BYU's Dybantsa Favored for No. 1 Pick, But Kansas' Peterson Close Behind

Latest NBA Draft 2026 odds show top prospects battling for top selection

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:03pm

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The 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a battle between BYU forward A.J. Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson for the No. 1 overall pick. Dybantsa is the current favorite at -180, but Peterson is not far behind at +240 according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Duke's Cameron Boozer rounds out the consensus top-3 prospects in the class.

Why it matters

The race for the No. 1 pick is always a major storyline leading up to the NBA Draft, as teams jockey for position to land a potential franchise-changing talent. Dybantsa and Peterson are viewed as the top two prospects, with their positional fit and two-way potential making them attractive options for teams in need of an immediate impact player.

The details

Dybantsa, the BYU forward, is the current favorite at -180 after averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and shooting 51% from the field this past season. His size, athleticism and defensive versatility have him atop many teams' draft boards, though his 3-point shooting still needs work. Peterson, the Kansas guard, is close behind at +240 and some scouts believe he may actually be the best prospect in the class. He's a gifted perimeter shooter and floor leader, though there are some concerns about his durability after missing time due to injuries. Duke's Cameron Boozer, the National Player of the Year, rounds out the top-3 at +700.

  • The 2026 NBA Draft will take place in late June 2026.

The players

A.J. Dybantsa

A forward from BYU who is the current favorite to be selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and shot 51% from the field this past season, showcasing his size, athleticism and two-way potential.

Darryn Peterson

A guard from Kansas who is viewed by some scouts as the best prospect in the 2026 class. Peterson is an elite perimeter shooter and floor leader, though there are concerns about his durability after missing time due to injuries.

Cameron Boozer

A forward from Duke who was named the National Player of the Year as a freshman. Boozer has a high floor as an interior force who can also stretch the floor, leading Duke to a 35-3 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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What’s next

As the 2026 NBA Draft process continues, scouts and analysts will closely evaluate Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer in pre-draft workouts and interviews to determine which player is the best fit for teams at the top of the draft order.

The takeaway

The race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a highly competitive one, with BYU's Dybantsa, Kansas' Peterson and Duke's Boozer emerging as the consensus top prospects. Their positional fit, two-way potential and college production have them firmly in the mix to be selected first, setting the stage for an intriguing draft process in the months ahead.