2026 NBA DRAFT CLASS

[peZt]

Shows you how bad US basketball development has gotten

legit horrible at this point, and we're gonna start seeing it in these classes and college bball soon if we haven't already

Its honestly been bad since about the early 2010s. That's why there is no american MVP level caliber player for the last years and there's a huggeee gap after the KD, Harden, Curry generation in terms of quality. Thankfully the international talent was able to step up and fill that gap otherwise the quality of the NBA would be horrendous right now. Imagine no Jokic, Shai, Giannis and co., who is the face of the league then. 38 year old KD?
I think after around 2020 we have started to see more top level talent with the likes of Edwards, now Flagg and a couple more, but its still bad.
Before 2010, you had basically a proper american superstar/MVP level player in every other draft. At least one in every 3 years. Now you dont have a single one under 32, unless you count Tatum as one, which makes it one of that caliber in the last 10 drafts. And even he is not a proper top 3 player. So basically you have 0 american players drafted in the last 10 years that is proper top 3/MVP/superstar level kind of player. Maybe Edwards

Though tbf Zion would've been that if not for injuries

[peZt]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

[SeattleJazzFan]

Nike Hoop Summit was a lot better when the international team was actually an international team and not just non-american High School players from the US. And still, the US team struggled to win against an international team without probably its top 5-6 players. Shows you how bad US basketball development has gotten

you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. in one sentence you are saying it wasn't actually an international team (correct) because they are just non american US HS players (FTR, Dybantsa played for the "international" team last year which sorta underscores what a joke it is to call it an international team), then complaining that the US team couldn't beat an international team. You literally just admitted they aren't really an international team. it was just one group of US kids who struggled to beat another group of US kids. It was essentially like a close McDonald's all-american game.

this is not an example of the US being bad at basketball development. maybe they are, but this isn't the example since 90% of them were developed in the US.

[peZt]

Nike Hoop Summit was a lot better when the international team was actually an international team and not just non-american High School players from the US. And still, the US team struggled to win against an international team without probably its top 5-6 players. Shows you how bad US basketball development has gotten

you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. in one sentence you are saying it wasn't actually an international team (correct) because they are just non american US HS players (FTR, Dybantsa played for the "international" team last year which sorta underscores what a joke it is to call it an international team), then complaining that the US team couldn't beat an international team. You literally just admitted they aren't really an international team. it was just one group of US kids who struggled to beat another group of US kids. It was essentially like a close McDonald's all-american game.

this is not an example of the US being bad at basketball development. maybe they are, but this isn't the example since 90% of them were developed in the US.

Im saying that the US couldnt even beat the supposed World Team when the World team mostly consists of international High School players and doesnt even have the best players it would have would it really be a real world team.
Nothing about my statement contradicts itself

I literally said "international team without its top players". That's factually correct. Its not my fault they call it "World Team".

It does give hints towards basketball development in the US since not so long ago in the past the best US talents were going head to head or beating an actual "rest of the world" team. The World Team in the past consisted of the best non-american HIgh School players AND the best actual u-19 players from overseas. Now they are barely winning against non-american High School players.

[SeattleJazzFan]

Nike Hoop Summit was a lot better when the international team was actually an international team and not just non-american High School players from the US. And still, the US team struggled to win against an international team without probably its top 5-6 players. Shows you how bad US basketball development has gotten

you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. in one sentence you are saying it wasn't actually an international team (correct) because they are just non american US HS players (FTR, Dybantsa played for the "international" team last year which sorta underscores what a joke it is to call it an international team), then complaining that the US team couldn't beat an international team. You literally just admitted they aren't really an international team. it was just one group of US kids who struggled to beat another group of US kids. It was essentially like a close McDonald's all-american game.

this is not an example of the US being bad at basketball development. maybe they are, but this isn't the example since 90% of them were developed in the US.

Im saying that the US couldnt even beat the supposed World Team when the World team mostly consists of international High School players and doesnt even have the best players it would have would it really be a real world team.
Nothing about my statement contradicts itself

I literally said "international team without its top players". That's factually correct. Its not my fault they call it "World Team".

It does give hints towards basketball development in the US since not so long ago in the past the best US talents were going head to head or beating an actual "rest of the world" team. The World Team in the past consisted of the best non-american HIgh School players AND the best actual u-19 players from overseas. Now they are barely winning against non-american High School players.

the point is, and i thought you were making it in your first post, is that the World team doesn't mostly consist of International High School players - they are US High School players that may have been born in another country. bottom line is that it was just two groups of US developed kids playing against each other.

[FarBeyondDriven]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

He looks great but I think #5 is his likely ceiling. He'll be top 10 in pre-season Big Boards.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Nike Hoop Summit was a lot better when the international team was actually an international team and not just non-american High School players from the US. And still, the US team struggled to win against an international team without probably its top 5-6 players. Shows you how bad US basketball development has gotten

you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. in one sentence you are saying it wasn't actually an international team (correct) because they are just non american US HS players (FTR, Dybantsa played for the "international" team last year which sorta underscores what a joke it is to call it an international team), then complaining that the US team couldn't beat an international team. You literally just admitted they aren't really an international team. it was just one group of US kids who struggled to beat another group of US kids. It was essentially like a close McDonald's all-american game.

this is not an example of the US being bad at basketball development. maybe they are, but this isn't the example since 90% of them were developed in the US.

yeah, makes no sense. US not only had a few of their guys on the World team but it was without Peterson and Quaintence, two top 10 guys, as well. So the game wasn't anywhere near a true reflection of US versus the world.

[Upperclass]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

He's not an NBA player.. at ALL.. He may not be a decent college player either. I would lean towards not

[coutournant]

Noa Kouakou Heugue, french PF, has been measured 6'9 (206 cm) without shoes, with a 7'1 wingspan (214 cm).
Still growing, great potential

Watch on YouTube

[FarBeyondDriven]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

He's not an NBA player.. at ALL.. He may not be a decent college player either. I would lean towards not

just want to save this gem for later

[Upperclass]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

He's not an NBA player.. at ALL.. He may not be a decent college player either. I would lean towards not

just want to save this gem for later

Please do. Will be interesting to see the responses when he's transferring to a small Cali basketball school after next season.

[Chi town]

Yess looks like Ant.

[BigGargamel]

Nevermind

[babyjax13]

Nevermind

I saw your original post - still seems very relevant. He's going to live, which is good. Hopefully no serious long-term issues.

[Chuck Everett]

Where is Koa Peat going?

Koa Peat has been dominating the Team USA u-19 sessions. He looks like a lock to make the team, FYI.

[azcatz11]

Where is Koa Peat going?

Koa Peat has been dominating the Team USA u-19 sessions. He looks like a lock to make the team, FYI.

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Does he have a chance to be a lotto pick?

[Chuck Everett]

Where is Koa Peat going?

Koa Peat has been dominating the Team USA u-19 sessions. He looks like a lock to make the team, FYI.

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Does he have a chance to be a lotto pick?

He's trying to prove he can play the SF at the next level. I personally think he can, but he's more a hybrid forward right now because he's so strong and finishes so well around the rim. Seems like this is a kid who can do more than he's shown for the most part, it's just what he does so well, it makes no sense for him not to spam it.

And yes, if I had a lotto pick (maybe not top-3), I would be after him. So anywhere from 4-14, I'd be very surprised if after his freshman year the scouts aren't salivating over him. Comes from a family of professional athletes as well (NFL).

[Grits n Gravy]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

Just seen ESPNs first 26 mock and hes in the 20's. I know absolutely nothing about the kid except watching the hoop summit game. Looked like an Ant Edwards clone to me. What the heck am I missing?

[Chuck Everett]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

Just seen ESPNs first 26 mock and hes in the 20's. I know absolutely nothing about the kid except watching the hoop summit game. Looked like an Ant Edwards clone to me. What the heck am I missing?

Baylor has had three straight OAD guards in Keyonte George, Jakobe Walter and VJ Edgecombe (and Yves Missi). If Yessoufou is in the same mold, he will rocket up boards because he will be showcased at Baylor.

[TYO23]

but anyways, dark horse for #1 pick is Tounde Yessoufou. Though maybe not so dark horse anymore. Dude looks incredible. No idea how its the first time I've heard of him and how he is ranked so low. Though still raw handle and jumper, needs to tighten those up. But if he does, damn. Haven't seen that first step, athletic slashing ability since dont know when.

Watch on YouTube

Just seen ESPNs first 26 mock and hes in the 20's. I know absolutely nothing about the kid except watching the hoop summit game. Looked like an Ant Edwards clone to me. What the heck am I missing?

He was characterized as a combo forward it seems early on. Now he’s kind of transitioning to being more on the wing but if he has a great year at Baylor. I could see him in the lotto.