Jeremy WooNov 18, 2025, 07:00 AM ETCloseNBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023Follow on X
play0:18Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida OspreysNate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys
play0:17Dame Sarr gets the steal and slam for DukeDame Sarr comes up with a steal and rocks the rim with a jam for Duke vs. Indiana State.
play0:22Thomas Haugh drains trey vs. Miami HurricanesThomas Haugh buries 3-pointer against Miami Hurricanes
play9:56Michigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game HighlightsMichigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights
Freshmen Caleb Wilson, Darryn Peterson go off in UNC-KU matchup (2:38)In North Carolina’s 87-74 win over Kansas, Tar Heels freshman Caleb Wilson has 24 points with 7 rebounds, while Darryn Peterson drops 22 points for the Jayhawks. (2:38)
Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida OspreysNate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys
Dame Sarr gets the steal and slam for DukeDame Sarr comes up with a steal and rocks the rim with a jam for Duke vs. Indiana State.
Michigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game HighlightsMichigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights
play0:17AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slamAJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam
play0:18Mikel Brown Jr. sinks deep 3-pointerMikel Brown Jr. makes a deep 3-pointer for Louisville.
We’re a few weeks into college basketball season, and excitement around the 2026 draft has continued to build, with a host of star freshmen headlining the class and taking quickly to the next level. Now is a good time to roll out our first mock draft of the season.
NBA executives have benefitted from a convenient November schedule that has included a number of meaningful prospect matchups, including the Champions Classic (Nov. 18) and next week’s Players Era championship in Las Vegas, which includes 18 teams and more prospect-laden matchups. This continues to be viewed as one of the stronger drafts in recent memory, with high-level players at the top of the board, as well as developing depth in the first round.
With the understanding that much of this will change all the way until June, the mock serves to project what things would look like if NBA teams drafted today. These projections are not a ranking of the top prospects — for that, consult ESPN’s Top 100. They are informed by ongoing conversations with NBA executives and scouts, as well as my own evaluation process from time spent on the road at games and watching film.
More NBA draft coverage: 10 college teams with most NBA prospects Top 100 rankings of the 2026 prospects | More
Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas Freshman 2025-26 stats: 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists in two games
The Nets badly need a player to anchor their team moving forward; they’ve taken five first-round swings in the 2025 draft and are still figuring out how everyone fits long term. Peterson would address their lack of star power and then some.
The Wizards are among several teams with a lot riding on the 2026 lottery — they’ve gotten positive returns from 2024 draftees Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George but remain in search of a young star they can build their offense around. Dybantsa would bring a downhill element that the roster lacks.
AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slamAJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam
Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke Freshman 2025-26 stats: 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists in four games
Utah is off to a better start than expected but still falls in the bottom three in ESPN’s BPI win projections and recently lost Walker Kessler for the season because of injury. If the Jazz’s pick falls outside the top eight, it would be conveyed to Oklahoma City, creating an additional incentive for the Jazz to stay bad for another season. Boozer would fit nicely as an offensive centerpiece alongside Ace Bailey.
Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee Freshman 2025-26 stats: 20 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists in four games
Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys
Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys
Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina Freshman 2025-26 stats: 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3 assists in four games
Atlanta appears set to benefit from its decision to trade out of the 2025 draft lottery to obtain this pick from New Orleans, as the 2-12 Pelicans continue to backslide and seem likely to convey significant odds. This selection will be a luxury for the Hawks, no matter what.
Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville Freshman 2025-26 stats: 19.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists in four games
This has been a challenging start to the season, to say the least, for the 3-11 Kings, who control their own pick and might need to consider pivoting from an aging core group on expensive contracts. The number of high-level talents in this lottery makes that a more palatable proposition, and the Kings’ need for a younger playmaker should make Brown a clear consideration.
Mikel Brown Jr. sinks deep 3-pointerMikel Brown Jr. makes a deep 3-pointer for Louisville.
Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston Freshman 2025-26 stats: 10.8 points, 9 rebounds, 0.5 assists in four games
The Hornets have gotten strong early returns from their rookies, including Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner, but it remains to be seen whether they’re ready to make a true push for a play-in spot. Cenac’s length and mobility could be additive to their front court long term.
Koa Peat, PF/C, Arizona Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists in four games
The Mavericks’ dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison might signal a turning of the page, as Dallas reorients the franchise around Cooper Flagg. There’s a window for the 4-11 Mavs to pivot further into the lottery in search of another young star to pair with him.
The Grizzlies are currently slated to pick twice in the lottery, holding their own first-round pick and likely Phoenix’s as well. As Memphis considers a longer time horizon after trading Desmond Bane, landing a couple of swings in a quality draft will be critical.
A slow start for the Clippers has positioned the defending champion Thunder to potentially select in the lottery, giving them another opportunity to add top talent to an already loaded roster. This is the first of three first-round selections they hold.
Dame Sarr comes up with a steal and rocks the rim with a jam for Duke vs. Indiana State.
The Grizzlies will have the better of Phoenix’s and Orlando’s first-round picks, with the Magic ahead of the Suns based on ESPN’s BPI projections.
Neoklis Avdalas, SG/SF, Virginia Tech Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6 assists in four games
Portland sits in the middle of the pack in the West and will convey its selection to Chicago if the Blazers make the playoffs and the pick falls between 15 and 30.
The Bulls own their pick in 2026 and returned to the middle of the pack after a hot start to the season — the healthy return of Coby White and Josh Giddey will offer a better sense of which direction Chicago is headed with respect to the draft.
Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas Freshman 2025-26 stats: 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists in four games
Acuff is off to a solid start at Arkansas, putting up efficient numbers and shooting it well from long range through four games. His burst and knack for making plays have been on display, and his strength and pace help compensate for his smaller size. Guard-needy teams will be looking closely at him in the coming weeks, with a Thanksgiving matchup against Duke and a head-to-head game against Mikel Brown Jr. and Louisville offering real tests.
The Bucks control their own pick and have a glaring need for long-term backcourt help at the moment — while it’s early, their pick could be an interesting landing spot for any of the guards in this range.
Many around the NBA anticipated Haugh would break out this season — he has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the best players in college basketball. Although he’ll turn 23 before his rookie season in the NBA, Haugh looks like an obvious plug-and-play option who will help any team with his ball movement, defensive effort and versatility. Teams with playoff aspirations will be looking hard at him starting in this part of the draft.
Amid some speculation that they could take a nosedive in the standings, the Celtics have been frisky in the absence of Jayson Tatum. Adding an NBA-ready player with this pick should be one approach they consider.
Thomas Haugh drains trey vs. Miami HurricanesThomas Haugh buries 3-pointer against Miami Hurricanes
Thomas Haugh buries 3-pointer against Miami Hurricanes
Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama Sophomore 2025-26 stats: 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6 assists in three games
The Raptors control their own pick, but are working to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, likely slating them to select somewhere in this range.
Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists in three games
Charlotte will receive the least favorable of Washington’s (if 1-8), Phoenix’s, Orlando’s and Memphis’ picks, which in this case is the Magic’s.
Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, Michigan Senior 2025-26 stats: 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists in three games
Lendeborg’s age (23) puts a damper on his perceived upside, but his all-around game and physical tools should be good enough to land him in the first round, where teams looking for plug-and-play frontcourt help will consider him. He remains a streaky outside shooter, but his ability to handle and pass gives him extra perimeter functionality for a bigger forward at 6-9, 240.
Michigan has been dealing with the tricky task of playing three bigs together for stretches, hoping Lendeborg’s ability to blend lineups will enable them to get their best players on the floor together. He’s not always aggressive as a scorer, but he should have utility in a complementary NBA context and be appealing to teams like Golden State that are in win-now mode.