Bulls Fans’ Guide to the Big 12 Tournament: Dybantsa, Peterson Look To Bolster Top Draft Stock ...Middle East

The Big 12 is stacked with talent. With nearly 20 players appearing across most mock drafts and big boards, this year’s tournament has the potential to be one of the best.

When it comes to the Chicago Bulls, they have one first-round pick, currently projected in the top ten, another that could convey if the Portland Trail Blazers make the playoffs, and two second-round picks as well. Because of that, any top-ten caliber player has to be on the Bulls’ radar. They could luck into the top three, or simply remain in the top ten.

The entire nation will have its eyes on the Big 12, with names like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson in action alongside two of the best teams in the country, Arizona and Houston. Here’s everything you need to know to keep up with the madness.

2025-2026 Big 12 Standings

Big 12 Men’s Basketball Bracket with Game Times

(All Central Times)

Day 1: March 10 – Tuesday

Day 2: March 11 – Wednesday

Day 3: March 12 – Thursday

Day 4: March 13 – Friday

Day 5: March 14 – Saturday

Top 2026 NBA Draft Prospects

AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU – In my opinion — and many others — Dybantsa is the best player in the 2026 NBA Draft class and is already a lock for a top-three pick. He’s averaging the most points per game in the Big 12 at nearly 25 a night, while also grabbing seven rebounds per game. And he’s doing it on a tenth-seeded BYU team, which means he has the highest mountain to climb. If BYU makes a run, he could end up playing every single day in the Big 12 tournament—giving the basketball world more than enough reason to tune in.

Koa Peat, F, Arizona – Peat is also projected as a top-ten pick. He is averaging 14 points and 5 rebounds and is considered one of the best forwards in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft class. Unlike Burries, he hit the ground running, putting up 30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block against the defending NCAA champions, Florida. For Arizona to convincingly win the Big 12 tournament, Peat will be the differentiating factor.

Brayden Burries, G, Arizona – Burries, a 6’4 guard, has raised his draft stock to a projected top-ten pick in a very guard-heavy draft. He’s is the type of player who rises to the level of his competition, delivering some of his best performances against Dybantsa’s BYU and Darryn Peterson’s Kansas. In a win against BYU, Burries put up 29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He followed that up with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal against Kansas

Kingston Flemings, G, Houston – For the team that fell just short of an NCAA title last season, the Houston Cougars stacked the deck with the addition of Flemings. The 6’4 freshman is a projected top-five pick and has played up to those expectations. His best defensive performance came against Florida State, where he finished with 21 points and 8 steals. But his best overall performance came against Texas Tech, when he erupted for 42 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals.

Chris Cenac, Jr., C, Houston – Cenac Jr’s projected draft position has been so volatile this season because he’s been the poster child for inconsistency. On some nights, he can give you a dominant double-double with a side of two blocks. On others, he might finish with a measly two points and six rebounds on questionable shooting splits. He could land anywhere from a lottery pick to a second-rounder, with very little certainty in between.

Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas – One of the three players blamed — or credited — for the worst case of tanking the NBA has ever seen, Peterson is a projected top-three pick and could easily be the first name called at the NBA Draft this summer. He’s played at a remarkably high level and has shown so few flaws that questions about his “love for the game” might be the only reason he isn’t selected by one of the top-two teams.

Flory Bidunga, F, Kansas – A player who would be a lottery pick in almost any other draft class, Bidunga is projected to go in the later part of the first round in the 2026 NBA Draft. He represents one of the best versions of a traditional center you can find in the modern league. Bidunga is averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game while leading the Big 12 with nearly three blocks a night. His best performance may have come against Utah, where he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks.

Christian Anderson, Jr., G, Texas Tech – Anderson may be the best shooter in the 2026 NBA draft class. Shooting 43% from behind the arc on eight attempts per night, Anderson has left scouts salivating for more. He’s currently projected as a first-round pick in the 15–20 range, but a strong tournament performance could easily push him even higher.

Cameron Carr, G, Baylor – Carr, a junior guard, is averaging 19 points per game and five rebounds on incredible efficiency. Although the Bears have struggled in the Big 12, Cameron Carr is still projected to be a late first round pick.

Tounde Yessoufou, G, Baylor – Yessoufou is one of the best freshmen in the Big 12 thanks to his all-around ability to score, rebound, and play defense. He’s averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game and ranks in the top three in the Big 12 in both total steals and steals per game. He’s currently projected to be picked in the late first round, but could also slip into the early second depending on how the draft board falls.

Bulls Potential 2026 NBA Draft Targets

AJ Dybantsa – the Bulls almost certainly would have to win the draft lottery to have a shot at drafting Dybantsa. The Big 12 freshman is more than worthy of the “generational talent” label that’s already attached to his name. He’s a walking bucket, averaging 25 points per game and scoring those points in just about every way imaginable. He’s explosive and can get to the rack, but he can also shoot from beyond the arc at a respectable clip. Dybantsa gets to the free-throw line as well—an extremely important aspect of the modern NBA, and has clearly shown his ability to deliver huge performances, like his 43-point game against in-state rival Utah.

Darryn Peterson – one of, if not the best prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class, Peterson had a great freshman season at Kansas. If the Chicago Bulls draft Peterson, he would instantly become a star around which Chicago could build its future. There are questions about his motor and the aforementioned “love of the game.” He’s missed eleven games this season and played relatively low minutes compared to his counterparts. If not for those issues, Peterson can generate his own shot with ease and has drawn understandable pro comparisons to the likes of Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.

Kingston Flemings – Flemings is one of the best scorers in the Big 12, and watching him play can leave you mesmerized. He’s quick and explosive—a combination that leaves defenses confused and scrambling. Flemings is also defensively sound, capable of both literally and figuratively stealing wins for a top-ten defense in the country.

Brayden Burries – the best player on the best team in the conference, Burries has put the nation on notice with his stellar campaign. He’s Arizona’s leading scorer, and he’s been getting points in a variety of ways. He currently sits in a draft range that’s realistic for the Bulls. His ability to lead a winning program could be a much-needed culture shift for a Chicago team stuck in the middle.

Koa Peat – the 6’8 forward may not be a shooter, but he consistently gives one of the best teams in the country 15–20 points while flirting with a double-double. Peat is a tenacious rebounder and a scoring threat in the paint. If the Bulls are looking for someone to make noise in the paint and clean the glass, Peat could be an option.

Hence then, the article about bulls fans guide to the big 12 tournament dybantsa peterson look to bolster top draft stock was published today ( Sunday 08/03/2026 - 11:42 PM ) 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 ( Bulls Fans’ Guide to the Big 12 Tournament: Dybantsa, Peterson Look To Bolster Top Draft Stock )

Also on site :

• Dick Vitale calls out Kentucky for disappointing $22 million roster
• Dominant Leeds ease past Norwich to reach FA Cup quarter-finals for first time in two decades
• Plenty of positive spring developments for both Yankees, Mets