The opening weekend of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament provided the first high-stakes look at many of the players expected to headline this year’s NBA draft. Early exits by Kansas and BYU ended the college careers of two projected top selections, while several other lottery candidates moved on to the Sweet 16 and boosted their résumés in front of NBA decision-makers.
Top of the board
Darryn Peterson, Kansas (Pre-tournament No. 1)
Kansas fell to St. John’s in the round of 32, capping an inconsistent season for the 6-foot-5 guard. Peterson averaged 20.6 points over his last nine outings but shot 38.8 percent from the field and 31.9 percent beyond the arc during that stretch. Team executives still value his elite shot-making upside, yet recurring cramps and multiple minor injuries have raised questions about his long-term durability.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU (Pre-tournament No. 2)
Despite BYU’s first-round loss to Texas, Dybantsa strengthened his argument for the No. 1 selection by totaling 37 points, 10 rebounds and hitting all 12 free throws while playing every minute. The 6-foot-8 wing also impressed at the Big 12 tournament, where scouts praised his improved decision-making and willingness to share the ball.
Cameron Boozer, Duke (Pre-tournament No. 3)
Duke advanced past Siena and TCU, although Boozer struggled with foot speed and rim protection against the Saints. Even so, his consistent production and extensive history of winning at every level keep him in the conversation for the top pick. A Sweet 16 duel with St. John’s and Zuby Ejiofor awaits.
Guards on the rise
Kingston Flemings, Houston (Pre-tournament No. 5)
Flemings guided veteran-laden Houston to two blowout victories, limiting mistakes and distributing effectively. His showdown with Illinois and fellow projected lottery guard Keaton Wagler is among the most anticipated Sweet 16 matchups.
Keaton Wagler, Illinois (Pre-tournament No. 6)
Wagler’s size (6-6) and vision were on display in comfortable wins over Penn and VCU. Houston’s physical defense now offers a critical test for a player who occasionally struggles finishing in traffic.
Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas (Pre-tournament No. 8)
Acuff has averaged 30.2 points and 7.2 assists across five postseason games, helping Arkansas into the Sweet 16. Scouts want to see how the 6-3 guard fares versus Arizona’s length and NBA-caliber talent.
Front-court prospects
Nate Ament, Tennessee (Pre-tournament No. 7)
Still laboring after an ankle injury, Ament went scoreless against Miami (Ohio) and posted 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting versus Virginia. Tennessee faces Iowa State next, and NBA teams are weighing Ament’s long-term tools against a freshman season filled with peaks and valleys.
Thomas Haugh, Florida (Pre-tournament No. 11)
Florida’s repeat bid ended against Iowa, but Haugh contributed 19 points while hitting 11-of-12 free throws. His plug-and-play skill set keeps him in late-lottery consideration despite turning 23 this summer.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan (Pre-tournament No. 12)
Lendeborg’s 25-point effort versus Saint Louis highlighted his versatility. At 24 before next season, he remains older than most first-rounders, yet his ability to handle, shoot and defend multiple spots appeals to executives.
Chris Cenac Jr., Houston (Pre-tournament No. 15)
The 19-year-old collected 18 rebounds against Idaho and followed with 17 points and nine boards versus Texas A&M. Scouts view the 6-11 forward as one of the few big men with lottery potential in this class.
Notable stock movers
Braydon Burries, Arizona (Pre-tournament No. 17)
Burries recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and a clutch late three in a win over Utah State, solidifying himself as Arizona’s leading scorer and a possible top-10 selection.
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa (Pre-tournament No. 22)
Stirtz steered the No. 9 seed Hawkeyes past top-seeded Florida despite shooting 3-for-19 from deep over the first two rounds. His command under pressure remains a selling point, though concerns linger about his burst off the dribble.
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s (Pre-tournament No. 36)
Ejiofor followed a 19-point, nine-rebound Big East title game with 18 points and nine boards against Kansas. His relentless style and emerging spot-up jumper have pushed him into late-first-round talks.
Weighing stay-or-go calls
Braylon Mullins, UConn (Pre-tournament No. 14)
After an 0-for-8 three-point outing against Furman, Mullins rebounded with 17 points versus UCLA. Some executives believe another college season could vault the freshman higher in 2027.
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech (Pre-tournament No. 19)
A groin injury hampered Anderson in a lopsided loss to Alabama. The sophomore must choose between capitalizing now or returning as a possible top guard in next year’s thinner class.
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt (Pre-tournament No. 28)
Tanner’s half-court heave rimmed out in a round-of-32 defeat to Nebraska, but 53 combined points over two games boosted his profile. Heavy point-guard depth may push him back to college, where NIL earnings could be significant.
Alex Karaban, UConn (Pre-tournament No. 30)
Karaban scored a career-high 27 against UCLA and remains attractive to playoff teams seeking an immediate contributor, even though he turns 24 this year.
Late risers and sleepers
Aday Mara, Michigan (Pre-tournament No. 32)
The 7-3 center is averaging 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks over his last five games, reviving interest in his unique blend of size and passing.
Allen Graves, Santa Clara (Unranked)
The WCC Freshman of the Year posted 17 points and seven rebounds before fouling out against Kentucky. At 40.7 percent from deep, the 6-9 forward could secure a guaranteed deal with a strong predraft showing but may also be a sought-after transfer-portal target.
The Sweet 16 begins Thursday, giving scouts another close look at several of the draft’s most hotly debated prospects as the race for the No. 1 pick remains fluid.
Source: ESPN
