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The 2026 NBA Draft begins on Tuesday in Brooklyn, with the first round scheduled for June 23 and the second round for June 24. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are expected to be the first three players selected.
A new influx of name, image, and likeness (NIL) money kept many experienced players in college this season, reducing the number of prospects available early and leaving several talented players accessible later than their performance indicates.
Here are five who could outperform their 2026 NBA Draft position.
Ebuka Okorie, Stanford (Freshman, PG)
Ebuka Okorie, as a freshman at Stanford, averaged 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He shot 46.5% from the field, 35.4% from 3-point range, and 83.2% from the free-throw line. He led the ACC in scoring and received first-team All-ACC honors as well as an AP All-America honorable mention.
The 6-foot-1 guard primarily generates his offense off the dribble and has a good assist-to-turnover ratio despite heavy usage. He has a wingspan of 6-foot-7.75 but isn't a strong vertical athlete, leading scouts to predict he can defend bigger guards.
Most mock drafts rank the 6-foot-1 Okorie in the early 20s, even though some view him as having the talent justifying a lottery selection.
Allen Graves pre-draft Interview compares his game to / emulates Al Horford with how he impacts winning. And Naz Reid with his versatility. Credits Coach Herb Sendek for believing in him and building up his confidence. pic.twitter.com/ouPr18CsUK
— NBADraft.net (@nbadraftnet) June 22, 2026
Allen Graves, Santa Clara (Freshman, PF)
Allen Graves posted averages of 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals in approximately 22 minutes per game during his redshirt freshman season at Santa Clara. He shot 51.2% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range. Additionally, he was among the top prospects in the draft class based on box plus-minus.
The 6-foot-8 forward properly spaces the floor with spot-ups and pick-and-pops, secures rebounds on both ends, and defends multiple positions. While he is not a main shot creator, scouts wonder if his foot speed will be sufficient against faster opponents.
Coach Herb Sendek helped Graves work his way from being an unranked recruit into a potential first-round pick in two seasons. Most mock drafts project him to be picked early 20s.
Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky (Sophomore, C)
Jayden Quaintance tore his right ACL on Feb. 23, 2025, while playing for Arizona State against Kansas State. After surgery in March and relocating to Kentucky, he played only a few games before knee swelling forced him to end his season.
A 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State, this 6-foot-10 center averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, with a 52.5% field goal percentage. He broke the school freshman record by blocking 63 shots in 24 games and led Division I in 3-point blocks per 40 minutes.
Quaintance's medical background is a major concern, which might cause him to miss part of his rookie season. His draft prospects have dropped from near lottery status to the late first round, with some mock drafts now placing him in the mid-20s, and possibly being picked by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tarris Reed Jr., UConn (Senior, C)
As a senior at UConn, Tarris Reed Jr. averaged 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 60.7%. He finished a remarkable season by earning first-team All-Big East honors and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the East Region in the NCAA Tournament.
Reed started his career at Michigan, then transferred to UConn, where he earned Big East Sixth Man of the Year as a junior before becoming a key player. The 6-foot-11 center scores by sealing, rolling, and ducking in, displaying soft touch and short-roll passing skills. He has a wingspan of 7-foot-4.25 and recorded impressive agility times at the combine. However, he's not a perimeter shooter, and scouts doubt his ability to defend in space. Regardless, he's an intriguing prospect.
Some boards include Reed in early first-round discussions, while many others see him as a second-round pick in the 30s.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (Senior, PF)
As a senior at Iowa State, Joshua Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, with shooting percentages of 47.1% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range. He received All-America honors and was among the select Division I players to average at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The 6-foot-8 forward primarily orchestrates Iowa State's offense from the elbows, with scouts viewing passing as his top skill. He is versatile in defending various positions and averages 1.6 steals per game. Although his shooting has gotten better, he tends to finish below the rim and has limitations in lateral quickness when facing faster opponents.
Jefferson's age, along with the economics of name, image, and likeness, has pushed him into the late first or early second round.
But don't be surprised if he and a few others listed above end up being quality picks.
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