Tuesday night of the 2026 NBA Draft was one of the most anticipated drafts in modern times, featuring a top tier of nearly generational prospects. Add to that multiple trades, including NBA champion and future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo, who moved from Milwaukee to Miami, and there were plenty of fireworks overall.Â
All 30 picks have been taken in the first round of the NBA Draft. Here’s a look at the picks, along with the grade for each of them.Â
1. Washington Wizards - AJ DybantsaÂ
WITH THE FIRST PICK IN THE 2026 NBA DRAFT, THE WIZARDS SELECT AJ DYBANTSA‼️ pic.twitter.com/OKWfahRy7D
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026
- 2025-26 stats (BYU): 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 3.7 apg
Ever since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era, the Wizards have been one of the worst teams in the NBA. After winning the literal NBA Draft Lottery, they’re set to compete immediately. They not only traded for Trae Young (and extended him) and Anthony Davis, but now they have Dybantsa, the leading scorer in all of college basketball and a lethal 6’9 wing. He’s the best overall player in the draft and a franchise-altering move for Washington.
Grade: A+
2. Utah Jazz - Darryn Peterson
- 2025-26 stats (Kansas): 20.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg
The biggest storyline with Peterson was the reported constant cramping, which overshadowed the fact that he’s one of the best guard prospects coming out of college in years. He’s the type who can eventually average 30 ppg in the NBA and gives Utah a lead scorer that can allow them to compete in the Western Conference for the first time since their last all-star guard, Donovan Mitchell.
Grade: A+
3. Memphis Grizzlies - Cameron BoozerÂ
- 2025-26 stats (Duke): 22.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, and 4.4 apg
The National Player of the Year, who did just about everything great last season, went No. 3 feels weird. But that’s perfect for Memphis, which traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah during the season to open things up for Boozer to be the next interior focal point. With Ja Morant’s status still in flux, the Grizzlies look to the Blue Devil to be the next face of the franchise.
Grade: A+
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