extraordinary he is, Flagg is the type of player who excels in almost every basketball category. Flagg could have been thrown onto the Oklahoma City Thunder when he was a freshman at Duke and wouldn’t have skipped a beat.
While prospects below him might have higher ceilings, Flagg is bulletproof. In 20 years, you’ll look at Flagg’s career and, like Tim Duncan, not fathom how incredible he was until the full picture is painted.
3. AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
Here comes the 2026 class. Dybantsa is ridiculously gifted and moves like he’s four inches shorter with his giant 6-foot-9 frame. In terms of pure scoring, Dybantsa can be considered a better prospect than either Wembanyama or Flagg.
His defense, though, is what makes him lag far behind those two as a prospect. He has the athleticism to be a plus-graded defender, but for now, that’s what keeps him below the two players above him.
4. Darryn Peterson (Kansas)
If Peterson skipped college and only showed off his high school tape, there’s a legitimate argument that he would be second behind Wembanyama.
He’s good defensively, can score with ease from long range, mid range, and at the rim, and has an effortless nature to his dominance on the court. Yet, his excess of injuries, seemingly lack of interest at the college level, and so-so results down the stretch have him sitting not even at the top of his own (albeit amazing) class.
5. Cameron Boozer (Duke)
Yes, I’m putting three players from the 2026 Draft into the top five of the past half-decade. This was a tough choice between Boozer and fellow Blue Devil Banchero, but I ultimately went with the tank that is Boozer.
Banchero had a higher ceiling when it came to being a transcendent scorer, but Boozer, like Flagg, is someone you bet on to be an engine of a winning team for the next decade. Although Boozer doesn’t have the shooting upside of Flagg, his relentless style of play and his severely underrated passing skills help him make the list.
Honorable Mentions: Paolo Banchero (Duke), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
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