It’s that time of the week again! Honestly, every time the Chicago Bulls lose a game or announce an injury, the idea of looking ahead to the NBA Draft gets extra exciting. That, in turn, makes following college ball more fun, and gives me even more reason to write this article.
Now, I won’t pretend there isn’t an elephant in the room that needs acknowledging. With the current state of college basketball, former NBA draft picks playing in college, a 25-year-old who’s already logged time in multiple professional leagues suddenly gaining eligibility, it’s all a bit… messy. Still, let’s politely slide around that elephant, avoid eye contact entirely, and focus on what actually matters to us.
The Chicago Bulls Draft Board
Best Case Scenario – Hannes Steinbach – Washington Huskies
© Robert Goddin-Imagn ImagesMan, do I have my heart set on Hannes. It’s officially the third week in a row that the big man from Washington has landed on my draft board. Over the last two weeks, he’s lived in the “most realistic” category, this week, he’s been bumped up to “best case.” And honestly, that’s because Steinbach has been so consistently good that there’s no real reason for teams ahead of us, or even behind us, to pass on a guaranteed big man for the future.
In one of his two games since last week, Hannes put up 20 and 10 on six-of-nine shooting from the field. Watching the Bulls lose to Charlotte and Boston because of the offensive rebounds they gave up, and all the second-chance points that followed, only kept reinforcing the need for a player like Steinbach. Then, in the loss against Detroit, Isaiah Stewart was cooking Vucevic with no one there to have his back.
Hannes isn’t a defensive monster, but even just another big body clogging the paint would’ve made some kind of difference. With Chicago’s current run of form, we may just be in the right place to jump up for Hannes Steinbach.
twitter.com/mbbperformances/status/2008272032769749251?s=20Watch him play in two big games this week:
Washington Huskies (9-6) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (10-4)Alaska Airlines Arena – Seattle, WADate: January 11, 2026Tip-Off: 5 PM CT Where to watch: Peacock
Washington Huskies (9-6) vs Michigan Wolverines (14-0)Alaska Airlines Arena – Seattle, WADate: January 14, 2026Tip-Off: 9:30 PM CT Where to watch: Big Ten Network
© Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWorst Case Scenario – Jayden Quaintance – Kentucky Wildcats
Coming into this season, Jayden Quaintance had a bittersweet story. He put together a pretty solid freshman year at Arizona State before tearing his ACL, meniscus, and fracturing his knee in February of last year. The plan was always for him to return and play at least another season at Kentucky, but his comeback was pushed closer to the end of December, meaning he needed time during the season just to get his reps in.
Recovering from an injury that severe meant he was obviously on a minutes restriction. But even in those limited minutes, he hasn’t been able to replicate the production he showed last year. And no, I’m not saying I expected him to put up comparable numbers in half the time, but even his per-40 numbers are trending in the wrong direction.
Through a four-game sample size this season, he’s averaging five points, five rebounds, shooting 30% from the free-throw line, and showing lower efficiency on fewer attempts inside the arc, all while playing 17 minutes a night. He also hasn’t attempted a single three. The biggest drop-off, though, is in his rim protection: his blocks per game have fallen from 2.6 to 0.8. Kentucky has also lost both of its conference games so far.
This combination of factors, while completely understandable, raises some serious red flags for NBA scouts, especially when it comes to big men. If he doesn’t start ramping up the numbers, it could tank his draft value. That said, it could also turn into a blessing: a Michael Porter Jr.–type situation where a high-level talent slips due to injury concerns. For a Bulls team that could use just about any form of defensive help, buying into the Jayden Quaintance bet might end up being a gift that falls right into their lap.
twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/2002458878416683096?s=20Watch Jayden Quaintance’s stock rise this week:
Kentucky Wildcats (9-6) vs Mississippi State Bulldogs (10-5)Rupp Arena – Lexington, KYDate: January 10, 2026Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT Where to watch: SEC Network
Kentucky Wildcats (9-6) vs LSU Tigers (12-3)Pete Maravich Assembly Center – Baton Rouge, LADate: January 14, 2026Tip-Off: 6 PM CT Where to watch: SEC Network
© Chris Jones-Imagn ImagesMost Realistic – Tounde Yessoufou – Baylor Bears
Yes, I see the name of the team Tounde Yessoufou plays for, but that isn’t his fault, even if he is sharing the floor with a former NBA draft pick. I’ve seen online that a bunch of college basketball purists are planning to tune out Baylor altogether because of it. But as a Bulls fan? I’d recommend at least keeping one eye on the screen.
twitter.com/EnjoyBBall/status/2006409983722704982?s=20Tounde is a 6’5 guard who would fit really well next to Josh Giddey. He’s averaging 18 points per game, six rebounds, and two assists, but the real eye-catcher is his defense. He’s leading the Big 12 in steals per game at 2.3, while still adding nearly a block a night. He’s also top-10 in the conference in offensive rebounds, field goals made, and usage. Every one of his strengths lines up perfectly with what Chicago would want to put next to Giddey, especially in a universe without Coby White.
If the Chicago Bulls, who are clearly trending downward, fall into a range where drafting him is realistic and actually pull the trigger, they can start building a genuinely balanced offensive-defensive identity around Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Tounde Yessoufou.
twitter.com/BaylorMBB/status/2005831359542047040?s=20You can watch Tounde Yessoufou twice this week:
Baylor Bears (10-4) vs Houston Cougars (14-1)Foster Pavilion – Waco, TXDate: January 10, 2026Tip-Off: 12 PM CT Where to watch: Peacock, NBC Sports Network
Baylor Bears (10-4) vs Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-2)Gallagher-Iba Arena – Stillwater, OKDate: January 13, 2026Tip-Off: 8 PM CT Where to watch: CBS Sports Network
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