BYU freshman wing AJ Dybantsa is projected as the No. 1 pick in Sam Vecenie’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft for The Athletic. Vecenie cites the 6’9″ scorer’s elite athleticism, improved playmaking and prolific production as key reasons he currently leads the class.
Mock draft highlights
• Dybantsa is followed by Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2 and Duke power forward Cameron Boozer at No. 3.
• North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson sits alone in the No. 4 slot.
• Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Tennessee’s Nate Ament round out the next tier.
Vecenie notes that picks 10 through 30 are difficult to forecast because several prospects could return to college and earn as much as US$4 million through name, image and likeness deals.
Consensus big board
RookieScale.com’s Jon Chepkevich compiled a consensus ranking from 13 outlets and dozens of independent boards. The same nine players listed above occupy the top nine spots, with Michigan center Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 10 and Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance at No. 11. Lendeborg is No. 19 and Quaintance No. 12 in Vecenie’s mock.
Wembanyama becomes Nanterre shareholder
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, now in his third NBA season, has purchased a minority stake in French club Nanterre, where he played from age 10 to 17. Speaking with L’Équipe, the 20-year-old said the move felt “natural” because he wants to influence basketball in his home country and at the club he considers “home.”
Dominican Republic upsets Team USA
The United States men’s national team fell to the Dominican Republic in a 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying game on Thursday, never holding a lead and trailing by as many as 19 points. Dominican coach Néstor García praised his players’ passion, telling reporters, “This is for the Dominican people.”
The U.S. squad, assembled during the NBA regular season, features recent league players such as James Wiseman and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. The loss drops Team USA to 2-1 with nine qualifiers remaining, leaving the Americans in solid position to reach the tournament.
Source: Hoops Rumors
