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The pingpong balls bounced in the Memphis Grizzlies’ favor.
Memphis technically landed the fourth lottery combination, but because the previous two combinations went to the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies ultimately secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, the Jazz will select second, and Memphis now sits in prime position.
Projected top prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson and Cam Boozer sat alongside family members during the lottery process May 10 in Chicago, getting an early glimpse into what their NBA futures could soon hold.
The pingpong ball combination 13-4-10-6 delivered Memphis the third pick.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman and vice president of player affairs Tayshaun Prince represented the franchise during the lottery drawing and on-stage presentation, respectively. After the results were announced, the two met and had a lengthy conversation inside the Navy Pier ballroom.
Now, Memphis has the opportunity to add a potential franchise-changing talent when the draft begins June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
With Washington and Utah picking ahead of them, the Grizzlies may allow the board to naturally narrow their choices. Still, four standout names emerge as the most realistic possibilities.
Early conversations at the weeklong draft combine, which began May 10 in Chicago, suggest that Washington doesn't have a definitive early favorite for its pick. The same can be said of the Jazz, and certainly the Grizzlies.
Peterson is widely viewed as one of the most talented players in the class. The 6-foot-5 Kansas wing has showcased elite shot-making ability, size and strong two-way upside. Health concerns remain after severe cramping issues — which he attributed to taking high doses of creatine — affected portions of his freshman season. But if those problems are behind him, Peterson has the tools to become a franchise cornerstone.
Wilson is often labeled the fourth option among the draft’s top-tier prospects, but his freshman season at North Carolina made that evaluation less certain. The 6-10 athletic power forward flashed impressive rebounding, shot-blocking and midrange scoring ability before a wrist injury cut his season short. His versatility and upside could make him an intriguing option for Memphis.
Boozer enters the draft as one of its most polished prospects. The power forward's footwork, strength and rebounding helped fuel a dominant freshman campaign at Duke. His 6-9 presence alongside Zach Edey and Cedric Coward would immediately give Memphis the framework for one of the NBA’s most physically imposing and productive rebounding frontcourts.
Among the top four prospects, Dybantsa is considered the most likely to be selected within the first two picks, which would keep him out of Memphis’ reach. But if the 6-9 forward somehow slides to No. 3, his elite scoring ability, offensive creativity and star-level upside would make him a compelling choice. Dybantsa projects as one of the draft’s most dynamic offensive rookies from Day 1.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies draft candidates include Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson
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Memphis technically landed the fourth lottery combination, but because the previous two combinations went to the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies ultimately secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, the Jazz will select second, and Memphis now sits in prime position.
Projected top prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson and Cam Boozer sat alongside family members during the lottery process May 10 in Chicago, getting an early glimpse into what their NBA futures could soon hold.
The pingpong ball combination 13-4-10-6 delivered Memphis the third pick.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman and vice president of player affairs Tayshaun Prince represented the franchise during the lottery drawing and on-stage presentation, respectively. After the results were announced, the two met and had a lengthy conversation inside the Navy Pier ballroom.
Now, Memphis has the opportunity to add a potential franchise-changing talent when the draft begins June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
With Washington and Utah picking ahead of them, the Grizzlies may allow the board to naturally narrow their choices. Still, four standout names emerge as the most realistic possibilities.
Early conversations at the weeklong draft combine, which began May 10 in Chicago, suggest that Washington doesn't have a definitive early favorite for its pick. The same can be said of the Jazz, and certainly the Grizzlies.
Darryn Peterson
Peterson is widely viewed as one of the most talented players in the class. The 6-foot-5 Kansas wing has showcased elite shot-making ability, size and strong two-way upside. Health concerns remain after severe cramping issues — which he attributed to taking high doses of creatine — affected portions of his freshman season. But if those problems are behind him, Peterson has the tools to become a franchise cornerstone.
Caleb Wilson
Wilson is often labeled the fourth option among the draft’s top-tier prospects, but his freshman season at North Carolina made that evaluation less certain. The 6-10 athletic power forward flashed impressive rebounding, shot-blocking and midrange scoring ability before a wrist injury cut his season short. His versatility and upside could make him an intriguing option for Memphis.
Cam Boozer
Boozer enters the draft as one of its most polished prospects. The power forward's footwork, strength and rebounding helped fuel a dominant freshman campaign at Duke. His 6-9 presence alongside Zach Edey and Cedric Coward would immediately give Memphis the framework for one of the NBA’s most physically imposing and productive rebounding frontcourts.
AJ Dybantsa
Among the top four prospects, Dybantsa is considered the most likely to be selected within the first two picks, which would keep him out of Memphis’ reach. But if the 6-9 forward somehow slides to No. 3, his elite scoring ability, offensive creativity and star-level upside would make him a compelling choice. Dybantsa projects as one of the draft’s most dynamic offensive rookies from Day 1.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies draft candidates include Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson
Continue reading...
