Well there you have it. Two of the projected top three players in June’s 2026 NBA Draft are already out of March Madness after just the first two rounds. Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson got knocked out of the Round of 32, while BYU forward AJ Dybantsa didn’t even make it out of the first round. On last week’s list, we had Dybantsa projected as the top pick and Peterson at No. 3.
Now, Sweet Sixteen-bound Duke power forward Cameron Boozer has a chance to strut his stuff and linger in the minds of NBA scouts long after his two biggest rivals for a top seed have been sent packing. North Carolina wing Caleb Wilson’s absence could also drop him a few spots, as still-alive contenders like Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler have a chance to move up.
Our Chicago Bulls are clinging to the No. 9 ranking in Tankathon’s reverse standings, as of this writing. Could Peterson fall to us, should we stay there after the lottery?
The Lottery
Indiana Pacers: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston Utah Jazz: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler, SG, Illinois Memphis Grizzlies: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee Chicago Bulls: Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown, Jr., PG, Louisville Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama Portland Trail Blazers: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, MichiganSo the big news here is that I am dumping my Darryn Peterson stock a bit. Or at least selling off some of it. Sure, the All-Big 12 Teamer averaged a solid 24.5 points on .410/.368/.833 shooting splits, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and just 0.5 assists during his two NCAA Tournament contests.
But his team got outlasted by the lower-seeded St. John’s, 67-65, in the second round, and connected on just 5-of-15 field goal shooting during a must-win contest. He was beset by a supposed rash of injuries throughout his (likely) one-and-done freshman season, and things got so weird that he at one point subbed himself out of a game. He at least claims that he truly was hurt for most of the 2025-26.
Darryn Peterson likely played his last college game.
Peterson finished with 21 points on 5-15 shooting in the loss. pic.twitter.com/iMOlkyDv0v
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 23, 2026
This isn’t quite Ben Simmons levels of collegiate apathy, but it’s close.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff, Houston guard Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler have all leapfrogged him on my latest mock. Hey, it’s my list. Sue me.
© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesMid-Round Picks
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers): Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando Magic): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona17. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia 76ers): Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers 19. Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix Suns): Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston20. Toronto Raptors: Alijah Arenas, G, USC
Lopez officially declared for the draft today, per Shams Charania of ESPN. He may have a good feeling for his draft equity, so we have bumped him up a bit from last week. He’s a broad-shouldered wing with good ball-handling ability, and seems fairly intriguing as a prospect.
Cenac’s defensive upside, both around the rim and away from the bucket, could make him a great fit for what the Houston Rockets specifically love to do on that end of the hardwood.
Late First-Rounders
21. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech22. Denver Nuggets: Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor23. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston Rockets): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina24. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Thomas Haugh, PF, Florida 25. Los Angeles Lakers: Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State26. New York Knicks: Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas 27. Boston Celtics: Cameron Carr, SF, Baylor28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit Pistons): Amari Allen, SF, Alabama29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via San Antonio Spurs): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke 30. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan
The longer Duke lasts, the more the league at large will get an opportunity to scout Isaiah Evans. His length makes his jumper a tough cover, although there are some questions about his lack of strength at the next level.
© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about nba mock draft top picks already knocked out of march madness march 23 2026 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.
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