Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, hasn’t even played a summer league game, and we’re turning our attention to the 2026 draft.
Yes, it’s way too early to look that far ahead.
However, a year ago, USA TODAY Sports’ way-too-early 2025 mock draft had Flagg going No. 1, Ace Bailey No. 2, Dylan Harper No. 3, VJ Edgecombe No. 4, Tre Johnson No. 6, Nolan Traore No. 7, Khaman Maluach No. 9, Egor Demin No. 10, Noa Essengue No. 12, Drake Powell No. 18, Collin Murray-Boyles No. 19 and Adou Thiero No. 28.
Once again, there are talented projected picks in 2026, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Petterson and Cam Boozer, the son of ex-NBA player Carlos Boozer. That’s a strong top-3.
Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft, for the entire first round:
Way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft
1. AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Forward, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds
2. Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Guard, 6-5, 195
3. Cam Boozer, Duke
Forward, 6-9, 235
4. Nate Ament, Tennessee
Forward, 6-9, 190
5. Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers
Forward, 6-8, 210
6. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Forward, 6-9, 205
7. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
Forward-center, 6-10, 230
8. Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
Forward, 6-9, 230
9. Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
Guard-forward, 6-5, 215
10. Boogie Fland, Florida
Guard, 6-2, 175
11. Alijah Arenas, USC
Guard, 6-6, 199
12. Dash Daniels, Melbourne United (Australia)
Guard-forward, 6-5, 199
13. Isaiah Evans, Duke
Forward, 6-6, 175
14. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
Guard, 6-3, 172
15. Ian Jackson, St. John’s
Guard, 6-4, 190
16. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Guard, 6-4, 180
17. Kam Williams, Kentucky
Guard-forward, 6-8, 190
18. Koa Peat, Arizona
Forward, 6-8, 235
19. Alex Condon, Florida
Forward-center, 6-11, 230
20. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Forward, 6-9, 240
21. Solo Ball, Connecticut
Guard, 6-3, 190
22. Dame Sarr, Duke
Guard, 6-6, 180
23. Jacob Cofie, USC
Forward, 6-10, 231
24. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Guard, 6-2, 180
25. Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Guard, 6-0, 190
26. Miikka Muurinen, Finland
Forward, 6-10, 205
27. Darren Harris, Duke
Guard-forward, 6-6, 203
28. JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Forward, 6-9, 225
29. Thomas Haugh, Florida
Forward, 6-9, 215
30. Karter Knox, Arkansas
Forward, 6-6, 220
