The 2026 NBA Draft projects to be filled with plenty of talent across the board. At both the point guard and shooting guard positions, there are exceptional prospects that fans and analysts should keep an eye out for. With the guard positions covered, it is time for the best small forward prospects to be recognized. Let’s delve into the top small forward prospects to watch during this 2026 NBA Draft cycle.
2026 NBA Draft: Top Small Forward Prospects To Watch For
AJ Dybantsa
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is right up there with Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer as part of the top three of the 2026 NBA Draft. Standing at six-foot-nine, Dybantsa is the ideal “star wing” prospect that any team would love to build around. He is a talented scorer on all three levels, with high upside as a defender and playmaker. In the same vein as wings like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Dybantsa has the potential to be a high-level, versatile forward in the league.
Going through his skill set, Dybantsa is at his best when operating as a scorer. He is an expert at getting to the basket, utilizing his athleticism and strength to burst past opposing defenders reach the rim, where he throws down thunderous dunks. Not only that, but he has also demonstrated a solid understanding of controlling pace and having good footwork on his drives. He is completely fearless when going to the rim and always looks to invite contact, allowing him to consistently go to the free-throw line.
In terms of his shooting, Dybantsa is a proficient mid-range shooter who can take and make tough shots. While he isn’t as good as a three-point shooter, Dybantsa is still enough of a shooter to be an active threat from beyond the arc.
As for the other parts of his game, Dybantsa has shown strong flashes as a playmaker and defender. On the playmaking front, Dybantsa has good court vision and processing on the court. He generally can find open teammates and get them the ball. Not only that, but he can leverage his driving ability to create open shots for others. Defensively, he has the size, strength, athleticism, and length to be a versatile defender who can cover multiple positions.
Nate Ament
Tennessee forward Nate Ament has the chance to go in the top five, as he has flashed upside as a high-level shooter and defender. The six-foot-ten forward is a solid ball-handler and playmaker for someone of his size, leveraging his scoring to collapse defense. His size also helps him scan the floor for open teammates or cutters going to the basket. As for his scoring, Ament is defined by his smooth jumper combined with his height. Ament can face up and shoot over smaller opponents in the mid-range. Furthermore, he is also a threat from beyond the arc, operating best as a catch-and-shoot player. While he can struggle to get to the rim, he does have good touch when he gets there.
One of the other things that defines Ament is his potential as a defender. He has the perfect combination of size, length, and athleticism to be a strong defender on the wings. Considering his frame, Ament has the defensive versatility to guard across multiple positions. While he can get pushed around, Ament does have the quickness to keep up with guards on the perimeter. He uses his length well to bother opposing players and disrupt passing lanes. There is a lot for Ament to work on, particularly his strength and shot selection. However, if he can find ways to improve, Ament can truly be someone special to watch.
Neoklis Avdalas
One of the more intriguing small forward prospects this season is Virginia Tech wing Neoklis Avdalas. Standing at six-foot-nine, his skills point to him being a bigger offensive initiator. Even at his size, Avdalas is a solid ball-handler who has flashed excellent court vision and passing ability. To supplement his passing, Avdalas can be a threat to drive the ball and has demonstrated upside as a shooter. His direct scoring abilities certainly need more work, but if he can figure that out, his dynamism as an offensive threat goes through the roof when paired with his passing.
As for his defense, the size he has allows him to be a multi-positional defender, though stronger players can pick on him. Furthermore, quicker guards can give him some grief. Nevertheless, the potential Avdalas has as a jumbo-sized initiator makes him a prospect to watch for.
Nikolas Khamenia
Duke Forward Nikolas Khamenia is a talented six-foot-eight small forward who has a jack-of-all-trades skill set. He is a strong passer for his size and operates well as a connective piece within an offense. As a scorer, Khamenia is a capable mid-range and three-point shooter, being a solid spacer out on the floor. Defensively, while Khamenia’s lack of athleticism and strength hold him back, his size and basketball IQ make up for it as he is a good team defender. Khamenia knows exactly where to rotate defensively and consistently plays with energy. Khamenia’s versatile skill set will make him a valuable piece for any team at the forward spot. Even on a deep Duke team, Khamenia is someone to keep an eye on this college season.
Honorable Mentions: Karter Knox, Kam Williams, Isaiah Evans, Shon Abaev, Dailyn Swain, Alex Karaban
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