Story by
NBA mock draft 8.0: Projecting the first round before the NCAA Sweet 16
- Story by
- NBA mock draft 8.0: Projecting the first round before the NCAA Sweet 16
After two rounds of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament , the Sweet 16 has many future first-round NBA draft picks still dancing during March Madness.
As always, prospects will use the momentum from March to capitalize on their draft stock to begin their professional careers. Others, however, might benefit from increased NIL packages in the NCAA and come back to school or enter the transfer portal.
Some highly-ranked players not included who could potentially return to college include Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor), Alijah Arenas (USC), Meleek Thomas (Arkansas), Ebuka Okorie (Stanford) and Flory Bidunga (Kansas). But if these players decide to declare and stay in the draft, they could potentially warrant first-round consideration as well.
Advertisement
Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
1. Indiana Pacers : Cameron Boozer
-
TEAM:Duke
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:Florida
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:18
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was one of the best players in college basketball during his first NCAA season and now makes his USA TODAY mock draft pole position debut. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer , rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers at No. 1 overall because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac . The ACC Player of the Year isn't a human highlight reel but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that has made it to the Sweet 16.
Advertisement
2. Brooklyn Nets : AJ Dybantsa
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) grabs a loose ball in the second half against the Texas Longhorns during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.
-
TEAM:BYU
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Massachusetts
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:19
The Nets have the worst offense in the NBA and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, who would likely go No. 1 overall depending on which team gets the pick. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics . The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.
3. Washington Wizards : Darryn Peterson
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) controls the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
-
TEAM:Kansas
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Ohio
-
HEIGHT:6-5
-
DRAFT AGE:19
Advertisement
While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues , many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Wizards would put the All-Big 12 guard in a strong position to begin his career alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis . It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson while holding a usage rate as high as his has been this season.
4. Sacramento Kings : Caleb Wilson
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
-
TEAM:North Carolina
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Georgia
-
HEIGHT:6-10
-
DRAFT AGE:19
The Kings need the best player available and that is North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson, who unfortunately missed the NCAA Tournament with a broken thumb. Wilson, who also suffered a hand fracture earlier in the season, did more than enough to earn this placement , though. According to Bart Torvik , before the injury the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach thresholds of 2.5 percent for both block and steal percentage while also notching a defensive rebound percentage above 20.0 percent.
Advertisement
5. Utah Jazz : Kingston Flemings
Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) drives to the hoop past Texas A&M Aggies guard Ali Dibba (6) during the second half of a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center.
-
TEAM: Houston
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Texas
-
HEIGHT:6-4
-
DRAFT AGE:19
The Jazz currently have the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference but could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He has helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16 and with highs as high as his thus far, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.
6. Dallas Mavericks : Darius Acuff Jr.
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives against High Point Panthers forward Cam'ron Fletcher (11) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.
-
TEAM:Arkansas
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Michigan
-
HEIGHT:6-3
-
DRAFT AGE:19
The Mavericks need players who can help Dallas stay competitive on offense, and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has shown – en route to the Sweet 16 – he can do exactly that. The SEC Player of the Year leads the nation for points created (1,360) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics . He leads freshman for field goals made in transition (71) and is among the freshmen leaders in both alley-oop assists (17) this season. Despite his defensive deficiencies, there is a reason rival coach Sean Miller thinks this "generational" guard should have his name in the mix at No. 1 overall.
Advertisement
7. Memphis Grizzlies : Yaxel Lendeborg
-
TEAM:Michigan
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:New Jersey
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:23
The Grizzlies could add to their rebuilding core after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg , who has shown on his way to the Sweet 16 that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward .
8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans ): Keaton Wagler
-
TEAM:Illinois
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Kansas
-
HEIGHT:6-6
-
DRAFT AGE:19
After trading away Trae Young , the Hawks could use a guard like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard has played a crucial role for his team to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season.
Advertisement
9. Milwaukee Bucks : Brayden Burries
-
TEAM:Arizona
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:California
-
HEIGHT:6-4
-
DRAFT AGE:20
Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has also looked like a lottery talent during March Madness, earning a spot in the Sweet 16. He has proven productivity and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.
10. Chicago Bulls : Mikel Brown Jr.
-
TEAM:Louisville
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Florida
-
HEIGHT:6-5
-
DRAFT AGE:20
The Chicago Bulls need to simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics . Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.
Advertisement
11. Golden State Warriors : Labaron Philon
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) celebrates after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
-
TEAM:Alabama
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Alabama
-
HEIGHT:6-4
-
DRAFT AGE:20
The Warriors could still use more reliable players in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon . Even though the All-SEC guard is not playing at 100 percent due to injury issues, he has played well in March Madness, recording 29 points in his first game and 12 assists in his second. The guard is now averaging 21.6 points per game and has improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.7 percent as a sophomore, also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.
12. Portland Trail Blazers : Koa Peat
-
TEAM:Arizona
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:Arizona
-
HEIGHT:6-8
-
DRAFT AGE:19
Advertisement
The Portland Trail Blazers have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.1 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics , which would fit very well with Portland's fast-paced offense .
13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers ): Hannes Steinbach
-
TEAM:Washington
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Germany
-
HEIGHT:6-11
-
DRAFT AGE:20
After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are projected to add even more lottery-caliber talent in the 2026 NBA Draft. They could use it to potentially replace Isaiah Hartenstein by drafting a younger German big man: Hannes Steinbach. While his team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.
14. Charlotte Hornets : Nate Ament
-
TEAM:Tennessee
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Virginia
-
HEIGHT:6-10
-
DRAFT AGE:19
Advertisement
After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. While he has been quiet during March Madness, it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is probably picking in the lottery.
15. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Joshua Jefferson
-
TEAM:Iowa State
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:Nevada
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:22
A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, Iowa State do-it-all Joshua Jefferson is an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who meets many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
16. Miami Heat : Cameron Carr
Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr (43) drives around Arizona State Sun Devils guard Anthony Johnson (2) during the second half at T-Mobile Center.
-
TEAM:Baylor
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN: Minnesota
-
HEIGHT:6-5
-
DRAFT AGE:21
Advertisement
One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik , he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics , which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers ): Karim López
-
TEAM:International (Australia)
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:Mexico
-
HEIGHT:6-8
-
DRAFT AGE:19
The Thunder have drafted several players from Australia's NBL, including Josh Giddey . They could dip into this well again by selecting Karim López with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, he is physically gifted and widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Jayden Quaintance
-
TEAM:Kentucky
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Ohio
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:18
Advertisement
Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators.
19. Toronto Raptors : Bennett Stirtz
-
TEAM:Iowa
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Missouri
-
HEIGHT:6-4
-
DRAFT AGE:22
The Raptors could use another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa. While he has not looked stellar during March Madness, he has still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Thomas Haugh
-
TEAM:Florida
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Pennsylvania
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:22
Advertisement
After winning a national championship with Florida last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. The All-SEC forward had one of the top motors in the NCAA this season before an early elimination from March Madness. While he did not score efficiently in a set offense this year, he does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team. He can serve as a glue guy for a contending team looking to win an NBA title like the Spurs.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Aday Mara
Aday Mara #15 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against Paul Otieno #25 of the Saint Louis Billikens during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.
-
TEAM:Michigan
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Spain
-
HEIGHT:7-3
-
DRAFT AGE:21
Michigan center Aday Mara is one of the prospects who has helped himself the most during March Madness so far. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempt 19.9 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is on the court, per CBB Analytics , which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim.
Advertisement
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Patrick Ngongba II
-
TEAM:Duke
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Virginia
-
HEIGHT:6-11
-
DRAFT AGE:20
Many teams could use a big man like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik , and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. Ngongba, who has helped Duke earn a spot in the Sweet 16, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
23. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves ): Christian Anderson
-
TEAM:Texas Tech
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Georgia
-
HEIGHT:6-3
-
DRAFT AGE:20
While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and could use more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the third-most unassisted 3-pointers (61) in the NCAA, per CBB Analytics . After moving to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore now compared to when he was a freshman.
Advertisement
24. Denver Nuggets : Dailyn Swain
-
TEAM:Texas
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Ohio
-
HEIGHT:6-8
-
DRAFT AGE:21
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain has become one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributes a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.
25. Los Angeles Lakers : Morez Johnson Jr.
-
TEAM:Michigan
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Illinois
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:20
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
Advertisement
26. New York Knicks : Allen Graves
Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center.
-
TEAM:Santa Clara
-
POSITION:Forward
-
BORN:Louisiana
-
HEIGHT:6-9
-
DRAFT AGE:20
One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who currently held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik , were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.
27. Boston Celtics : Chris Cenac Jr.
-
TEAM:Houston
-
POSITION:Big
-
BORN:Louisiana
-
HEIGHT:6-11
-
DRAFT AGE:19
It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenar Jr. at Houston. While he still remains a candidate to return to college and improve his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft, Cenac is getting hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M.
Advertisement
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Tyler Tanner
-
TEAM:Vanderbilt
-
POSITION:Guard
-
BORN:Tennessee
-
HEIGHT:6-0
-
DRAFT AGE:20
It is unusual to find a 6-foot sophomore projected in the first round of a mock draft, but if there were ever a player who has earned that kind of praise should he decide to turn pro after this season, it's Tyler Tanner. Despite his size, the All-SEC guard has found meaningful ways to contribute on both sides of the floor. He can score efficiently, dunk, block shots, steal the ball, and he is more than serviceable as a floor general capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Braylon Mullins
-
TEAM:Connecticut
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Indiana
-
HEIGHT:6-6
-
DRAFT AGE:19
Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup, but it may be tough for scouts to forget his 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc during his first game in March Madness.
Advertisement
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Amari Allen
-
TEAM:Alabama
-
POSITION:Wing
-
BORN:Wisconsin
-
HEIGHT:6-7
-
DRAFT AGE:20
Alabama's Amari Allen is a 6-foot-7 freshman who averaged 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists with 1.7 "stocks" (combined steals and blocks), while shooting 39.5 percent on 3-pointers on 4.8 shots per game for the Crimson Tide during SEC conference play. The SEC All-Freshman wing is a good connective piece who plays hard, cares about winning and knows how to make the right play. He is a player worth watching during the Sweet 16.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast . Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: NBA mock draft predictions before NCAA Sweet 16 for Cameron Boozer
