Kansas' Darryn Peterson is the
headliner among top-flight 1-and-done guards in NBA draft
[June 17, 2026]
By AARON BEARD
Darryn Peterson looked every bit like a possible No. 1 overall NBA
draft pick as a Kansas freshman — when he was on the court.
The 6-foot-5, 199-pound combo guard averaged 20.2 points but missed
11 games with a variety of injuries and illnesses. He headlines a
position featuring freshman top-10 prospects in Arkansas' Darius
Acuff Jr., Illinois' Keaton Wagler, Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. and
Houston's Kingston Flemings.
Here’s a look at the some of the top guards entering Tuesday's first
round:
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
STRENGTHS: The scoring playmaker can attack off the dribble, in the
halfcourt and in transition.
He shot 38.2% on 3-pointers, hitting six 3s in a win at Oklahoma
State. He shot 82.6% at the foul line and got there often, logging
six games with at least eight attempts — including one with 16 (
against TCU in the Big 12 Tournament ) and another with 15 (while
scoring a season-high 32 points in an overtime comeback win in his
first meeting with TCU ). He also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 1.6
assists.
CONCERNS: The frequent uncertainty about his day-to-day status is a
variable NBA teams will evaluate. He had a full-body cramping issue
requiring hospitalization before the season. Beyond missing time, he
sometimes had limited minutes — even abruptly checking out of games
— to create headaches despite the high-end talent.
There was at least a positive finish: he logged 37 minutes ( against
Cal Baptist ) and 36 minutes ( against St. John's ) in two NCAA
Tournament games.
Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
STRENGTHS: Offense stands out for the 6-2, 186-pound freshman and
first-team Associated Press All-American. He led the Razorbacks to
their first Southeastern Conference Tournament title in 26 years and
the Sweet 16.
Acuff ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists
(6.4). He thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll plays (rated
“Excellent” in the 89th percentile by Synergy) and in isolation
(rated “Very good” in the 74th percentile). He was electric in
scoring a program freshman-record 49 points in a double-overtime
loss at Alabama, along with posting 91 points and 12 3-pointers in
three SEC Tournament wins.
CONCERNS: Defense is a significant question, including handling
matchups against bigger guards.
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
STRENGTHS: The 6-5, 188-pound freshman went from a four-star recruit
to second-team AP All-American in the Illini's first Final Four trip
in 21 years. He showed an all-around skillset with the size to play
on or off the ball.
He averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He shot 39.7%
on 3s, including hitting nine 3s in a 46-point outburst against
Purdue. He earned “Excellent” ratings from Synergy as the
pick-and-roll ballhandler and with his jumper in off-the-dribble,
catch-and-shoot and contested opportunities.
CONCERNS: He has a slim build that could cause him to struggle
against stronger opponents and he lacks elite athleticism.
Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
STRENGTHS: The Louisville freshman offers big scoring potential with
good size (6-5, 180) after averaging 18.2 points and 4.7 assists.
The highlight was his 45 points and 10 3-pointers in a blowout of
N.C. State, breaking the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman scoring
record set by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
CONCERNS: He'll need time to add strength and grow into his frame.
He also battled back issues that sidelined him for eight games at
midseason and then resurfaced to sideline him for the last six,
including two March Madness games.
Kingston Flemings, Houston
STRENGTHS: The 6-3, 183-pound freshman was a third-team AP
All-American as a lead guard with potential to be disruptive
defensively.
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Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) works against Arizona guard Jaden
Bradley (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game
against Arizona, Feb. 28, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick
Scuteri, File)
He averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.2
assists while shooting 47.6% overall, 38.7% on 3s and 84.5% on free
throws. He showed the ability to pressure teams in transition or off
the bounce. He had a Cougars freshman-record 42 points in a loss to
Texas Tech and finished with a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Flemings ranked in the top six among tested combine
players in lane-agility time, shuttle run and three-quarter-court
sprint.
CONCERNS: He'll need to add strength to handle physical play, while
shot mechanics have been discussed as an area needing refinement.
Others of note:
— BRAYDEN BURRIES: The 6-4, 215-pound freshman from Arizona is a
combo guard with a sturdy frame and two-way potential. He's a top-10
prospect who shot 39.1% from 3-point range and was fourth at the
combine in standing vertical leap (35 inches).
— LABARON PHILON JR.: The 6-3, 176-pound sophomore from Alabama was
a third-team AP All-American after averaging 22.0 points and 5.0
assists. The potential late-lottery prospect boosted his shooting
efficiency (50.1% overall, 39.9% on 3s) while thriving as the
ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (94th percentile in Synergy).
— CAMERON CARR: The 6-5, 184-pound sophomore transferred from
Tennessee to Baylor, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6
assists. The first-round prospect ranked among combine leaders in
standing vertical leap (second, 38 inches) and max vertical leap
(third, 42.5).
— BENNETT STIRTZ: The 6-3, 186-pound point guard went from Division
II to Drake to Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight
since 1987. The first-round prospect averaged 19.8 points, 4.4
assists and 1.4 steals. Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the
ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (91st percentile) and finishing at the
rim (90th).
— DAILYN SWAIN: The 6-7, 211-pound wing transferred from Xavier to
Texas, where he averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
The first-round prospect showed active hands by averaging 1.6 steals
but shot just 29.3% on 3s through three seasons.
— CHRISTIAN ANDERSON: The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore from Texas Tech
was a third-team AP All-American who averaged 18.5 points while
ranking fifth nationally in assists (7.4). He’s a bit small but
projects as a scoring playmaker who shot 40% on 3s over two seasons.
— EBUKA OKORIE: The four-star prospect was a surprise freshman star
for Stanford, ranking seventh nationally in scoring (23.2) with a
high of 40 points in a win against Georgia Tech. The first-round
prospect is a bit undersized (6-1, 186) but had the burst to score
in transition and the halfcourt.
— ISAIAH EVANS: The Duke sophomore is a late first-round prospect
who can heat up outside after shooting 38% on 3s through two
seasons, including a clutch winner to beat reigning national
champion Florida. He needs to add strength to a 6-6, 186-pound
frame.
— MELEEK THOMAS: The 6-3, 190-pound freshman from Arkansas is a late
first-round prospect who averaged 15.6 points. He shot 47.9% from
3-point range after Christmas, a 25-game stretch spanning a run to
the SEC Tournament title and the NCAA Sweet 16.
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