2026 NBA DRAFT CLASS

[Upperclass]

Morez Johnson Jr SHOULD be a lotto pick.. I think he's a better pro than Yaxel.. similar shooter, better rebounder and seems to have elite hands, long arms, high motor and is just always around the ball.. defensively is tough to tell but he does try for shot blocks on and off ball quite often

His footwork is really bad. He travels on damn near every possession. Constantly switching pivot feet while stationary. He needs to clean that up. Even the NBA won't allow him to get away with that (unless he became a superstar).

Yeah I dont think he's a post player, more like a Mo Speights with a slightly better all around game

[tmorgan]

Morez Johnson Jr SHOULD be a lotto pick.. I think he's a better pro than Yaxel.. similar shooter, better rebounder and seems to have elite hands, long arms, high motor and is just always around the ball.. defensively is tough to tell but he does try for shot blocks on and off ball quite often

You definitely have to acknowledge the huge age difference, but Yaxel is way ahead of Morez in thinking basketball right now. So the player you prefer depends on the situation. I’m guessing Yaxel goes early teens and Morez in the 20’s.

[Upperclass]

Morez Johnson Jr SHOULD be a lotto pick.. I think he's a better pro than Yaxel.. similar shooter, better rebounder and seems to have elite hands, long arms, high motor and is just always around the ball.. defensively is tough to tell but he does try for shot blocks on and off ball quite often

You definitely have to acknowledge the huge age difference, but Yaxel is way ahead of Morez in thinking basketball right now. So the player you prefer depends on the situation. I’m guessing Yaxel goes early teens and Morez in the 20’s.

Yaxel will obviously be drafted ahead of Morez.. maybe even top 10. I just think Morez will be a better value pick and a more productive player. Yaxel is like a less athletic Obi Toppin.. which can be useful but likely not a starting F for a team that isnt at the bottom of the standings.. Morez seems like he could fit next to alot of different types of bigs. He seems like what Denver was looking for in DaRon Holmes.

[tmorgan]

Morez Johnson Jr SHOULD be a lotto pick.. I think he's a better pro than Yaxel.. similar shooter, better rebounder and seems to have elite hands, long arms, high motor and is just always around the ball.. defensively is tough to tell but he does try for shot blocks on and off ball quite often

You definitely have to acknowledge the huge age difference, but Yaxel is way ahead of Morez in thinking basketball right now. So the player you prefer depends on the situation. I’m guessing Yaxel goes early teens and Morez in the 20’s.

Yaxel will obviously be drafted ahead of Morez.. maybe even top 10. I just think Morez will be a better value pick and a more productive player. Yaxel is like a less athletic Obi Toppin.. which can be useful but likely not a starting F for a team that isnt at the bottom of the standings.. Morez seems like he could fit next to alot of different types of bigs. He seems like what Denver was looking for in DaRon Holmes.

Toppin? C’mon now. Obi is a dunker that can shoot and struggles defensively, basically known as a guy that doesn’t think the game but gets by because he’s athletic with decent touch. That’s not Yaxel at all. He’s not as athletic as Obi, certainly, but the big difference is that he’s a smart player, can pass, and is usually locked in making smart plays on both ends. His brain doesn’t bottleneck his talent the way Toppin’s does.

[Upperclass]

You definitely have to acknowledge the huge age difference, but Yaxel is way ahead of Morez in thinking basketball right now. So the player you prefer depends on the situation. I’m guessing Yaxel goes early teens and Morez in the 20’s.

Yaxel will obviously be drafted ahead of Morez.. maybe even top 10. I just think Morez will be a better value pick and a more productive player. Yaxel is like a less athletic Obi Toppin.. which can be useful but likely not a starting F for a team that isnt at the bottom of the standings.. Morez seems like he could fit next to alot of different types of bigs. He seems like what Denver was looking for in DaRon Holmes.

Toppin? C’mon now. Obi is a dunker that can shoot and struggles defensively, basically known as a guy that doesn’t think the game but gets by because he’s athletic with decent touch. That’s not Yaxel at all. He’s not as athletic as Obi, certainly, but the big difference is that he’s a smart player, can pass, and is usually locked in making smart plays on both ends. His brain doesn’t bottleneck his talent the way Toppin’s does.

Sure, but I mainly meant the role in which they will be deployed as backup PF's. There arent specifically 3&D Power Forward's nor defensive specialists who arent Draymond

[tmorgan]

Yaxel will obviously be drafted ahead of Morez.. maybe even top 10. I just think Morez will be a better value pick and a more productive player. Yaxel is like a less athletic Obi Toppin.. which can be useful but likely not a starting F for a team that isnt at the bottom of the standings.. Morez seems like he could fit next to alot of different types of bigs. He seems like what Denver was looking for in DaRon Holmes.

Toppin? C’mon now. Obi is a dunker that can shoot and struggles defensively, basically known as a guy that doesn’t think the game but gets by because he’s athletic with decent touch. That’s not Yaxel at all. He’s not as athletic as Obi, certainly, but the big difference is that he’s a smart player, can pass, and is usually locked in making smart plays on both ends. His brain doesn’t bottleneck his talent the way Toppin’s does.

Sure, but I mainly meant the role in which they will be deployed as backup PF's. There arent specifically 3&D Power Forward's nor defensive specialists who arent Draymond

I guess. You bring Obi off the bench because he can score and pressure the defense. Yaxel’s just solid. He’s like a 7 at everything on offense, and probably a 5 on everything defensively (in the NBA, I mean). I keep falling back to the Tobias Harris comp once Tobi got a little bigger and lost a step. Jack of all trades.

[Upperclass]

^ Could be. Its tough to make that kind of projection on players who havent shown a previous scoring acumen though.. Harris for example has 10+years of being faster and more athletic than Yaxel is currently, along with knowing how to score at an NBA level AND average 18/8+ for many of these years..

A 24 year old rookie expecting to have that kind of arc generally doesnt happen.. could it? Sure.. but may be a good idea to take a look at the list of non-euro 24 year old drafted rookies entering the league and how they have performed over the years.

[tmorgan]

^ Could be. Its tough to make that kind of projection on players who havent shown a previous scoring acumen though.. Harris for example has 10+years of being faster and more athletic than Yaxel is currently, along with knowing how to score at an NBA level AND average 18/8+ for many of these years..

A 24 year old rookie expecting to have that kind of arc generally doesnt happen.. could it? Sure.. but may be a good idea to take a look at the list of non-euro 24 year old drafted rookies entering the league and how they have performed over the years.

I certainly don’t expect him to have Tobias’ career or impact at the same age. We’ll see. Yaxel could be nothing but a decent bench guy for two contracts and then just exit the league after seven years. But because he’s a smart player with a variety of skills, in the right situation he could grow into a valuable contributor 4th option type on a good team. If he’s not a sieve and makes open shots at a good clip, he’ll carve out a nice career because his coach will appreciate his style of play, very calm with good decision-making.

[Caneman786]

UPDATE to DRAFT THREAD DIRECTORY, APRIL 9

Big Update today.

Most notable change is Aday Mara jumping from the late first round into the late lottery.

Consensus mock draft as of April 9, 2026 with all threads on NBA Draft board as of April 9, 2026 linked:

First Round

1. AJ Dybantsa - Thread created 7/16/24 - Ranked #1 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Brigham Young University - From Brockton, MA
2. ‎Cameron Boozer - Thread created 7/22/24 - Ranked #3 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Duke University - Miami, FL
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Cameron Boozer Original Thread (locked) Thread created 8/23/23
3. Darryn Peterson - Thread created 11/19/24 - Ranked #2 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Kansas - From Canton, OH
4. Caleb Wilson - Thread created 11/3/25 - Ranked #5 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of North Carolina - From Atlanta, GA
5. Kingston Flemings - Thread created 12/11/25 - Ranked #15 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Houston - From San Antonio, TX
6. Darius Acuff Jr. - Thread created 12/17/25 - Ranked #10 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Arkansas - From Detroit, MI
7. Keaton Wagler - Thread created 1/25/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Illinois - From Shawnee, KS
8. Brayden Burries - Thread created 1/12/26 - Ranked #9 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Arizona - From San Bernardino, CA
9. Mikel Brown Jr. - Thread created 11/8/25 - Ranked #7 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Louisville - From Orlando, FL
10. Yaxel Lendeborg - Thread created 2/21/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2020 - Senior - University of Michigan - From Pennsauken, NJ
11. Labaron Philon Jr. - Thread created 3/27/26 - Ranked #32 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - University of Alabama - From Mobile, AL
12. Nate Ament - Thread created 11/2/25 - Ranked #4 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Tennessee - From Manassas, VA
13. Aday Mara - Thread created 6/27/21 - Junior - University of Michigan - From Zaragoza, Spain
14. Dailyn Swain - Thread created 3/26/26 - Ranked #94 in the class of 2023 - Junior - University of Texas - From Columbus, OH
15. Patrick Ngongba II - Thread not yet created - Ranked #24 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Duke University - From Manassas, VA
16. Hannes Steinbach - Thread created 12/30/25 - Freshman - University of Washington - From Würzburg, Germany
17. Morez Johnson Jr. - Thread not yet created - Ranked #26 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - University of Michigan - From Riverdale, IL
18. Jayden Quaintance - Thread not yet created - Ranked #8 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Arizona State University - From Cleveland, OH
19. Bennett Stirtz - Thread created 3/28/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - University of Iowa - From Liberty, MO
20. Koa Peat - Thread created 11/3/25 - Ranked #8 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Arizona - From Gilbert, AZ
21. Thomas Haugh - Thread created 2/23/25 - Not top 100 in the class of 2023 - Junior - University of Florida - From New Oxford, PA
22. Chris Cenac Jr. - Thread created 3/27/26 - Ranked #6 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Houston - From New Orleans, LA
23. Cameron Carr - Thread created 12/20/25 - Ranked #55 in the class of 2023 - Junior - Baylor University - From Eden Prairie, MN
24. Allen Graves - Thread created 3/17/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2024 - Freshman - Santa Clara University - From Ponchatoula, LA
25. Karim Lopez - Thread created 10/5/24 - Australian Pro League (NBL) - New Zealand Breakers - From Hermosillo, Mexico
26. Christian Anderson - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Texas Tech - From Atlanta, GA
27. Braylon Mullins - Thread created 2/19/26 - Ranked #14 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Connecticut - From Greenfield, IN
28. Motiejus Krivas - Thread not yet created - Junior - University of Arizona - From Siauliai, Lithuania
29. Henri Veesaar - Thread not yet created - Senior - University of North Carolina - From Tallinn, Estonia
30. Tyler Tanner - Thread created 3/18/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Vanderbilt University - From Brentwood, TN

Second Round

31. Isaiah Evans - Thread not yet created - Ranked #16 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Duke University - From Fayetteville, NC
32. Flory Bidunga - Thread not yet created - Ranked #18 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Univeristy of Kansas - From Kinshasa, D.R. Congo
33. Meleek Thomas - Thread created 11/5/25 - Ranked #12 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Arkansas - From Atlanta, GA
34. Amari Allen - Thread created 12/3/25 - Freshman - University of Alabama - From Green Bay, WI
35. Joshua Jefferson - Thread created 1/17/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - University of North Carolina - From Las Vegas, NV
36. Zuby Ejiofor - Thread not yet created - Ranked #50 in the class of 2022 - Senior - St. John's University - From Garland, TX
37. Pryce Sandfort - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2023 - Junior - University of Nebraska - From Waukee, IA
38. Milan Momcilovic - Thread created 3/30/26 - Ranked #37 in the class of 2023 - Junior - Iowa State University - From Pewaukee, WI
39. Ebuka Okorie - Thread created 1/26/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Stanford University - From Nashua, NH
40. Tounde Yessoufou - Thread created 12/20/25 - Ranked #11 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Baylor University - From Cotonou, Benin
41. Braden Smith - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - Purdue University - From Westfield, IN
42. JT Toppin - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2023 - Junior - Texas Tech University - From Dallas, TX
43. Alex Karaban - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2021 - Senior - University of Connecticut - From Southborough, MA
44. Richie Saunders - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - Brigham Young University - From Riverton, UT
45. Rueben Chinyelu - Thread not yet created - Junior- University of Florida - From Enugu Agidi, Nigeria
46. Dame Sarr - Thread created 4/8/26 - Freshman - Duke University - From Oderzo, Italy
47. Juke Harris - Thread not yet created - Ranked #88 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - Wake Forest University - From Salisbury, NC
48. Zvonimir Ivisic - Thread not yet created - Junior - University of Illinois - From Vodice, Croatia
49. Tarris Reed Jr. - Thread not yet created - Ranked #31 in the class of 2022 - Senior - University of Connecticut - From St. Louis, MO
50. Alex Condon - Thread not yet created - Junior - University of Florida - From Perth, Australia
51. Paul McNeil Jr. - Thread not yet created - Ranked #53 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - NC State University - From Rockingham, NC
52. JoJo Tugler - Thread not yet created - Ranked #70 in the class of 2023 - Junior - University of Houston - From Houston, TX
53. Malachi Moreno - Thread not yet created - Ranked #26 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - University of Kentucky - From Georgetown, KY
54. Ryan Conwell - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - University of Louisville - From Indianapolis, IN
55. Ivan Kharchenkov - Thread not yet created - Freshman - University of Arizona - From Munich, Germany
56. Bruce Thornton - Thread not yet created - Ranked #47 in the class of 2022 - Senior - The Ohio State University - From Alpharetta, GA
57. Tomislav Ivisic - Thread not yet created - Sophomore - University of Illinois - From Vodice, Croatia
58. Billy Richmond III - Thread not yet created - Ranked #27 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - University of Arkansas - From Memphis, TN
59. Tamin Lipsey - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - Iowa State University - From Ames, IA
60. Trevon Brazile - Thread not yet created - Not top 100 in the class of 2021 - Senior - University of Arkansas - From Springfield, MO

Fringe prospects

61. Baba Miller - Thread created 8/28/21 - Senior - University of Cincinnati - From Mallorca, Spain
64. Neoklis Avdalas - Thread created 12/13/25 - Freshman - Virginia Tech - From Kalamata, Greece
79. Sergio de Larrea - Thread created 2/14/25 - Spanish Liga ACB - Valencia - From Valladolid, Spain
121. Acaden Lewis - Thread created 3/1/26 - Ranked #33 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Villanova University - From Washington, DC
154. Adrian Wooley - Thread created 2/26/25 - Not top 100 in the class of 2024 - Sophomore - University of Louisville - From Tuscaloosa, AL
273. Somto Cyril - Thread created 4/3/26 - Sophomore - University of Georgia - From Enugu, Nigeria

Outside of top 352

Rakim Chaney - Thread created 11/22/25 - Not top 100 in the class of 2025 - Freshman - Valparaiso University - From Rockford, IL
Tae Davis - Thread created 4/4/26 - Not top 100 in the class of 2022 - Senior - University of Oklahoma - From Indianapolis, IN

The source for the consensus mock draft is ESPN Analytics' Draft Simulator's Aggregate prospect ranking, which is based on many different currently available draft boards and rankings. The Simulation tool is great and is available at this link: https://espnanalytics.com/nba-draft-simulator

Class rankings are from the RSCI Hoops Index.

Other threads:

General discussion thread for 2026 NBA draft - Thread began 2/4/25

"Is there a generational talent in the 2026 NBA draft?" - Thread began 12/5/25
Upperclassman watch, 2026 NBA draft - Thread began 12/14/25
Seeing prospects play in person - Thread began 1/1/26
Point Guards in the 2026 NBA draft - Thread began 1/5/26
Will one of the Big 3 underwhelm? - Thread began 1/14/26
Poll: Peterson, Dybantsa, Boozer for #1 pick? - Thread began 1/25/26
Comparing AJ Dybantsa with Tatum, Barrett as prospects - Thread began 2/5/26
Guards comparison: Acuff, Flemings, Brown, Philon - Thread began 3/8/26
Possible Power Forwards? Peat, Lendeborg, Johnson Jr. - Thread began 3/8/26
Bigs discussion: Steinbach, Quaintance, Ngongba II, etc. - Thread began 3/8/26
Picks 4 to 10 relative strength in other drafts - Thread began 3/14/26
Best fits for teams and draft prospects - Thread began 3/15/26
D1 College Basketball RAPM estimates, 2025–26 season - Thread began 3/19/26
Total points leader in D1 College Basketball: Dybantsa vs. Boozer vs. Acuff Jr. - Thread began 3/19/26
Create your future NBA team - Thread began on 4/6/26
Who gets drafted higher? Jayden Quaintance or Yaxel Lendeborg - Thread began 4/9/26

[BigGargamel]

Early entrants so far. Not the "testing and transferring" guys.

Caleb Wilson
Labaron Philon Jr.
Mikel Brown
Chris Cenac Jr.
Christian Anderson
Dailyn Swain
Allen Graves

[THEJOHN_IV]

Early entrants so far. Not the "testing and transferring" guys.

Caleb Wilson
Labaron Philon Jr.
Mikel Brown
Chris Cenac Jr.
Christian Anderson
Dailyn Swain
Allen Graves

Could Allen Graves go back to school? I dont think he's nba ready but I would love to see him on a bigger stage

[BigGargamel]

Early entrants so far. Not the "testing and transferring" guys.

Caleb Wilson
Labaron Philon Jr.
Mikel Brown
Chris Cenac Jr.
Christian Anderson
Dailyn Swain
Allen Graves

Could Allen Graves go back to school? I dont think he's nba ready but I would love to see him on a bigger stage

All these guys could, from what I understand. But these aren't the guys who are doing the transfer/testing the draft water thing, like Flory Bidunga and others. They're just declaring, they can still withdraw.

[baldur]

When you transfer you can still be eligible for the draft, right? You don't have to wait for one year?

[BigGargamel]

When you transfer you can still be eligible for the draft, right? You don't have to wait for one year?

I honestly don't think there are any rules for anything anymore.

[RookieStar]

When you transfer you can still be eligible for the draft, right? You don't have to wait for one year?

I honestly don't think there are any rules for anything anymore.

I was thinking of the Cedric Coward situation. He was supposed to transfer to Duke bur declared... I guess he didnt officially transfer yet?

[BigGargamel]

When you transfer you can still be eligible for the draft, right? You don't have to wait for one year?

I honestly don't think there are any rules for anything anymore.

I was thinking of the Cedric Coward situation. He was supposed to transfer to Duke bur declared... I guess he didnt officially transfer yet?

A lot of guys are listed as "testing the draft and transferring'. Juke Harris, Matt Able, Flory Bidunga. So I assume they are going through the process, and leaving open the opportunity to stay in college, either transferring or maybe even returning to their school. I dunno. Maybe when the deadline passes, they can withdraw and then transfer then. It's really confusing, and a clown show.

[RookieStar]

I honestly don't think there are any rules for anything anymore.

I was thinking of the Cedric Coward situation. He was supposed to transfer to Duke bur declared... I guess he didnt officially transfer yet?

A lot of guys are listed as "testing the draft and transferring'. Juke Harris, Matt Able, Flory Bidunga. So I assume they are going through the process, and leaving open the opportunity to stay in college, either transferring or maybe even returning to their school. I dunno. Maybe when the deadline passes, they can withdraw and then transfer then. It's really confusing, and a clown show.

I think they wanna see where they are in the mock drafts. If its late first amd they see NIL offering more dollars compared to where they are projected at they go back to school

[Chuck Everett]

Another guy no one seems to be talking about that I believe will get a look (probably through the G-League combine) is Keyshawn Murphy. He played at Auburn this year, after three years at Mississippi State. 6'10 230 lb PF prospect. He's a big time athlete with length who may become a switchable defender at the next level. Seems like another player that a team would be wise to bring him in and see if they can put him on a specific role player track.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I don't know how accurate this is but rumors that UConn might pay Mullins $4.5 million to stay? I get it, that team is toast if he leaves since they'd be losing their only three NBA talents so overpaying for continuity and to have some star power is just the reality of the situation and what they're forced to do but that seems outlandish for him. If mid-1st round guys are making that much I think more guys than we think are going to return which means this class will take a hit.

[Chuck Everett]

I don't know how accurate this is but rumors that UConn might pay Mullins $4.5 million to stay? I get it, that team is toast if he leaves since they'd be losing their only three NBA talents so overpaying for continuity and to have some star power is just the reality of the situation and what they're forced to do but that seems outlandish for him. If mid-1st round guys are making that much I think more guys than we think are going to return which means this class will take a hit.

Money is important for sure, but turning down being a first round pick just for an extra million for one year is super risky. I mean the goal is to have an NBA career, is it not?

To me, I feel like the NBA isn't kind to guys who are surefire first rounders (meaning top 20) that go back to school. They almost always fall in future years. If the NBA scouting department gives Mullins a top-20 grade, why on earth would he return? And if he's trying to maximize his college earning potential, then he might as well enter the portal today and let a bidding war for his services commence.