The 2026 draft is really going to shake up the NBA.
Every few years, basketball fans, analysts, and NBA executives are swept up in the promise of a “historic” draft class. The hype cycles are relentless, the comparisons breathless: “This is the next 2003!” “These are the players who will define the next decade!” But if you’ve followed the NBA long enough, you know that for every legendary class, there are just as many that fizzle, remembered for three stars and a long list of forgettable names.
So when the 2026 NBA Draft is talked about as a lock to be historic—when social media and league insiders treat it as if the NBA is already printing posters for the next era—it’s only natural to be skeptical. But here’s the twist: this time, the hype might actually be real. Not because of what people are saying, but because of what we’re seeing on the court right now.
At the heart of this class are three names: Cameron Boozer, AJ Debansa, and Darren Peterson. Each is dominating in a way that feels unprecedented, each offers a different vision for what a franchise player can be, and each could plausibly go No. 1 overall. This isn’t just another draft class—it might be the draft class that rearranges the league.
Let’s break down why.
Cameron Boozer: The Master of Control
The Numbers That Don’t Make Sense
Cameron Boozer, a freshman at Duke and the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, is putting up numbers that defy logic. He’s not just good for a freshman; he’s leading the country in points per game, Player Efficiency Rating (PER), and win shares. He’s on pace to shatter the win shares per 48 minutes record for a full college season—a stat that measures all-around impact and is often predictive of NBA stardom.
The Anti-Highlight Superstar
But Boozer is not your typical viral sensation. He doesn’t leap off the screen with Zion Williamson-like dunks or scream after every bucket. He doesn’t look like a superhero in warm-ups or dominate with sheer athleticism. Boozer’s game is about suffocating control, relentless efficiency, and the kind of intelligence that makes the game look easy.
He plays like an old soul—think Nikola Jokić or Luka Dončić—not because of their specific skills, but because of their mastery of pace and space. Boozer slows the game down for everyone else while moving at his own speed. He manipulates defenders, makes the simple pass that kills you, and does it over and over until you realize you’re down 12 and don’t even know how it happened.
The Pedigree and the Proof
Being the son of Carlos Boozer comes with baggage—either the expectation of nepotism or the assumption that the kid will coast on the family name. Cameron is neither. He’s been stacking up awards since he was 15: Player of the Year, Mr. Basketball USA, and more. He has a twin brother, Kaden, who is a legitimate first-round point guard prospect in his own right, but Cameron is the one who makes you stop and stare.
His superpower is control. Watch him rebound, and you’ll see him wait half a beat before firing a perfect outlet. Watch him post up, and he’ll feel the defender shift, pivot once, and finish before help arrives. Watch him run pick-and-roll with Kaden, and he’ll bump the defender and finish like he’s annoyed you made him work for it.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Boozer is top five nationally in ten different advanced stats and is on pace for a National Player of the Year campaign. He scores, rebounds, passes, and defends at an elite level. He’s the kind of player you build a winning team around for a decade or more.
But here’s the catch: in a normal year, Boozer would be the obvious No. 1 pick. This isn’t a normal year.
AJ Debansa: The Ceiling Guy
The Walking Highlight
If Boozer is the master of control, AJ Debansa is the master of chaos. At 6’9” with a 7-foot wingspan, Debansa moves like he’s lighter than air. His highlights look edited, his body control is elite, and when he’s on, he takes—and makes—shots that would get other players benched.
But what makes Debansa special isn’t just the bag of tricks. It’s his commitment to improving the parts of his game that most young stars ignore. At BYU this season, he’s cut down on threes, focused on slashing to the rim, and is averaging 21 points per game on over 55% shooting. He’s winning while doing it, and that matters—because pure scorers often struggle when asked to play within a team structure.
The Competitive Edge
Debansa’s work ethic is legendary. Coaches have to force him to rest; his father once took him on vacation just to keep him out of the gym. He studies Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, learning how to probe, pause, and get defenders leaning the wrong way. The result: Debansa isn’t just a highlight machine; he’s a problem solver on the court.
He doesn’t just attack—he tests. He waits for defenders to shift, then punishes them with a step-back mid-range jumper or a spin move in the post. He’s the guy you draft if you want a franchise face, a nightly highlight, and a scorer who makes arenas loud.
The Next Great Wing?
Debansa is the kind of player who, if everything hits, could become a top-five scorer in the league. He’s the “ceiling” pick—the guy whose upside is so tantalizing, teams are willing to overlook flaws because the potential reward is so high.
Darren Peterson: The Perimeter Engine
The Guard Who Changes Everything
Peterson is the wild card—the player who complicates everything. At 6’5” with a 6’10” wingspan, he’s a combo guard with a smooth jumper, a quick trigger, and a knack for making big plays in big moments. He’s shooting over 42% from three, playing high-level defense, and showing transition speed that feels unfair.
The Praise That Matters
When CJ McCollum says Peterson could have played in the NBA last year as a high school senior, people listen. When he says, “I hope when it’s all said and done, it’s LeBron out of Ohio and then you’re talking about Peterson,” people stop eating their food.
Peterson’s college season has been interrupted by injuries, but the flashes are why he’s projected as a potential No. 1 pick. In high school, he dropped 61 points in a head-to-head matchup with Debansa, who had 49 himself. With the game on the line, Peterson hit a shot so bold you almost want to be mad at him for trying it. Afterwards, he said it was a statement because Debansa was ranked ahead of him. That’s the kind of “I took it personally” energy that separates the good from the great.
The Modern NBA’s Most Valuable Commodity
In the modern NBA, when playoff series get deep, the question becomes simple: Who can create a good shot when everyone knows your play? That’s why Peterson keeps creeping into the No. 1 slot. Not because Boozer isn’t better right now, or because Debansa isn’t more explosive, but because teams are terrified of not having that kind of guard. It’s roster trauma—front offices remembering the last time they had a great team that couldn’t get a clean look late.
What Makes This Class Special?
Three Archetypes, Three Superstars
What’s most exciting about the 2026 draft is that it’s not just a three-way race for “best player.” It’s a three-way race for what teams value most:
Boozer: Control and stability. The guy who raises your floor immediately and keeps raising it.
Debansa: Ceiling. The guy who could become a top-five scorer in the league if everything clicks.
Peterson: The rare guard archetype teams will tank for—two-way shot-making poise, the guy who can run an offense and still be the one taking the shot.
Shades of 2003
This draft is drawing comparisons to 2003 for a reason. You have a dominant big (Boozer, like LeBron in his versatility), a wing who looks like unlimited scoring (Debansa, like Carmelo Anthony), and a guard who looks like a franchise lead (Peterson, like Dwyane Wade). Three different positions, three different styles, all with superstar pathways.
The Decision: Who Goes No. 1?
The Case for Boozer
If you’re drafting for safety and winning, Boozer is the pick. His control, intelligence, and ability to make everyone better are rare. He’s the kind of player who will anchor a winning team for a decade. Watch his game against Florida: 29 points, clutch buckets, and the game-winning assist. That’s the stuff that translates to the next level.
Worried about athleticism? Don’t be. Boozer has functional power, balance, footwork, and processing speed. He’s not going to jump over people, but he’s going to outthink and outmaneuver them.
The Case for Debansa
If you want a face of the franchise, a player who can fill arenas and dominate highlight reels, Debansa is your guy. Scoring at that size is how superstars happen. He has the competitive edge, the work ethic, and the skill set to become a perennial All-Star. He’s the “swing for the fences” pick.
The Case for Peterson
If you’re looking for the hardest role to replace in the NBA—a perimeter engine who can create in crunch time—Peterson is the answer. If he’s real, you don’t let that go. He’s the player who could quietly become the best in the class because guard dominance is still the league’s cheat code.
The X-Factor: What Will NBA Teams Value Most?
The 2026 draft might not be decided by who dominates college the most. It might be decided by which NBA team feels the most desperate for a perimeter creator, a dominant big, or a franchise wing. The league bends around perimeter engines, but bigs and wings still matter. The team picking No. 1 will have to decide what they fear missing out on the most.
Beyond the Big Three: Depth and Wildcards
While Boozer, Debansa, and Peterson are the headliners, the 2026 class is deep. Kaden Boozer is a first-round point guard prospect. There are several other wings and bigs who could carve out long careers. But make no mistake: this class will be defined by its top three.
Conclusion: The Draft That Could Change Everything
The 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a generational moment. Not just because of the talent at the top, but because of the different ways these players can change a franchise. Boozer, Debansa, and Peterson each offer a different future, and the league will be watching closely to see which path teams choose.
