With the NBA Draft four days away, the race for the top selection remains wide open.
ESPN reshuffles its board
ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo updated his final big board, returning Kansas guard Darryn Peterson to the No. 1 spot ahead of A.J. Dybantsa. Woo originally listed Peterson first at the start of the season before elevating Dybantsa during the year. He said renewed evaluation of Peterson’s freshman campaign and greater confidence in the guard’s medical outlook drove the latest change. Woo described the pair as closely matched but cited Peterson’s shot-making and long-term potential as a lead guard as deciding factors. The remainder of Woo’s top 12 prospects stayed the same.
No agreement among rankings
The updated order differs sharply from J. Kyle Mann’s new board at The Ringer, which places Cameron Boozer first, followed by Peterson, Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson, and Keaton Wagler. Mann ranks Brayden Burries, Jayden Quaintance, Henri Veesaar, and Baba Miller higher than Woo does, while listing Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr. and Aday Mara lower. The largest gap involves Karim Lopez: Mann slots him 36th; Woo places him 14th.
Wizards stay silent on top pick
Speaking on The Zach Lowe Show, DraftExpress analyst Jonathan Givony said he has long viewed Peterson as the class’s best prospect and believes the Washington Wizards continue to weigh him seriously for the No. 1 pick. Givony noted that Washington is among the league’s most secretive front offices, making its intentions difficult to read. He compared the current uncertainty to 2022, when Orlando unexpectedly selected Paolo Banchero first overall after weeks of projections favoring Jabari Smith Jr.
As draft night approaches, league insiders say the Wizards’ plans—and the identity of the top pick—remain anyone’s guess.
Source: Hoops Wire
