Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has emerged as the projected No. 1 overall pick in ESPN’s inaugural 2026 NBA Mock Draft, which was released Tuesday. The guard is averaging 21.5 points through two games but has missed recent games due to a hamstring injury.
According to ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo, Peterson’s “dynamic three-level scoring, impressive physical tools, defensive tenacity and competitive intangibles position him as one of the most complete and impactful freshman guards in recent history.” The Brooklyn Nets would select Peterson to address their need for star power in this projection.
Peterson’s status remains uncertain for Tuesday’s big game against Duke and Cameron Boozer. Head coach Bill Self described the injury timeline as “immediate future”, casting doubt on his availability.
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa is projected second behind the Washington Wizards, averaging 20.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games. Duke’s Cameron Boozer rounds out the top three for the Utah Jazz, with 22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Some NBA scouts are concerned about Boozer’s athleticism, but his ranking here is a testament to his high skill level.
The mock draft shows Tennessee’s Nate Ament fourth behind the Indiana Pacers and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson fifth behind the Atlanta Hawks via the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick. Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. sits sixth behind the Sacramento Kings after a 29-point explosion against Kentucky.
The mock draft uses ESPN’s BPI rankings as of Nov. 14 to determine team rankings. NBA executives have taken advantage of early-season matchups including the Champions Classic and the upcoming Players Era Championship in Las Vegas.
“This continues to be viewed as one of the stronger drafts in recent history, with high-level players at the top of the board and developing depth in the first round,” Woo wrote.
The draft projections reflect evaluations of ongoing conversations with NBA executives and scouts, combined with film study and live game attendance. Much of the order will change before the June draft.
ESPN’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft First Round:
1. Brooklyn Nets – Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas
2. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
3. Utah Jazz – Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke
4. Indiana Pacers – Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee
5. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans) – Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina
6. Sacramento Kings – Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville
7. Charlotte Hornets – Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
8. Dallas Mavericks – koa turf, PF/C, Arizona
9. Memphis Grizzlies – Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers) – Dame Sarr, SG/SF, Duke
11. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix) – Karim Lopez, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers
12. Portland Trail Blazers – Neoklis Avdalas, SG/SF, Virginia Tech
13. Chicago Bulls – Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn
14. Milwaukee Bucks – Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
15. Boston Celtics – Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, Florida
16. Toronto Raptors – Fage Philon Jr.,
17. Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando) – Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor
18. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, Michigan
19. Miami Heat – Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
21. San Antonio Spurs – Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington
22. Detroit Pistons – Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke
23. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia) – Dash Daniels, PG/SG, Melbourne United
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Atlanta) – Aday Mara, C, Michigan
25. Los Angeles Lakers – Zuby Ejiofor, PF/C, St. John’s
26. New York Knicks – Miles Byrd, SG/SF, San Diego State
27. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland) – Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston) – Alex Condon, C, Florida
29. Denver Nuggets – Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston
30. Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City) – Dwayne Aristode, SF, Arizona
ESPN’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft Second Round:
31. Brooklyn Nets
32. New York Knicks (via Washington) – Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke
33. San Antonio Spurs (via Utah) – Nikolas Khamenia, SF/PF, Duke
34. Memphis Grizzlies (via Indiana) – Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor
35. Boston Celtics (via New Orleans) – Braden Smith, PG, Purdue
36. Sacramento Kings – JT Toppin, PF/C, Texas Tech
37. Sacramento Kings (via Charlotte) – Karter Knox, SG/SF, Arkansas
38. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas) – Alex Karaban, SF/PF, UConn
39. LA Clippers (via Memphis) – Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn
40. Brooklyn Nets (via LA Clippers) – Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix) – Magoon Gwath, C, San Diego State
42. San Antonio Spurs (via Portland) – Paul McNeil Jr., SG, NC State
43. Houston Rockets (via Chicago) – Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois
44. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee) – Darrion Williams, SF, NC State
45. Atlanta Hawks (via Boston) – Brayden Burries, Sg, Arizona
46. Toronto Raptors – Wesley Yates III, SG, Washington
47. Orlando Magic – Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona
48. Charlotte Hornets (via Golden State) – Milos Uzan, PG, Houston
49. San Antonio Spurs (via Miami) – Andrej Stojakovic, SG/SF, Illinois
50. Washington Wizards (via Minnesota) – Mouhamed Sylla, C, Georgia Tech
51. Minnesota Timberwalves (via San Antonio) – Adam Amena, SG, Asvel
52. New York Knicks (via Detroit) – Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas
53. Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia) – Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan
54. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta) – Moustapha Thiam, C, Cincinnati
55. Toronto Raptors (via Los Angeles) – Michael Ruzic, PF/C, Joventut
56. New York Knicks – Boogie Fland, PG, Florida
57. Cleveland Cavaliers – Richie Saunders, SG/SF, BYU
58. Houston Rockets – Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Denver) – Solo Ball, SG, UConn
60. Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City) – Tucker DeVries, SG/SF, Indiana
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