3 Bulls 2026 NBA Draft Prospects to Watch During March Madness

Chicago is looking to the future after a turbulent season, and these college stars could be the answer.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The Chicago Bulls have had a rollercoaster season, with injuries and a midseason teardown leading to a youth movement. As they look ahead to the 2026 NBA Draft, the team is focused on finding a true cornerstone player to build around. Three prospects to watch during March Madness are Duke's Cameron Boozer, BYU's AJ Dybantsa, and Illinois' Keaton Wagler - each offering a different skill set that could help transform the Bulls.

Why it matters

The Bulls need to find an elite talent in the upcoming draft to anchor their rebuild. With potentially two top-16 picks, they must prioritize finding a versatile, high-upside wing or dominant interior presence who can elevate the young core already in place.

The details

Cameron Boozer of Duke is the most polished interior prospect in the class, offering immediate help with rebounding and interior defense. AJ Dybantsa of BYU has the highest ceiling as a jumbo wing who can create his own shot and score at all three levels. Keaton Wagler of Illinois provides the Bulls with a versatile, high-IQ guard who can stabilize the backcourt with his shooting and playmaking.

  • The 2025-26 NBA season has been a roller coaster for the Chicago Bulls.
  • The Bulls made a major teardown at the trade deadline, shipping out veteran players like Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu.
  • The Bulls are now playing for the future, with their sights set on the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A 6-foot-9 power forward at Duke who is considered the most polished interior prospect in the 2026 draft class, offering immediate help with rebounding and interior defense.

AJ Dybantsa

A 6-foot-9 wing at BYU who has the highest ceiling in the class as a versatile scorer who can create his own shot and score at all three levels.

Keaton Wagler

A 6-foot-6 guard at Illinois who provides the Bulls with a high-IQ, versatile backcourt player who can stabilize the rotation with his shooting and playmaking.

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What’s next

The Bulls will be closely monitoring the performance of these three prospects during the upcoming March Madness tournament, as their play could solidify their draft positioning and fit with the team's long-term vision.

The takeaway

The Bulls' rebuild hinges on finding an elite talent in the 2026 draft to pair with their young core. These three prospects - Boozer, Dybantsa, and Wagler - each offer a different skill set that could transform the team and return them to contention.