With single digits regular season games remaining, the Sacramento Kings (19-57) sit at the bottom of the Western Conference. Combine that with it being March, and all eyes have turned to the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.

With the NCAA men’s tournament down to its final four, only UConn, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan remain. That leaves just one of the projected top-seven prospects remaining, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler.

All due respect to Arizona guard Brayden Burries, who is often ranked just outside of the second tier, but most draft experts seem to believe there’s a clear top three between Cameron Boozer (Duke), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), and AJ Dybantsa (BYU). The second tier usually features Caleb Wilson (UNC), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Darius Acuff (Arkansas), and Wagler.

Others like Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) and Nate Ament (Tennessee) are worth mentioning, but are often left behind the previously mentioned grouping. Currently owning the fourth-best lottery odds, Sacramento general manager Scott Perry would surely love to jump into the top three on lottery night.

If the standings stayed as they are today, the Kings own a 12.5 percent chance at the top pick, 12.2 percent chance of second, and 11.9 percent odds of landing third. Of course, their greatest margin comes in the 25.7 percent chance they have of selecting 6th, but lets assume things go in their favor for once.

Now that their season has officially concluded, let’s look at how the top three prospects statistically stacked up.

AJ Dybansta (BYU)

Season Averages: 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals | 51.0 FG% | 33.1 3P% on 4.2/g | 77.4 FT% on 8.5/g

Dybansta (All Big-12) deserved all the praise that came his way this season, as he earned his place on the All-Big 12 team, was named Big 12 Rookie of the Year, and was a consensus All-American. Coming into the tournament as the sixth seed, BYU matched up against 11th-ranked Texas and came up short.

As a team, they shot just 4/22 (18.2 percent) from three and conceded 16 offensive rebounds to the Longhorns. Dybantsa himself played out of his mind with 35 points on 11/25 shooting, 10 rebounds, and one assist. The expected top-three pick went 12/12 from the free throw line and played all but seconds of the action. Despite his best attempts to will his team to victory, they were bounced in the first round.

Being agile at 6’9 with a wingspan beyond seven feet is going to attract the eye of NBA scouts. Combine enough handle to create for himself, the ability to shoot, and slither by defenders to finish at the basket, and we’re talking about a potential star the next level.

Darryn Peterson (Kansas)

Season Averages: 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals | 43.8 FG% | 38.2 3P% on 6.9/g | 82.6 FT% on 5.5/g

Peterson had one of the most interesting freshman seasons that we’ve seen over the last few years. Nobody ever questioned his talent, as Peterson often looked like the best player on the floor early in the year. That included a matchup against Dybansta. But even in that game, Peterson dominated the first half but hardly participated in the second.

There have been reports of severe cramping, hamstring strains, a sprained ankle, and illness, leading to him missing time this season. Or perhaps he was playing it safe, knowing that he’d hear his name atop the upcoming NBA draft.

Kansas, the fourth seed in the East, defeated California Baptist (13) 68-60 in the round of 64. Peterson led all scorers with 28 points on 11/24 FG, one rebound, and one assist in his 36 minutes. That’s right, he played the entire game.

Advancing to take on St. John’s in the next round ended in a different fashion. In a close-fought game, and in classic March fashion, Kansas tried to manage the clock and utilize the handful of fouls they had left to give. But with seconds left and none remaining, they somehow allowed a Dylan Darling game-winning layup as time expired.

DYLAN DARLING WINS IT FOR ST. JOHN’S

THE JOHNNIES ARE HEADED TO THE SWEET 16 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1999 pic.twitter.com/DvRxlqkISv

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 22, 2026

Peterson played 35 minutes, tallying 21 points on just 5/15 shooting and four rebounds while going 8/10 on free throws.

Cameron Boozer (Duke)

22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals | 55.6 FG% | 39.1 3P% on 3.6/g | 78.8 FT% on 7.4/g

Boozer and Duke reached further than the two other prospects he shares top-three status with. He also earned more accolades throughout the regular season.

The 6’9 forward/big man was named ACC Player of the Year and, like Dybansta, a consensus All-American. Boozer is a do-it-all forward/big man with a reputation as a winner. In high school, he led his team to four consecutive Florida state championships, won three EYBL Peach Jam titles, and was the Gatorade National Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2025.

His time at Duke was a similar story for most of this season as they went 35-3, including 17-1 in conference play, before winning the ACC tournament championship. Boozer managed 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in that win over Virginia. It was an off night for the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer, converting just three of his 17 shot attempts.

No matter that, it earned Duke the first seed in the East bracket heading into the match. Taking care of the 16th-ranked Siena despite falling down early, they convincingly handed TCU an 81-58 loss in the second round with Boozer adding 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block on 7/10 shooting.

But St. John’s took down yet another top prospect’s team in heartbreaking fashion. This one is somehow seeming painful than Peterson’s loss. Just needing to kill time and knock down free throws to secure the win, Duke turned the ball over with seconds left and the same hero showed up.

Dylan Darling, who hit the game-winning layup against Kansas one game prior, stepped into a deep triple to give his side a one point advatange that ended up being the difference.

DYLAN DARLING WINS IT FOR ST. JOHN’S

THE JOHNNIES ARE HEADED TO THE SWEET 16 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1999 pic.twitter.com/DvRxlqkISv

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 22, 2026

There seem to be more skeptics of Boozer’s game than of Dybansta’s and Peterson’s. Although that may have changed as Peterson’s complications grew hazier. Being clearly less athletic than his counterparts doesn’t help, but his basketball intelligence and decision-making shone through.

Not to mention the fact that he simply produces numbers. Figuring out his true defensive position will be interesting, but his ability to impact a game is unquestionable. Unfortunately for him, that will no longer be taking place in college.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

The Sacramento Kings will conclude its final road trip of the season on Wednesday night when the face the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.

Sacramento dropped a 122-109 contest to the Raptors at Golden 1 Center back on January 21st as Scottie Barnes scored 23 points in the win.

Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Toronto.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season

Wednesday, April 1st @ Toronto Raptors – 5:00 PM PT
Friday, April 3rd vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 5th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, April 7th @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT

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