The 2025 NBA Draft certainly had a distinct Duke flavor and enough trades to make your head spin.
There were winners and losers on Day 1, a team that had a whole mess of first-round picks, some reasons to be excited and to be wary in the first round, Day 2 winners and losers, and a certain prospect who may not be entirely thrilled with his landing place.
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We graded the picks and we graded the teams, so now it’s time to cast an eye forward.
It’s a fool’s errand to try mock the 2026 NBA Draft when 2025 mocks from two days ago were left in tatters.
But what we can project more accurately is who could be at the top of the draft board.
So here are four players who have fans, teams and executives excited for next year’s draft and who could be in play at No. 1 overall:
Cameron Boozer drives to the basket against A.J. Dybantsa during the McDonald’s Boys High School All America Game on April 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center in New York. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SF A.J. Dybantsa, BYU
Ht: 6-9 | Wt.: 200 | Age: 18
Dybantsa is a smooth, athletic scorer who covers ground with ease. The top college basketball recruit in the class of 2025 surprised many by committing to BYU, but he is confident in the program’s ability to develop him into an NBA star. Dybantsa said he sees himself as a combination of Tracy McGrady and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
PF Cameron Boozer, Duke
Ht: 6-9 | Wt.: 230 | Age: 17
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Boozer is the son of former NBA All-Star and Duke great Carlos Boozer. He is a double-double machine who also excels on the defensive end. He communicates on the court and has the pedigree to understand the nuances of the game far beyond his age.
G Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Ht: 6-5 | Wt.: 195 | Age: 18
Peterson is a big, versatile guard. He’s an effortless scorer and the kind of switchable combo guard who should flourish in today’s game. His shooting mechanics are excellent, but he does need to find some consistency with his stroke. Still, he’s a strong do-it-all guard who can get to his spots, finish and pass, and he projects to be an excellent on-ball defender.
SF Nate Ament, Tennessee
Ht: 6-9 | Wt.: 190 | Age: 18
Ament is a lean, fluid athlete bursting with potential who is fairly raw and has a lot of edges to smooth. But his ceiling is immense. He currently lacks strength but has the floor vision and playmaking chops of a guard with a smooth shooting touch. The other three prospects might be better now, but Ament has the long-term upside that teams will consider.
