Throughout the lead-up to the NBA draft, the No. 5 spot has been where it becomes difficult to project picks.
BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, college player of the year Cameron Boozer of Duke and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson have been locked into the top four spots in each version of the AP's mock draft. The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls hold the first four selections Tuesday night in Brooklyn.
Then
there are a number of talented scoring guards available, such as Keaton Wagler of Illinois, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Kingston Flemings of Houston and Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville. But it's tough to gauge how much the Los Angeles Clippers, at No. 5, would want another small guard after acquiring Darius Garland from Cleveland last season for James Harden. Or whether the Brooklyn Nets, at No. 6, want any guard at all after taking four when they had an NBA-record five first-round picks last season.
Maybe the players gave some hints Monday. Wagler said he worked out for the Bulls and Clippers but canceled a workout with the Nets, so perhaps he knows he's not falling past No. 5. Brown said he met multiple times with the Nets, so their interest is assumed to be real. He moves up in the final version:
The 6-foot-9, 217-pound Dybantsa averaged a national-best 25.5 points by pressuring defenses with his ability to create his own shot, get to the foul line (national-best 229 makes and 296 attempts) and find teammates (3.7 assists). Synergy rated him as “Excellent” in its analytics rankings as the ball handler in pick-and-roll scenarios (87th percentile) and post-ups (94th). He averaged 26.9 points in seven games against top-10 foes, including 35 points in a loss to Final Four-bound Arizona and a near triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in an upset of sixth-ranked Iowa State.
There’s no questioning the talent and athleticism, nor the playmaking and scoring skillset. The 6-5, 199-pound Peterson averaged 20.2 points by attacking off the bounce or in transition, shot 38.2% on 3-pointers and made 82.6% of his free throws. The biggest questions arose from his availability. He dealt with a full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization before the season, missed 11 games due to injury or illness and frequently had limited minutes for uncertainty with his day-to-day status.
The 6-8, 253-pound son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer became the fifth freshman voted AP men’s national player of the year. He averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds, capable of finishing through contact (55.6% field goals) or stepping outside (39.1% on 3s). Synergy rated him as “Excellent” against man defense (94th percentile), on post-ups (86th) and spot-up shots (95th). He’s a strong passer (4.1 assists) out of double-teams and while initiating offense, notably assisting on Isaiah Evans’ late 3-pointer to beat reigning national champion Florida.
Wilson was an immediate star with explosive athleticism and a spotlight-embracing personality. The second-team AP All-American averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while thriving at the rim and in transition with his go-go-go motor. He'll need to add strength to a lean frame (6-9, 211) and improve his 3-point stroke (25.9%). Wilson had a national-best 66 dunks when he went down with a broken left hand in mid-February, then he broke his right thumb in practice when he was on the verge of returning in March.
The 6-5, 188-pound freshman went from four-star recruit to second-team AP All-American in leading Illinois to its first Final Four since 2005, averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He shot 39.7% on 3-pointers, including hitting nine 3s in a 46-point performance against Purdue. He won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard, though he's a slim build lacking elite athleticism.
The 6-5, 180-pound guard averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists, but showed his scoring potential when he went for 45 points and 10 3-pointers against N.C. State in February. There were also three other 29-point outputs. The biggest concern was back issues, which sidelined him for eight games at midyear then resurfaced to sideline him for the final six — including two March Madness games.
The 6-2, 186-pound freshman is a dynamic lead guard who ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4). His standout performances included scoring 49 points in a double-overtime loss at Alabama, along with a three-game tear (91 points, 12 3-pointers) for the Razorbacks’ first SEC Tournament title in 26 years.
The 6-3, 183-pound freshman was a third-team AP All-American as a lead guard capable of being disruptive defensively. Flemings was an efficient shooter (47.6% overall, 38.7% on 3s, 84.5% on free throws) capable of pressuring teams in transition or off the dribble. He finished with a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and posted a Cougars freshman-record 42 points in a loss to Texas Tech.
The Mavericks will have a new coach in Dusty May and a top-10 pick to improve the roster. Burries, a 6-4, 215-pound freshman combo guard, has a sturdy frame and two-way potential. He was the scoring leader (16.1) for a 36-win Final Four team, shooting 49.1% overall and 39.1% from 3-point range. He was fourth at the combine in standing vertical leap (35 inches).
There’s an intriguing blend of versatility and fluid athleticism with the 6-10, 211-pound freshman, a playmaking passer and No. 2 scorer (16.7) for a team that reached the NCAA Elite Eight. He’ll need to add strength and he leans on his jumper, with spot-up shots accounting for nearly 19% of his usage, according to Synergy. But a monthlong run in the Southeastern Conference (22.8 points with 39.1% shooting on 3s from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20) highlighted his potential, and the Nets need some size after going guard-heavy when they had five first-round picks last year.
He stood out — literally — in the massive lineup that powered Michigan’s title run and projects as a defensive force. The 7-3, 255-pound junior from Spain averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while ranking sixth nationally in blocks (2.6). He led all players measured at the combine in standing reach (9-9) and was second in wingspan (7-6).
The UAB transfer has a 6-9, 241-pound frame and good wingspan (better than 7-3). He also shot 37.2% from 3-point range in the highest volume of his career and showed a competitive fight in battling through ankle and knee injuries during the Final Four against Arizona and in the title game against UConn.
The slender 6-3, 176-pound sophomore thrived as a scorer (22.0) and a playmaker (5.0) as a third-team AP All-American, making a leap in his shooting efficiency (50.1% overall, 39.9% on 3-pointers). He thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (94th percentile in Synergy) and repeatedly beat man defenses in the halfcourt (90th).
The 6-9, 251-pound sophomore is a versatile player with physicality, and a strong frame could even have him see time as a small-ball 5-man. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He has a better than 7-3 wingspan and thrived as a cutter, in post-ups and in finishing at the rim — providing a fit with a Charlotte roster already stocked with shooters and scorers like LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.
The 6-8, 222-pound native of Mexico has spent two seasons playing in the National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr — taken by the Wizards with the No. 2 pick in 2024. The 19-year-old averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last year with his versatility, athleticism and a nearly 7-foot wingspan.
The 6-5, 184-pound sophomore transferred after two seasons at Tennessee and blossomed in a lead role with the Bears, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 49.4% overall and 37.4% on 3s. He ranked among combine leaders in standing vertical leap (second at 38 inches) and max vertical leap (third at 42.5 inches).
The 6-10, 248-pound native of Germany matched Duke star Cameron Boozer for the national lead with 22 double-doubles after averaging 18.5 points and a national-best 11.8 rebounds in his lone college season. Steinbach shot 57.7% from the field, hit 18 3s (34.5%) and averaged 1.2 blocks with his better than 7-2 wingspan.
The 6-7, 211-pound wing spent two seasons at Xavier before thriving in a lead role with the Longhorns, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He also showed active hands by averaging 1.6 steals. He’ll need to improve his outside shooting after hitting just 34.4% last year and 29.3% through three seasons.
The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore was a third-team AP All-American who averaged 18.5 points while ranking fifth nationally in assists (7.4). He projects as a scoring playmaker who shot 40% on 3-pointers over two seasons. He thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios (93rd percentile in Synergy) and as a spot-up shooter (90th).
The 6-11, 240-pound freshman arrived as a McDonald’s All-American with rangy skills and outside shooting that made him MVP of the NBPA Top 100 camp in summer 2024. He took a complementary role for a top-10 team, averaging 9.5 points and a team-best 7.9 rebounds. He hit 30 3-pointers (33.3%) to show inside-out ability, graded out well at the rim by Synergy and ranked fifth at the combine in wingspan (7-5).
The 6-3, 186-pound point guard went from Division II to Drake and then to Iowa, where he led the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA Elite Eight since 1987. He averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals, becoming the first player to lead Iowa in those three categories in 26 years. Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios (91st percentile), working in isolation (84th) and finishing at the rim (90th).
Health is the biggest question for the 6-9, 253-pound sophomore. The former McDonald’s All-American was a physical, athletic presence at Arizona State before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in February 2025. He transferred to Kentucky but played only four games amid lingering issues in that knee. He was fourth among all players measured at the combine in wingspan (better than 7-5).
The 6-1, 186-pound freshman was a surprise star, ranking seventh nationally in scoring (23.2). He’s a bit undersized but had the burst to score in transition or the halfcourt. He posted eight 30-point games, including 40 in a win against Georgia Tech.
The 6-8, 226-pound Graves was the West Coast Conference’s freshman of the year and top sixth man in a complementary role. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 51.2% overall and 41.3% from 3-point range. He also showed defensive potential by averaging 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks, making him a complementary fit for the newly crowned NBA champions.
The 6-7, 245-pound freshman was a key part of a Final Four team that spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. He scored primarily in transition, on post-ups or as the roller in pick-and-roll scenarios while averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He hasn’t shown much range (7 of 20 on 3s). Peat tied for fifth at the combine in standing vertical leap (34.5 inches).
The 6-3, 190-pound freshman is a defense-stretching scorer (15.6) alongside top pro prospect Darius Acuff Jr. He shot 47.9% from 3-point range (56 of 117) after Christmas, a 25-game stretch spanning the Razorbacks’ run to the SEC Tournament title and the NCAA Sweet 16.
The 6-11, 227-pound junior fits today’s desired mold of bigs who can step outside. The 22-year-old from Estonia thrived (17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds) in a breakout year that included shooting 42.6% on 3s (40 of 94) after going just 31.6% (19 of 60) in two seasons at Arizona.
The sophomore offers game-turning ability to heat up from outside, shooting 38% on 3-pointers through two college seasons and hitting at least four 3s in 14 games last year. He’ll need to add bulk to a wiry 6-6, 186-pound frame to handle physical play.
The 6-10, 264-pound senior with a better than 7-4 wingspan blossomed as an interior force as the Huskies reached the NCAA title game. He had career-high averages of 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocks while showing good touch in the paint, and would provide some needed physicality to the Cavs.
The 6-8, 245-pound Ejiofor is a physical frontcourt presence with a high motor and a sturdy frame offering defensive potential, both with his ability to tussle in the paint and in moving his feet to handle switches.
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