2026 NBA DRAFT CLASS

The-Power · Post #61 » by **The-Power** » Sat Jul 5, 2025 9:46 am

Getting a first look at some of the U.S. prospects for the class next year at FIBA U19.

Some of the players that stood out to me so far (besides Dybantsa):

Mikel Brown Jr. – He reminds me of a mix of LaMelo Ball and Jordan Poole. Risky archetype because they must pass certain thresholds but if they do, they are a lot of fun to watch and can be effective lead Guards.

Koa Peat – Truly a force of nature. I see shades of Paolo Banchero and Aaron Gordon, plus some Rui Hachimura, but his defense as a prospect appears to be further along which makes him very intriguing to me.

I'm also curious to see how Morez Johnson Jr. develops next season. He's interesting, though measurements will be important for him.

And while not in next year's draft, I just want to shout out Jordan Smith Jr. here. Perhaps the most impressive and fun-to-watch defensive prospect of his size that I can remember. He reminds of me Cason Wallace in his most recent OKC iteration.

TYO23 · Post #62 » by **TYO23** » Sat Jul 5, 2025 6:47 pm

He’s likely staying in the 26 HS class but Tyran Stokes is one of the best transition players I’ve seen in a minute. Been really impressed with him and Mikel during this tournament.

europeannbafan · Post #63 » by **europeannbafan** » Sat Jul 5, 2025 7:56 pm

TYO23 wrote:He’s likely staying in the 26 HS class but Tyran Stokes is one of the best transition players I’ve seen in a minute. Been really impressed with him and Mikel during this tournament.

Is it only me? but I just see an athletic 6'6" power forward (he is listed as 6'7" but seems shorter to me) who cannot shoot ,has no moves inside the basket and has a bullyball style of play
Staying in lHS for long , does not help his development
Should reclassify and play one or two years in college ,he is the same age as Cameron Boozer

CP War Hawks · Post #64 » by **CP War Hawks** » Sun Jul 6, 2025 2:19 am

So many names popping out at me from all angles, it just crazy. Super thankful to have the Pels pick in this draft.

RookieStar · Post #65 » by **RookieStar** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 3:04 am

Im intrigued about the 2 german bigs.

I came for Reibe but stayed for Steinbach. They are going Uconn and Washington right.

Rainwater · Post #66 » by **Rainwater** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 7:49 am

Peterson might the best player in this draft and is getting no attention.

Upperclass · Post #67 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 2:31 pm

Rainwater wrote:Peterson might the best player in this draft and is getting no attention.

He's become extremely overrated

Rainwater · Post #68 » by **Rainwater** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 2:39 pm

Upperclass wrote:
Rainwater wrote:Peterson might the best player in this draft and is getting no attention.

He's become extremely overrated

He doesn’t even have thread on the board I believe.

babyjax13 · Post #69 » by **babyjax13** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 4:14 pm

I don't get the high ranking of Acuff. He is fine, but I don't see a lottery pick? Just too small and not special. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

clyde21 · Post #70 » by **clyde21** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 5:43 pm

Rainwater wrote:Peterson might the best player in this draft and is getting no attention.

there is a whole thread on Peterson my G

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2418427

Rainwater · Post #71 » by **Rainwater** » Mon Jul 7, 2025 11:53 pm

clyde21 wrote:
Rainwater wrote:Peterson might the best player in this draft and is getting no attention.

there is a whole thread on Peterson my G

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2418427

Sorry, I stand corrected.

TYO23 · Post #72 » by **TYO23** » Tue Jul 8, 2025 3:34 am

europeannbafan wrote:
TYO23 wrote:He’s likely staying in the 26 HS class but Tyran Stokes is one of the best transition players I’ve seen in a minute. Been really impressed with him and Mikel during this tournament.

Is it only me? but I just see an athletic 6'6" power forward (he is listed as 6'7" but seems shorter to me) who cannot shoot ,has no moves inside the basket and has a bullyball style of play
Staying in lHS for long , does not help his development
Should reclassify and play one or two years in college ,he is the same age as Cameron Boozer

His people did reconsider a reclass but decided against it. I would like to see a better play in the half-court but man in transition he’s special.

babyjax13 · Post #73 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Jul 8, 2025 7:18 pm

I just have a feeling I will have Ament #1 by the end of the year.

HadAnEffectHere · Post #74 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Tue Jul 8, 2025 7:40 pm

How good is Peterson at like... actually defending and being a PG?

Because his appeal is that you can have a huge PG who isn't going to be a weak link (which is why SGA is so valuable), but you... have to defend and play PG to be a big PG who helps your defense, lol.

TYO23 · Post #75 » by **TYO23** » Tue Jul 8, 2025 8:28 pm

babyjax13 wrote:I just have a feeling I will have Ament #1 by the end of the year.

I think he’s the guy who’s most likely to drop. I kind of worry about him and the physicality in the college game.

babyjax13 · Post #76 » by **babyjax13** » Wed Jul 9, 2025 2:07 am

HadAnEffectHere wrote:How good is Peterson at like... actually defending and being a PG?

Because his appeal is that you can have a huge PG who isn't going to be a weak link (which is why SGA is so valuable), but you... have to defend and play PG to be a big PG who helps your defense, lol.

I think he will be pretty good defending pgs, but we will know more in college against better athletes.

babyjax13 · Post #77 » by **babyjax13** » Wed Jul 9, 2025 2:08 am

TYO23 wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:I just have a feeling I will have Ament #1 by the end of the year.

I think he’s the guy who’s most likely to drop. I kind of worry about him and the physicality in the college game.

Could be. I think he makes such good decisions with the ball, he is huge, and he can shoot, dribble, and pass. At 6-10 with that skill and fluidity I have a hard time believing he will bust, but the physicality of college may not be the best context for him.

babyjax13 · Post #78 » by **babyjax13** » Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:01 pm

Not impressed with the international players in this class. Daniels is basically invisible on offense, Lopez looks interesting but also does a lot of post-ups and has a sloppy dribble, Sarr has to do a lot to prove he can shoot, Mara sucks, de Larrea is interesting but not a lottery talent (imo) ... the closest guys to looking like possible lottery picks so far are Lopez and Furphy. I like Talis Soulhac and there are a few other interesting players, but just not guys who leap out as obvious lottery picks. Who am I missing?

Catchall · Post #79 » by **Catchall** » Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:37 pm

babyjax13 wrote:Not impressed with the international players in this class. Daniels is basically invisible on offense, Lopez looks interesting but also does a lot of post-ups and has a sloppy dribble, Sarr has to do a lot to prove he can shoot, Mara sucks, de Larrea is interesting but not a lottery talent (imo) ... the closest guys to looking like possible lottery picks so far are Lopez and Furphy. I like Talis Soulhac and there are a few other interesting players, but just not guys who leap out as obvious lottery picks. Who am I missing?

From what little I've seen, I think Lopez can come in and be like Franz Wagner or Deni Avdija, just a big, skilled inside-outside forward.

Post #80 » by **165bows** » Sun Jul 13, 2025 6:16 pm

The-Power wrote:Getting a first look at some of the U.S. prospects for the class next year at FIBA U19.

Some of the players that stood out to me so far (besides Dybantsa):

Mikel Brown Jr. – He reminds me of a mix of LaMelo Ball and Jordan Poole. Risky archetype because they must pass certain thresholds but if they do, they are a lot of fun to watch and can be effective lead Guards.

Koa Peat – Truly a force of nature. I see shades of Paolo Banchero and Aaron Gordon, plus some Rui Hachimura, but his defense as a prospect appears to be further along which makes him very intriguing to me.

I'm also curious to see how Morez Johnson Jr. develops next season. He's interesting, though measurements will be important for him.

And while not in next year's draft, I just want to shout out Jordan Smith Jr. here. Perhaps the most impressive and fun-to-watch defensive prospect of his size that I can remember. He reminds of me Cason Wallace in his most recent OKC iteration.

Yeah I’m intrigued by Peat. Like if you crossed Richard Jefferson with an NFL linebacker.