The 2026 NBA Draft is loaded at the top, light on scoring wings, and heavy on guards once you clear the top four. With draft night almost here, here’s a look at the best wing prospects — and a relatable NBA comparison for every projected top-10 pick.

When is the 2026 NBA Draft?

The draft runs across two nights, June 23–24, 2026, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (ESPN/ABC). The order was set by the May 10 lottery, which the Washington Wizards won, giving them the No. 1 pick ahead of the Utah Jazz at No. 2.

The top wing prospects

The crown jewel is AJ Dybantsa, the BYU freshman who led Division I in scoring and projects as a two-way scoring wing. He generates rim pressure, draws fouls, knocks down tough mid-range shots and defends on the ball — exactly the archetype every team covets. This class is famously thin on pure scoring wings, which only raises his value. Behind him, Caleb Wilson profiles as a high-upside forward/wing, while Brayden Burries and Baylor’s Cameron Carr are the names to watch for teams hunting perimeter shot-making later in the lottery.

Relatable NBA comparisons for the top 10

Comparisons are about style, not guarantees — but they’re a useful shorthand for how these prospects might play. Here’s the projected top 10 with a comp for each (order beyond the top four varies by mock).

1. AJ Dybantsa (Wing, BYU → Wizards) — Scouts repeatedly land on a bigger, longer Jaylen Brown, with Kawhi Leonard as the dream ceiling.
2. Darryn Peterson (Guard, Kansas → Jazz) — A lethal three-level shooter (43% on catch-and-shoot threes at Kansas); think Ray Allen on the high end, with flashes of Damian Lillard’s range.
3. Cameron Boozer (Forward, Duke → Grizzlies) — A high-IQ, high-floor big whom scouts compare to Al Horford, with shades of Julius Randle’s bully-ball scoring.
4. Caleb Wilson (Forward → Bulls) — Raw but explosive; the upside flashes look like a bouncier Pascal Siakam, with peak John Collins as the safer outcome.
5. Keaton Wagler (Wing → Clippers) — A connective two-way wing whose size, shooting and feel make him plug-and-play.
6. Darius Acuff Jr. (Guard) — An explosive, downhill scoring lead guard who plays with serious bounce.
7. Mikel Brown Jr. (Guard) — A shifty shot-making point guard who’s been rising up boards.
8. Brayden Burries (Guard/Wing) — A microwave scoring wing who can heat up in a hurry.
9. Aday Mara (Center) — A massive, mobile 7-footer who passes and protects the rim.
10. Kingston Flemings (Guard) — A pace-pushing playmaker rounding out the projected lottery.

Dybantsa vs. Peterson: the No. 1 debate

Washington has signaled it’s leaning toward Dybantsa, who’s viewed as the rare “safe with no ceiling” prospect. Peterson’s camp has pushed back hard — even canceling a Utah workout to argue he should go first. And don’t sleep on Boozer: some evaluators call him the most “can’t-miss” player in the class thanks to his production (the second-highest box plus-minus on record for an 18-year-old, behind only Zion Williamson). Whatever the order, the top three look locked in barring a surprise.

2026 NBA Draft FAQ

When and where is the 2026 NBA Draft? June 23–24, 2026, at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. Who has the No. 1 pick? The Washington Wizards. Who is the top wing prospect? AJ Dybantsa. Who’s the best “can’t-miss” prospect? Many scouts say Cameron Boozer, thanks to his floor and production.