The race to become the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is becoming one of the most fascinating storylines in college basketball.
For much of the past year, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was widely viewed as the likely top selection. But as March Madness approaches, two other freshmen — BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Duke’s Cameron Boozer — have built strong cases to go first overall.
Recent mock drafts from major outlets now disagree on the order, reflecting just how fluid the top of the class has become.
The debate shaping the 2026 NBA Draft
ESPN’s latest mock draft still projects Peterson as the No. 1 pick, followed by Dybantsa and Boozer.
However, CBS Sports flipped the order in its most recent projection, placing Dybantsa first overall ahead of Peterson and Boozer.
The disagreement highlights what scouts increasingly describe as a genuine three-player race.
Each prospect offers a different type of franchise cornerstone — and each carries a different level of risk.
Why AJ Dybantsa has surged into the No. 1 conversation
Dybantsa’s rise has been fueled by one of the most explosive freshman seasons in college basketball.
The BYU star entered March Madness averaging 25.2 points per game, the highest mark in Division I, while also adding 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
His scoring ability, combined with his 6-foot-9 frame and shot-creation upside, has made him an ideal modern NBA wing prospect.
Dybantsa also swept major conference honors, earning both Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
He continued that momentum in the postseason, scoring 40 points in his Big 12 Tournament debut — a performance that further strengthened his draft case.
With elite scoring production and improving playmaking, many analysts now view him as the most complete offensive weapon in the class.
Darryn Peterson still offers the highest upside
Despite Dybantsa’s surge, Peterson remains the player many scouts believe has the highest offensive ceiling.
The Kansas guard averaged 19.9 points per game while shooting 38.7% from three-point range during his freshman season.
His ability to create shots at all three levels has led some evaluators to project him as a future NBA scoring star.
However, Peterson’s season has also been complicated by availability concerns.
The Kansas freshman reportedly missed 11 games due to various injuries and illnesses, creating uncertainty about his durability.
That has introduced risk into what once appeared to be a straightforward No. 1 selection.
As a result, the decision at the top of the draft may ultimately come down to how much teams prioritize upside versus reliability.
Cameron Boozer may be the safest pick
While the debate between Dybantsa and Peterson often dominates headlines, Boozer has quietly built the most consistent résumé of the trio.
The Duke freshman averaged 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while leading the Blue Devils to the ACC regular-season title.
His production earned him both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year — a rare double achievement for a freshman.
Boozer’s combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking has made him one of the most productive players in college basketball.
Because of that versatility and consistency, many analysts view him as the safest prospect in the draft.
The main debate surrounding Boozer is ceiling rather than floor, with some scouts questioning whether he possesses the elite athletic explosiveness of Dybantsa or Peterson.
Why the 2026 NBA Draft is drawing so much attention
The debate at the top is only part of the reason the 2026 draft has generated so much buzz across the NBA.
Analysts widely describe the class as one of the deepest in recent memory, featuring not only elite top-end talent but also a large group of potential lottery-level guards and wings.
That depth has already influenced how some NBA teams approach the season.
Several rebuilding franchises are widely believed to be positioning themselves for better lottery odds, hoping to secure a chance at one of the class’s headline prospects.
With Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer all capable of becoming franchise players, the battle for the No. 1 pick may remain unsettled until the draft itself.