With the NBA draft and summer league in the books, scouts are turning their attention to the 2025 draft, which has enormous star power headlined by Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, V.J. Edgecombe, Dylan Harper and many others. But what about the 2026 draft?
Inevitably, their gazes always peer down the road toward the future. It was clear sitting alongside NBA scouts at multiple camps and events over the past few months that they're already pouring information and scouting reports on the 2026 class into their internal databases, as well.
Being an NBA draft prospect is one part of the criteria for our rankings. No one can really predict what type of NBA player a prospect will become -- injuries, trades, roster makeup, coaching and many other factors ultimately impact that outcome. Still, we already have an early sense of where the top players stand for the 2026 draft class, even if this is as fluid as can be and will change over the course of each of the next two seasons.
So, although there's a long way to go, we asked scouts for their early opinions and recent evaluations of the top 2026 prospects. Let's peek through the lenses of NBA scouts from the Eastern and Western conferences to see what translates, early NBA player comparisons and potential draft ranges for the six prospects mentioned most frequently by scouts this summer.
A.J. Dybantsa, SF
ESPN 100 rank: 1
Dybantsa is currently the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class, but does that make him the projected 2026 No. 1 draft pick? Here's what scouts had to say:
On his physicality: "He's an elite athlete who uses his physical tools such as his speed and explosiveness with motor to impact."
On his well-roundedness: "[Dybantsa has] positional size, skill, motor and a mentality to take over the game."
On his offensive skill set: "He's a good iso player with space because he creates for himself and others." "When he gets to this midrange jumper, he rises up and there's not much you can do."
On what needs to improve: "His 3-point shot needs work. But it will improve because he's a worker."
Player comparison: Paul George with a similar body type to LeBron James at the same stage.
Draft range: Scouts agreed Dybantsa is the front-runner for the top pick, with one adding: "The No. 1 spot is his to lose." Another said, "If you have the No. 1 pick, you cannot leave him on the board. He has the highest upside."
Cameron Boozer, PF/C
ESPN 100 rank: 2
Boozer, with a familiar name as the son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, has NBA aspirations. Here's what scouts had to say about his game:
On his overall game: "He does everything right and is super consistent."
On his inside presence: "He rebounds hard in every game I've seen. He scores both inside and out with a strong body and a high IQ."
On his performance: "Very few highlights and very few mistakes."
On his consistency: "Right now, in high school you can put him in the books for a double-double every night ...He will get his share of double-doubles in the NBA, too."
On his production: "Wins everywhere he plays. ... His decision-making and passing stands out."
On what he needs to improve: "Can he guard the ball away from the basket?" "Can he hedge ball screens and switch?"
Player comparison: Kevin Love, Al Horford
Draft range: "Could go No.1, but most likely top five. He is that good. Depending upon who is drafting and what they value."
"I have him in my top 10," another scout said.
Darryn Peterson, SG
ESPN 100 rank: 3
Peterson is being pursued by some of the nation's top college basketball programs. But what will come next after his college career?
On his overall game: "He scores effortlessly from all three levels. His handle is strong and crafty. I really like him in transition. Gets into the paint and finishes. Will shoot transition 3s and is on balance for his pull-up jumper. Can play either shooting guard or point guard, so he gives you versatility. He gets a lot done, and he is effortless in the scoring department."
Player comparison: Donovan Mitchell
Draft range: "I have him top three on my board."
Caleb Wilson, PF
ESPN 100 rank: 5
On his overall game: "He has so much versatility, especially on the defensive end. He's a switch-defender throughout the possession. Moves so well. Wilson has the physical tools and athletic ability right now. His best is as good as most. But you do not get his best consistently yet. He has many tools to work with. A point forward type."
Player comparison: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Draft range: "Most likely a late lottery pick," one scout said.
"Wilson could be top five-seven when it's all said and done," another said.
Chris Cenac Jr., C
ESPN 100 rank: 6
Cenac is the lone center in the ESPN 100's top 10. What does that mean for his NBA future?
On his overall game: "Has so much to work with in terms of today's big man. Has nice touch and face up ability with good mobility at this stage, and it will only get better. He has some handles and can drive the ball. I am intrigued. Needs to play with more effort and consistency."
Player comparison: Chris Bosh
Draft range "Top 20. Right outside the lottery."
Nate Ament, SF
ESPN 100 rank: 8
Ament recently won gold with the United States at the FIBA under-18 AmeriCup. How does his game fit at the next level?
On his offensive ability: "He has NBA scoring tools. Long frame and can shoot it. ... He has a lot of versatility in his scoring."
On his overall versatility: "He has positional size, skill, IQ and can shoot it." Added another scout: "He can be a playmaker, too."
On his ceiling: "I recently saw him and came away very impressed. He might have the highest upside after A.J. Dybantsa."
Player comparison: Jayson Tatum
Draft range: "Top five, he's moving up boards," one scout said.
"Right now, in the lottery," another said. "I need to see more."