Throughout the season, one of the biggest looming debates has been over who will be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The 2026 freshman class is one of the most loaded in recent memory, ensuring that every team in the top-10 will have its chance at snagging its newest franchise player.
However, as the season wore on, the candidates for the top pick were narrowed to Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa, with their early February matchup set to be the deciding factor.
And for 20 minutes, it was the Darryn Peterson show. The former No. 1 high school prospect in the nation notched an insane 18 points on 6/8 shooting, which included three three-pointers and three steals as well. But Peterson’s season-long cramping issues spoiled what should have been the crowning day, continuing a frustrating string.
ESPN points out that NBA scouts and executives have pushed Dybantsa to the top of their list
“And while teams continue to stress that next month's lottery will play a major factor, the majority of scouts and executives interviewed see Dybantsa as the favorite,” quotes Jeremy Woo and Tim Bontemps, in their article “2026 NBA draft: What scouts, execs are watching in top five picks.”
"I think Peterson is the most talented guy, but the injury stuff is a real question. That's a valid concern, and it's been a weird year. But he's a huge talent, and he was No. 1 at the start of the season for a reason."
That is a quote Woo and Bontemps acquired from an executive in the Eastern Conference.
Peterson’s cramping issues have played a role in Kansas’ live season since game one against Green Bay and have constantly forced the Prolific Prep graduate to sub out of the game, oftentimes missing the second half, as what happened against BYU.
And while Peterson eventually put together 30+ minutes in seven of Kansas’ last nine games (the other two were blowouts), the die may have already been cast.
A numbers game
Dybantsa, in his own right, was everything he was billed to be. He finished with at least 20 points 28 times throughout the season, while also adding an impressive 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists on a phenomenal 51% from the field. His 25.5 points per game ranked first in the nation.
As Woo and Bontemps mentioned, the NBA Draft Lottery will likely be the deciding factor in who gets taken with the No. 1 overall pick, making May 10th the date that fans of this enticing battle await.
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