{"id":183240,"date":"2026-03-26T08:30:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=183240"},"modified":"2026-03-26T01:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T05:53:40","slug":"top-2026-nba-draft-prospect-on-each-team-in-the-sweet-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/26\/top-2026-nba-draft-prospect-on-each-team-in-the-sweet-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 2026 NBA Draft Prospect On Each Team In The Sweet 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NCAA Tournament rolls on, there have been many great performances made by prospects who can potentially declare for the 2026 NBA Draft<\/a>. Whether they are a quick guard<\/a>, a versatile forward<\/a>, or a burly center<\/a>, they have proven throughout the tournament and the collegiate season why they are the best draft prospect on their team. Let’s dive into an overview of the top 2026 NBA Draft prospects on each of the teams going to the Sweet 16.<\/p>\n

Top 2026 NBA Draft Prospect On Each Team In The Sweet 16<\/h2>\n

Duke Blue Devils: Cameron Boozer<\/h3>\n

The undisputed top NBA draft prospect on the Duke Blue Devils is Cameron Boozer<\/a>. Throughout the season, Boozer<\/a> has proven himself to be the epitome of consistency and production, which has continued into the NCAA Tournament. He possesses a well-rounded skill set that allows him to positively affect all parts of the game. Boozer can certainly dribble, pass, and shoot at a high level while also bringing skill on the defensive end. With his sheer versatility as a player, Boozer is not only the best prospect on Duke, but he may be the person who goes first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

St. John’s Red Storm: Zuby Ejiofor<\/h3>\n

As the best overall player on the best team in the Big East, St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor<\/a> is undoubtedly a major factor in their success. Despite being undersized at six-foot-nine, Ejiofor is highly productive on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he is an effective scorer and passer. Defensively, Ejiofor has shown himself to be a high-motor defender who can guard multiple positions and be a great defensive playmaker. As he can continue his excellent play moving deeper into the tournament, Ejiofor will surely play himself into more interesting draft conversations.<\/p>\n

Michigan State Spartans: Jeremy Fears Jr.<\/h3>\n

The older brother of current Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears<\/a>, Jeremy Fears Jr.<\/a>, has had a great season with the Spartans. Serving as the starting point guard, Fears has been an excellent playmaker who has also taken a step forward as a scorer. In particular, he possesses great court vision and passing ability, demonstrating creativity in his passing reads. Much like his brother, Fears puts major pressure on the paint using his ball-handling and pace. Fears may not be in the upper echelons of point guards in this class, but he is unquestionably a talented guard in his own right.<\/p>\n

UConn Huskies: Braylon Mullins<\/h3>\n

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Despite an injury delaying the start of his season, UConn guard Braylon Mullins<\/a> is the best overall prospect on the Huskies. The six-foot-six guard is one of the better three-point shooters in the draft this year, being able to shoot the ball in a variety of ways. Furthermore, Mullins is great at moving off the ball. Going alongside his shooting potential, Mullins is also capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. His size, length, and motor allow him to be an engaged defender who consistently competes on that end. With his blend of size, shooting, and energy, Mullins has the talent and skills to be a first-round pick this year.<\/p>\n

Iowa Hawkeyes: Bennett Stirtz<\/h3>\n

Another point guard on the list, Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz<\/a>, is one of the better guard prospects in the entire draft. He is an excellent three-level scorer who can also organize the offense at a high level. He has great passing vision and feel out on the floor. Stirtz is great at running the pick-and-roll, using it to create shots for himself and others. Plus, he has the movement and shooting to be able to play off the ball. His offensive talent has helped Iowa get all the way to the Sweet 16. Based on his talent, Stirtz is worthy to be a first-round pick in this coming draft.<\/p>\n

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Pryce Sandfort<\/h3>\n

Forward Pryce Sandfort<\/a> is the best overall player on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and he is their top draft prospect as well. His calling card as a player is his three-point shooting. He is undoubtedly one of the better shooters in the entire draft. Not only that, but Sandfort can also put the ball on the deck and score inside the arc. Sandfort isn’t a highly-touted prospect, being an older prospect who isn’t the best defensively. However, Sandfort’s shooting is NBA-level skill, which should put his name in second-round pick conversations.<\/p>\n

Illinois Fighting Illini: Keaton Wagler<\/h3>\n

Of the group of guard prospects in this class, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler<\/a> sits near the top. As the best draft prospect on a fantastic Illinois team, Wagler<\/a> stands out as a tall guard with great positional size, solid playmaking, and excellent shooting. He possesses efficient scoring ability on all three levels and the ball-handling ability to be a primary ball-handler. His shooting also gives him the versatility to be an off-ball player. In terms of his playmaking, Wagler has impressive court vision, using his size to see over opposing defenders. Speaking of his size, Wagler can defend across multiple positions. He is unquestionably slated to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft.<\/p>\n

Houston Cougars: Kingston Flemings<\/h3>\n

On a Houston team full of talent, Kingston Flemings<\/a> is one of their best players and their overall best prospect. The six-foot-four Flemings is a extremely quick guard who can efficiently score on all three levels. Furthermore, he can play off of other creators due to his off-ball movement and shooting. Flemings is also a skilled ball-handler who can be the main facilitator of his team’s offense. He has the vision and passing ability to find open teammates and get the ball where it needs to go. Flemings brings a positive impact at the guard position with his aggressive defense and ability to force turnovers. He has had an overall great season with Houston and is one of the likeliest prospects to go into the top five.<\/p>\n

Arizona Wildcats: Brayden Burries<\/h3>\n

Despite early-season struggles, Arizona guard Brayden Burries<\/a> bounced back in a major way. He has proven himself to be a physical guard who is an excellent scorer and solid defender. He knows how to use his strength to power through contact to get to the rim. Plus, he has great touch as a shooter, both in the mid-range and from three. While he does have a more score-first mentality, Burries is a competent passer in his own right. On the floor, he can act as his team’s primary creator or in a lesser, off-ball role if needed. Defensively, his strength works in his favor as he can hold his own against bigger players. Also, he uses his length well to force turnovers. Over the course of the season, Burries has certainly played himself into the lottery.<\/p>\n

Arkansas Razorbacks: Darius Acuff Jr.<\/h3>\n

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For Arkansas, their star guard, Darius Acuff Jr.<\/a>, is easily their top NBA draft prospect. His offensive talent has been the driving force of the Razorbacks’ season. Acuff can efficiently score on all three levels, both with and without the basketball. Not only is Acuff a talented scorer and shooter, but he can also play-make at a high level. He has impressive court vision and passing ability, making him someone who can be a primary facilitator for his team. His defense leaves something to be desired, but it’s difficult to deny his excellent offense. His offensive talent, which has been demonstrated in the tournament and throughout the season, gives him a strong argument to be one of the first guards selected on draft night.<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns: Dailyn Swain<\/h3>\n

Dailyn Swain<\/a> is by far the Longhorns’ top draft prospect and their best player. The six-foot-seven forward is a versatile two-way wing who stands out for his self-creation abilities. Specifically, Swain is a highly impressive driver of the basketball, using great ball-handling and body control to effectively get into the lane. While not a major shooting threat, Swain has improved his three-point shooting. Additionally, Swain is a great passer for his position, having the vision to make reads against opposing defenses. He is skilled on defense as he has the size and length to guard multiple positions and be switchable. Furthermore, he uses his length well to disrupt passing lanes. Swain has certainly played himself into the first round this year.<\/p>\n

Purdue Boilermakers: Braden Smith<\/h3>\n

Much like last year, Braden Smith<\/a> is the top draft prospect for the Purdue Boilermakers. He is still their floor general, providing great ball-handling and playmaking. He has great vision and basketball IQ, allowing him to fully quarterback the offense at a high level. Furthermore, Smith is a solid scorer in his own right, being able to operate on and off the ball due to his shooting. Despite his size at six feet tall, Smith is an engaged defender who can consistently force turnovers. He was able to lead Purdue to the Sweet 16 last season and has done so once again. He may not have the same draft stock as the other guards on this list, but he is still certainly a prospect who can have his name called during the draft.<\/p>\n

Michigan Wolverines: Yaxel Lendeborg<\/h3>\n

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg<\/a> had an argument to be a first-rounder last season, but chose to return and go to Michigan. In that choice, Lendeborg<\/a> has proven to be the best player on one of the best teams in college basketball. He is also Michigan’s top draft prospect, despite playing next to other great talents. Versatility is the name of the game for the six-foot-nine Lendeborg, demonstrating excellence on both ends. He is a skilled interior scorer and a decent three-point shooter. Plus, Lendeborg is a great passer for his position, consistently making impressive reads. Defensively, his size and length help him be a versatile defender who can guard up and down the lineup. Furthermore, his length helps him rack up steals and blocks. If he had a chance to be a first-rounder last season, then Lendeborg has made a convincing argument this season to be in the lottery.<\/p>\n

Alabama Crimson Tide: Labaron Philon<\/h3>\n

Alabama guard Labaron Philon<\/a> helped lead the Crimson Tide to the Sweet 16 during his freshman season last year. As the undisputed main man, he does so again, displaying his improved game this time around. Philon was already Alabama’s top draft prospect last season, demonstrating himself to be a skilled guard who can have positive impact on many facets of the game. This season, Philon has improved upon his shooting efficiency, becoming a true three-level scorer. He has vastly improved as a three-point shooter and as a playmaker. While his defense has taken a step back due to his increased offensive usage, Philon is still an impressive all-around guard. He was already talented enough to be a first-round pick last year, but now he has an argument to be a lottery pick.<\/p>\n

Tennessee Volunteers: Nate Ament<\/h3>\n

While he has been up and down this season, it’s hard to deny that Nate Ament<\/a> is Tennessee’s top draft prospect. The six-foot-ten forward has major upside as a dribble, pass, and shoot wing who can also play defense. To be sure, his scoring hasn’t been efficient this season, but he has shown flashes of what he can become. His size and length lend themselves well to Ament becoming a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. He has a long way to go, but Ament is still a talented player and prospect.<\/p>\n

Iowa State Cyclones: Joshua Jefferson<\/h3>\n

Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson<\/a> is the best player and draft prospect for the Cyclones. He is a versatile dribble, pass, and shoot player who can also provide value defensively. He has been the focal point of their offense, demonstrating versatile offense and solid playmaking skills. Jefferson has been one of the biggest contributors to their success this season, however, he may potentially be sidelined for the Sweet 16 due to an ankle injury he suffered against Tennessee State in the first round. Regardless of whether he plays, Jefferson has certainly proven himself as someone who deserves to be drafted in the first round.<\/p>\n

Featured Image: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the NCAA Tournament rolls on, there have been many great performances made by prospects who can potentially declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Whether they are a quick guard, a versatile forward, or a burly center, they have proven throughout the tournament and the collegiate season why they are the best draft prospect on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5121,"featured_media":183644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,773,62,556,3],"tags":[49942,50035,49715,50379,50388,50010,832],"class_list":["post-183240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-college-basketball","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-news","tag-2026-nba-draft","tag-bennett-stirtz","tag-cameron-boozer","tag-darius-acuff","tag-keaton-wagler","tag-labaron-philon","tag-ncaa-tournament"],"modified_by":"Benjamin Yu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5121"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183240"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183646,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183240\/revisions\/183646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}