Full Breakdown
2026 NBA Draft Combine Showcases Top Prospects Amid No. 1 Pick Debate
5/18/2026, 12:11:30 PM
Combine Highlights and Draft Order
The AWS NBA Draft Combine in Chicago hosted 73 players for agility testing, shooting drills, team interviews and two days of 5-on-5 scrimmages. The 2026 NBA Draft order was set on May 10, with the Washington Wizards holding the No. 1 pick, the Utah Jazz picking second, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies (3), Chicago Bulls (4) and Los Angeles Clippers (5).
Standout Performances
Among the participants, ten prospects distinguished themselves. Cameron Carr (Baylor) posted 30 points and 7 rebounds in a scrimmage, converting six three-pointers and shooting 14-of-25 from spot-up and 22-of-30 off the dribble. Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan) recorded a 39-inch vertical, averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25 minutes. Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) returned from a back injury, scoring 14.9 points with 6.1 assists and shooting 46.7 % from three-point range. Cameron Boozer (Duke) measured 6-ft-8 ¼ with a 7-ft-1 ½ wingspan and hit 19-of-25 spot-up attempts. Aday Mara (Michigan) posted a 7-ft-3 height, 7-ft-6 wingspan and shot 16-of-25 in the star-shooting drill. Matt Able (North Carolina) contributed 15 and 17 points in two scrimmages despite modest shooting-drill numbers. Tarris Reed Jr. (Connecticut) finished a scrimmage with 7-of-9 field goals for 17 points and added five rebounds.
Player Profiles
- Cameron Carr – 6-ft-4 ½ guard, noted for three-point shooting and meetings with seven NBA teams.
- Morez Johnson Jr. – 6-ft-9 forward, gold-medalist with Team USA at the U19 FIBA World Cup.
- Mikel Brown Jr. – 6-ft-2 guard, led Team USA in assists and shot 46.7 % from deep.
- Cameron Boozer – 6-ft-8 forward, ACC Player of the Year and Naismith National Player of the Year.
- Aday Mara – 7-ft-3 center, key to Michigan’s national championship.
- Matt Able – 6-ft-3 guard, transferred to North Carolina, praised by coach Michael Malone.
- Tarris Reed Jr. – 6-ft-11 center, instrumental in Connecticut’s run to the NCAA championship game.
Data & Statistics
- Carr: 30 pts, 7 reb, 6-of-25 spot-up, 22-of-30 dribble.
- Johnson: 39-in vertical, 13.1 pts, 7.3 reb.
- Brown: 14.9 pts, 6.1 ast, 46.7 % 3P.
- Boozer: 19-of-25 spot-up, 18-of-30 dribble.
- Mara: 16-of-25 star-shooting.
- Able: 15 pts (3-of-5 3P) and 17 pts (4-of-9 3P) in scrimmages.
- Reed: 7-of-9 FG for 17 pts, 5 reb.
Official Draft Pick Projections
NBA executives and scouts have identified BYU forward AJ Dybantsa as the consensus first-overall candidate. However, a front-office source advocated selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, citing the Wizards’ infrastructure to develop his potential. Separate executive polling indicated that some respondents envision North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson developing into the class’s top player, potentially surpassing Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the Dybantsa consensus note his limited college experience and question his immediate NBA impact. Concerns about Peterson focus on his freshman season, which featured hamstring issues, cramping and illnesses that produced inconsistent playing time. The proposed Jazz-Wizards trade, which would move the first pick to Utah for multiple future first-round selections, has been described as “all-in” and carries risk if the Jazz’s projected target does not materialize.
Trade Proposal Analysis
Analyst Dan Favale suggested a package in which Utah receives the No. 1 pick, while Washington gains the No. 2 slot, a 2027 first-rounder from a favorable source, and a 2029 first-rounder with top-five protection. The proposal emphasizes Utah’s desire for a “cleaner fit” with Dybantsa and the Wizards’ incentive to acquire additional assets.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources diverge on the projected top pick: Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson each receive advocacy. No official confirmation of the Jazz-Wizards trade terms exists, and the combine’s impact on final draft positions remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I hear someone’s better than me, I gotta go out there and show them who’s the best.” — Cameron Carr, Guard, Baylor
- “The conversations with Coach Malone have been great and we call or text every day,” — Matt Able, Guard, North Carolina
- “I just wanted to come out here and compete against some of the best in college basketball and show teams I have what it takes to contribute and be a winner at the next level,” — Tarris Reed Jr., Center, Connecticut
- “They have the infrastructure for him to reach his full potential.” — Unnamed NBA front-office personnel (quoted to The Athletic)
What’s Next
The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 2026. Teams will finalize scouting assessments following the combine, and the Wizards are expected to evaluate trade offers, including the Favale proposal, before making their first-overall decision.
