From AJ Dybantsa to Koa Peat, rewind through the entire First Round of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Beginning Thursday and running through July 19, a new generation of NBA prospects will showcase their skill sets at 2026 NBA Summer League.
These 15 players are among the ones to watch heading into Las Vegas, as the list includes each of the top 10 picks in the 2026 Draft and five sophomores looking to elevate their game.
Editor’s note: Players are listed in alphabetical order:
Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings
Before he tries to light the beam in Sacramento, Acuff Jr. will look to light up the Strip in Las Vegas with his electrifying play at point guard. The No. 7 pick in the 2026 Draft led all players in scoring at the California Classic (23.5 points per game) and came through in the clutch to help the Kings finish 3-0 there.
Joan Beringer, Minnesota Timberwolves
With Julius Randle and Naz Reid reportedly heading out of Minnesota, the Timberwolves suddenly have frontline minutes to fill. Beringer, the No. 17 pick in the 2025 Draft out of France, showed flashes of his potential in limited minutes during his rookie campaign. He has an opportunity to land a larger role this season and a strong Summer League showing would help that cause.
Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies
Cameron Boozer finishes with 18 points in a Summer League game vs. the Utah Jazz.
Boozer already played in the Salt Lake City Summer League, and he displayed the polish and versatility that made him the No. 3 pick in this year’s Draft. In two games, he posted 16.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4 apg while shooting 65% overall and 62.5% on 3-pointers.
Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn Nets
The No. 6 pick in this year’s Draft appeared in only one game at the California Classic, posting 10 points and four assists (including this dazzling dime) in 19 minutes. His ability to score from all three levels helps him break down defenses and set up scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
After appearing in the NBA Finals in June as a rookie, Bryant returns to Summer League in July to continue working on his game as he enters his sophomore season in San Antonio. Bryant’s elite athleticism and ability to defend on the perimeter and knock down 3s make him a perfect complement to the Spurs’ young core of Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.
Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks
Burries has been touted as an NBA-ready guard with a strong frame, a high basketball IQ and one who can impact both ends of the court. In one game at the California Classic, he dropped 12 points and one assist in 16 minutes. The No. 10 pick in this year’s Draft will look to build on that first look once the Bucks tip off in Vegas.
AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
AJ Dybantsa sits down with Lauren Green after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
After being selected with the first pick in the 2026 Draft, Dybantsa has had his first press conference, his first NBA practice, thrown out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game, and plenty of other firsts. On Thursday, he’ll suit up for his first NBA Summer League game, giving a first look at a dynamic scoring wing that rose to the top of this year’s heralded class.
Kingston Flemings, Atlanta Hawks
The No. 8 pick in this year’s Draft is a fascinating two-way guard prospect. He’s a defensive pest on the perimeter and a playmaker and scoring threat on the other end. In two games at Salt Lake City Summer League, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 13 ppg, 7 apg (1 turnover per game) while also collecting 2.5 spg and 1.5 bpg.
Hugo González, Boston Celtics
The No. 28 pick in the 2025 Draft, González averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 74 games as a rookie. But the stat that really stands out is his 11.9 net rating, with his defense and energy off the bench making a significant impact beyond traditional stats. Now, he gets another summer to work on his game for the new-look Celtics following the Jaylen Brown trade.
Yang Hansen, Portland Trail Blazers
Hansen was an instant fan favorite at last year’s Summer League, where he averaged 10.8 ppg, 5 rpg and 3.8 apg. He possesses a unique combination of size (7-foot-1, 270 pounds) and skill set that makes him a fascinating prospect. His passing ability and feel for the game jump off the page, but he is still developing defensively.
Morez Johnson Jr., Dallas Mavericks
The first of the three Michigan players selected in the lottery at this year’s Draft, Johnson Jr. will play for Summer League coach Joe Boylen in Las Vegas before reuniting with college coach Dusty May once training camp opens. He’s a physical, high-motor forward who can impact the game on both ends – a strong rebounder and elite finisher around the basket, and a versatile, switchable defender.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
The No. 34 pick in the 2025 Draft, Kalkbrenner returns to Summer League in Las Vegas after helping the Hornets win the tournament a year ago. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 1.5 bpg in his rookie season as the Hornets made a 25-win improvement. With a new-look roster after a busy offseason, Kalkbrenner will look to solidify his position on the frontline.
Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz
Darryn Peterson dazzles with 25 points and 12 assists in a Summer League win vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.
The No. 2 pick in this year’s draft showed out in his two games at Salt Lake City Summer League — scoring 28 points in his debut, and following that up with a 25-point, 12-assist performance in a clash with fellow top-three draft pick Cameron Boozer and the Grizzlies. He sat out of Utah’s final game at SLC, saving a bit of his electricity for the Las Vegas stage.
Keaton Wagler, LA Clippers
The No. 5 pick in this year’s draft, Wagler brings a combination of size, shooting touch, passing ability and basketball IQ that make him a fascinating combo guard prospect. After averaging 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 4.2 apg with 45/40/80 shooting splits as a freshman at Illinois, he joins a new-look Clippers squad aiming to build toward the future after entering last season with the league’s oldest roster.
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls
Bulls rookie 2026 NBA Draft picks Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain are introduced to the media in Chicago.
Wilson’s promising freshman season at UNC was cut short after he suffered a broken right thumb in March (which followed a fractured left hand in February). In his 24 games, Wilson showcased the combination of size, athleticism and skill that led the Bulls to take him with the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft. His two-way potential jumps off the page. Wilson is a versatile defender who can block shots and guard on the perimeter. Offensively, he’s a lob threat who runs the floor hard and finishes above the rim.
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