The 2025-26 school basketball season is right here, and so it is time for the primary CBS Sports activities NBA Mock Draft. This preliminary mock comes with out contemplating the place NBA groups may decide, given how early it’s of their season. So, that is basically a duplicate of our massive board to start out the season, rating the highest 30 NBA prospects for the approaching draft cycle.
One vital caveat is that nothing is assured at this level. There are in all probability solely 4 or 5 gamers who can confidently enter this school season saying they’re sure to be lottery picks in eight months. For everybody else, just about all the things might be determined within the coming season.
With that in thoughts, listed below are thirty prospects who might have an opportunity to listen to their title referred to as within the first spherical. We added attainable corresponding groups to the tip of every participant’s writeup, with 2026 NBA Draft order by way of Tankathon.
1. Darryn Peterson | Kansas | PG | 6-6 | 205 | Fr
He completed because the top-ranked prospect in final yr’s recruiting class and begins this draft cycle in the identical place. Peterson is a giant, playmaking guard who continues to enhance every year. His overlap of positional dimension, size, energy and shot creation is unmatched on this class. In truth, he could also be the most effective home guard we have seen in a number of draft cycles. If the shot-making we have seen early on at Kansas proves sustainable, he could possibly be even higher than anticipated. Present decide: Brooklyn Nets
2. AJ Dybantsa | BYU | SF | 6-9 | 215 | Fr
Dybantsa spent extra time atop the nationwide 2025 recruiting rankings than anybody else within the class and was solely dethroned by Peterson on the finish. He enters his freshman season at BYU with an actual likelihood to show he deserves to be the No. 1 decide. He is a jumbo wing with positional dimension, a 7-foot wingspan, good athleticism, excessive courtroom protection, multi-level scoring instruments and the power to rise and hearth to get his shot off on demand. Present decide: Atlanta Hawks (by way of New Orleans)
3. Cameron Boozer | Duke | PF | 6-9 | 250 | Fr
It is not only a two-player race; it is a three-player race. Boozer simply accomplished essentially the most profitable profession in trendy highschool basketball historical past, actually profitable each championship he competed for in 4 years. He is sure to be not simply probably the greatest freshmen however probably the greatest gamers in school basketball and should have the best long-term flooring within the class. Present decide: Washington Wizards
4. Nate Ament | Tennessee | PF | 6-10 | 207 | Fr
Ament is not almost as polished as the highest three, but when all the things goes proper, his long-term ceiling could possibly be comparable. In different phrases, he isn’t as far alongside in his improvement and thus has a wider vary of potential outcomes, however he is an extremely gifted prospect. He has dimension, talent, dexterity, fluidity and stable athleticism, and he is already notably stronger than he was final spring. An enormous yr might catapult him into the highest three, however even with out it, he is a probable lottery candidate. Present decide: Indiana Pacers
5. Mikel Brown | Louisville | PG | 6-4 | 190 | Fr
Brown was one of many prime level guards all through his highschool profession, combining terrific shot-making and talent with a late development spurt that gave him positional dimension to match. This summer season, whereas enjoying with USA Basketball within the U19 World Cup, he confirmed some newfound athleticism. Mix that with actual flooring imaginative and prescient, passing and a terrific left hand, and he could make a case that he is the most effective pure level guard within the draft. His protection and bodily energy are areas for development. Present decide: Utah Jazz
6. Caleb Wilson | North Carolina | PF | 6-10 | 215 | Sr
Wilson is an athletic, wiry ahead with good dimension and mobility. He has excessive upside on the defensive finish, the place he is already confirmed to be a playmaker together with his capability to dam photographs, disrupt passes and change throughout a number of positions. Offensively, there are extra questions since he is by no means been a constant shooter or creator, however the early returns at Carolina this preseason have been encouraging. Present decide: Dallas Mavericks
7. Darius Acuff | Arkansas | PG | 6-3 | 190 | Fr
Acuff was as dynamic as any lead guard in highschool basketball final yr, exhibiting a capability to place his workforce on his again and drive profitable. There’s much less collective enthusiasm about his NBA inventory to start out the season, however that sentiment is not shared by those that adopted him intently in highschool. He lacks overwhelming bodily instruments, however he is robust, comparatively lengthy and an ultra-confident shot creator with an actual “it” issue. Present decide: Sacramento Kings
8. Jayden Quaintance | Kentucky | C | 6-10 | 255 | So
He was simply 17 when he was named Large 12 All-Protection and All-Freshman final yr, making him too younger to be one-and-done eligible. He tore his ACL late within the season and later introduced his dedication to Kentucky. He is seen as probably the greatest defensive massive males on this draft for his shot-blocking and attacking type, although his offensive recreation is much less outlined. Whereas he has large size and massive palms, he is a bit undersized for a real middle. Present decide: Memphis Grizzlies
9. Chris Cenac | Houston | C | 6-11 | 240 | Fr
Cenac completed because the No. 7-ranked prospect within the nationwide class of 2025, however that was extra about potential than manufacturing. He combines dimension, size, athleticism, growing inside-out talent and versatile defensive instruments, however his decision-making and motor have been inconsistent. The expectation is that Kelvin Sampson could be the fast remedy. If that occurs, Cenac is a robust lottery candidate, but when not, he might simply slip. Present decide: Boston Celtics
10. Bennett Stritz | Iowa | PG | 6-4 | 190 | Sr
Stritz is among the smartest, most expert and dependable lead guards on this class. He is a knockdown shooter with a sophisticated really feel for the sport. He has a confirmed historical past of adapting to new ranges of competitors after beginning at Division II Northwest Missouri State, following Ben McCollum to Drake and now Iowa. There are questions concerning the 22-year-old’s bodily instruments, defensive upside and shot creation exterior McCollum’s system. Present decide: San Antonio Spurs (by way of Atlanta)
11. Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan | PF | 6-9 | 240 | Gr
Lendeborg had an actual likelihood of being a first-round decide after being one in every of school basketball’s most versatile stat stuffers final season. As a substitute, he withdrew from the draft, entered the portal and dedicated to Michigan. His 7-foot-4 wingspan, defensive metrics and frontcourt playmaking capability might be examined on the highest ranges, whereas his taking pictures stays a key swing talent. Present decide: Charlotte Hornets
12. Koa Peat | Arizona | PF | 6-8 | 235 | Fr
Peat was some of the constantly productive gamers in highschool basketball over the past 4 years. He is lengthy, highly effective and has develop into more and more athletic as he is chiseled his body. He is a mismatch-scoring ahead who thrives from midrange in, however the inconsistency of his exterior taking pictures is a vital variable for scouts. Present decide: Memphis Grizzlies (by way of Phoenix)
13. Sprint Daniels | Australia | SF | 6-6 | 200 | Int
The highest worldwide prospect on our board to start out the season, Daniels is the youthful brother of Dyson Daniels, who was the NBA’s Most Improved Participant and an All-Defensive choice with the Hawks final yr. Sprint, one of many youthful gamers on this draft cycle, can be a defensive standout who wants to indicate what a part of his offensive recreation will translate to the NBA. Present decide: Charlotte Hornets (by way of Orlando)
14. Isaiah Evans | Duke | SF | 6-6 | 180 | So
Evans is among the prime shooters on this draft cycle after pulling down 42% from behind the arc as a freshman at Duke. He nonetheless has a lanky body that badly wants energy, however he is lengthy and easy with actual offensive items and untapped upside as his physique fills out. A giant season might open a path to the lottery, however that is removed from assured. Present decide: Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Tounde Yessoufou | Baylor | SF | 6-5 | 215 | Fr
A top-15 prospect within the 2025 recruiting class, Yessoufou completed because the main scorer in California highschool basketball historical past whereas evolving from an undersized combo ahead to a legit energy wing. Whereas there are nonetheless questions on his perimeter talent and decision-making, he is lengthy, robust and high-motor, with an opportunity to place up massive numbers immediately at Baylor. Present decide: Toronto Raptors
16. Brayden Burries | Arizona | SG | 6-4 | 205 | Fr
Burries is a volume-scoring guard with a robust physique. He is older for his grade and never essentially a dynamic athlete, so he depends on physicality. The consistency of his shot-making is a vital variable, however he is a flexible scoring risk with a aggressive two-way method. Present decide: Miami Warmth
17. Dame Sarr | Duke | SF | 6-8 | 190 | Fr
Sarr is essentially the most celebrated worldwide prospect to affix school basketball as a freshman this season and arrives with one-and-done expectations regardless of having been draft eligible final yr. He is a jumbo wing with size, athleticism and defensive instruments, however extra questions on how his offense interprets. Present decide: New York Knicks
18. Braylon Mullins | Connecticut | SG | 6-5 | 196 | Fr
Mullins is a pure shooter who might find yourself being probably the greatest long-distance threats on this draft. He has deep vary, excessive gravity and is a risk off screens and off the dribble. He defends nicely, has stable positional dimension and athleticism, however must get stronger and extra assertive to be one-and-done. Present decide: Golden State Warriors
19. Thomas Haugh | Florida | PF | 6-9 | 215 | Jr
Haugh is a flexible two-way ahead who has blossomed in two years at Florida. At 6-9, he can play a number of positions, be versatile defensively, end on the rim and stretch the ground. If he takes one other step ahead this yr, it could possibly be his final in Gainesville. Present decide: Atlanta Hawks (by way of Cleveland)
20. Labaron Philon | Alabama | PG | 6-3 | 185 | So
Philon exceeded expectations in his first yr at Alabama and regarded NBA-bound till opting to return on the eleventh hour. His competitiveness, tempo, instincts and defensive upside are all property, whereas scouts wish to monitor his taking pictures and playmaking in a featured position after Mark Sears’ commencement. Present decide: Denver Nuggets
21. Boogie Fland | Florida | PG | 6-3 | 185 | So
The previous Arkansas pledge withdrew from the draft, entered the portal on the ultimate day allowed and finally transferred to Florida. He confirmed velocity, playmaking and on-ball protection final yr, however not the identical shot-making he was recognized for in highschool. He’ll have an opportunity to play his means into the primary spherical this yr. Present decide: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of LA Clippers)
22. Neoklis Avdalas | Virginia Tech | PG | 6-8 | 215 | Fr
Avdalas would not have as a lot fanfare going into the season however could possibly be a one-and-done first-round candidate. The Greek native is stylistically just like Egor Demin from final yr’s draft cycle in that he has excessive perimeter dimension with elite passing capability and potential as a jumbo, pass-first initiator. Present decide: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Houston)
23. Moustapha Thiam | Cincinnati | C | 7-2 | 250 | So
With huge dimension, lengthy arms and athleticism, Thiam is a rim-runner, lob risk and shot-blocker. He additionally confirmed some long-term taking pictures potential as a freshman final yr at UCF. If he takes one other step ahead this yr at Cincinnati, he might develop into an more and more intriguing title for scouts. Present decide: Milwaukee Bucks
24. Tahaad Pettiford | Auburn | PG | 6-1 | 170 | So
It has been a turbulent offseason since Pettiford withdrew from the 2024 NBA Draft. He was charged with DUI over the summer season, after which Bruce Pearl stepped down this fall. Now, underneath Steven Pearl, Pettiford could have an opportunity to be Auburn’s major creator and show he has sufficient sheer recreation to compensate for his less-than-ideal NBA measurables. Present decide: Detroit Pistons
25. Sergio De Larrea | Spain | SG | 6-7 | 175 | Int
The massive Spanish guard has generated growing draft buzz in latest months. He has terrific backcourt dimension, passing, talent and basketball IQ, however there are issues about how his athleticism and foot velocity will translate, notably on protection. Present decide: Chicago Bulls (by way of Portland)
26. Alex Condon | Florida | C | 6-11 | 230 | Jr
He checks numerous packing containers for an NBA prospect as a fringe 7-footer who brings two-way versatility. He can shoot 3s, end, cross, block photographs and be dependable defensively, however did not put all the things collectively as anticipated, even throughout Florida’s nationwide championship run. Present decide: Los Angeles Lakers
27. Meleek Thomas | Arkansas | SG | 6-4 | 185 | Fr
Thomas is the kind of quantity scorer and difficult shot-maker who might present microwave-type scoring at Arkansas and probably past. How environment friendly he could be in that position might be key for scouts this yr underneath John Calipari. Present decide: Chicago Bulls
28. Alex Karaban | Connecticut | PF | 6-8 | 230 | Sr
The soon-to-be 23-year-old has been on draft boards for a number of years. He might lack evident upside and is previous for draft requirements, however he can step proper into an NBA system and be a serviceable piece from day one. That ought to once more have him in consideration from the late first spherical on. Present decide: Cleveland Cavaliers (by way of San Antonio)
29. Karim Lopez | Mexico | SF | 6-8 | 220 | Int
Lopez is among the extra intriguing worldwide prospects on this draft cycle however stays considerably polarizing. He is robust, bodily and versatile, with multi-positional potential on each ends. If his offensive talent set emerges, he might climb this record. Present decide: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Philadelphia)
30. Milos Uzan | Houston | PG | 6-4 | 195 | Sr
Uzan made a giant soar with each his taking pictures and protection final yr at Houston. He must be probably the greatest level guards in school basketball this yr, and if he takes one other step, he’ll have an opportunity to play his means into first-round consideration. Present decide: Washington Wizards (by way of Oklahoma Metropolis)
Better of the remaining: Jojo Tugler, Houston; Donnie Freeman, Syracuse; Karter Knox, Arkansas; Miles Byrd, San Diego State; Braden Smith, Purdue; Henri Veesaar, North Carolina; Nate Bittle, Oregon; Magoon Gwath, San Diego State; Flory Bidunga, Kansas; Nikolas Khamenia, Duke.