Early Insights on the 2026 NBA Draft
On Friday, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony unveiled a Top 10 mock draft along with a Top 60 Big Board for an initial look at the 2026 NBA Draft. Following Givony’s release, Jeremy Woo at ESPN highlighted five additional players to watch ahead of next year’s draft scheduled for June.
Top Prospects to Watch
Givony’s draft preview contained a list of standout returning prospects, all projected as Top 20 picks for 2026. Notably, three of these players are transferring to new programs; they rank among the top four in On3’s 2025 Top Transfer Portal Players. The group also includes two sophomores remaining at their respective NCAA schools, with players hailing from the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC.
Highlighted Players
The following are the top five returning college prospects identified by Woo for the 2026 NBA Draft:
Jayden Quaintance
After reclassifying, Quaintance was one of the youngest players in college basketball last year, averaging 9.4 points (52.5% FG), 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while making the All-Big 12 Freshman and Defensive Teams. Now transferring to Kentucky as the No. 4 player in the portal, he is anticipated to attract more NBA interest, projected as the No. 6 overall pick for 2026 by Givony.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Lendeborg initially considered staying in the 2025 NBA Draft after posting impressive stats at UAB with averages of 15.8 points (51.8% FG), 11 rebounds, and other accolades. However, he opted to join Michigan as the top transfer in the portal. Woo describes Lendeborg as a late-blooming prospect with a solid blend of offensive skills and defensive capabilities, placing him as a projected lottery pick at No. 14.
Bennett Stirtz
Stirtz, who did not test for this year’s draft despite garnering interest after his notable season at Drake, transferred to Iowa. There, he seeks to showcase his abilities as one of the nation’s top guards after transitioning from Division II to Division I basketball. Givony has him projected to be selected at No. 15 overall in 2026.
Tyrese Evans
Evans, who had a limited role during Duke’s Final Four run, is poised for a breakout season after several players declared for the draft. As a former Top 15 recruit, he is expected to capitalize on increased opportunities, refining his remarkable shooting skills to potentially secure a first-round pick, with Givony placing him at No. 16.
Tahaad Pettiford
Pettiford proved to be a strong contributor for Auburn last season, averaging 11.6 points, and opted to return after withdrawing from the draft process. As the only returning player from last year’s roster, he has the chance to expand his game. Woo cites Pettiford’s scoring prowess and explosiveness but notes he must work on areas like playmaking to determine his future as a professional, with Givony projecting him at No. 20 overall.
