Picking the number one player in this year’s draft is not going to be easy, and three players are the cause of its complication. The three players competing for the top pick are Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa shows the most promise because of his scoring, athleticism, and versatility.
First, we’ll look at Cameron Boozer.
Cameron Boozer is a strong and physical forward for Duke who can dominate the paint and grab rebounds. He averages 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds while shooting 57.5% from the field. However, Boozer isn’t as strong around the perimeter and doesn’t create his own shot as much as elite NBA guards or wings. That’s why a wing as versatile as Dybantsa has more promise in the modern NBA.
Second, Darryn Peterson is an elite guard for Kansas who is creative around the perimeter and can direct the speed and flow of the offense. He’s averaging 20.5 points while shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.9% from three, showing his scoring ability. Yet, Peterson is shorter and less versatile defensively compared to Dybantsa, which could limit him against larger NBA players. Although Peterson is a highly skilled guard, Dybantsa’s combination of size and skill gives him a higher ceiling in the NBA.
Last on the list is the highly skilled wing from BYU, AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa stands out because he combines athleticism, size, and perimeter scoring into a single player. He’s currently averaging 24.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, showing his ability to impact in many ways. Dybantsa is a threat from the perimeter and in the paint, and defensively, he can guard many positions with his 6’9 “frame. Unlike Boozer, he can create beyond the perimeter, and unlike Peterson, he has the size and defensive versatility to guard many positions. This combination gives AJ Dybantsa the highest ceiling in the upcoming draft, as well as making him the best choice for the number one pick.
The 2026 NBA draft features three highly skilled and talented prospects who each bring different strengths to the game. Cameron Boozer brings power and paint dominance, while Peterson brings elite control and perimeter scoring. However, AJ Dybantsa combines scoring ability, size, athleticism, and defensive versatility in a way that will fit best in the modern NBA. For these reasons, Dybantsa should be the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
