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The top half of the 2026 NBA Draft order is set, with the Washington Wizards landing the No. 1 overall pick. Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery finalized the top four selections and locked in the full top-14 order.
The Wizards were followed by the following teams to round out the top four picks in the 2026 NBA Draft:
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The 2026 NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, beginning June 23. With the top four picks now determined, here is a mock draft for the opening selections of the NBA Draft Lottery:
1. Wizards select AJ Dybantsa, Forward, BYU
BYU star AJ Dybantsa enters the draft as the unanimous top prospect. He led college basketball in scoring with 25.5 points per game while shooting 51% from the field. He also broke Danny Ainge’s nearly 50-year-old freshman scoring record at BYU.
Dybantsa combines explosive athleticism with strong ball-handling ability and consistent production. He projects as the franchise cornerstone Washington can build around for years to come. Many evaluators also view him as one of the safest prospects in recent draft history because of his high floor.
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2. Jazz select Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas
Darryn Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game while shooting 43% from the field, but his impact extended far beyond scoring. He also established himself as one of the top defenders in college basketball, showcasing the versatility that helped elevate him into the upper tier of draft prospects.
At one point, Peterson appeared to be a legitimate challenger for the No. 1 overall spot. Injuries slowed that momentum, but there is little doubt he possesses the type of all-around game NBA teams covet.
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Could Peterson and Dybantsa develop into the defining draft rivalry of the next decade?
