We're now slowly turning the page toward a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class. While the top of the 2025 group had Cooper Flagg, considered a generational prospect, the star power in the 2026 class is deeper. That said, while we're still a few months away from seeing some of these guys in action, let's take a look at 10 of the better 2026 NBA Draft prospects you need to know.

There's an argument to be made that Dybantsa is the top player in this class, but Peterson sits atop our early 2026 RealGM board. Peterson is a lot like Cade Cunningham in that he's a big guard who can score at all three levels, knows how to control the game — especially through change of pace — and has a nice competitiveness to him. For a while, the one knock on Peterson was that his jumper was a bit shaky, but he has turned himself into a lethal shot-maker from every part of the court. He's also a good on-ball defender, and he possesses an advanced understanding of defending in a team setting. He has "franchise player" written all over him, and he should put Kansas back on the map this year.

It isn't hard to see why Dybantsa is already a star. The big wing would be in a starting five when looking for the most physically gifted prospects in the last decade or so. Dybantsa is a guy who looks like he can rip the rim clean off the backboard when he goes up for his thunderous dunks. He's great in transition, attacks the basket with real ferocity, and he is a promising multi-positional defender. The question is: can he develop the jumper? That's one of the big separators when looking at him and Peterson, but Dybantsa is going to work tirelessly at it. He's also going to a program that understands player development — especially on offense. Kevin Young, who was a great offensive assistant in the NBA, will work with Dybantsa to help him achieve his goals.

Boozer, the son of Carlos Boozer, is right there in the conversation with the two guys above him on this list. Offensively, he's very similar to his dad, as he's highly skilled and has absurd polish for a player his age. Boozer is capable of scoring with his back to the basket, he has good touch on his jumper, and he has tremendous footwork. When his outside shot gets going, he's essentially unguardable. Boozer also happens to understand how to play the game, so he impacts winning at a high level. Boozer is just going to have to show he can be better defensively. Is he fast enough to guard wings, or good enough at contesting shots to defend bigs? We'll find out at Duke, where he'll play with his brother Cayden, who happens to be a borderline top-15 prospect himself.

It was unfortunate that Quaintance's presence didn't lift Arizona State last season, but that had very little to do with his play. The big man showed how explosive he can be as a play finisher, was impressive as a driver, and flashed the potential of an All-NBA defender before tearing his ACL. He's as good as it gets when talking about a rim protector, and he might be in the 99th percentile when talking about bigs who can move their feet with guards on the perimeter. Quaintance has the potential to be flat-out special defensively. Let's just see if he can improve a little offensively with Kentucky. Some progress when it comes to shooting and processing the game would go a long way for him. Mark Pope, a great offensive coach, should help him out there.

If you love an on-ball scorer, Brown is the prospect for you. Once an undersized point guard, Brown shot up to 6-foot-4 and now looks like an electric offensive prospect. Brown is lightning quick with the ball in his hands, can shake defenders with his shiftiness, and can shoot the hell out of the ball. Even off the dribble, Brown can torch nets. He's going to be one of the most exciting players to watch in college basketball next season, and it's pretty easy to see how his game will fit in the pros. Brown is also a competitive guy, so he takes pride in getting stops. That makes him a complete prospect.

It feels a little lazy to compare Daniels to his brother, Dyson Daniels, but how can you not? The 17-year-old is a tenacious on-ball defender who can swipe steals in a hurry, and his defensive instincts are top-notch. He's also big and strong enough to defend one through three. So, Daniels could instantly be a high-level perimeter defender from Day 1. Offensively, Daniels can handle the rock and make plays for others, but his jumper needs work. If Daniels ends up being a dangerous spot-up option, he should be a stud.

While Ament isn't one of our top-five prospects right now, he might be the prospect with the most upward mobility heading into the season. His otherworldly length and two-way versatility give him some unspeakable upside. Offensively, Ament can space the floor, finish at the rim, and even handle the ball a little. If all of that ends up being unlocked, he'll be a cheat code in the NBA. He's also a good shot blocker with the ability to defend a few different positions. And that defense will be on display in Knoxville, where Rick Barnes always churns out elite defenses.

Arenas, son of former NBA superstar Gilbert Arenas, suffered a scary car accident in April, and he was even put in a medically induced coma after it happened. Fortunately, he ended up walking away relatively unscathed. Now, with things having normalized, Arenas will attend USC, where we can start thinking about him as a basketball player again — and he's going to be a damn good one. Arenas has ideal size for a two-guard, and he's an advanced-level scorer. Arenas has a beautiful jumper, which he can hit off the bounce or as a stand-still option. He's also creative with the ball in his hands, and he has the potential to be an efficient three-level scorer. Arenas also has good size, which helps him on defense. So, with a good year under Eric Musselman, he should cement himself as a high-end option come draft time.

Lopez is an athletic, high-motor forward in the NBL's Next Stars program. A versatile defender and impactful rebounder, Lopez uses his length and quickness to disrupt plays and guard multiple positions. Offensively, Lopez is still refining his perimeter skills, but he is an effective finisher around the basket and a willing passer. He also has an improving off-the-dribble game. Lopez just has serious upside as a two-way contributor, but the jumper will be a swing skill for him. Though it is encouraging that his mechanics are rather clean.

Cenac is a physically imposing big man with a strong frame and a relentless motor. He's a force on the glass and a shot-blocking presence in the paint, anchoring the defense with his rim protection. Offensively, Cenac is most effective as a play finisher and offensive rebounder, but he's shown flashes of a face-up game. He's comfortable shooting mid-range shots, and he likes attacking opposing bigs off the bounce. If he can continue to improve offensively, he could be a high-end NBA center.