With the 2025-26 NBA season underway, it’s never too early to take a look at next year’s draft class. As new players catch everyone’s eye, teams have the next NBA Draft to plan for based on their current performance. Of course, some teams end up in the lottery, giving them a better chance to land a star prospect.
And while every player entering the NBA’s professional sphere is a wildcard, scouts — and analysts — already have eyes on those predicted to leave a mark.
NBA Analysts Have Already Chosen Their Top-Three 2026 Draft Prospects
As mentioned, NBA analysts already have their eyes set on a few college stars that might make a mark in the league.
I will honestly feel bad for the play-in teams that make the playoffs by accident this year. Give me the odds at a top pick in 2026.
This draft class is SPECIAL. pic.twitter.com/0gLGsYGCVY
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) October 27, 2025
In a recent tweet, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor spoke of next year’s top picks, indicating that whoever lands the top picks will be the luckiest: “I will honestly feel bad for the play-in teams that make the playoffs by accident this year. Give me the odds at a top pick in 2026. This draft class is SPECIAL.”
The clip, featuring Duke’s Cam Boozer, highlighted a few seconds of his game against Tennessee. Forbes’ Evan Sidery shared a tweet hyping Boozer, who led with 24 points. As per Sidery, this year’s class will have ‘true transformational prospects’, others including Darryn Peterson (Jayhawks) and AJ Dybantsa (Cougars).
Duke’s Cam Boozer in an exhibition game against Tennessee tonight:
24 Points
23 Rebounds
6 Assists
2 blocksThree true transformational prospects atop the 2026 NBA Draft.pic.twitter.com/C5PfP3qXql
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 27, 2025
The Hoop Herald pointed out that with Boozer being the third predicted pick, this draft lineup might just be the best in a few years: “Cam Boozer currently has 25 points, 23 Rebounds, and he’s doing things like this vs a good Tennessee team And we all think he’s going THIRD in the draft This lottery is outrageous.”
Of course, many believe Boozer will jump to the No. 1 spot if he keeps playing like this, ultimately surpassing Peterson and Dybantsa.
NBA Analysts Believe 2026 Draft Class Will Exceed Expectations
In a separate tweet, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie hyped next year’s class, focusing on how incredibly talented the players are. In fact, if all goes well, NBA fans might soon see new All-Stars.
The top three of the 2026 NBA Draft class might be even better than we expected, and I thought that all three of Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer were Tier 1, future all-star studs heading into preseason.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 25, 2025
“The top three of the 2026 NBA Draft class might be even better than we expected, and I thought that all three of Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer were Tier 1, future all-star studs heading into preseason,” Vecenie explained.
The Athletic’s CJ Moore seemed to agree with the same, asking fans to debate on the quality of this year’s class: “It’s early, but best freshman class since? Pretty awesome preseason so far for Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer.”
Many could go back to the time players like Zion Williamson or Luka Dončić. While Williamson’s journey with the New Orleans Pelicans hasn’t been the best, one can’t deny the hype he brought around before the 2019 Draft.
cam boozer, aj dybantsa, jasper johnson pic.twitter.com/dkmuOY85Ip
— JaspHer DillingHim (@DillingHim) October 27, 2025
Some just named the three athletes, noting that they’re as good as draft prospects can get. One fan compared the three to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony — the iconic big three from the 2003 NBA Draft Class.
Peterson’s 26-point debut with Kansas has already turned heads; fans were impressed by his scoring against Louisville. If the young talent remains consistent, there’s no denying a top spot in the NBA Draft. BYU’s Dybansta already has projections for the fast, many sending him to the Brooklyn Nets, and so on.
And while there’ll be some wildcards and underrated players popping up, one can’t deny the obvious buzz Peterson, Boozer, and Dybansta are generating.
