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After weeks of speculation, the Washington Wizards on Tuesday selected BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York.
Dybantsa became the third No. 1 pick in franchise history and the Cougars' highest-drafted player, surpassing Shawn Bradley (1993, No. 2). He was the front-runner to be the top pick after the Wizards chose him over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who went second to Utah.
With Dybantsa and Peterson off the board, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer with the third pick. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson was the fourth pick by the Chicago Bulls, while Illinois guard Keaton Wagler was taken fifth by the LA Clippers.
While the top five went as projected, the rest of the evening was filled with some surprises in the lottery and the rest of the first round. The results are expected to generate numerous reactions and conversations throughout the remainder of the week and the months to come.
With the first round wrapped up from the Barclays Center, Rookie Wire examined and graded all 30 picks now that we've had some time to evaluate the picks and trades.
The Wizards recently settled on AJ Dybantsa as the No. 1 overall pick over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson after a historic freshman campaign at BYU. He ticks every box at the next level and projects to be a good fit in the frontcourt, giving Washington plenty of size next to the likes of Anthony Davis, Alexandre Sarr and Kyshawn George, among others. The Wizards needed to find a franchise cornerstone to move their rebuild forward, and they believe they've found just that in Dybansta.
Grade: A+
Darryn Peterson was in consideration to be the top pick by the Wizards, so the Jazz are certainly ecstatic to land such a highly touted prospect after missing out on several of the top picks in the past. Peterson looked to be the best player in the country at times last season with the Jayhawks because of his size, athleticism and physicality, which should be a seamless fit with the Jazz. He recently visited with team officials over the weekend and is eager to help the team.
Grade: A+
Cameron Boozer established himself as the national College Player of the Year behind a sensational freshman campaign with the Blue Devils. He can do everything on the court thanks to his ability to score in various ways, along with his playmaking, ball-handling and maturity. Boozer was viewed as one of the top players in the draft, giving the Grizzlies another player to build around.
Grade: A+
Caleb Wilson, the Tar Heels' highest draft pick since Marvin Williams (2005, No. 2), put together quite a year en route to an All-American selection. He has earned comparisons to Kevin Garnett, which are quite lofty, but if the 19-year-old can make steady progress on the court and reach a portion of that potential, the Bulls may have found the next face of their franchise.
Grade: A
Keaton Wagler is the first player in franchise history to be taken with the fifth pick and the highest player drafted since Blake Griffin went No. 1 in 2009. He was heavily linked to the Clippers throughout the predraft process because of his versatility in the backcourt, which was an area of focus for the front office. After snagging this pick away from the Indiana Pacers in the lottery, the Clippers found themselves a possible rotation player early in the first round on Tuesday.
Grade: A
Mikel Brown Jr. worked out twice for the Nets during the predraft process and once more when the team visited him at his home in Orlando, igniting speculation that Sean Marks & Co. found their target. It is clear that coach Jordi Fernández will have his work cut out for him in determining the distribution of minutes in the backcourt after drafting three point guards last year, but it is evident that the front office held him in high regard and believes he has a bright future.
Grade: B+
Darius Acuff Jr. was touted as one of the top offensive players in the draft this year and was the Kings' top target, as a result. He projects as a player who can help ignite their offense from the backcourt and could eventually become a franchise cornerstone with continued development. With Acuff high on their draft board, the Kings likely walked away from the draft on Tuesday thrilled that he was still available at No. 7.
Grade: A
Kingston Flemings was the eighth straight freshman drafted to open the first round, which is tied for the longest such streak in history. The Hawks were certainly thrilled to get Flemings, who was once thought to be a potential top five pick as a scorer and playmaker. He also earned praise from coach Kelvin Sampson for his work ethic and demeanor on and off the court. Those traits should all be welcomed additions by Atlanta.
Grade: A-
With three Michigan players projected to go in this range, and with the Mavericks hiring Dusty May on Tuesday, speculation was swirling about whether the organization would reunite one of those players with their former coach, and it did just that by taking Morez Johnson Jr. Starting every game last year, Johnson emerged as a key player for Michigan in the pursuit of their second title and he should help the Mavericks in several areas with his motor, defensive versatility and length, boasting a 7-foot, 3 1/2-inch wingspan.
Grade: B+
Known as an elite scorer and 3-point shooter, Brayden Burries should fill several areas of need for the Bucks, who are transitioning into a new era after agreeing to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. The team needed to walk away from the draft with young, promising players to build around, and Burries fits that bill with a vast skill set and good size.
Grade: B+
Yaxel Lendeborg joins the Warriors after a tremendous year, leading the Wolverines to their second national title. The consensus first-team All-American was viewed as a prospect who could step in and play immediately, something the Warriors could use as they attempt to compete now. Lendeborg has had a rise through the ranks to put himself on the radar after playing three years in junior college, and is now set to play alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the roster.
Grade: A-
Aday Mara became the third Wolverine selected in the first round, the second time Michigan has produced three first-rounders in a single draft (1990). He was linked to the Thunder as a player who can make an impact off the bench and provide additional depth in the frontcourt. Mara was instrumental in helping Michigan win the title and will bring more championship experience to OKC.
Grade: A-
Nate Ament boasts positional size and was regarded as one of the top players in the SEC because of his scoring, rebounding and ability to get to the free-throw line. He has the potential for a productive NBA career, something the Bucks will gladly take as they retool the roster and look for rotation players following the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Grade: B+
Hannes Steinbach is known as an elite rebounder after leading the country in that category. He also dazzled at times with the ball in his hands, providing some versatility on that end of the court. The Hornets were most commonly projected to take a big man in the draft, and the group got their guy in Steinbach.
Grade: B-
One of six teams that began the night with multiple first-rounders, the Bulls took guard Dailyn Swain with their second pick, who was a defensive standout at Texas with an improving jumper. He also takes pride in "being elite" in transition, which should be a welcome trait in the Windy City.
Grade: B+
Bennett Stirtz is reportedly on the move to the Thunder after the Grizzlies opted to move down to collect additional second-round picks. With the Thunder facing a financial compression, Stirtz projects to fit in well on both ends of the court as a prospect on a rookie contract. The organization has found success developing its young players, and Stirtz could be next in line to become a regular contributor.
Grade: B+
Ebuka Okorie, who set the record for the highest scoring average by a freshman in ACC history, will join the Pistons following a trade with the Grizzlies. He should be a good fit for the Pistons as a backcourt scorer, given his ability to score in various ways.
Grade: A
Another team with multiple first-round picks, the Hornets took Christian Anderson Jr. with their second selection on Tuesday. He was highly touted as a scorer and distributor after setting the Red Raiders' single-season program record for assists (244), while ranking second in 3s (108). Anderson should fit in well in the backcourt, behind the likes of LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.
Grade: B+
Allen Graves did a little bit of everything last season at Santa Clara after setting the freshman program record for steals (67), while ranking second in rebounds (228) and third in blocks (33). He also ranked fifth in the country in PER (29.6) and eighth in box plus-minus (plus-13.4), making him appealing to teams in this range. The Raptors get another player who should quickly become a fan favorite due to his playing style.
Grade: B-
Jayden Quaintance dealt with a knee injury during his two years in college that limited him to just four games last season at Kentucky. He is viewed as one of the top defenders and rebounders this year, boasting a 7-foot, 5 1/4-inch wingspan, which was an area of need for the Spurs. If Quaintance can prove he is healthy, this pick could prove rather valuable for the group.
Grade: B+
21. Memphis Grizzlies (via Detroit) - Karim López: A-
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston) - Labaron Philon Jr.: B+
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland) - Zuby Ejiofor: B-
24. Los Angeles Lakers (via New York) - Cameron Carr: A
25. Dallas Mavericks (from Los Angeles Lakers via New York) - Sergio de Larrea: C+
26. San Antonio Spurs (via Denver) - Tarris Reed Jr.: B
27. Boston Celtics - Chris Cenac Jr.: B-
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota) - Joshua Jefferson: B+
29. Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland) - Alex Karaban: A-
30. Phoenix Suns (from Dallas via New York) - Koa Peat: A+
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA draft: First-round grades and analysis for every pick
Continue reading...
Dybantsa became the third No. 1 pick in franchise history and the Cougars' highest-drafted player, surpassing Shawn Bradley (1993, No. 2). He was the front-runner to be the top pick after the Wizards chose him over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who went second to Utah.
With Dybantsa and Peterson off the board, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer with the third pick. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson was the fourth pick by the Chicago Bulls, while Illinois guard Keaton Wagler was taken fifth by the LA Clippers.
While the top five went as projected, the rest of the evening was filled with some surprises in the lottery and the rest of the first round. The results are expected to generate numerous reactions and conversations throughout the remainder of the week and the months to come.
With the first round wrapped up from the Barclays Center, Rookie Wire examined and graded all 30 picks now that we've had some time to evaluate the picks and trades.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
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The Wizards recently settled on AJ Dybantsa as the No. 1 overall pick over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson after a historic freshman campaign at BYU. He ticks every box at the next level and projects to be a good fit in the frontcourt, giving Washington plenty of size next to the likes of Anthony Davis, Alexandre Sarr and Kyshawn George, among others. The Wizards needed to find a franchise cornerstone to move their rebuild forward, and they believe they've found just that in Dybansta.
Grade: A+
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas
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Darryn Peterson was in consideration to be the top pick by the Wizards, so the Jazz are certainly ecstatic to land such a highly touted prospect after missing out on several of the top picks in the past. Peterson looked to be the best player in the country at times last season with the Jayhawks because of his size, athleticism and physicality, which should be a seamless fit with the Jazz. He recently visited with team officials over the weekend and is eager to help the team.
Grade: A+
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke
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Cameron Boozer established himself as the national College Player of the Year behind a sensational freshman campaign with the Blue Devils. He can do everything on the court thanks to his ability to score in various ways, along with his playmaking, ball-handling and maturity. Boozer was viewed as one of the top players in the draft, giving the Grizzlies another player to build around.
Grade: A+
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
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Caleb Wilson, the Tar Heels' highest draft pick since Marvin Williams (2005, No. 2), put together quite a year en route to an All-American selection. He has earned comparisons to Kevin Garnett, which are quite lofty, but if the 19-year-old can make steady progress on the court and reach a portion of that potential, the Bulls may have found the next face of their franchise.
Grade: A
5. LA Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Illinois
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Keaton Wagler is the first player in franchise history to be taken with the fifth pick and the highest player drafted since Blake Griffin went No. 1 in 2009. He was heavily linked to the Clippers throughout the predraft process because of his versatility in the backcourt, which was an area of focus for the front office. After snagging this pick away from the Indiana Pacers in the lottery, the Clippers found themselves a possible rotation player early in the first round on Tuesday.
Grade: A
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
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Mikel Brown Jr. worked out twice for the Nets during the predraft process and once more when the team visited him at his home in Orlando, igniting speculation that Sean Marks & Co. found their target. It is clear that coach Jordi Fernández will have his work cut out for him in determining the distribution of minutes in the backcourt after drafting three point guards last year, but it is evident that the front office held him in high regard and believes he has a bright future.
Grade: B+
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
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Darius Acuff Jr. was touted as one of the top offensive players in the draft this year and was the Kings' top target, as a result. He projects as a player who can help ignite their offense from the backcourt and could eventually become a franchise cornerstone with continued development. With Acuff high on their draft board, the Kings likely walked away from the draft on Tuesday thrilled that he was still available at No. 7.
Grade: A
8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings, Houston
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Kingston Flemings was the eighth straight freshman drafted to open the first round, which is tied for the longest such streak in history. The Hawks were certainly thrilled to get Flemings, who was once thought to be a potential top five pick as a scorer and playmaker. He also earned praise from coach Kelvin Sampson for his work ethic and demeanor on and off the court. Those traits should all be welcomed additions by Atlanta.
Grade: A-
9. Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
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With three Michigan players projected to go in this range, and with the Mavericks hiring Dusty May on Tuesday, speculation was swirling about whether the organization would reunite one of those players with their former coach, and it did just that by taking Morez Johnson Jr. Starting every game last year, Johnson emerged as a key player for Michigan in the pursuit of their second title and he should help the Mavericks in several areas with his motor, defensive versatility and length, boasting a 7-foot, 3 1/2-inch wingspan.
Grade: B+
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, Arizona
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Known as an elite scorer and 3-point shooter, Brayden Burries should fill several areas of need for the Bucks, who are transitioning into a new era after agreeing to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. The team needed to walk away from the draft with young, promising players to build around, and Burries fits that bill with a vast skill set and good size.
Grade: B+
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
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Yaxel Lendeborg joins the Warriors after a tremendous year, leading the Wolverines to their second national title. The consensus first-team All-American was viewed as a prospect who could step in and play immediately, something the Warriors could use as they attempt to compete now. Lendeborg has had a rise through the ranks to put himself on the radar after playing three years in junior college, and is now set to play alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the roster.
Grade: A-
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, Michigan
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Aday Mara became the third Wolverine selected in the first round, the second time Michigan has produced three first-rounders in a single draft (1990). He was linked to the Thunder as a player who can make an impact off the bench and provide additional depth in the frontcourt. Mara was instrumental in helping Michigan win the title and will bring more championship experience to OKC.
Grade: A-
13. Milwaukee Bucks (via Miami): Nate Ament, Tennessee
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Nate Ament boasts positional size and was regarded as one of the top players in the SEC because of his scoring, rebounding and ability to get to the free-throw line. He has the potential for a productive NBA career, something the Bucks will gladly take as they retool the roster and look for rotation players following the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Grade: B+
14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
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Hannes Steinbach is known as an elite rebounder after leading the country in that category. He also dazzled at times with the ball in his hands, providing some versatility on that end of the court. The Hornets were most commonly projected to take a big man in the draft, and the group got their guy in Steinbach.
Grade: B-
15. Chicago Bulls (via Portland): Dailyn Swain, Texas
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One of six teams that began the night with multiple first-rounders, the Bulls took guard Dailyn Swain with their second pick, who was a defensive standout at Texas with an improving jumper. He also takes pride in "being elite" in transition, which should be a welcome trait in the Windy City.
Grade: B+
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Memphis): Bennett Stirtz
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Bennett Stirtz is reportedly on the move to the Thunder after the Grizzlies opted to move down to collect additional second-round picks. With the Thunder facing a financial compression, Stirtz projects to fit in well on both ends of the court as a prospect on a rookie contract. The organization has found success developing its young players, and Stirtz could be next in line to become a regular contributor.
Grade: B+
17. Detroit Pistons (from Oklahoma City via Memphis): Ebuka Okorie
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Ebuka Okorie, who set the record for the highest scoring average by a freshman in ACC history, will join the Pistons following a trade with the Grizzlies. He should be a good fit for the Pistons as a backcourt scorer, given his ability to score in various ways.
Grade: A
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando): Christian Anderson Jr.
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Another team with multiple first-round picks, the Hornets took Christian Anderson Jr. with their second selection on Tuesday. He was highly touted as a scorer and distributor after setting the Red Raiders' single-season program record for assists (244), while ranking second in 3s (108). Anderson should fit in well in the backcourt, behind the likes of LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.
Grade: B+
19. Toronto Raptors: Allen Graves
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Allen Graves did a little bit of everything last season at Santa Clara after setting the freshman program record for steals (67), while ranking second in rebounds (228) and third in blocks (33). He also ranked fifth in the country in PER (29.6) and eighth in box plus-minus (plus-13.4), making him appealing to teams in this range. The Raptors get another player who should quickly become a fan favorite due to his playing style.
Grade: B-
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Jayden Quaintance
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Jayden Quaintance dealt with a knee injury during his two years in college that limited him to just four games last season at Kentucky. He is viewed as one of the top defenders and rebounders this year, boasting a 7-foot, 5 1/4-inch wingspan, which was an area of need for the Spurs. If Quaintance can prove he is healthy, this pick could prove rather valuable for the group.
Grade: B+
Nos. 21-25
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21. Memphis Grizzlies (via Detroit) - Karim López: A-
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston) - Labaron Philon Jr.: B+
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland) - Zuby Ejiofor: B-
24. Los Angeles Lakers (via New York) - Cameron Carr: A
25. Dallas Mavericks (from Los Angeles Lakers via New York) - Sergio de Larrea: C+
Nos. 26-30
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26. San Antonio Spurs (via Denver) - Tarris Reed Jr.: B
27. Boston Celtics - Chris Cenac Jr.: B-
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota) - Joshua Jefferson: B+
29. Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland) - Alex Karaban: A-
30. Phoenix Suns (from Dallas via New York) - Koa Peat: A+
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA draft: First-round grades and analysis for every pick
Continue reading...
