Updated March 26, 2026, 2:48 p.m. ET

Several notable NBA draft prospects, including Cameron Boozer and Darius Acuff Jr., are still playing in the Sweet 16 during March Madness.

Projected top picks like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson were unfortunately eliminated early during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Others like Caleb Wilson, Mikel Brown Jr. and Jayden Quaintance never even got a chance to play due to injuries.

Among those remaining, though, we have plenty of prospects still dancing who could hear their names called in the first round. The following projections are based on USA TODAY’s mock draft predictions and our own research and data for consensus rankings.

1. Where Cameron Boozer is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 1 overall, Indiana Pacers

Team: Duke Blue Devils

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was one of the best players in college basketball during his first NCAA season and now makes his USA TODAY mock draft pole position debut. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the “preferred selection” for the Pacers at No. 1 overall because of his “potential fit” alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that has made it to the Sweet 16.

2. Where Kingston Flemings is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 5 overall, Utah Jazz

Team: Houston Cougars

The Jazz currently have the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference but could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He has helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16 and with highs as high as his thus far, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.

3. Where Darius Acuff Jr. is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 6 overall, Dallas Mavericks

Team: Arkansas Razorbacks

The Mavericks need players who can help Dallas stay competitive on offense and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has shown en route to the Sweet 16 he can do exactly that. The SEC Player of the Year leads the nation for points created (1,360) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He leads freshman for field goals made in transition (71) and is among the freshmen leaders in both alley-oop assists (17) this season. Despite his defensive deficiencies, there is a reason rival coach Sean Miller thinks this “generational” guard should have his name in the mix at No. 1 overall.

4. Where Yaxel Lendeborg is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 7 overall, Memphis Grizzlies

Team: Michigan Wolverines

The Grizzlies could add to their rebuilding core after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, who has shown on his way to the Sweet 16 that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.

5. Where Keaton Wagler is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 8 overall

Team: Illinois Fighting Illini

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could use a guard like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard has played a crucial role for his team to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season.

6. Where Brayden Burries is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 9 overall, Milwaukee Bucks

Team: Arizona Wildcats

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has also looked like a lottery talent during March Madness, earning a spot in the Sweet 16. He has proven productivity and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.   

7. Where Labaron Philon is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 11 overall, Golden State Warriors

Team: Alabama Crimson Tide

The Warriors could still use more reliable players in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard is not playing at 100 percent due to injury issues, he has played well in March Madness, recording 29 points in his first game and 12 assists in his second. The guard is now averaging 21.6 points per game and has improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.7 percent as a sophomore, also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

8. Where Koa Peat is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 12 overall, Portland Trail Blazers

Team: Arizona Wildcats

The Portland Trail Blazers have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.1 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Portland’s fast-paced offense. 

9. Where Nate Ament is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 14 overall, Charlotte Hornets

Team: Tennessee Volunteers

After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. While he has been quiet during March Madness, it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is probably picking in the lottery.

10. Where Joshua Jefferson is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 15 overall, Memphis Grizzlies

Team: Iowa State Cyclones

A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, Iowa State do-it-all Joshua Jefferson is an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who meets many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.

11. Where Bennett Stirtz is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 19 overall, Toronto Raptors

Team: Iowa Hawkeyes

The Raptors could use another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick and roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa. While he is not looked stellar during March Madness, he has still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.

12. Where Aday Mara is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 21 overall, Philadelphia 76ers

Team: Michigan Wolverines

Michigan center Aday Mara is one of the prospects who has helped himself the most during March Madness so far. The 7-foot-3 big man who transferred from UCLA is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempt 19.9 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim. 

13. Where Patrick Ngongba II is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 22 overall, Atlanta Hawks

Team: Duke Blue Devils

Many teams could use a big man like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. Ngongba, who has helped Duke earn a spot in the Sweet 16, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.

14. Where Dailyn Swain is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 24 overall, Denver Nuggets

Team: Texas Longhorns

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain has become one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributes a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders. 

15. Where Morez Johnson Jr. is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Team: Michigan Wolverines

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

16. Where Chris Cenac Jr. is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 27 overall, Boston Celtics

Team: Houston Cougars

It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American big man Chris Cenar Jr. at Houston. While he still remains a candidate to return to college and improve his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft, Cenac is getting hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, he recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M.

17. Where Braylon Mullins is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 29 overall, Cleveland Cavaliers

Team: UConn Huskies

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald’s All-American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup, but it may be tough for scouts to forget his 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc during his first game in March Madness.

18. Where Amari Allen is projected to go in the NBA Draft

2026 NBA Draft prediction: No. 30 overall, Dallas Mavericks

Team: Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s Amari Allen is a 6-foot-7 freshman who averaged 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists with 1.7 “stocks” (combined steals and blocks) while shooting 39.5 percent on 3-pointers on 4.8 shots per game for the Crimson Tide during SEC conference play. The SEC All-Freshman wing Allen is a good connective piece who plays hard, cares about winning and knows how to make the right play. He is a player worth watching during the Sweet 16.

Potential NBA Draft Picks in Sweet 16

The following players may hear their names called on draft night based on current consensus projections:

Motiejus Krivas (Arizona)Isaiah Evans (Duke)Meleek Thomas (Arkansas)Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s)Alex Karaban (UConn)Braden Smith (Purdue)Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State)Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn)Dame Sarr (Duke)Jaden Bradley (Arizona)Joseph Tugler (Houston)Emanuel Sharp (Houston)More NBA prospects to watch in Sweet 16Daniel Jacobsen (Purdue)Billy Richmond III (Arkansas)Zvonimir Ivisic (Illinois)Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska)Milos Uzan (Houston)Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State)Ivan Kharchenkov (Arizona)Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee)Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa)Maliq Brown (Duke)Killyan Toure (Iowa State)Kylan Boswell (Illinois)Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State)Solo Ball (UConn)Trey McKenney (Michigan)Tomislav Ivisic (Illinois)Dillon Mitchell (St. John’s)Silas Demary Jr. (UConn)David Mirkovic (Illinois)