In the past, Big 12 Basketball wasn’t known for having many future NBA Draft lottery picks, outside of Kansas. But that’s been changing recently. Just in the last year alone, the Big 12 had a trio of players taken in the lottery, including Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe (No. 3), former BYU guard Egor Demin (No. 8) and Carter Bryant, the freshman from Arizona who was selected at No. 14.
For the 2026 NBA Draft, the Big 12 is set to shine here, with two of the top picks expected to come from this conference. But who else is likely to be taken in the draft? Here’s a look at the top-10 prospects in this class.
1. AJ Dybantsa - BYU Cougars
- 2025-26 stats: 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 3.7 apg
The 6’9 forward and former No. 1 prospect out of high school was as good as advertised in college, leading the nation in scoring and having eight games of at least 30 points. One of them included 43 at home against Utah in Big 12 play. He got to the basket with ease and should be able to improve on his 33% shooting from deep with better shot selection.
As of now, Dybantsa is expected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft to the Washington Wizards. Wings with size are very popular in today’s NBA. There’s a chance another Big 12 player can overtake him but Dybantsa looks to be the safest bet of any prospect in the draft to succeed.
2. Darryn Peterson - Kansas Jayhawks
- 2025-26 stats: 20.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg
Despite dealing with cramping issues all season, Peterson showed why he could be the next great NBA shooting guard. He shot 38% from deep on nearly seven attempts a game, dropping 32 points in OT against TCU. The freshman was consistent in his production, scoring in double-figures each game.
From a pure talent standpoint, Peterson could be an even better prospect than Dybantsa. Yet the concerns will likely have him drafted No. 2 to the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Keyonte George in the backcourt.
3. Brayden Burries - Arizona Wildcats
- 2025-26 stats: 16.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg
The 6’4 guard led the Wildcats in scoring, shooting an efficient 49% from the field and 39% from deep on a team that didn’t shoot many threes. Burries had five games of at least 25 points, including 31 on the road at Colorado. He also averaged 16.8 ppg through five games in the NCAA Tournament, including 23 against Arkansas.
In a draft filled with quality ball-handlers, Burries stands out as the second-best shooting guard in the class behind Peterson. At the right spot, he has the chance to be an all-star caliber guard at the next level, likely being taken in the top-10.
4. Kingston Flemings - Houston Cougars
- 2025-26 stats: 16.1 ppg and 5.2 apg
Flemings was a top-20 prospect out of high school, but he still managed to overachieve as a freshman, earning All-American honors. Houston’s lead guard shot 48% from the field and 39% from deep on three attempts a game. He also showed he can put the ball in the basket, scoring 42 points on the road at Texas Tech.
Flemings is looking to make the case of being the second ball-handler taken in the NBA Draft
(Acuff), likely in the top-10. He has a high ceiling as a lead guard and is a quality passer, who also showed he can defend well.
5. Cameron Carr - Baylor Bears
- 2025-26 stats: 18.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg
Carr was one of the biggest impact transfers after leaving Tennessee. The 6’5 guard shot 37% from deep on six attempts a game. The sophomore had 10 games with at least 24 points this past season, including 25 in the Big 12 Tournament against Arizona State.
Carr is one of the biggest risers among the Big 12 draft entrants, thanks to some big outings during the combine scrimmages. While not at the same level as Edgecombe, Carr very well could be the best Baylor star to stick in the NBA.
6. Christian Anderson - Texas Tech Red Raiders
- 2025-26 stats: 18.5 ppg and 7.4 apg
The 6’2 guard was an All-American star as a sophomore, ranking 5th in the nation in assists. Anderson is also an elite scorer, shooting 42% from deep on eight attempts a game. Among his top games at Texas Tech are a 31-point and 11-assist outing against Cincinnati in league play.
Anderson projects as a top-20 pick in the draft, as a point guard who also can play off-ball. His size may be the only thing keeping him out of the lottery but as a quality playmaker for himself and others, he’s definitely a prospect with a high ceiling.
7. Chris Cenac - Houston Cougars
- 2025-26 stats: 9.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg
The former five-star prospect started 36 games for the Cougars, producing six double-doubles. He grabbed 18 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament win over Idaho, along with 17 points and nine rebounds against Texas A&M in the Round of 32.
Cenac is an athletic 6’11 center who can guard most bigs and showed the potential to space the floor. He’s a likely first-round pick who could be as high as the top 20 for teams who need a big man, which is several.
8. Koa Peat - Arizona Wildcats
- 2025-26 stats: 14.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg
The 6’8 forward came onto the scene with a 30-point game against Florida to open the season and has been great for Arizona ever since. The athlete also was great in the NCAA Tournament, producing a pair of double-doubles and two 20+ point games.
Despite not showing he can consistently shoot the ball, Peat still has a high ceiling as an NBA player since he also can guard multiple positions. Look for him to be a first-round pick in the draft with someone willing to take him on as a developmental upside play.
9. Richie Saunders - BYU Cougars
- 2025-26 stats:18 ppg and 5.8 rpg
Before suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury, Saunders was one of the best players in college basketball. In the last two years, Saunders shot around 40% from deep on six attempts a game and 50% shooting overall.
Despite Dybantsa having such a large usage rate, Saunders still was a quality scorer in his own right. At 6’5, he has the size to be a capable shooting guard at the next level and while the injury has lowered his draft stock, he still will get looks in the second round range.
10. Joshua Jefferson - Iowa State Cylones
- 2025-26 stats: 16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 4.8 apg
Jefferson also saw his season end early in the NCAA Tournament but was coming off an All-American campaign for the Cylones, being one of the most versatile players in the nation. The 6’8 forward can play and defend multiple positions and produced career-high shooting numbers as a senior at 35%.
The senior forward may not have as high a ceiling as the other nine players listed here but he should be one of the safer projected second round picks in terms of being a longtime NBA player in a future rotation.
Honorable mentions include Baba Miller (Cincinnati), Jaden Bradley (Arizona), and Milos Uzan (Houston)
Add us as a preferred source on Google