The 2026 NBA Draft class is off to a scorching start across college basketball, with Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson leading the charge.<\/p>\n
The three have been looked at as the top group for some time now, and haven\u2019t done much to dissuade that through their first few games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s where each prospect stands through their first handful of collegiate games:<\/p>\n
Darryn Peterson, Kansas<\/p>\n
Peterson has played in only two games so far, as he\u2019s dealing with a hamstring strain that has apparently lingered since the preseason. He most recently missed the team\u2019s bout with Duke and Boozer, and there\u2019s currently no real timetable for his return.<\/p>\n
Through those two games, Peterson averaged a blistering 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three.<\/p>\n
While Peterson\u2019s driving as the two-guard is the selling point, he shot six 3-pointers per game, potentially pointing to the hamstring causing him some problems.<\/p>\n
For now, scouts and NBA decision-makers will be monitoring his return, and how he fares once he eventually gets back to the hardwood.<\/p>\n
Cameron Boozer, Duke<\/p>\n
Boozer has played in all six of Duke\u2019s games, helping the fifth-ranked Blue Devils to an undefeated record.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been a statistical monster so far, averaging 20.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks, shooting 51% overall and 33% from three. He\u2019s so far posted a 19.0 box-plus-minus \u2014 an advanced metric used to track overall impact \u2014 which rivals No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg\u2019s at 16.3.<\/p>\n
Potential No. 1 pick Cameron Boozer today:<\/p>\n
25 PTS | 8-15 FG | 4-9 3PT | 8 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com\/K6NaJiJm08<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Hoops (@brhoops) November 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Boozer has fueled Duke\u2019s success so far, and has obvious winning impact even when he\u2019s scoring the ball poorly.\u00a0<\/p>\n A few nit-picky negatives include his lack of overall bend, and his rim-finishing in the half-court, though one would expect both of these things to be tightened up over the course of the season.<\/p>\n AJ Dybantsa, BYU<\/p>\n Dybantsa rounds out the top three, and has seen similar production overall.<\/p>\n Across five games with No. 9 BYU, he\u2019s averaged 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists, scoring 55% overall and 39% from three on limited volume.<\/p>\n A 6-foot-9 forward with a fairly incredible combination of athletic tools, the scoring has been as advertised for Dybantsa, who\u2019s been able to get downhill nearly at will. Kevin Young\u2019s system has helped him to stand out with the Cougars, and he\u2019s been good about bouncing back from slower starts to finish with great lines overall.<\/p>\n Potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa in a blowout win against No. 23 Wisconsin:<\/p>\n 18 PTS | 6 REB | 3 AST pic.twitter.com\/TeY6SMct6W<\/a><\/p>\n