With the 2026 NBA draft two months away, league scouts and executives remain divided on who should be selected first overall, according to an ESPN report by Jeremy Woo and Tim Bontemps. After speaking with more than a dozen talent evaluators, ESPN found a plurality favoring BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, but no true consensus has emerged.
“I guess you’d rather fail with AJ and his upside than pass on him,” a Western Conference general manager told ESPN, noting the 6-9 forward could add more size and strength as he develops. “You’ve just got to go down swinging with him if you go down.”
Another Western Conference executive compared the current class to the 2024 draft headlined by Zaccharie Risacher, saying the 2026 pool is deeper but still lacks a clear-cut No. 1. “There’s a lot of guys,” the executive said. “You have high confidence that at least some of them are going to be really, really good. You’re not really sure which ones. You don’t want to be drafting at one and end up with the fifth-best player.”
Other prospects cited as potential top-10 selections include Caleb Wilson, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler.
Early Entrants Announce Plans
Flory Bidunga, Kansas: The sophomore center will enter the draft while keeping his college eligibility and has placed his name in the transfer portal, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. Bidunga averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks across 35 games, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the conference’s first team. He is currently projected as a possible second-round pick.
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State: The sophomore guard is testing the waters after posting 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per contest. Mobley shot 41.1% from three-point range on 7.6 attempts per game. He stated on social media that he will return to Ohio State if he withdraws before the NCAA deadline.
Finley Bizjack, Butler: Agent George S. Langberg told DraftExpress that the junior guard has filed draft paperwork while preserving eligibility and has also entered the transfer portal. Bizjack averaged 17.1 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 rebounds on .426/.351/.850 shooting in 31 games, earning third-team All-Big East recognition.
The NBA’s early-entry deadline is April 27, while the NCAA withdrawal deadline is May 29.
Source: Hoops Rumors
