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Deadspin | Ryan Vilade, Rays chase series-clinching win over Guardians    Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) and right fielder Ryan Vilade (26) celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Ryan Vilade had brief stints with four teams during his first three seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old outfielder looks as if he finally has found a home with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Vilade is batting .458 (11-for-24) with a .500 on-base percentage over his past 10 games for the surging Rays.  Tampa Bay continues its three-game series in Cleveland on Tuesday when Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.10 ERA) takes on Guardians righty Tanner Bibee (0-3, 4.45).  Vilade was the catalyst behind the Rays’ fifth consecutive win on Monday. He produced a career-high-tying three hits and had two RBIs, including the go-ahead single in the eighth inning off Hunter Gaddis. Tampa Bay overcame a two-run deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory.  “Whenever my name is called, I want to help my team win,” Vilade said. “It’s been good and we’re getting more gritty by the day.”  Tampa Bay acquired Vilade from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash on Nov. 3, 2025. He only appeared in one game with the Reds after playing in seven for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier last season.  Those brief stops followed a 17-game stay with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and a three-game stop with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. His career totals coming into this spring were nine hits in 64 at-bats (.141 average).  Vilade currently is batting .344 on the season, and he is 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. His two-game streaks of multiple hits and an RBI are career firsts.  “Ryno really complements our team really well and helps us all over the field,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.  Veteran pitcher Steven Matz, who earned the win in the series opener, also is impressed with Vilade’s contributions on and off the field.  “Ryan has such a great personality and has fit right in,” Matz said. “That’s the great thing about this group. Everyone feels like they fit in and there aren’t any cliques or anything in the clubhouse.”   Assuming he remains in the lineup on Tuesday, Vilade will try to help Martinez win a second straight start.   Martinez limited the Reds to one run in eight innings while striking out a season-high six on Wednesday. He has struggled badly in six career outings (two starts) against Cleveland, going 1-2 with an 8.56 ERA.  The Guardians have lost three in a row, their longest skid of the season, and appear to have reached a turning point after falling to .500 for the first time since March 31.  Cleveland is expected to recall former No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus before Tuesday game and make him its everyday second baseman. The Australian had a .287 average with two homers, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 24 games with the Clippers.  “We know it’s a long season,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’re 30 games in. There’s a long way to go. And again, for a lot of our guys, they’re in these situations for maybe the first or second time.”  Cleveland hopes Bazzana can adapt as quickly as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, who hit four homers in his first three career regular-season games. DeLauter doubled in the ninth inning Monday off Bryan Baker, giving the Guardians two on with one out, but the Tampa Bay closer struck out the next two batters for his seventh save.  DeLauter has collected a hit in five of his past six contests, and he has reached base in 24 of 27 total games. He also is the eighth-hardest player to strike out in the majors.  “The moment’s not too big for him,” Vogt said. “Chase has been great all year and continues to have good at-bats.”  Once considered Cleveland’s ace in waiting, Bibee has put together strong starts in his past two outings, tossing 12 innings of two-run ball against the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. The Guardians are 1-5 in his six starts.  Bibee beat the Rays the first time he faced them in 2023, but he is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA against them in four career starts. He has worked deep into games vs. Tampa Bay, averaging more than 6 1/3 innings per appearance.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Ryan #Vilade #Rays #chase #seriesclinching #win #Guardians

Deadspin | Ryan Vilade, Rays chase series-clinching win over Guardians
Deadspin | Ryan Vilade, Rays chase series-clinching win over Guardians    Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) and right fielder Ryan Vilade (26) celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images   Ryan Vilade had brief stints with four teams during his first three seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old outfielder looks as if he finally has found a home with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Vilade is batting .458 (11-for-24) with a .500 on-base percentage over his past 10 games for the surging Rays.  Tampa Bay continues its three-game series in Cleveland on Tuesday when Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.10 ERA) takes on Guardians righty Tanner Bibee (0-3, 4.45).  Vilade was the catalyst behind the Rays’ fifth consecutive win on Monday. He produced a career-high-tying three hits and had two RBIs, including the go-ahead single in the eighth inning off Hunter Gaddis. Tampa Bay overcame a two-run deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory.  “Whenever my name is called, I want to help my team win,” Vilade said. “It’s been good and we’re getting more gritty by the day.”  Tampa Bay acquired Vilade from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash on Nov. 3, 2025. He only appeared in one game with the Reds after playing in seven for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier last season.  Those brief stops followed a 17-game stay with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and a three-game stop with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. His career totals coming into this spring were nine hits in 64 at-bats (.141 average).  Vilade currently is batting .344 on the season, and he is 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. His two-game streaks of multiple hits and an RBI are career firsts.  “Ryno really complements our team really well and helps us all over the field,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.  Veteran pitcher Steven Matz, who earned the win in the series opener, also is impressed with Vilade’s contributions on and off the field.  “Ryan has such a great personality and has fit right in,” Matz said. “That’s the great thing about this group. Everyone feels like they fit in and there aren’t any cliques or anything in the clubhouse.”   Assuming he remains in the lineup on Tuesday, Vilade will try to help Martinez win a second straight start.   Martinez limited the Reds to one run in eight innings while striking out a season-high six on Wednesday. He has struggled badly in six career outings (two starts) against Cleveland, going 1-2 with an 8.56 ERA.  The Guardians have lost three in a row, their longest skid of the season, and appear to have reached a turning point after falling to .500 for the first time since March 31.  Cleveland is expected to recall former No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus before Tuesday game and make him its everyday second baseman. The Australian had a .287 average with two homers, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 24 games with the Clippers.  “We know it’s a long season,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’re 30 games in. There’s a long way to go. And again, for a lot of our guys, they’re in these situations for maybe the first or second time.”  Cleveland hopes Bazzana can adapt as quickly as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, who hit four homers in his first three career regular-season games. DeLauter doubled in the ninth inning Monday off Bryan Baker, giving the Guardians two on with one out, but the Tampa Bay closer struck out the next two batters for his seventh save.  DeLauter has collected a hit in five of his past six contests, and he has reached base in 24 of 27 total games. He also is the eighth-hardest player to strike out in the majors.  “The moment’s not too big for him,” Vogt said. “Chase has been great all year and continues to have good at-bats.”  Once considered Cleveland’s ace in waiting, Bibee has put together strong starts in his past two outings, tossing 12 innings of two-run ball against the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. The Guardians are 1-5 in his six starts.  Bibee beat the Rays the first time he faced them in 2023, but he is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA against them in four career starts. He has worked deep into games vs. Tampa Bay, averaging more than 6 1/3 innings per appearance.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Ryan #Vilade #Rays #chase #seriesclinching #win #GuardiansApr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) and right fielder Ryan Vilade (26) celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Ryan Vilade had brief stints with four teams during his first three seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old outfielder looks as if he finally has found a home with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Vilade is batting .458 (11-for-24) with a .500 on-base percentage over his past 10 games for the surging Rays.

Tampa Bay continues its three-game series in Cleveland on Tuesday when Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.10 ERA) takes on Guardians righty Tanner Bibee (0-3, 4.45).

Vilade was the catalyst behind the Rays’ fifth consecutive win on Monday. He produced a career-high-tying three hits and had two RBIs, including the go-ahead single in the eighth inning off Hunter Gaddis. Tampa Bay overcame a two-run deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory.

“Whenever my name is called, I want to help my team win,” Vilade said. “It’s been good and we’re getting more gritty by the day.”

Tampa Bay acquired Vilade from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash on Nov. 3, 2025. He only appeared in one game with the Reds after playing in seven for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier last season.

Those brief stops followed a 17-game stay with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and a three-game stop with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. His career totals coming into this spring were nine hits in 64 at-bats (.141 average).

Vilade currently is batting .344 on the season, and he is 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. His two-game streaks of multiple hits and an RBI are career firsts.

“Ryno really complements our team really well and helps us all over the field,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Veteran pitcher Steven Matz, who earned the win in the series opener, also is impressed with Vilade’s contributions on and off the field.


“Ryan has such a great personality and has fit right in,” Matz said. “That’s the great thing about this group. Everyone feels like they fit in and there aren’t any cliques or anything in the clubhouse.”

Assuming he remains in the lineup on Tuesday, Vilade will try to help Martinez win a second straight start.

Martinez limited the Reds to one run in eight innings while striking out a season-high six on Wednesday. He has struggled badly in six career outings (two starts) against Cleveland, going 1-2 with an 8.56 ERA.

The Guardians have lost three in a row, their longest skid of the season, and appear to have reached a turning point after falling to .500 for the first time since March 31.

Cleveland is expected to recall former No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus before Tuesday game and make him its everyday second baseman. The Australian had a .287 average with two homers, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 24 games with the Clippers.

“We know it’s a long season,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’re 30 games in. There’s a long way to go. And again, for a lot of our guys, they’re in these situations for maybe the first or second time.”

Cleveland hopes Bazzana can adapt as quickly as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, who hit four homers in his first three career regular-season games. DeLauter doubled in the ninth inning Monday off Bryan Baker, giving the Guardians two on with one out, but the Tampa Bay closer struck out the next two batters for his seventh save.

DeLauter has collected a hit in five of his past six contests, and he has reached base in 24 of 27 total games. He also is the eighth-hardest player to strike out in the majors.

“The moment’s not too big for him,” Vogt said. “Chase has been great all year and continues to have good at-bats.”

Once considered Cleveland’s ace in waiting, Bibee has put together strong starts in his past two outings, tossing 12 innings of two-run ball against the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. The Guardians are 1-5 in his six starts.

Bibee beat the Rays the first time he faced them in 2023, but he is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA against them in four career starts. He has worked deep into games vs. Tampa Bay, averaging more than 6 1/3 innings per appearance.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ryan #Vilade #Rays #chase #seriesclinching #win #Guardians

Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) and right fielder Ryan Vilade (26) celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Ryan Vilade had brief stints with four teams during his first three seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old outfielder looks as if he finally has found a home with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Vilade is batting .458 (11-for-24) with a .500 on-base percentage over his past 10 games for the surging Rays.

Tampa Bay continues its three-game series in Cleveland on Tuesday when Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.10 ERA) takes on Guardians righty Tanner Bibee (0-3, 4.45).

Vilade was the catalyst behind the Rays’ fifth consecutive win on Monday. He produced a career-high-tying three hits and had two RBIs, including the go-ahead single in the eighth inning off Hunter Gaddis. Tampa Bay overcame a two-run deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory.

“Whenever my name is called, I want to help my team win,” Vilade said. “It’s been good and we’re getting more gritty by the day.”

Tampa Bay acquired Vilade from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash on Nov. 3, 2025. He only appeared in one game with the Reds after playing in seven for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier last season.

Those brief stops followed a 17-game stay with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and a three-game stop with the Colorado Rockies in 2021. His career totals coming into this spring were nine hits in 64 at-bats (.141 average).

Vilade currently is batting .344 on the season, and he is 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. His two-game streaks of multiple hits and an RBI are career firsts.

“Ryno really complements our team really well and helps us all over the field,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Veteran pitcher Steven Matz, who earned the win in the series opener, also is impressed with Vilade’s contributions on and off the field.

“Ryan has such a great personality and has fit right in,” Matz said. “That’s the great thing about this group. Everyone feels like they fit in and there aren’t any cliques or anything in the clubhouse.”

Assuming he remains in the lineup on Tuesday, Vilade will try to help Martinez win a second straight start.

Martinez limited the Reds to one run in eight innings while striking out a season-high six on Wednesday. He has struggled badly in six career outings (two starts) against Cleveland, going 1-2 with an 8.56 ERA.

The Guardians have lost three in a row, their longest skid of the season, and appear to have reached a turning point after falling to .500 for the first time since March 31.

Cleveland is expected to recall former No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus before Tuesday game and make him its everyday second baseman. The Australian had a .287 average with two homers, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 24 games with the Clippers.

“We know it’s a long season,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’re 30 games in. There’s a long way to go. And again, for a lot of our guys, they’re in these situations for maybe the first or second time.”

Cleveland hopes Bazzana can adapt as quickly as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, who hit four homers in his first three career regular-season games. DeLauter doubled in the ninth inning Monday off Bryan Baker, giving the Guardians two on with one out, but the Tampa Bay closer struck out the next two batters for his seventh save.

DeLauter has collected a hit in five of his past six contests, and he has reached base in 24 of 27 total games. He also is the eighth-hardest player to strike out in the majors.

“The moment’s not too big for him,” Vogt said. “Chase has been great all year and continues to have good at-bats.”

Once considered Cleveland’s ace in waiting, Bibee has put together strong starts in his past two outings, tossing 12 innings of two-run ball against the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. The Guardians are 1-5 in his six starts.

Bibee beat the Rays the first time he faced them in 2023, but he is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA against them in four career starts. He has worked deep into games vs. Tampa Bay, averaging more than 6 1/3 innings per appearance.

–Field Level Media

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NBA mock draft 2026: Update after college basketball entry deadline with final lottery odds <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The 2026 NBA Draft class has been hyped for years. The big pay off is finally coming on May 10 with the drawing of the draft lottery, and now the odds for the ping-pong balls have been finalized.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Indiana Pacers earned the top odds with a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 overall pick. The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings each have an 11.5 percent chance at No. 1, while the Memphis Grizzlies have the next-best odds at nine percent. The Atlanta Hawks have a 6.8 percent chance at winning the top-pick <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1094220/the-derik-queen-trade-could-have-avoided-disaster-for-pelicans-with-one-simple-fix">thanks to their brilliant trade with the New Orleans Pelicans</a>, and then Atlanta also has another three percent chance at the top pick thanks to swap rights with the Milwaukee Bucks.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Dallas Mavericks have a 6.7 percent chance at No. 1, the Chicago Bulls have a 4.5 percent chance at winning the lottery, and the Golden State Warriors have a two percent chance at the first pick. The Thunder (1.5 percent thanks to a swap with the Clippers), Heat (1 percent), and Hornets (0.5 percent) round out the lottery.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This draft class has already lost some talent to NIL money. UConn’s Braylon Mullins, Duke’s Patrick Ngongba, Florida’s Thomas Haugh, Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas, and Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1109861/nba-mock-draft-2026-updated-projection-after-march-madness-ends">were all projected first-round picks in our previous mock draft</a> before deciding to return to school. Only Yessoufou left himself the option to still enter this draft.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The best thing about this draft class if you don’t need the No. 1 pick to find a future franchise player. Just landing in the top-4 should get the job done. Here’s our latest 2026 NBA mock draft using the lottery standings as the order.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd53 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div class="duet--article--table eqjv3q0"><table class="eqjv3q2"><thead><tr><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Pick</h3></th><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Team</h3></th><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Player</h3></th><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Position</h3></th><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">School</h3></th><th class="eqjv3q5"><h3 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Age</h3></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">1</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Washington Wizards</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">AJ Dybantsa</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Wing</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">BYU</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">2</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Indiana Pacers</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Darryn Peterson</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Kansas</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">3</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Brooklyn Nets</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Cameron Boozer</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Duke</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">4</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Utah Jazz</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Caleb Wilson</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">North Carolina</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">5</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sacramento Kings</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Darius Acuff</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Arkansas</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">6</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Memphis Grizzlies</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Keaton Wagler</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Illinois</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">7</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Kingston Flemings</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Houston</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">8</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Dallas Mavericks</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Mikel Brown Jr.</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Louisville</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">9</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Chicago Bulls</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Aday Mara</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Center</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Michigan</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Junior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">10</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Milwaukee Bucks</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Brayden Burries</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Arizona</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">11</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Golden State Warriors</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Yaxel Lendeborg</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Michigan</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Senior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">12</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Nate Ament</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Wing</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Tennessee</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">13</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Miami Heat</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Karim Lopez</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">NZ Breakers</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Born 2007</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">14</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Charlotte Hornets</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Jayden Quaintance</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Center/Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Kentucky</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">15</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Chicago Bulls</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Morez Johnson</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Center/Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Michigan</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">16</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Memphis Grizzlies</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Dailyn Swain</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Wing</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Texas</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Junior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">17</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Hannes Steinbach</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward/Center</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Washington</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">18</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Charlotte Hornets (via Magic)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Cameron Carr</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Wing</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Baylor</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Junior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">19</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Toronto Raptors</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Labaron Philon</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Alabama</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">20</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Chris Cenac</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Center</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Houston</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">21</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Detroit Pistons (via Wolves)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Bennett Stirtz</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Iowa</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Senior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">22</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Allen Graves</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Santa Clara</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">23</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Joshua Jefferson</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Iowa State</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Senior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">24</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">New York Knicks</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Isaiah Evans</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Duke</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">25</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Los Angeles Lakers</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Henri Veesaar</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Center</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">North Carolina</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Junior</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">26</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Denver Nuggets</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Koa Peat</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Forward</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Arizona</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">27</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Boston Celtics</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Tyler Tanner</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Vanderbilt</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">28</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Meleek Thomas</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Arkansas</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Freshman</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">29</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Christian Anderson</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Texas Tech</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr><tr class="eqjv3q6"><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">30</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder)</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Isaiah Evans</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Guard</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Duke</td><td class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup eqjv3q7">Sophomore</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Let’s dive into one of the biggest themes to watch on lottery night.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">NBA Draft 2026 lottery odds to land a top-4 pick</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It feels like every team in the lottery would be thrilled just to land in the top-4 — that’s just how strong this draft class is. Here are the odds each lottery team has to land in the top-4, via Tankathon:</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.693517" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTI2ODE="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="1018" data-pswp-width="1724" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-1.32.29PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Caleb Wilson might be rising into the top-3 — or higher</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Caleb Wilson didn’t play in the 2026 NCAA tournament for North Carolina after suffering a <a href="https://goheels.com/news/2026/3/6/mens-basketball-caleb-wilson-breaks-right-thumb-in-practice-will-miss-rest-of-the-season">broken bone in his left hand in February and then a broken thumb in his right hand in March</a>. Those injuries shouldn’t and reportedly haven’t dulled NBA interest. In the last few weeks, there have been reports that <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2044075237222879613">some teams value Wilson more than Duke forward Cameron Boozer</a>, and that he could even <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2047054415144645019">be the second player taken on draft night</a>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Wilson has the single best highlight reel in the class for my money. Sit back and enjoy:</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There’s a compelling sales pitch for the UNC forward. He’s a freak athlete at 6’10 who dunks everything (67 dunks in 24 games), he’s a high-motor defender who guard all over the floor, he’s a good passer, and he has an ability to create scoring opportunities for himself away from the rim with excellent mid-range shooting touch. The two big knocks on him are his shooting and ball handling. Wilson is not a good three-point shooter right now after making 25.9 percent of his 27 attempts from deep in college. He also isn’t really a viable on-ball creator because his lack of handle refinement limits where he can get on the floor. For now, he’s an electric play-finisher on offense and a buzzsaw on defense who should be an absolute terror in transition from day one.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I’ve been consistent that Boozer is my top player in the class. Boozer and Wilson were teammates on the Nike EYBL circuit for Nightrydas, and there was never any question on who the best player on the team was (it was Boozer). Wilson did arguably out-play him in the first Duke vs. North Carolina game this season, which was one of the best prospect matchups we got all year in college hoops.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I have liked Wilson for a while, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/8/23/23833056/nba-draft-high-school-basketball-ranking-prospects-cooper-flagg-boozer">even putting him on my 2023 list of the best NBA prospects in high school hoops</a>. I’m considering sliding him up to No. 2 on my board, and I would not be shocked if he’s eventually picked in the top-3. Just moving up to No. 4 in the lottery — likely in position to draft Boozer or Wilson — would be an incredible boon for teams like the Bulls, Warriors, and Bucks, who all have long-shots odds entering the lottery. Wilson is so much better than the No. 4 overall prospect in a typical draft, and that’s a big reason why this class is so highly-touted.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Who moves up after the college basketball early entry deadline?</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I thought Braylon Mullins and Patrick Ngongba were lottery-caliber talents. Instead, both are going back to UConn and Duke respectively. Thomas Haugh was considered a lottery pick on ESPN’s big board, but <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1111974/thomas-haugh-florida-nil-payment-highest-paid-college-players-ever">he’s going back to Florida for arguably the biggest NIL bag in college basketball history</a>. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1110562/louisville-transfer-portal-flory-bidunga-shelstad-mens-college-basketball">Flory Bidunga’s decision to transfer to Louisville</a> rather than enter the draft (though he is on the early entry list) is another hit to the depth of the class. It’s possible players like Tyler Tanner, Allen Graves, Juke Harris, Alijah Arenas, and Ebuka Okorie — who could all be drafted in the first round — eventually decide returning to school is their best decision. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/24481294/college-basketball-transfer-portal-rankings-best-available">I named Graves as the best available player in the transfer portal</a>, and there are some whispers that <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1111712/duke-recruiting-transfer-portal-john-blackwell-roster-projected-lineup">he could end up at Duke if he doesn’t enter the draft</a>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Here’s full early entry list, <a href="https://x.com/JeremyWoo/status/2048864652512133581">via Jeremy Woo</a>:</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:0.763553" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTI3MTU="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="1531" data-pswp-width="1169" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8Hil-bwAAAdsZ.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:2.712297" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTI3MTY="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="431" data-pswp-width="1169" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/HG8HilobIAAR1kl.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The list of returners undeniably impacts the second half of the first round and the entirety of the second round. Expect plenty of seniors to hear their names once we get into the 20s, and new prospects are already emerging in pre-draft camps like the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. I enjoyed this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-cR_NnSad4">YouTube breakdown from Ben Pfeifer on the biggest winners of the PIT</a>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I have <strong>Henri Veesaar</strong> moving up into the first-round in this mock draft thanks to all the players slated to return back to school. The North Carolina center was one of the my favorite potential second-rounders in this class for his interior scoring efficiency and three-point shooting improvement, but now he might move up by default. It feels like <strong>Christian Anderson</strong> is likely staying the draft too, but there’s only so many potential landing spots for smaller guards. I’ve also projected Spanish guard <strong>Sergio de Larrea</strong> as a first-round pick at times during the year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts to generate buzz again in the lead up to the draft.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The withdrawal deadline is only 10 days before the draft on June 13 at 5 p.m. ET. The draft board will continue to evolve until then.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Michigan’s 3 stars all end up in the lottery</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Wolverines were a wagon on their way to a college basketball national championship. While I would expect Elliott Cadeau to return to school, I think Morez Johnson will be joining Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg in the draft.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><ul class="duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1"><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">I spent March Madness following Michigan and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1109728/yaxel-lendeborg-michigan-journey-nba-draft-national-championship">reporting out a feature on how Yaxel Lendeborg grew up into a potential lottery pick</a>. He told me about the NBA’s feedback at the combine last year, how he views his pro translation, and what this year at Michigan meant to him. I think you’ll like what he had to say:</span></li></ul></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><ul class="duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1"><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">I also spent a lot of time chatting with Aday Mara throughout Michigan’s March Madness run. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1110249/aday-mara-michigan-scouting-report-championship-run-nba-mock-draft">Read my feature on how Mara developed into a lottery pick after two years on the bench at UCLA</a>.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Morez Johnson is a Chicagoland kid who didn’t leave the area for a prep school like so many of his highly touted peers. In this mock, Mara and Johnson are reunited with the Chicago Bulls, who earned a second top-15 pick via the Portland Trail Blazers thanks to their 2021 Lauri Markkanen trade.</span></li></ul></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">NBA Draft 2026 lottery date, TV time, and streaming</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Here’s what you need to know about this year’s draft lottery drawing:</p></div></div> #NBA #mock #draft #Update #college #basketball #entry #deadline #final #lottery #odds

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Charlotte Tilbury Named Global Ambassador of The King’s Trust

A football match official who was a potential pick to work at FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America was arrested for an alleged sexual assault at a hotel while in Britain for a game.

World Cup organiser FIFA said on Tuesday it was “aware of the serious allegation,” after details of an alleged assault of a teenage boy were first reported by British daily The Sun.

“In the meantime, the match official will not be considered for any FIFA competition matches,” the football governing body said in a statement.

ALSO READ | John Stones to leave Manchester City at end of season

FIFA published a list this month of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials selected for the 104-game World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The match official was not identified in reports, nor was the European competition game he was working at for UEFA.

“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” UEFA said.

UEFA added it also will not be selecting the official for its games, and the alleged incident was part of “an active investigation.”

The Sun reported the Metropolitan Police in London released a man in his 30s on bail.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#Football #match #official #arrested #alleged #assault #Britain #game">Football match official arrested for alleged assault while in Britain for a game  A football match official who was a potential pick to work at FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America was arrested for an alleged sexual assault at a hotel while in Britain for a game.World Cup organiser FIFA said on Tuesday it was “aware of the serious allegation,” after details of an alleged assault of a teenage boy were first reported by British daily        The Sun.“In the meantime, the match official will not be considered for any FIFA competition matches,” the football governing body said in a statement.ALSO READ | John Stones to leave Manchester City at end of seasonFIFA published a list this month of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials selected for the 104-game World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.The match official was not identified in reports, nor was the European competition game he was working at for UEFA.“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” UEFA said.UEFA added it also will not be selecting the official for its games, and the alleged incident was part of “an active investigation.”The Sun reported the Metropolitan Police in London released a man in his 30s on bail.Published on Apr 28, 2026  #Football #match #official #arrested #alleged #assault #Britain #game

John Stones to leave Manchester City at end of season

FIFA published a list this month of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials selected for the 104-game World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The match official was not identified in reports, nor was the European competition game he was working at for UEFA.

“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” UEFA said.

UEFA added it also will not be selecting the official for its games, and the alleged incident was part of “an active investigation.”

The Sun reported the Metropolitan Police in London released a man in his 30s on bail.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#Football #match #official #arrested #alleged #assault #Britain #game">Football match official arrested for alleged assault while in Britain for a game

A football match official who was a potential pick to work at FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America was arrested for an alleged sexual assault at a hotel while in Britain for a game.

World Cup organiser FIFA said on Tuesday it was “aware of the serious allegation,” after details of an alleged assault of a teenage boy were first reported by British daily The Sun.

“In the meantime, the match official will not be considered for any FIFA competition matches,” the football governing body said in a statement.

ALSO READ | John Stones to leave Manchester City at end of season

FIFA published a list this month of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials selected for the 104-game World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The match official was not identified in reports, nor was the European competition game he was working at for UEFA.

“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” UEFA said.

UEFA added it also will not be selecting the official for its games, and the alleged incident was part of “an active investigation.”

The Sun reported the Metropolitan Police in London released a man in his 30s on bail.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#Football #match #official #arrested #alleged #assault #Britain #game
Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com  Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images   For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball  Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.comFeb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.

The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.

Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.

Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.

The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.

You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.

The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for.

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#Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.com">Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com  Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images   For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball  Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.com

his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.

Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.

The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.

You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.

The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for.

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#Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.com">Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com
Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com  Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images   For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball  Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.comFeb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind.

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Channel debug: basketball

Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.

The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.

Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.

Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.

The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.

You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.

The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

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