2026 NBA Draft Prospects

[ill-Will03]

Tugler gotta be our pick in the 2nd round

[Indeed]

For all you shot-creation + playmaking lovers I present you with Keaton Wagler. He's rising fast, and will probably out of our range.

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Looks to me similar to Giddey, maybe a better shooter.

[Indeed]

Now that college ball is on Christmas break it's probably a good time to post my first "Masai/Bobby-type FRP" list of the 2026 draft cycle. This list is subject to change throughout the season as some guys rise and fall based on production inconsistency (list will definitely shrink). In brackets will be where they are currently ranked on ESPN's top 100 (generally Masai/Bobby-types rise in mocks throughout the college season), and their school.

Tier 1A - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Freshmen:
-6'5" PG Darryn Peterson (Kansas, #1)
-6'9" F AJ Dybantsa (BYU, #2)
-6'9" F Cam Boozer (Duke, #3)
-6'10" PF/C Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, #4)
-6'4" PG Kingston Flemings (Houston, #6)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)
-6'2" G Ebuka Okorie (Stanford, unranked)
-6'3" PG Mario Saint-Supery (Gonzaga, unranked)
-5'10" PG Chance Mallory (Virginia, unranked)
-6'9" F David Mirkovic (Illinois, unranked)
-6'7" F Amari Allen (Alabama, unranked)
-6'9" PF/C Thijs De Ridder (Virginia, unranked)
-7'1" PF/C Massamba Diop (Arizona State, unranked)
-7'0" C Malachi Moreno (Kentucky, unranked)

Tier 1B - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Sophomores:
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'7" F Juke Harris (Wake Forest, #43)
-6'9" PF/C Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan, #45)
-6'9" C Flory Bidunga (Kansas, #51)
-6'8" F Dailyn Swain (Texas, #52)
-6'5" G Paul McNeil Jr. (NC State, #60)
-6'4" G Tajuan Simpkins (Seton Hall, unranked)

Tier 3 - General Masai/Bobby-type FRPs (Class added preceding their listed position):
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Alex Condon (Florida, #40)
-7'2" Jr. C Motiejus Krivas (Arizona, #49)
-6'9" Sr. F Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State, #54)
-6'3" Sr. PG Jaden Bradley (Arizona, #92)
-6'5" So. G Teagan Moore (Western Kentucky, unranked)
-6'7" So. G Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley , unranked)
-6'7" So. G Ian Scott (Indiana State, unranked
-6'4" So. G De'Shayne Montgomery (Dayton, unranked)
-6'4" So. G Devin Vanterpool (Florida Atlantic, unranked)
-6'5" So. PG Nolan Minessale (St. Thomas, unranked)
-5'9" So. PG Jaquan Johnson (Bradley, unranked)
-6'6" So. PG Chance Westry (UAB, unranked)
-6'5" Jr. G Blue Cain (Georgia, unranked)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Arrinten Page (Northwestern, unranked)

This is looking like an extremely strong draft class from a Masai/Bobby-type POV. My first Masai/Bobby-type list last year I did way earlier in the college season (too early, I think it was only like 5 games in IIRC), and it was still much smaller than the first list of this year's draft cycle.

Random aside, I bolded the top 4 because it's actually crazy to me how good they've been specifically. Heading into the year I said if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined, the top 4 would be Boozer/Dybantsa/Flagg/Peterson in no particular order.

All 3 of those guys have lived up to the hype so far (Peterson has only played 4 games, but he's been so obviously insanely good that I just think his camp is playing it super safe with his hamstring injury because his draft stock is already looking solidified), and Caleb Wilson's production has been so incredible as well that it's basically looking like a big 5 now (again if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined).

Next year would be an extremely weak draft, feels this year got the talent of next year. (Shall see if we made the right trade with the Pacers pick when we look back).

Meanwhile, our chance in the top 4 is pretty low. I think we are targeting mid-1st, and here are the list:
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)

[DG88]

Now that college ball is on Christmas break it's probably a good time to post my first "Masai/Bobby-type FRP" list of the 2026 draft cycle. This list is subject to change throughout the season as some guys rise and fall based on production inconsistency (list will definitely shrink). In brackets will be where they are currently ranked on ESPN's top 100 (generally Masai/Bobby-types rise in mocks throughout the college season), and their school.

Tier 1A - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Freshmen:
-6'5" PG Darryn Peterson (Kansas, #1)
-6'9" F AJ Dybantsa (BYU, #2)
-6'9" F Cam Boozer (Duke, #3)
-6'10" PF/C Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, #4)
-6'4" PG Kingston Flemings (Houston, #6)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)
-6'2" G Ebuka Okorie (Stanford, unranked)
-6'3" PG Mario Saint-Supery (Gonzaga, unranked)
-5'10" PG Chance Mallory (Virginia, unranked)
-6'9" F David Mirkovic (Illinois, unranked)
-6'7" F Amari Allen (Alabama, unranked)
-6'9" PF/C Thijs De Ridder (Virginia, unranked)
-7'1" PF/C Massamba Diop (Arizona State, unranked)
-7'0" C Malachi Moreno (Kentucky, unranked)

Tier 1B - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Sophomores:
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'7" F Juke Harris (Wake Forest, #43)
-6'9" PF/C Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan, #45)
-6'9" C Flory Bidunga (Kansas, #51)
-6'8" F Dailyn Swain (Texas, #52)
-6'5" G Paul McNeil Jr. (NC State, #60)
-6'4" G Tajuan Simpkins (Seton Hall, unranked)

Tier 3 - General Masai/Bobby-type FRPs (Class added preceding their listed position):
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Alex Condon (Florida, #40)
-7'2" Jr. C Motiejus Krivas (Arizona, #49)
-6'9" Sr. F Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State, #54)
-6'3" Sr. PG Jaden Bradley (Arizona, #92)
-6'5" So. G Teagan Moore (Western Kentucky, unranked)
-6'7" So. G Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley , unranked)
-6'7" So. G Ian Scott (Indiana State, unranked
-6'4" So. G De'Shayne Montgomery (Dayton, unranked)
-6'4" So. G Devin Vanterpool (Florida Atlantic, unranked)
-6'5" So. PG Nolan Minessale (St. Thomas, unranked)
-5'9" So. PG Jaquan Johnson (Bradley, unranked)
-6'6" So. PG Chance Westry (UAB, unranked)
-6'5" Jr. G Blue Cain (Georgia, unranked)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Arrinten Page (Northwestern, unranked)

This is looking like an extremely strong draft class from a Masai/Bobby-type POV. My first Masai/Bobby-type list last year I did way earlier in the college season (too early, I think it was only like 5 games in IIRC), and it was still much smaller than the first list of this year's draft cycle.

Random aside, I bolded the top 4 because it's actually crazy to me how good they've been specifically. Heading into the year I said if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined, the top 4 would be Boozer/Dybantsa/Flagg/Peterson in no particular order.

All 3 of those guys have lived up to the hype so far (Peterson has only played 4 games, but he's been so obviously insanely good that I just think his camp is playing it super safe with his hamstring injury because his draft stock is already looking solidified), and Caleb Wilson's production has been so incredible as well that it's basically looking like a big 5 now (again if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined).

I really like Cameron Carr.

[Psubs]

Tugler gotta be our pick in the 2nd round

Ya, probably more useful that Mogbo.

[Mark_83]

Tugler gotta be our pick in the 2nd round

That Dick Tugler combo is going to be lit.

[JShuttlesworth]

Steinbach showing a little bit of range in the last couple of games -- Would love this guy on our roster

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

Steinbach showing a little bit of range in the last couple of games -- Would love this guy on our roster

Watch on YouTube

He looks like Nikola Vucevic. Maybe Poeltl that can shoot the 3 and FT's?

[Thaddy]

I would do Dick + 2026 1st + 2027 1st and move into the top 10. We need an elite big man prospect to develop that 7+ feet with insane reach. We need someone like Mark Williams to counter Wemby.

[Psubs]

I would do Dick + 2026 1st + 2027 1st and move into the top 10. We need an elite big man prospect to develop that 7+ feet with insane reach. We need someone like Mark Williams to counter Wemby.

VEESAAR!!! He might leap frog Cenac. Would be draft Cenac and hope that he's Kel'El Ware 2.0 and just having a so-so freshman year?

In the mid to late teens, we should be able to draft one of Veesaar, Cenac or Ngongba.

I still would like to draft Zvonimir Ivisic as he now averages 2.3 blocks to only 1.4 fouls. Look at who leads the league in blocks per game, Jay Huff.

[dballislife]

we should be thinking offense 1st round and defense 2nd round, being so terrible defensively right now i would trade both our 50s and a future 2nd if it gets me jojo tugler...theres maybe a handful of players in nba that has longer wingspan then him and his 3.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per 36 gives him elite stocks with elite length...he could have the length and agility to cover 1-5 and cause havoc on perimeter and inside and in passing lanes

[Mark_83]

Another interesting player in this deep point guard class; Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt, Sophomore. Short scoring guard who can get to the rim. Very quick and shifty. Very small and skinny though. Like TJ Ford skinny.

15.4pts 3.6reb 4.7ast 2.7stl 0.7blk
52.9%(FG) 43.4%(3PT) 82.9%(FT)

Watch on YouTube

;t=172s

[Thaddy]

If there's a way to trade Dick, Walter or another piece we probably can't keep for a first round pick we should probably do it.

[RoteSchroder]

Next year would be an extremely weak draft, feels this year got the talent of next year. (Shall see if we made the right trade with the Pacers pick when we look back).

Meanwhile, our chance in the top 4 is pretty low. I think we are targeting mid-1st, and here are the list:
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)

Any 6'3+ guard who can dribble, shoot, pass, weave, slash, finish would be a great asset on this team. There may be like 3-5 guards with this potential after the top 10.

I'm looking at:

Labaron Philon, Darius Acuff, Bennett Stirtz, Keaton Wagler, Christian Anderson, Neoklis Avdalas, Meleek Thomas

vs

Egor Demin, Fears, Walter Clayton, Nolan Traore, Kasparas, Jase Richardson, Ben Saraf

I'm not so sure 2025 is necessarily deeper here

[S.W.A.N]

Now that college ball is on Christmas break it's probably a good time to post my first "Masai/Bobby-type FRP" list of the 2026 draft cycle. This list is subject to change throughout the season as some guys rise and fall based on production inconsistency (list will definitely shrink). In brackets will be where they are currently ranked on ESPN's top 100 (generally Masai/Bobby-types rise in mocks throughout the college season), and their school.

Tier 1A - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Freshmen:
-6'5" PG Darryn Peterson (Kansas, #1)
-6'9" F AJ Dybantsa (BYU, #2)
-6'9" F Cam Boozer (Duke, #3)
-6'10" PF/C Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, #4)
-6'4" PG Kingston Flemings (Houston, #6)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)
-6'2" G Ebuka Okorie (Stanford, unranked)
-6'3" PG Mario Saint-Supery (Gonzaga, unranked)
-5'10" PG Chance Mallory (Virginia, unranked)
-6'9" F David Mirkovic (Illinois, unranked)
-6'7" F Amari Allen (Alabama, unranked)
-6'9" PF/C Thijs De Ridder (Virginia, unranked)
-7'1" PF/C Massamba Diop (Arizona State, unranked)
-7'0" C Malachi Moreno (Kentucky, unranked)

Tier 1B - Masai/Bobby-type Lottery level Sophomores:
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'7" F Juke Harris (Wake Forest, #43)
-6'9" PF/C Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan, #45)
-6'9" C Flory Bidunga (Kansas, #51)
-6'8" F Dailyn Swain (Texas, #52)
-6'5" G Paul McNeil Jr. (NC State, #60)
-6'4" G Tajuan Simpkins (Seton Hall, unranked)

Tier 3 - General Masai/Bobby-type FRPs (Class added preceding their listed position):
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Alex Condon (Florida, #40)
-7'2" Jr. C Motiejus Krivas (Arizona, #49)
-6'9" Sr. F Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State, #54)
-6'3" Sr. PG Jaden Bradley (Arizona, #92)
-6'5" So. G Teagan Moore (Western Kentucky, unranked)
-6'7" So. G Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley , unranked)
-6'7" So. G Ian Scott (Indiana State, unranked
-6'4" So. G De'Shayne Montgomery (Dayton, unranked)
-6'4" So. G Devin Vanterpool (Florida Atlantic, unranked)
-6'5" So. PG Nolan Minessale (St. Thomas, unranked)
-5'9" So. PG Jaquan Johnson (Bradley, unranked)
-6'6" So. PG Chance Westry (UAB, unranked)
-6'5" Jr. G Blue Cain (Georgia, unranked)
-6'11" Jr. PF/C Arrinten Page (Northwestern, unranked)

This is looking like an extremely strong draft class from a Masai/Bobby-type POV. My first Masai/Bobby-type list last year I did way earlier in the college season (too early, I think it was only like 5 games in IIRC), and it was still much smaller than the first list of this year's draft cycle.

Random aside, I bolded the top 4 because it's actually crazy to me how good they've been specifically. Heading into the year I said if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined, the top 4 would be Boozer/Dybantsa/Flagg/Peterson in no particular order.

All 3 of those guys have lived up to the hype so far (Peterson has only played 4 games, but he's been so obviously insanely good that I just think his camp is playing it super safe with his hamstring injury because his draft stock is already looking solidified), and Caleb Wilson's production has been so incredible as well that it's basically looking like a big 5 now (again if the 2025 and 2026 draft classes were combined).

Next year would be an extremely weak draft, feels this year got the talent of next year. (Shall see if we made the right trade with the Pacers pick when we look back).

Meanwhile, our chance in the top 4 is pretty low. I think we are targeting mid-1st, and here are the list:
-6'9" Sr. F Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, #14)
-6'11" C Patrick Ngongba (Duke, #16)
-6'11" PF/C Hannes Steinbach (Washington, #17)
-6'5" F Cameron Carr (Baylor, #20)
-6'6" G Isaiah Evans (Duke, #21)
-6'5" G Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, #22)

I like your big list. But hell no to the rest. This a pg heavy draft. Something we desperately need is a big pg who can get into the paint.

Philon
Stirtz
Thomas
De Larrea
Burries

Best available big or pg in first round. Then same plan in second round. This year should be zero wings drafted unless someone we have extremely highly rated falls into our lap in second round.

[Mark_83]

We need to get another first rounder somehow. This is such a deep point guard draft. That we should be able to add a pretty good young guard to develop along with Shead.

Kingston Jennings
Mikel Brown Jr
Labaron Philon
Darius Acuff Jr
Keaton Wagler
Bennett Stirtz
Christian Anderson
Tyler Tanner
Meleek Thomas
Sergio de Larrea
Cayden Boozer
Bruce Thornton
Emmanuel Sharpe (tweener)
Braden Smith
Jaden Bradley
Milos Uzan
Solomon Ball
Donavan Dent

[RoteSchroder]

I like your big list. But hell no to the rest. This a pg heavy draft. Something we desperately need is a big pg who can get into the paint.

Philon
Stirtz
Thomas
De Larrea
Burries

Best available big or pg in first round. Then same plan in second round. This year should be zero wings drafted unless someone we have extremely highly rated falls into our lap in second round.

We need to get another first rounder somehow. This is such a deep point guard draft. That we should be able to add a pretty good young guard to develop along with Shead.

Kingston Jennings
Mikel Brown Jr
Labaron Philon
Darius Acuff Jr
Keaton Wagler
Bennett Stirtz
Christian Anderson
Tyler Tanner
Meleek Thomas
Sergio de Larrea
Cayden Boozer
Bruce Thornton
Emmanuel Sharpe
Braden Smith
Donavan Dent

It may be tough picking the best on-ball prospect available at our position. Just hope we don't go for anymore wings/forwards who can't shoot, dribble or score

[Mark_83]

Watch on YouTube

[Thaddy]

Watch on YouTube

Aday Mara looks like he'll be a better pro. He has good mobility for his size. I want a real 7 foot big on our team. Veesaar looks like he'll be too small at the next level.

Watch on YouTube

[Grew]

Was just checking Tanner from Vanderbilt a little bit, looked at their last game box score. Someone on Vandy is named Chandler Bing... Legit. This dudes parents are legendary trolls.