Peterson looks like the most polished, well-rounded shooting guard prospect to come around in the past decade. While not as explosive as Anthony Edwards, he’s still quick, shifty and bouncy with more refined shot-creation skills and lethal shotmaking ability. He creates separation with ballhandling and change of pace and scores from all three levels. And though not a point guard, as a primary ballhandler, he has proven to be competent in a playmaking role, using his dribble and gravity to set up teammates.
Darryn Peterson was dominant during the McDonalds All-American Game in April. The consensus 5-star recruit is headed to Kansas this fall.
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There might not be a more accomplished high school player on record than Boozer. He also has the physical tools, skill set and intangibles to continue thriving at the highest levels of basketball. Offense can run through Boozer in the post, where he has outstanding footwork, strength and touch. But he also has made significant strides with his perimeter shotmaking. Though not ultra-explosive, Boozer wins in every setting with an incredibly polished, fundamentally sound game and approach.
Dybantsa figures to be No. 1 on plenty of scouts’ boards heading into the season. He has incredible positional size, athleticism and shotmaking skill, a combination that’s going to draw comparisons to previous stars such as Tracy McGrady and Paul George. As long as he can avoid questions about his shot selection, Dybantsa should be in the No. 1 overall discussion from Day 1 until June 2026.
AJ Dybantsa had a phenomenal showing at USA Basketball’s U19 camp in June
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4. Koa Peat, Arizona, 6-foot-10 freshman big
Peat is a physically imposing forward with a strong, mature frame and a high motor who impacts both ends of the floor. Aside from having a powerful presence around the basket, he’s gradually added more skill away from it as a mid-range scorer and capable shooter.
5. Nate Ament, Tennessee, 6-foot-9 freshman wing
A jumbo-sized wing, Ament has blown up with his budding perimeter skills and defensive range. Flashes of ballhandling for creation and shotmaking hint at significant offensive upside, though he’s a bit more raw compared to the top-three prospects.
Yessoufou was on the rise even before the Nike Hoop Summit. Then he put up 24 points against Team USA, showcasing his improving scoring ability with sharper creation and shotmaking skills. At baseline, he’s a powerful, explosive athlete with a motor and defensive toughness. But he continues to show growth with the ball in his hands.
Quaintance will go from Arizona State to Kentucky and play his entire sophomore season at 18 years old. He’s the age of a freshman with the body of an NBA pro. His defense is ahead of his offense right now — he’s a dominant shot-blocker inside and out who also rebounds. But he’s flashed enough finishing ability, scoring skill and passing IQ for scouts to see a unique two-way prospect.
Jayden Quaintance is headed to Kentucky after a standout freshman season at Arizona State
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8. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina, 6-foot-9 freshman forward
Wilson possesses outstanding physical tools and athleticism, which he relies on for picking up easy baskets and making defensive plays. He’s raw offensively, but he has shown some wing-like scoring potential and skill that just need fine-tuning.
The younger brother of Atlanta Hawks defensive ace Dyson Daniels, Dash is a similar, versatile two-way guard. He’ll play in the NBL next year and try to build a lottery case around his slashing, playmaking potential, improving shooting and lockdown defense.
10. Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers, 6-foot-9 forward
At 17, Lopez was productive in the NBL, using his positional size and skill versatility. While he doesn’t have one signature strength, he checks boxes physically and fundamentally that point to surefire NBA potential.
11. Cayden Boozer, Duke, 6-foot-4 freshman guard
Boozer should thrive at Duke with his pure point guard skills and feel. He’s not an explosive athlete or scorer, but he excels at setting the table, playing at his own pace and using touch. And his shooting stroke continues to look more promising every time we see him.
Ranking All 18 ACC Transfer Classes
Hoops HQ’s partners at the Portal Report have ranked the ACC’s transfer crop from 1 through 18. Here’s how they ordered the classes and why.
Electric with the ball, Brown should pop quickly at Louisville with how he is able to create, put pressure on the rim and make plays for teammates. How well he executes as a finisher, decision-maker and shooter will determine whether we’re talking about a lottery pick or late first-rounder.
Representing Team USA, Mikel Brown Jr. posted 17 points against the World Select team during June’s Nike Hoop Summit match
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13. Braylon Mullins, UConn, 6-foot-4 freshman guard
UConn loses Liam McNeeley’s shooting but gets to re-up with Mullins, a highly skilled scorer and shotmaker. Though not physically imposing, he possesses the ball skills to create and enough athleticism to finish big at the rim.
14. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston, 6-foot-10 freshman center
Cenac will stand out with his size and mobility for finishing and shot-blocking. But he’ll stretch scouts’ imaginations with the flashes of shotmaking versatility and shooting range.
15. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard
Pettiford should be one of college basketball’s biggest stars after a productive freshman season at Auburn and standout NBA combine performance. Some scouts had him in the first round for 2025, but he’ll want to improve his finishing while continuing to showcase his potent shotmaking and creative playmaking.
16. Karter Knox, Arkansas, 6-foot-6 sophomore forward
Knox had a breakout stretch over the final two months at Arkansas, but scouts want a bigger sample size of production. He’ll be back for a bigger role at Arkansas, where his positional strength, athleticism and three-level scoring should pop more consistently.
Evans was a sharpshooter for Duke this season, but scouts want to see more of the self-creation and three-level scoring he showcased in high school. He should have more opportunities next season to show what he can do with the ball, aside from hit spot-up threes.
18. Brayden Burries, Arizona, 6-foot-4 freshman guard
Burries is a highly skilled, creative scorer who can get his own shot and convert in a variety of ways. He’ll be a popular riser next season if he can remain efficient and show some bonus playmaking ability.
19. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa, 6-foot-4 senior guard
Stirtz had NBA love this year after consecutive 21-point games in the NCAA Tournament. Now he’ll face stiffer competition on a regular basis after transferring from Drake to Iowa. He’s ultra-crafty and efficient with his dribble, passing and shotmaking.
Acuff brings physical driving and three-level shotmaking ability. He’ll want to show more playmaking and enough scoring efficiency at his size to sell NBA teams.
Darius Acuff Jr. is physically dominant and a monster from beyond the arc. He posted 24 points in a Nike Summit match against the World Select team.
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21. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan, 6-foot-9 senior forward
One of the nation’s most productive players at UAB, Lendeborg will try to convince more NBA scouts this season under a brighter spotlight at Michigan. His game screams versatility for the NBA, with strong finishing ability and passing IQ, capable ballhandling and improving shooting touch.
After withdrawing from the NBA Draft in May, Yaxel Lendeborg seeks to prove his mettle and impress scouts at Michigan
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22. Alijah Arenas, USC, 6-foot-6 freshman guard
Expected to be healthy for the season after April’s car wreck, Arenas can wow for USC with his creativity and scoring confidence. Staying efficient as a scorer with his particular shot selection will be key to selling NBA scouts.
23. JT Toppin, Texas Tech, 6-foot-9 junior big
Teams have seen plenty of Toppin, a consistent producer in the paint with his touch and motor. He has been a reliable three-point shot away from being a consensus first-round pick.
J.T. Toppin will return to the Red Raiders.
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24. Alex Condon, Florida, 6-foot-11 junior big
Condon generated NBA draft buzz this season with his athleticism around the rim, passing and shooting flashes. He’ll become a more trusted first-round option if he shows some added skill this season with his post game and three-ball.
Alex Condon was an asset in Florida’s championship run last season and aims to repeat this year
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Harwell shot well this season from outside and has excellent physical tools to warrant three-and-D projections for the NBA level.
26. Miles Byrd, San Diego State, 6-foot-6 junior wing
Byrd has an attractive archetype as a wing with confident shotmaking ability, ball-screen playmaking skill and outstanding defensive instincts. He needs to show he can be more efficient as a scorer inside the arc next season.
27. Labaron Philon, Alabama, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard
There was NBA interest this season in Philon’s playmaking, mature pacing and touch inside the arc. Returning as a more confident shooter, particularly off the dribble, will make him far more believable as an NBA prospect.
Haugh had some eye-popping moments in the NCAA Tournament that highlighted an offensive versatility suited for the NBA. He needs to produce more consistently next year, but a 6-9 forward who can shoot threes, attack closeouts and pass is sure to draw attention from front offices.
Thomas Haugh visited the White House alongside his Gator teammates after Florida’s championship run in April
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29. Wesley Yates III, Washington, 6-foot-4 junior guard
Yates broke out at USC, but he’ll head back to Washington, where he started his career. He’s a classic scoring guard who can drive and make shots from three levels, though no proven playmaking ability will hurt his stock.
30. Boogie Fland, Florida, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard
A midseason injury at Arkansas hurt Fland’s 2025 draft chances, and there are concerns over his size and athletic limitations. But there is no doubting the effectiveness of his quickness, creativity, playmaking and shotmaking skill. At Florida now, he will be auditioning for a change-of-pace role or bench spark at the next level.
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