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We heard the hype. Now we're starting to see what it was all about.
The 2026 NBA Draft class was heralded for having at least four players good enough to go No. 1 overall. After almost two weeks of summer league, that's proving to be true.
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. They've all shown flashes of greatness this summer. Evidence of future all-stars capable of elevating their teams to new heights.
Now, we just have to wait to see how it translates to the regular season.
I'll be the first to tell people not to put too much stock in summer league games. But that's especially true for players who emerge from nowhere to dominate a field of G Leaguers and undrafted rookies. When it's lottery picks living up to and exceeding the expectations set before them, though, believe it. The early return on these guys is promising.
Among the players to appear in multiple games this summer, Dybantsa (25 ppg), Wilson (24.3) and Peterson (23.5) all rank top-five in scoring. Boozer was also averaging over 20 before going 4-for-12 for 12 points on Tuesday. (He still holds the second-best field goal percentage of the four).
It hasn't been perfect. Each has things to clean up, whether it's efficiency, turnovers or defense, but the most impressive part about them might be their mindsets. After a conversation with Dwyane Wade, Dybantsa set a career goal for himself I'm not sure I've heard from a young player. Peterson is searching for an edge on his opponents even in games that don't matter. Boozer refuses to let anyone put limitations on his game.
Wilson, who had the highlight of the summer, said he's taking over 2,000 shots a day and refuses to sit out games.
It's working for him. He's been the best of the bunch, shooting 51 percent from the field and 48 percent from three this summer. If that's the player the Bulls can expect when the games count, how lucky are they to fall into him at the No. 4 pick?
And if the three teams that passed on Wilson end up not regretting that decision -- which I doubt they are just yet -- it'll be because their picks panned out too. That's the sign of an all-time class. So far, 2026 is shaping up to be just that.
Would the USMNT had beat Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 if Folarin Balogun's suspension had been upheld and not turned into a big story? Probably not. The team is better when he's on the field.
But it's hard to argue the controversy wasn't a distraction for the team. Balogun said he could even see the pressure it put on his team.
Regardless, it was a good run for the U.S. team. And Balogun may have even used the platform to tease his next career move.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The 2026 NBA draft is already showing signs of a generational class in summer league
Continue reading...
The 2026 NBA Draft class was heralded for having at least four players good enough to go No. 1 overall. After almost two weeks of summer league, that's proving to be true.
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. They've all shown flashes of greatness this summer. Evidence of future all-stars capable of elevating their teams to new heights.
Now, we just have to wait to see how it translates to the regular season.
I'll be the first to tell people not to put too much stock in summer league games. But that's especially true for players who emerge from nowhere to dominate a field of G Leaguers and undrafted rookies. When it's lottery picks living up to and exceeding the expectations set before them, though, believe it. The early return on these guys is promising.
The No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, delivered for the @WashWizards!
23 PTS
Washington improves to 2-0 in @NBASummerLeague play pic.twitter.com/MMBUNyaWpQ
— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2026
Among the players to appear in multiple games this summer, Dybantsa (25 ppg), Wilson (24.3) and Peterson (23.5) all rank top-five in scoring. Boozer was also averaging over 20 before going 4-for-12 for 12 points on Tuesday. (He still holds the second-best field goal percentage of the four).
It hasn't been perfect. Each has things to clean up, whether it's efficiency, turnovers or defense, but the most impressive part about them might be their mindsets. After a conversation with Dwyane Wade, Dybantsa set a career goal for himself I'm not sure I've heard from a young player. Peterson is searching for an edge on his opponents even in games that don't matter. Boozer refuses to let anyone put limitations on his game.
Wilson, who had the highlight of the summer, said he's taking over 2,000 shots a day and refuses to sit out games.
It's working for him. He's been the best of the bunch, shooting 51 percent from the field and 48 percent from three this summer. If that's the player the Bulls can expect when the games count, how lucky are they to fall into him at the No. 4 pick?
And if the three teams that passed on Wilson end up not regretting that decision -- which I doubt they are just yet -- it'll be because their picks panned out too. That's the sign of an all-time class. So far, 2026 is shaping up to be just that.
Balogun believes suspension controversy impacted USMNT
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Would the USMNT had beat Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 if Folarin Balogun's suspension had been upheld and not turned into a big story? Probably not. The team is better when he's on the field.
But it's hard to argue the controversy wasn't a distraction for the team. Balogun said he could even see the pressure it put on his team.
Regardless, it was a good run for the U.S. team. And Balogun may have even used the platform to tease his next career move.
Gallery of the Day
Quick hits: France goes down ... Jordan Walker on Philly ... and more
- Kylian Mbappé put France's letdown on his shoulders after coming up short in the World Cup.
- France's coach, Didier Deschamps, blamed referees for the team's semifinal loss to Spain.
- HR Derby champion Jordan Walker wasn't phased by the passionate Phillies fans rooting against him.
- New Minnesota guard LaMelo Ball had a perfect 5-word reaction to Lynx rookie Olivia Miles' debut season.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The 2026 NBA draft is already showing signs of a generational class in summer league
Continue reading...
