Bilas' 2026 NBA draft superlatives: Most talented, most dynamic, more - ESPN

Jay Bilas Jun 22, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

- College basketball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Insider

- Played and coached at Duke

- Practicing attorney

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The 2026 NBA draft has tremendous depth of young talent, yet there is not a no-brainer as the first overall selection.

Whether LeBron James in 2003 or Victor Wembanyama in 2023, there are certain drafts in which everyone knows the top pick -- which leads to little discussion. The top of this draft reminds me of 2022, when Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith were all discussed as potential No. 1 selections. Nobody seemed to know which player would go first until right before the draft started.

This draft has three prospects who are worthy of the No. 1 pick: Darryn Peterson of Kansas, AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Cameron Boozer of Duke.

Each makes an interesting case, and it wouldn't shock or surprise me to hear any of their names called first. Peterson is the most talented, Dybantsa is the prototype who fits the NBA suit and Boozer is the best pure basketball player -- the dream date of analytics.

From my seat, Peterson is the pick. Though Dybantsa led the nation in scoring, Peterson is the most fluid, smooth and athletic scorer in the draft. He averaged 20 points at Kansas, and 27.8 points per 40 minutes. With his athleticism, size and length, Peterson also projects as an impact defender in the NBA.

The only things that gives one any pause: Peterson did not play a full season because of persistent cramping issues, and he is a quiet, soft-spoken young man. Still, I don't doubt his talent, competitiveness or desire. Dybantsa might fit the Wizards' roster a bit better on paper, but Peterson would be agonizing to pass over. There isn't a bad choice here -- nothing says all three can't have NBA careers worthy of the top slot.

2026 NBA draft superlatives

Most talented: Darryn Peterson

We did not see the best of Peterson during his freshman season in Lawrence due to the cramping and other issues. When we did see his skill, it was in flashes, but based on those, it is tough to suggest anyone else for this category. Of course, talent will not be the only factor in having a great NBA career. It takes much more than that.

The decision on Peterson requires getting over the little voice of doubt in the back of your head due to the stop-start nature of his season. Once you get over that, there is little doubt that Peterson is the most talented player in a draft of outstanding talent.

Most built for the NBA: AJ Dybantsa

Dybantsa is ready-made for the NBA. He is long, athletic and skilled -- he glides around on the court. Right alongside him in this category is Jayden Quaintance of Kentucky. Quaintance is 6-foot-10, 255 pounds with an immense wingspan and the athleticism to rebound, block shots, change shots and affect the game without taking a shot. Injury robbed Kentucky of Quaintance's presence, and he will be one of the NCAA's least productive first-round picks since Peyton Watson was drafted out of UCLA in 2022 averaging 3.3 points. Things have worked out nicely for Watson, who had a breakout season for the Denver Nuggets in 2025-26.

Best pure basketball player: Cameron Boozer

This category is meant to underscore that Boozer has a distinctive skill set alongside an advanced understanding of the game, team dynamics and processing game situations in real time -- not to say that others in this draft are lacking in those areas, but Boozer stands out in this talented crowd.

From an analytics standpoint, which is not dispositive of the issue, Boozer is the best player in the draft. There is certainly a part of me that says, don't complicate this, and don't get bogged down arguing with yourself over thoughts on athleticism only. For crying out loud, Boozer measured with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, a 35-inch vertical, and had better sprint and shuttle times at the combine than Cooper Flagg in 2025.

Most dynamic athlete: Caleb Wilson

Wilson is a ridiculous athlete who drops jaws on the floor with his talents. He has a 7-0 wingspan and a 39.5-inch vertical, and does things with quick bounce. Peterson, Dybantsa, Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr., and Baylor's Cameron Carr are all super-dynamic athletes, but Wilson seems to have another step on his ladder when the ball is tipped.

Best guard (besides Peterson): Darius Acuff Jr.