We’re back for another year of takes, dodging consensus mocks, and overhyping raw wings here at T$NBA. As always, I put in the work watching game tape, but I’m also leaning more than ever on a growing number of interviews and podcast appearances to get a feel for how these guys think as they make the leap.
I’m a big fan of this class, but beauty’s in the eye of the beholder after that first pick. Let’s see who rises to the moment…and who ends up fueling the next GM search in 2026.
Position Wing | School Duke | Year Freshman | Age 18 | Height 6’9″ | Weight 205
T$ Likely Player Outcome: All-NBA Wing
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Scottie Pippen
Not just the consensus No. 1 pick…he’s my favorite prospect I’ve scouted since launching this board in 2017. Flagg’s been hyped since his freshman year in Maine, dubbed the “new-age Larry Bird,” but he’s never coasted on reputation. His defense is ferocious and cerebral, allowing him to glide around the floor, fill gaps, and switch seamlessly in the pick and roll. Offensively, he won’t be a halfcourt initiator right away, but he’s a capable slasher and catch-and-shoot threat. Most impressively, he’s unshakable, humble, driven, and constantly improving. I project him as an All-Star, All-Defensive wing with a real shot at top-five-in-the-league upside if his offense progresses.
Position Wing | School Arizona | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’8″ | Weight 220
T$ Likely Player Outcome: All-Star “Do it All” SF
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Jaylen Brown
An elite athlete with ideal wing size, Carter embraced a sixth-man role on a veteran Arizona team and gradually carved out more minutes as the year went on. He closed games during their toughest matchups and flashed real shooting versatility, demonstrating quick mechanics and confidence both coming off screens and spotting up. This ranking banks on him tapping into his high school skillset: on-ball creation, point-of-attack slashing, and three-level scoring. He’s grounded, self-aware, and determined to grow. The team that drafts Bryant will need patience, but the upside is a two-way All-Star with the right wiring. Whoever I rank second is beginning to become the Madden curse of the Big Board, but Carter is going to have my back here.
Position Wing | School Rutgers | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’8″ | Weight 200
T$ Likely Player Outcome: 20+ PPG NBA Scorer
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Rashard Lewis
An NBA-ready skill I’ve undervalued in the past is the ability to create tough halfcourt buckets. Ace won’t let me forget it. He’s built like a mismatch nightmare, and his high, quick release makes his jumper nearly unguardable. He’s not an elite first-step guy, but he’ll be able to punish mismatches as his body fills out. While I haven’t loved some off-court decisions (workout cancellations, wanting compensation for media availability), Rutgers staff rave about his attitude and leadership. In a turbulent year, he stayed locked in. Conditioning and strength are the next steps, but the shot-making upside here is real and worth valuing more than his choice of agent.
Position Wing | School Washington State | Year Senior | Age 22 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 206
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Starting SF on Quality Team
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Kawhi Leonard
Age matters in the draft, but so does trajectory. Coward only played six games this season due to injury, but his Combine-proven rise and shoot mechanics are undeniable. A D3-to-high-major story with real legs, he pairs maturity and self-awareness with elite movement shooting and crafty on-ball creation. His family background (grandson of an Olympic gold medalist) shows in how he prepares. Before the injury he was set to break out, and now he’s proving he still might. His floor is high, sure, but I’m buying a ceiling that includes real scoring juice.
Position Point Guard | School Rutgers | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 215
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Starting Lead Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Cade Cunningham
Harper is the big-bodied point guard prototype: confident, controlled, and the son of five-time champ Ron Harper. He’s got the best handle in this class and an explosive first step paired with ambidextrous finishing ability at the rim. Size gives him some defensive versatility, and if he tightens his jumper, the upside is undeniable. That said, I have him a touch lower than consensus; he’s ball-dominant without elite playmaking, and his body language off-ball at Rutgers wasn’t ideal. In the right system, he could have a Cade Cunningham-type impact, but he’s not plug-and-play.
Position Shooting Guard | School Duke | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’7″ | Weight 217
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotation Floor Spacer
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Khris Middleton
Kon was the motor next to Flagg at Duke, and he projects as a “JJ Redick” high-floor NBA floor spacer. He can shoot on the move, take contact at the rim, and make smart reads as a secondary playmaker. What limits him is his agility; defensively he’ll need to prove he can stay on the floor against switches, but the effort and frame are there. He’s a “safe” pick with sneaky upside. I could see him carving out a long career as a connector piece who keeps an offense humming.
Position Wing | School Arkansas | Year Junior | Age 20 | Height 6’8″ | Weight 220
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Defensive Athletic Rotation Wing
Squint and You Can See Shades of: OG Anunoby
Originally a point guard, Thiero shot up to 6’8″ with a 7′ wingspan and took three years to grow into it. He followed Coach Cal from Kentucky to Arkansas and saw a massive expansion of his role this season. What you’re getting is a high-motor athlete with constant movement, transition burst, and disruptive defense. His shot is a work in progress but it’s coming along, and if it clicks, comparisons to OG Anunoby are apt. For now, he’s a tools bet with real NBA habits.
Position Center | School Maryland | Year Freshman | Age 20 | Height 6’10″ | Weight 246
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Starting NBA Center
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Luis Scola
Ignore the measurements, Queen can play. He was the offensive engine for Maryland as a freshman and capped his year with a game-winner in the tournament. He loves operating from the nail and has soft touch in the midrange, plus surprising handle and vision for his size. He’ll be limited to drop coverage on pick & roll defense and probably won’t ever stretch his game consistently to the three-point line, but his IQ and passing skill suggest a modern-day offensive hub. Queen has a rare skillset combination and could thrive in the right system.
Position Guard | School Florida | Year Freshman | Age 22 | Height 6’3″ | Weight 195
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational Combo Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Seth Curry
Tournament heroes like Walter Clayton Jr. often get Curry comps, only to end up as Jimmer or Shabazz by the time I reach the gym. Walter falls somewhere in between: not a primary engine, but the makings of a capable NBA guard. His appeal lies in versatility; he can play on or off the ball, keeps the pace up, and has NBA range. He’ll need to prove he can defend at the next level, but his motor, movement, and shot profile all translate. I’m a believer in his mindset and think he finds a long-term home as a rotation piece.
Position Point Guard | School Illinois | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 200
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational Point Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Andre Miller
What’s the best passer in the draft worth? A lottery pick here at T$NBA. Jakucionis uses his big frame to play fast with the ball in his hands, and his shooting is just good enough to keep defenders honest. Though Will Riley entered the year with more hype, it was Jakucionis who took control of Illinois early and never let go. His turnover rate spiked late in the year, but I chalk that up to the lack of spacing in their system. With NBA-level tempo, he could provide serious value to the right team.
Position Point Guard | School Oklahoma | Year Freshman | Age 18 | Height 6’4″ | Weight 180
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Sixth Man Scoring Sparkplug
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Dennis Schröder
One of the youngest players in the draft, Fears gave Oklahoma a jolt of life the moment he was inserted into the starting five. His quickness is electric, and in transition, he can twist his slight frame into any shot he wants. What really sold me was his self-awareness: in interviews, he was honest about needing to bulk up and improve his jumper — and he seems wired to do exactly that. His lack of elite vision might steer him toward a sixth-man role, but that could be underselling his long-term upside.
Position Guard | School Baylor | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’5″ | Weight 180
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational Defensive Combo Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Josh Okogie
Edgecombe might be the most explosive athlete, pound for pound, in the class. He’ll offer instant defensive help at the point of attack. Edgecombe found a way to get up 12 shots per game on a deep Baylor team through pure effort: transition, cuts, and hustle. His compact shooting stroke is promising off the catch, but he’s still raw when it comes to creation or playmaking. There’s a role-player floor here, especially next to a lead guard who lets him roam.
Position Shooting Guard | School Texas | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 190
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Scoring Threat
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Jamal Crawford
This year’s freshman flamethrower, Johnson led all rookies in scoring while launching nearly 7 threes a game and hitting them at a 40% clip. He sees himself as more of a playmaker at the next level, but I am hurting my eyes trying to squint that hard. His defense lags, and his tunnel vision for shots gives me serious pause. His production at Texas was real, but those numbers translating directly to the NBA is unlikely. He may have broken KD’s Texas scoring record, but I don’t project that kind of trajectory.
Position Wing | School Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | Year Rookie | Age 18 | Height 6’9″ | Weight 194
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Defensive Specialist
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Richaun Holmes
Our first international prospect comes off the board after an impressive year with Ratiopharm Ulm. Essengue is a freak athlete who causes havoc defensively and flies through the paint in transition. His breakout moment came in an exhibition against the Blazers, where he showcased a much-improved jumper — but that shooting didn’t fully translate this season. Still, his switchability and frame will keep him hovering near the lottery. Whether he becomes more than a defensive specialist depends on whether or not he can improve his shot.
Position Point Guard | School Alabama | Year Senior | Age 23 | Height 6’1″ | Weight 190
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Back-up Point Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Tyus Jones
Sears maximized his college career, starring at both Ohio and Alabama during deep tournament runs. He’s a tank in the paint, with improved decision-making and shooting year-over-year. He led Alabama in scoring and steadily upped his assist-to-turnover ratio over the course of the season. The downside: his size likely limits him to a backup role at the next level. But at this point in the draft, getting a steady hand who can run the offense and hit shots is defensible.
Position Power Forward | School South Carolina | Year Sophomore | Age 19 | Height 6’7″ | Weight 245
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational Big
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Carl Landry
The lone bright spot on a tough South Carolina squad, CMB combines toughness, huge shoulders, and underrated quickness into a scary offensive package. He’s most effective with the ball in his hands, where he scores with soft touch and surprising passing chops. The big question is the jumper, which hasn’t developed enough to project him beyond a bench role. That said, his physicality and feel could pop next to a stretch big. There’s more upside here than meets the eye.
Position Wing | School Georgia | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’11″ | Weight 220
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Back-Up Wing Defender
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Tyrus Thomas
After playing behind stars like Flagg and Queen in high school, Asa got to shine at Georgia…and produced more than I expected. His bag is limited for now (mostly rim runs and transition dunks), but his motor is constant. He’s not a halfcourt creator, but he’s a worthwhile project at this stage with shades of an Aaron Gordon-type role player if the jumper and feel come along.
Position Guard | School Florida | Year Senior | Age 23 | Height 6’2″ | Weight 210
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational Combo Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Gary Payton II
A gritty, defensive-minded guard who got better every year at FAU before ending his college career with a Cinderella run at Florida. He credits his mother, a basketball coach, for helping him stay locked in and work on his weaknesses — and it shows in his improved body and efficiency. He’s small, but plays with serious toughness and intelligence. Could easily carve out a long career as a trusted bench contributor on a winning team.
Position Wing | School UConn | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’7″ | Weight 210
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Three Point Specialist
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Duncan Robinson
McNeeley battled through illness and injury during a tough freshman year at UConn, but still managed to be a stabilizer for a team that nearly upset Florida. He came into college with a reputation as a shooter that was still developing his playmaking, but over the course of the season, those roles flipped. Despite a lower-end 3PT%, his FT% and high school track record suggest his shot is legitimate. He’ll need to add strength to avoid being hunted defensively, but there’s a sharpshooting wing in here with starter upside.
Position Wing | School Illinois | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’8″ | Weight 180
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Wing
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Julian Wright
One of the youngest players in the draft, Riley reclassified to start college early and immediately played a key role at Illinois. His mechanics are clean, and he’s always hunting his shot. A proud Canadian, he models his game after SGA and Jamal Murray, though he’ll need to tighten his handle and improve as a creator to reach that level. I like his halfcourt shot creation and his body type gives me flashes of a young Tatum, but he’s still a mental and physical projection. I’m lukewarm on the upside but it’s there if a switch flips.
Position Guard | School Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | Year Rookie | Age 19 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 201
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Secondary Offense
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Rudy Fernandez
A high-usage shotmaker who turned heads in the Israeli youth system, Saraf gets to his spots with confidence and shows flashes of NBA-level craft. He’s a bit of a combo guard without elite burst or strength, but his shooting versatility (stepbacks, floaters, off-movement) makes up for it. He competes defensively, even if the tools aren’t ideal. If the decision-making sharpens, he could carve out a long-term microwave scorer role.
Position Point Guard | School BYU | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’8″ | Weight 200
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Change of Pace Ball Handler
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Kyle Anderson
The BYU guard projects as a jumbo secondary playmaker who sees the game a beat ahead. At 6’8”, Demin can initiate offense, make skip reads, and knock down open shots, though he’s still skinny and needs to tighten his handle. His defensive potential is real, too, with his length and instincts. Might not be a lead creator, but the versatility and feel fit the modern game beautifully. I’m worried about his shot mixed with his slow game, but I can see where some folks translate his game to the next level.
Position Center | School Duke | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 7’2″ | Weight 250
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Back-Up Center
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Samuel Dalembert
One of the biggest wildcards in the draft, Khaman’s range of possible outcomes is wide. At 7’2” with good feet, vertical pop, and some touch, Maluach checks all the boxes physically. He’s raw, and the awareness and reaction time aren’t consistent yet — but the flashes are loud: transition rim runs, soft hooks, and intriguing shooting drills in workouts. What scares me is his size makes it difficult for him to switch on the perimeter, which will make him a constant target in the pick & roll. Without clear improvements on offense, we might be looking at a backup 10 minutes per game big.
Position Combo Guard | School Michigan State | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’3″ | Weight 185
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Energy Back-Up Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Rodney Stuckey
The son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson, Jase brings an explosive first step and a solid frame to the lead guard spot. He’s wired to score and has shown real flashes as a pull-up shooter, though the efficiency hasn’t always been there. He’s still figuring out how to run a team, but the tools are interesting, and there’s something to be said for that pedigree and pop. Jase could grow into a combo guard role with time.
Position G/W | School Colorado State | Year Senior | Age 22 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 200
T$ Likely Player Outcome: High Energy Role Player
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Wilson Chandler
One of the more versatile defenders in the class, Clifford brings size, switchability, and rebounding to the wing. Offensively, he’s more limited, mostly functioning as a slasher and connective passer, but he doesn’t force the issue and plays within his role. The shot is serviceable enough to keep defenders honest. He’s the kind of glue guy that teams with stars often need to round out a rotation.
Position Wing | School Saint Joseph’s | Year Junior | Age 23 | Height 6’9″ | Weight 240
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Rotational 3 & D Wing
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Mike Scott
A rugged, high-motor big who embraces contact and does the dirty work. Fleming defended multiple positions at Saint Joe’s and scored efficiently on putbacks, rolls, and short jumpers; even adding a three-point shot last season. Once an overlooked prospect at Camden, he’s earned his way into draft consideration and drawn praise for staying loyal to SJU. He’s not flashy, but profiles as a dependable enforcer off the bench who knows his role.
Position Guard | School Duke | Year Junior | Age 21 | Height 6’6″ | Weight 183
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Second Unit Combo Guard
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Delon Wright
The Duke guard never quite put it all together offensively, but his IQ, poise, and defensive positioning kept him in scouts’ good graces. Proctor has size for the point, sees the floor well, and rarely makes the wrong read, but a lack of burst and a shaky floater limit his ability to pressure defenses off the bounce. Still, he feels like a guy who can have a pro career as a steady backup guard who makes his teammates better if he continues to grind.
Position Center | School Georgetown | Year Freshman | Age 19 | Height 6’10″ | Weight 255
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Back-up Center
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Zaza Pachulia
Sorber brings a powerful build and a relentless motor to the frontcourt. He’s a bruiser who lives around the rim but moves better than you’d expect. Defensively, he holds his ground in the post and can hedge in space. Offensively, he’s still developing touch outside of the paint and unfortunately has no jumper to speak of. The upside isn’t flashy, but the floor is real. Sorber is the kind of rotational big who sticks around because he knows his role and plays hard night in and night out.
Position Center | School Penn State | Year Junior | Age 22 | Height 7’0″ | Weight 250
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Back-Up Rim Runner
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Jaxson Hayes
An athletic wing with a powerful build and big-time defensive upside, Konan Niederhausen made waves for PSU with his ability to pressure the ball and crush opponents at the rim. A bit of a high riser at the draft combine, he’s not a creator yet and his jumper is sketchy, but he plays with a ton of energy and embraces physicality. Yanic feels like the kind of big man prospect who earns his way onto a roster through defense, hustle, and time to grow.
Position Wing | School Wake Forest | Year Senior | Age 22 | Height 6’5″ | Weight 185
T$ Likely Player Outcome: Bench Slasher
Squint and You Can See Shades of: Tim Hardaway Jr.
After a quiet stint at Gonzaga, Sallis found his groove at Wake Forest, exhibiting two-way upside as a slasher and plus defender. His jumper still isn’t fully there, but his handle improved, and he showed much more confidence creating offense at Wake Forest. There’s still projection work to do, but the tools, feel, and defensive motor give him a chance to stick as a rotational wing if his shot cooperates.
ROUND 2
The Sixers have pick 35 in this draft, so I had to throw in my next 10 for good measure:
tmoneynba 