The young NCAA players gunnin’ for that No. 1 spot have all been trending in the right direction of late, but one name’s versatile scoring of late deserves special shine in our latest look at the top prospects heading into the 2026 NBA Draft.
Our not-so-subtly tanking Chicago Bulls — losers of five of their last six games — are currently slotted into Tankathon‘s No. 13 pick.
But now that they’ve ditched Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, and Jevon Carter for a cumulative haul of Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and five second-round picks, and essentially an upgraded second-round pick, the Bulls are incredibly tiny up front. Assuming Arturas Karnisovas doesn’t make any win-now moves (which feels unlikely), Chicago seems poised to slip out of the race for the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
White’s Hornets, riding high on a seven-game win streak, are just a game behind the Bulls and appear poised to make up that ground quickly.
So Chicago needs to start thinking about top-10 pick prospects.
2026 NBA Draft Prospects — Stock Up
© Aaron Baker-Imagn ImagesAJ Dybantsa (Wing, BYU)
The BYU freshman wing has been on the ascent of late. He now holds a new NCAA record as the youngest college player ever to notch a 30-point triple-double, achieving that feat on Dec. 22 against Eastern Washington. He also obliterated nemesis Utah with a 43-point performance Jan. 24.
Dybantsa is in a three-man race for the No. 1 seed this year, against Duke forward Cameron Boozer and oft-hurt Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
Labaron Philon (PG, Alabama)
Labaron Philon could be an elite backcourt option at the next level.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard has markedly improved his stroke from long range this season. He’s making 38.3 percent of his 5.8 long range takes a game this year, a massive uptick from his middling 31.5 percent conversion rate on 3.4 takes from deep in 2024-25 as a true freshman. Sure, he made this same list last week. But he’s good enough to warrant inclusion again!
Across 20 bouts for the Crimson Tide this year, Philon has been averaging 21.6 points on .510/.383/.754 shooting splits, 5.0 dimes, 3.5 boards and 1.3 swipes a night.
The biggest issue with Philon right now? His own coach thinks he’s regressed defensively, with his focus now firmly on the other end of the hardwood.
Nate Oats on Labaron Philon's performance in SEC play:"I think we gotta get better effort out of him on defense, if I'm honest with you."(?: University of Alabama) pic.twitter.com/nhF5xDBfII
— Max Cohan (@MaxCohan) February 3, 2026Amari Allen (Wing, Alabama)
At 20, 6-foot-7 swingman Amari Allen is an older freshman. His draft stock has improved after he posted impressive averages of 14.4 points, 9.2 boards, 3.4 dimes and 2.2 stocks (combined steals and blocks) a night in SEC conference play last month. He knocked down 42.1 percent of his 3.8 triple tries a night in that span.
2026 NBA Draft Prospects — Stock Down
© Jordan Prather-Imagn ImagesJayden Quaintance (C, Kentucky)
People love the 6-foot-9 Kentucky big’s upside, but pundits seem to be glossing over his troubling health history to this juncture.
During his true freshman season in 2024-25 at Arizona State, he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. He’s now out indefinitely as he struggles with swelling in that same knee. Someone will likely take a flier on him late in the lottery thanks to his raw talent… but should they?
Bennet Stirtz (Guard, Iowa)
The 6-foot-4 22-year-old is an excellent creator, but has appeared to lose some luster in recent games against quality Big Ten clubs like Illinois, Iowa State and Michigan State.
He’s not a high-octane player, and would benefit from playing on a more half-court-oriented NBA team.
Tounde Yessoufou (Wing, Baylor)
The 6-foot-5 freshman essentially poses the opposite problem from Stirtz: he has blistering speed, but struggles in slower sets.
He’s athletic and a solid defender, but will need patience at the pro level. Sam Vecenie of all people relishes the young man’s motor. Maybe he’ll need an additional year of seasoning in college before declaring for the pros?
Did a Tounde Yessoufou video earlier, too. I love, love, love the Baylor wing's motor and activity. Love his energy, love how physical he is. Man, do I have some half-court offensive polish questions on the passing, where he starts his gathers from, and way more. pic.twitter.com/K3KpplI1r5
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 29, 2025Hence then, the article about 2026 nba draft prospect heat check alabama duo on rise quaintance out of lottery was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Heat Check: Alabama Duo on Rise, Quaintance Out of Lottery? )
Also on site :