COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 10 BYU at Baylor
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The order for one of the most talented and deep NBA drafts in recent memory is now set. The Washington Wizards will get the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after they won the lottery on Sunday. The Utah Jazz will pick at No. 2, and the Memphis Grizzlies will select at No. 3. The Chicago Bulls check in at No. 4, and the Los Angeles Clippers round out the top five.

Right now, the odds favor AJ Dybantsa to go No. 1 to Washington. The former BYU star and scoring machine will return to the East Coast and work to rebuild a franchise that needs hope.

After the first pick, it gets more interesting. This draft is oozing with intrigue, with franchise-altering players all through the top 10. 

Kansas' Darryn Peterson was ranked No. 1 coming out of high school and could easily be the best long-term player in the draft. There are some availability concerns, but Peterson has bested Dybantsa in head-to-head matchups in the grassroots and in college.

Another wrinkle is that former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, the father of Duke's Cameron Boozer, is a Jazz scout who has the No. 2 pick. Utah has a decision to make between picking Boozer, Peterson, or North Carolina's Caleb Wilson. The UNC star may have the most long-term potential of anyone.

NBA Draft Lottery winners and losers: Pacers' bet fails, more Kings bad luck, Wiz, Grizz and Clips hit big
Sam Quinn
NBA Draft Lottery winners and losers: Pacers' bet fails, more Kings bad luck, Wiz, Grizz and Clips hit big

The biggest loser of the NBA Draft Lottery was the Indiana Pacers, who fell out of the lottery. The biggest winners? The Clippers.

L.A. acquired a uniquely protected pick from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade in February. The pick was top-four protected, but would be dealt to the Clippers if it landed between Nos. 5-9. The pick landed fifth, the best-case scenario for the Clippers. The Pacers, who finished 19-63 while missing Tyrese Haliburton this season, had a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 pick and 52.1% chance of picking in the top four. They leave Sunday without a lottery pick.

The NBA Draft Lottery marks another step on the timeline leading to the actual draft. We now know the draft order. The NBA Combine is next week in Chicago, and the draft will be held June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Below is the very first mock draft after the lottery and draft order were unveiled. We now know the teams and where they will pick. Let's dive in.

Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
BYU • Fr • 6'9" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
25.5
RPG
6.8
APG
3.7
3P%
33.1%
Dybantsa is a polished scorer and shot-creator with great positional size, athleticism, and elasticity. He can rise-and-fire in the mid-range area on demand, made huge strides with his rim pressure, gets to the free-throw line in high volume, and is capable, albeit a bit unreliable, from three. He's even creating for teammates and making reads better than ever before. The defense is the last frontier for Dybantsa and while he has physical tools, it's not yet his point of emphasis. Washington can, and should, investigate multiple prospects here, but at the end of the day, Dybantsa has the best chance to be the top pick.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Kansas • Fr • 6'6" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
20.2
RPG
4.2
APG
1.6
3P%
38.2%
While Peterson's season at Kansas was full of controversy, he made massive gains with his shooting. Combine that with the playmaking, burst, and physicality we saw when he was completely healthy in high school, and you have a prospect who could very well end up being the best player taken from this draft. Peterson is also a perfect fit next to Keyonte George, who is coming off a breakout season, as both have the type of on-off ball versatility that should allow them to complement each other well.
Round 1 - Pick 3
Duke • Fr • 6'9" / 250 lbs
Projected Team
Memphis
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
22.5
RPG
10.2
APG
4.1
3P%
39.1%
Boozer had a historic high school career, was the college basketball player of the year, and is the surest thing in this draft. His overlap of physicality, skill, and basketball IQ makes him unique. There will be questions about whether his creation or upside is on par with Dybantsa and Peterson, but his floor is the highest in this draft. Plug Boozer in next to Zach Edey and Cedric Coward and Memphis' rebuilding project already has their frontcourt of the future figured out.
Round 1 - Pick 4
North Carolina • Fr • 6'10" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
19.8
RPG
9.4
APG
2.7
3P%
25.9%
Wilson is a prospect with legit star type outcome and potential. He's a high-level athlete with a big-time motor with unusual elasticity (or bend) for a player his size. Wilson exceeded expectations offensively last year, and yet still has immense room for progress, not just with his perimeter skill-set, but even his defensive polish. The Bulls have drafted a variety of young forwards in recent years, but Chicago's new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham isn't responsible for any of that, he's responsible for finding the best long-term prospect here, and that's Wilson.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Illinois • Fr • 6'6" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Clippers
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
17.9
RPG
5.1
APG
4.2
3P%
39.7%
Wagler came out of nowhere to be a freshmen star at Illinois. Adjusting to unprecedented levels of competition should have required patience, and yet it was seamless for Wagler. That could illustrate that he's just scratching the surface of his potential with his size, skill, and feel for the game. Additionally, Wagler is also the best fit alongside Darius Garland, whom the Clippers acquired last year and view as a key long-term piece.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Arkansas • Fr • 6'3" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Brooklyn
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
23.5
RPG
3.1
APG
6.4
3P%
44%
Acuff is a multi-level creator with shooting splits that were off the charts last year at Arkansas and the passing metrics to match. Of all the true freshmen point guards in this draft, Acuff is the most ready to play a major role offensively from day one. The questions are on the defensive end, but Acuff's offense is too good to pass up on for a team that is still looking for a primary shot creator after having four first-round picks a year ago.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Houston • Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Sacramento
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
16.1
RPG
4.1
APG
5.2
3P%
38.7%
Flemings is an elite athlete who can get a piece of the paint on demand, rise up explosively at the rim, get to his pull-up at virtually any time, and be solid on the defensive end. His swing skill is his shooting, and if it holds up, then he too has legit star-type outcomes. In Sacramento, Flemings will have an opportunity to earn the starting point guard job from day one.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Louisville • Fr • 6'5" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
18.2
RPG
3.3
APG
4.7
3P%
34.4%
Brown is incredibly skilled and has complete control of the basketball. He's a vastly better shooter than his numbers showed last year at Louisville, a pinpoint passer, and as polished with the ball as any lead guard in the draft. The questions are more about how his frame holds up and what he becomes defensively, but Atlanta has the pieces to support him on that end and a clear void at the point after moving off Trae Young last season.
Round 1 - Pick 9
Arizona • Fr • 6'4" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
16.1
RPG
4.9
APG
2.4
3P%
39.1%
Burries is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable three-point shooter, and simultaneously defend his position. He's also more physically ready to make the transition to the NBA game than most of the other one-and-done guards in the draft. Alongside Cooper Flagg, the Mavs not only have young talent, but young two-way talent.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Tennessee • Fr • 6'10" / 207 lbs
Projected Team
Milwaukee
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
16.7
RPG
6.3
APG
2.3
3P%
33.3%
Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he's also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament's overall arc has been linear, and there's still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them.
Round 1 - Pick 11
Michigan • Jr • 7'3" / 255 lbs
Projected Team
Golden St.
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
12.1
RPG
6.8
APG
2.4
3P%
30%
Mara kept getting better as the college season went on and ultimately led Michigan to a national championship. At 7-foot-3, he's a giant, even by NBA standards, and a tremendous rim protector. He's also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning next season, the Warriors' style of play will be staying largely the same, and Mara's facilitating ability fits that.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Michigan • Sr • 6'9" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
Oklahoma City
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
15.1
RPG
6.8
APG
3.2
3P%
37.2%
Lendeborg is one of the more versatile two-way players, and specifically defenders, in the draft. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he often guarded opposing point guards this year, is unselfish, an excellent passer, and an improved shooter who made 37% of his threes. There are times Lendeborg still has some maturing to do, but being in OKC's championship culture should address that quickly.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Alabama • Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs
Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
6th
PPG
22
RPG
3.5
APG
5
3P%
39.9%
Philon is one of the more gifted shot creators in this draft class. He not only stuffed the stat sheet this year while being the focal point of opposing defenses on a nightly basis, but had 50/40/80 shooting splits. His freshman year also showed that he has more defensive potential than we saw this year. Miami has a number of decisions to make in the backcourt this year, which makes Philon that much more logical a pick for them.
Round 1 - Pick 14
Arizona • Fr • 6'8" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
14.1
RPG
5.6
APG
2.6
3P%
35%
Peat is another polarizing prospect because he's strong, physical, can finish, rebound, short-roll to get downhill, and even play-make a bit, but doesn't shoot. He was pivotal to Arizona's Big 12 championships and Final Four run, and loaded with winning intangibles. That DNA is very much in line with what we saw Charlotte prioritize last year, when they nailed the 2025 draft with Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James.
Round 1 - Pick 15
Washington • Fr • 6'11" / 229 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
7th
PPG
18.5
RPG
11.8
APG
1.6
3P%
34%
Steinbach is a skilled and smart big man who has elite hands and is a high-volume rebounder. He's a bit between a four and a five, but with the NBA trending back towards more size in the frontcourt, he should be capable of playing both positions on most nights. Pair him with Caleb Wilson, and the Bulls have a future frontcourt that is as versatile as it is talented.
  From Phoenix Suns
Round 1 - Pick 16
Kentucky • Soph • 6'10" / 255 lbs
Projected Team
Memphis
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
5
RPG
5
APG
0.5
3P%
0
Quaintance played only four games at Kentucky this year while recovering from a torn ACL. The prior year at Arizona State, he was a defensive monster before going down with the injury. He's long, powerful, and violently athletic at the rim, which would make him an ideal complement to Edey.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Michigan • Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs
Projected Team
Oklahoma City
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
13.1
RPG
7.3
APG
1.2
3P%
34.3%
Johnson is tough, rugged, willing to do all the dirty work, capable of sliding his feet and being versatile defensively, and now even knocking down open threes. That type of two-way versatility, all while buying into a complementary role, makes him an ideal role player. He won a championship doing that at Michigan, and will have a chance to win more at OKC.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Iowa • Sr • 6'4" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
7th
PPG
19.8
RPG
2.6
APG
4.4
3P%
35.8%
Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots. Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. With Coby White entering free agency, he solidifies the point guard depth behind Lonzo Ball.
Round 1 - Pick 19
Texas Tech • Soph • 6'3" / 178 lbs
Projected Team
Toronto
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
8th
PPG
18.5
RPG
3.6
APG
7.4
3P%
41.5%
Anderson is a highly skilled lead guard who is both a big-time shooter and a pick-and-roll maestro. There are questions about how he'll adapt physically and defensively, but his offense is worth betting on, especially for a Toronto team that lacks comparable skill at the point.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Karim Lopez PF
Mexico • 6'8" / 224 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
6th
PPG
11.9
RPG
6.1
APG
2.0
Lopez is a Mexican native who played with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL Next Stars program this year and made really nice strides. He's a hard-playing, physical presence who pressures the rim and competes on both ends. He'll get consideration as high as the late-lottery. It's very possible Lopez is off the board earlier, potentially as high as the late lottery, but he's unlikely to get past the Spurs.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Baylor • Soph • 6'5" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
18.9
RPG
5.8
APG
2.6
3P%
37.4%
After playing a total of 18 games in the first two years at Tennessee, Carr had a breakout season at Baylor. He's a long, athletic shot-maker who can rock the rim but also posted 49/37/80 shooting splits. He'll need some time to fill out his frame and mature physically, but the raw talent is glaring. On a Detroit team that needs shooting, but simultaneously wants to embrace a defensive DNA, Carr would make sense.
Round 1 - Pick 22
Houston • Fr • 6'11" / 240 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
8th
PPG
9.5
RPG
7.9
APG
0.7
3P%
33.3%
Cenac has size, length, athleticism, mobility to slide laterally, and some developing face-up skill and shooting potential. He answered a lot of questions about his motor this year and asserted himself as a rebounder, but still has times where the potential exceeds the production. In Philadelphia, Cenac provides some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid with the added versatility to play alongside him as well.
Round 1 - Pick 23
North Carolina • Jr • 7'0" / 225 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
17
RPG
8.7
APG
2.1
3P%
42.6%
Veesaar has one of the best overlaps of size and skill in this draft. A stretch-five who shoots it with ease out to the three-point line, Veesaart can play out of dribble hand-offs, pass, and still space the floor vertically. He has to be more consistent defensively and on the glass, but he'd give Atlanta something they don't otherwise have.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Kansas • Soph • 6'10" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
New York
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
13.3
RPG
9
APG
1.5
3P%
0%
Bidunga is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the transfer portal and already committed to Louisville for a major payday. HeIis a big-time athlete, tremendously versatile defender, rim-runner, and explosive lob threat. Bidunga is probably back in college playing for the Cardinals next year, but if something unexpected happens, he would make a lot of sense in New York.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Florida • Jr • 6'10" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Lakers
PROSPECT RNK
28th
POSITION RNK
6th
PPG
10.9
RPG
11.2
APG
0.7
3P%
0%
Chinyelu is another one who may very well be headed back to Florida next year, but is ready to impact an NBA game defensively right now. At 6-foot-10 with a nearly 7-foot-8 wingspan, he's freakishly long, powerful, and yet totally switchable with great recoverability. The offense has improved, but is still limited. The Gators are waiting, but it's not hard to see how Chinyelu could be exactly what the Lakers need.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Stanford • Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Denver
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
9th
PPG
23.2
RPG
3.6
APG
3.6
3P%
35.4%
Ebuka's speed and ability to get a piece of the paint on demand are his calling cards, but the shooting continued to tick up as the season went on. He lacks overwhelming size, strength, or vertical explosiveness, and a return to school is reportedly also on the table. Given the Nuggets' lack of guard depth, he'd be hard to pass up on here.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Alabama • Fr • 6'8" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Boston
PROSPECT RNK
26th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
11.4
RPG
6.9
APG
3.1
3P%
34.1%
Another prospect who could return to school, Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla and ultimately realize his defensive potential.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Texas • Jr • 6'8" / 225 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
17.3
RPG
7.5
APG
3.6
3P%
34.4%
Swain is a polarizing prospect. At 6-foot-7 he can play off the bounce, create for himself and others, and has real defensive tools. The shooting is a major swing skill for Swain, which has improved within the last year. If it continues to evolve, Swain could end up being a steal here and a nice fit alongside Anthony Edwards and company.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Santa Clara • Fr • 6'9" / 225 lbs
Projected Team
Cleveland
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
9th
PPG
11.8
RPG
6.5
APG
1.8
3P%
41.3%
Graves is an analytic darling who has elite BPM metrics and a rare overlap of defensive playmaking, passing, ball-security, and offensive rebounding. In addition to his combination of physicality and feel, Graves also has great hands and touch to stretch the floor. There is also a chance he could return to college, but would likely stay if he knew he would land in the first round.
Round 1 - Pick 30
Duke • Soph • 6'6" / 180 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
15
RPG
3.2
APG
1.3
3P%
36.1%
Evans looks like the type of shooter you can run plays for in the NBA after proving he could make quick-released movement threes his year at Duke. He's made gradual strides diversifying his game, but physicality, defense, and rim pressure are all swing variables. Adding some extra floor spacing around Flagg, especially from a former Duke teammate, might make sense.