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Just a shade under two weeks remain until the start of college tournament play — and with that, plenty of prospect ratings movement ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. So today, we’ll appraise some recent value changes before the games ahead.
2026 NBA Draft Prospects — Stock Up
AJ Dybantsa (SF, BYU)
Dybantsa’s prolific scoring and Darryn Peterson’s frequent absenteeism (more on him later) have conspired to potentially make Dybantsa the anticipated No. 1 pick in the draft. As Underdog notes, Dybantsa already has notched 13 contests scoring 25 or more points a night, while Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer have combined for 13.
Games with 25+ points this season:AJ Dybantsa=13Darryn Peterson + Cam Boozer=13 pic.twitter.com/NUdLpKc1Ze
— Underdog (@Underdog) February 25, 2026Through 28 healthy contests, Dybantsa has been averaging 25.1 points on .532/.368/.758 shooting splits, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a night. He’s an elite wing with three-level scoring ability and enticing defensive upside. He’s the guy.
Dybantsa is seen as being mildly shaky as a No. 1 creator and weak-side defender. But he’s got plenty of time to improve in both departments! He’s certainly this writer’s preferred top pick going forward.
Karim Lopez (SF, New Zealand Breakers)
A big forward with versatile scoring acumen, Lopez has been hovering around the mid-teens to mid-20s throughout the year.
His frame and skillset make him an enticing prospect, and he’s been holding his own against NBL pro-level competition. In his third pro season (and his second with the New Zealand Breakers), Lopez has been averaging 11.9 points on .502/.326/.717 shooting splits, 6.1 boards, 2.0 dimes, 1.2 swipes, and 1.0 rejections.
Those assist averages may not tell the whole story. At least as a creator off the dribble, it seems that Lopez has some serious upside.
Wake up to an awesome Karim Lopez performance, 32 points with 19 in 4th to beat Melbourne by 2. Looking more like a big handler, an archetype NBA loves. More shotmaking off his own dribble than usual in this one. Continues to initiate contact and finish after at 18 y/o in NBL. pic.twitter.com/zxHxoDjdVc
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) January 30, 2026Alijah Arenas (SG, USC)
Former three-time All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas’ son, Alijah, missed the start of the season with an injury, but has come on strong of late.
Alijah Arenas has flashed enticing athleticism and length with the Trojans, and is slowly becoming a fringe lottery prospect again after a half-season of health uncertainty.
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images2026 NBA Draft Prospects — Stock Down
Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)
This is all relative. Peterson is a high-flying, hyper-athletic guard, and will certainly go no lower than third. But he has been having a deeply strange year. Occasionally, he has taken himself out of games at will. He has supposedly been hurt at the start of the year, but has been fitfully available since returning.
In his 17 healthy games, the oversized guard has been averaging 19.5 points on .472/.405/.795 shooting splits, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks per. Bill Simmons of The Ringer thinks he’s Russell Westbrook with a 3-point shot!
Jay Bilas of ESPN submits that Peterson should shut himself down for the rest of the season. Peterson has been struggling with injuries to his hamstring, quadriceps, ankle, and most recently has also been dealing with an illness and cramps. Supposedly.
Mikel Brown Jr. (PG, Louisville)
I’m a little concerned that Brown could become the next D’Angelo Russell or Scoot Henderson — an enticing downhill scorer with serious upside who might have blinders on when it comes to his teammates.
He had a dicey start to his 2025-26 freshman season with Louisville, but seems to have stabilized this month. He’s also a bit scrawny.
JT Toppin (PF, Texas Tech)
Toppin, once projected to be a first-rounder, has slid to NBA Draft Room’s second round in its latest mock.
Seen as a hard-hat, lunch-pail Taj Gibson type, Toppin is considered a solid rebounder with limited athleticism.
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