NBA Draft Big Board: Where Iowa And Iowa State Stars Land
The 2026 NBA Draft big board is officially set, and two local standouts are earning national respect. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson claims the top spot, but Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz and Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson have firmly played their way into the first round. As draft night approaches, this merit-based ranking focuses on proven skill and work ethic over empty potential.
Who are the elite tier prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The top of the board features undeniable talent. These players have earned their spot through production and clear strengths.
- 1) Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas): Shooting, playmaking and skill outweigh the weird year at Kansas.
- 2) AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU): A-grade bucket getter with outlandish ability.
- 3) Cam Boozer (F, Duke): All-purpose big with perhaps the highest floor of anyone.
Caleb Wilson from North Carolina sits in a tier of his own at number four. He has tools for days with a maniacal work ethic, though his shot remains questionable. Work ethic matters, and Wilson has it in spades.
Where do the Iowa and Iowa State prospects stand?
Iowa basketball fans have plenty to watch on draft night. Two local stars have proven they belong on the national stage.
21) Bennett Stirtz (G, Iowa): Stirtz lands in the fifth tier, described as an excellent offensive guard who will have to improve defensively. His offensive production speaks for itself, and his scoring ability makes him a legitimate first-round contender.
25) Joshua Jefferson (F, Iowa State): Jefferson slots into the sixth tier as an offensive hub inside the arc with real athleticism questions. Despite the concerns, his ability to operate an offense from the forward position proves his basketball IQ and value.
What defines the guard-heavy tiers of the draft?
The middle of the first round is loaded with guards, and the evaluations vary wildly. The third tier is an ice cream parlor, meaning your favorite flavor might be someone else's least favorite.
- 5) Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois): Size, skill and shooting are exemplary, but weight and athleticism need improvement.
- 6) Mikel Brown Jr. (G, Louisville): Highest potential of the group, but also the lowest floor.
- 7) Brayden Burries (G, Arizona): Highest floor of the group, but probably the lowest ceiling.
- 8) Kingston Flemings (G, Houston): Speed and athleticism for days, but his shot must hit to reach his ceiling.
- 9) Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas): A high-variance guard with undeniable talent.
Which prospects are lottery contenders?
The fourth tier features players expected to land in the top 14 picks. These are the lottery contenders.
- 10) Nate Ament (F, Tennessee): Preseason top five for a reason, but a polarizing prospect.
- 11) Morez Johnson Jr. (F, Michigan): Glue guy who happens to be an athletic freak.
- 12) Aday Mara (C, Michigan): Blocks out the sun defensively with a refined touch at the rim offensively.
- 13) Cam Carr (G, Baylor): An unbelievable athlete waiting to be showcased properly.
- 14) Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan): Lebron if you ran him through a copier 150 times.
- 15) Dailyn Swain (F, Texas): Combo-forward who needs his shot to translate in the NBA.
- 16) Ebuka Okorie (G, Stanford): Walking paint touch with questions about the long ball.
What about the first round grades and high variance picks?
The fifth and sixth tiers round out the guaranteed first-round grades. The fifth tier includes Stirtz, along with sweet shooting forward Allen Graves, injury risk Jayden Quaintance, elite shooter Christian Anderson, crafty guard Labaron Philon, and big forward Karim Lopez.
The sixth tier features skilled but unproven bigs and streaky shooters like Chris Cenac Jr. and Isaiah Evans. The seventh tier is for the swingers, high variance players like Koa Peat, Tarris Reed Jr., Meleek Thomas, and Richie Saunders.
Who earned a guaranteed NBA contract?
The eighth and final tier consists of players who have earned a guaranteed NBA contract. This list is not about hype; it is about proven capability and winning intangibles.
- 32) Zuby Ejiofor (F, St. John's): Undersized, but real winning intangibles.
- 33) Izaiyah Nelson (C, USF): Uber-athletic big with tools that need developing.
- 34) Henri Veesaar (C, UNC): Stretch big who is softer than charmin.
- 35) Jack Kayil (G, Alba Berlin): Inefficient scoring guard with tools working for him.
- 36) Alex Karaban (F, UConn): Glue guy, bench shooter and culture guy.
- 37) Jaden Bradley (G, Arizona): Steady hand who could carve out a role in the NBA.
- 38) Emmanuel Sharp (G, Houston): Bench gunner who isn't afraid to guard you.
- 39) Braden Smith (G, Purdue): Floor general that will be capped by his height.
- 40) Trevon Brazile (F, Arkansas): Would be twenty spots higher if he could shoot. Athlete.
- 41) Ryan Conwell (G, Louisville): Capable shooter by attempts at Louisville, less so by percentage.
- 42) Nick Martinelli (F, Northwestern): Junkyard dog. Capable shooter and does try defensively.
- 43) Bruce Thornton (G, Ohio State): A prospect that leaves some evaluators wanting more.
How does this NBA Draft board rank the prospects?
This board relies on a tiered system. Players within the same tier are somewhat interchangeable, while the differences between tiers are significant. It takes an overwhelming fit to justify drafting a player from a lower tier when someone from a tier above is available.
Which Iowa players are projected in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz is ranked 21st, landing in the fifth tier as an excellent offensive guard who needs defensive improvement. Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson is ranked 25th in the sixth tier, valued as an offensive hub inside the arc despite facing athleticism questions.