In the high-stakes theater of the NBA Draft, the conversation usually begins with a singular focus: who is the undisputed No. 1? For the 2026 class, however, that narrative has shifted. The top of the board isn’t a pedestal for one player; it is a crowded platform shared by four.
Based on conversations with league executives in Chicago, the consensus among those picking near the top is that the identity of the top four prospects is settled, even if their order is not. BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke big man Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson have emerged as the clear tier. While Dybantsa is widely viewed as the safest bet for the top spot, he is far from a lock.
This fluidity suggests a rare opportunity for volatility. When the talent curve is this flat, the draft lottery is less of a destiny and more of a starting point for negotiation. We saw this in 2017 when the Boston Celtics pivoted away from the presumptive top picks to select Jayson Tatum third overall—a move that redefined the franchise. With reasonable people disagreeing on the ranking of these four athletes, the market for trades near the top of the draft could become unexpectedly active.
One particular storyline involves the Utah Jazz. Given owner Ryan Smith’s previous efforts to support Dybantsa’s arrival at BYU, observers are questioning if the Jazz might be willing to trade up with the Washington Wizards to keep the hometown star in Utah. While front offices remain in the evaluation phase—conducting interviews and scheduling private facility visits—the tension is palpable. Even for a team like the Chicago Bulls, who recently hired a new general manager and hold the fourth pick, the task is not about finding the best player, but about splitting hairs between four elite options.
The Physical Blueprint: Combine Measurements
While athletic testing is often dismissed as a poor predictor of NBA success, specific data points like wingspan and standing reach provide essential signals for scouts. For the top four, the measurements largely confirmed the eye test, though they highlighted different strengths, and limitations.
| Player | Height (Socks) | Wingspan | Standing Vertical |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Dybantsa | 6’8.5″ | 7’0.5″ | 33.5″ |
| Darryn Peterson | 6’4.5″ | 6’9.75″ | N/A |
| Cameron Boozer | 6’8.25″ | 7’1.5″ | 28.5″ |
| Caleb Wilson | 6’9.25″ | N/A | 34.5″ |
Dybantsa’s “plus-4” wingspan and 33.5-inch vertical reinforce his status as a modern, versatile wing. Boozer, meanwhile, faced some scrutiny over his 28.5-inch vertical, but his 7-foot-1.5-inch wingspan and 9-foot standing reach provide the physical tools necessary to potentially slide into a center role in specific defensive schemes.
Beyond the top tier, the measurements offered a glimpse into the “wingspan unicorns” of the class. Baylor guard Cameron Carr measured 6-4.5″ but possesses a staggering 7-foot-0.75-inch wingspan. That length, combined with a 33.5-inch jump, allowed him to dominate the Wednesday scrimmages, where he recorded 30 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Risers, Sleepers, and the Mystery Man
The combine is often where players with limited national exposure force their way onto draft boards. Perhaps no one benefited more than Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile. Once a first-round prospect at Missouri before injuries hampered his progress, Brazile returned to the spotlight with a 7-foot-3.75-inch wingspan and a 36-inch no-step jump.
Brazile’s journey has been a lesson in resilience. After a difficult 2024-25 season where he averaged only 6.8 points, he used his final year of eligibility at Arkansas to rebuild his stock. His combination of size and mobility in scrimmages—totaling 25 points and 15 rebounds—likely pushes him toward the early second round.
Then there is Allen Graves, the redshirt freshman from Santa Clara. In a draft dominated by Power Conference stars, Graves is an anomaly. A Louisiana native who didn’t start for the Broncos, he nonetheless blew up analytical models with a high steal rate and a knack for offensive rebounding. Graves now finds himself weighing a potential first-round selection against a lucrative NIL offer from LSU.
Graves attributes his growth to a disciplined redshirt year focused on physical development. He noted that overcoming the dietary habits of his native Louisiana—specifically cutting back on fried foods and bread—was a critical part of his transition to an NBA-ready body. Now, he is focusing on quickening his release and improving his perimeter defense to prove he can guard the four position at the professional level.
The Scrimmage Effect and the ‘Too Small’ Label
For players on the bubble, the five-on-five scrimmages are the only way to erase doubts. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, a 6-foot guard from Tennessee, entered the week as a projected two-way contract candidate. He left as a possible top-40 pick. Gillespie torched the nets for 43 combined points over two games, showcasing a deep shooting range and an aggressive approach to passing lanes.
Conversely, the combine served as a cold reminder of the NBA’s obsession with height. Purdue’s Braden Smith and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner both measured under 6 feet—5-10.25″ and 5-10.75″, respectively. In a league where sub-6-foot guards struggle for entry, neither player did enough in the scrimmages to overcome the “too small” label. While Smith is expected to enter the draft, Tanner may return to school for his junior season.
Other notable mentions from the court include Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, who scored 41 points across two games but struggled with three-point consistency, and St. John’s Dillon Mitchell, whose high-wire athleticism and passing feel (6.0 assists per 100 possessions) could make him a versatile asset despite shooting struggles.
The Houston Connection
Amidst the clinical measurements and intense evaluations, a touch of humanity emerged from the Houston Cougars contingent. Four Cougars—including Kingston Flemings, Chris Cenac Jr., Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan—shared stories of the legendary “tough love” administered by coach Kelvin Sampson.
The bond between the players was evident when Uzan and Sharp found themselves matched up against one another in the scrimmages, mirroring the battles they had faced in practice for two years. Despite the competition, the mutual respect remained. Sharp, who put up 17 points on Wednesday, received a characteristically blunt text from Sampson after the game: rebound more, or start running.
As the combine wraps up, the focus shifts from the gym to the boardroom. Teams will now begin the meticulous process of finalizing their draft boards as they transition into the private workout phase. The next major checkpoint will be the official NBA Draft, where the “Big Four” will finally see who among them is truly the first choice.
Do you think Dybantsa is the right choice at No. 1, or is there a better fit for the lottery winners? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
