Rejoice, Dallas Mavericks followers. You’ve got received the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, touchdown the rights to the No. 1 decide within the upcoming NBA Draft.
It is uncommon for a No. 1 decide to so clearly alter the trajectory of a franchise, however Flagg is that form of prospect. Whereas Dallas celebrates and Nico Harrison performs it off like he knew this is able to occur all alongside, a number of different organizations are in mourning.
The excellent news: Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are each premier draft prospects in their very own proper, every with the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. However few gamers out of faculty can change the outlook of a franchise with such confidence.
Harper and Bailey will not numb the sting simply but, however there’s hope in 2026 with one other robust draft class on the way in which from the 2025 school basketball participant rankings.
Listed below are 5 gamers who may very well be value tanking (once more) for
Darryn Peterson | CG | Kansas
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 195 | Age: 18.3
Peterson enters the 2025–26 season because the No. 1-ranked highschool participant and the highest general draft prospect. He already has the body to step onto an NBA court docket, however what separates him is simply how polished and well-rounded he’s as a guard.
NBA groups covet guards who can function as each main scorers and initiators, and that is precisely what Peterson initiatives to be. He has preferrred positional measurement, elite athleticism and excellent really feel for the sport.
Peterson is a harmful three-level scorer with an alpha mentality. He is able to taking up late in video games and might already make superior reads and pro-level passes. He is not flashy off the court docket — he lets his sport do the speaking.
AJ Dybantsa | SF | BYU
Ht:6-9 | Wt: 210 | Age: 18.3
As soon as the consensus high prospect within the 2025 recruiting class and 2026 draft class, Dybantsa has misplaced the crown however stays the highest-upside participant coming into the season.
He is paving a singular path — transferring to a startup highschool and now taking part in at BYU — a testomony to his confidence. Dybantsa is a giant wing with a deep offensive bag. He can shoot over defenders, create off the dribble, end above the rim and has proven actual playmaking potential.
Whereas scoring is his high energy, he has the instruments to change into simply as impactful on protection. Peterson might at present have the sting by way of two-way influence, however underneath coach Kevin Younger, Dybantsa may rise to the highest of the draft board. His mixture of measurement, athleticism and scoring evokes shades of Paul George and Jayson Tatum.
Cameron Boozer | PF | Duke
Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 230 | Age: 17.8
The title ought to sound acquainted. Cameron is one among Carlos Boozer’s twin sons, and the apple did not fall removed from the tree.
He is a bodily, old-school ahead who performs with toughness and competitiveness. Boozer has dominated at each stage, leaving highschool as arguably the winningest participant of the trendy period.
He is a robust and environment friendly four-man — robust on the boards, aggressive ending on the rim, able to pushing the break, taking pictures from deep and making good passes. Whereas he might not be a group’s No. 1 possibility offensively, he is a super complementary piece to a star scorer.
He isn’t the flashiest participant within the group, however he flat-out wins.
Nate Ament | PF/SF | Tennessee
Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 200 | Age: 18.4
Ament is the X-factor on this class. The incoming Tennessee freshman is a protracted, versatile ahead who can play both the three or 4.
A late bloomer, Ament is not as bodily developed as some friends, however he has tantalizing instruments — nice measurement, a clean jumper and a rising scoring bundle. He is proven the flexibility to adapt to totally different roles, whether or not defending and supporting or carrying the offensive load.
His upside is huge. With the suitable growth, Ament may power his manner into the No. 1 decide dialog by season’s finish.
Darius Acuff | PG | Arkansas
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | Age: 18.5
The highest 4 gamers on this class really feel like locks, however the fifth spot is large open. For now, it belongs to Darius Acuff.
He is the highest level guard within the 2025 class and one of the polished backcourt gamers coming into school. Acuff is an elite scorer who steps up in massive moments. He can knock down photographs off the catch or dribble, get anyplace on the ground and management the sport with the ball in his palms.
He continues to develop as a passer and playmaker, and whereas others might problem him for this spot — together with Jayden Quaintance, Mikel Brown Jr., Chris Cenac and Caleb Wilson — it is Acuff’s to lose coming into the yr.