Ranking the Best Non-Draft Eligible Prospects

The holidays are often a time of catch up for me. I can come home from college and catch up with family and friends, but also prospects who I haven’t been able to get the closest look at. This marks me continuing my work on the classes of the future. I find it important to familiarize myself with these top prospects ahead of time, so lets jump into my top 10 prospects ineligible for the 2025 NBA Draft.

1. AJ Dybansta: 2026 Draft, Committed to BYU

I think there’s probably minimal surprise here. I’d have Dybansta as my number 1 overall prospect in all of basketball at this point, ahead of prospects like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper at the top of the 2025 class.

Dybansta is a 6’9” ball handling wing with a wingspan over 7 feet, and he is every bit the athlete you would want a potential number 1 option in the NBA to be. He is incredibly twitchy, and a force in the open floor. His collection of posters is already impressive, and he is a force getting to the rim. He also has the touch to finish when he can’t just poster his defenders. Dybansta is a good shooter as well, with an ability to shoot off the dribble in isolation as well as a good stroke off the catch.

His handle is highly developed, with a jab step into drive that is one of the best if not the single best I have ever seen from a high schooler. He has real wiggle combined with strength, which gives him multiple ways to attack defenders. He keeps his handle safe inside the lane, weaving through traffic with ease, and has maintained a quality assist to turnover his entire career. He scans the floor well and is unselfish when the right play is to pass. He uses his height to find cutters and shooters out of post looks and projects as a true primary ball handler in the NBA.

On the defensive side of the ball Dybansta knows how to use his length and is an outright competitor. In Team USA games in the World Cup Dybansta defended as well as anyone on the floor. He gets into a good stance and is always looking to make plays on or off of the ball.

What makes Dybansta solidly my best prospect outside of the draft and in the world are his intangibles. I mentioned the competitive fire he showed in Team USA games, but this shows up in every game he plays. Dybansta is going out there and is trying to kill his opponents every game, but he doesn’t let it distract from winning basketball. He has a real alpha mentality you see from those who become great players in the association, while buying into a team environment. In Team USA competitions he didn’t demand the ball or play selfishly, he bought into his role on that team as its second leading scorer while simultaneously showing what makes him special. Dybansta could just be the future face of the NBA after his time at BYU, but time will tell.

2. Cameron Boozer: 2026 Draft, Duke Commit

Boozer is Dybansta’s most realistic challenger for the first pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, and he is in the group with the aforementioned Dybansta and Cooper Flagg for the title of best prospect in the world. Boozer takes much of his game from his father Carlos, but he puts such a modern spin on it that one cannot help but be intrigued.

While I have given Dybansta the title of best prospect in high school, it is not unreasonable to say that Boozer is perhaps the BEST player in high school right now. Boozer was the leading scorer of the U17 World Cup this past summer, putting up 20PPG on a wild 70% from the field. He has all the tricks as a post scorer, knowing how to play with his back to the basket down low. He can spin off of defenders for wide open looks, or he can take his defenders face up for an easy layup. He is simply so much more skilled and athletic than those he plays against it almost looks comical. His touch is incredible and he finishes through contact with ease. He is likely the best finisher in all of high school basketball.

The intrigue with Boozer’s game is the role projection. Post 4s don’t exactly exist in the modern NBA like they did in Cameron’s father Carlos’ day, so Boozer has made it an emphasis to develop his perimeter skills. His 3-point shot is coming along nicely, along with his ability to attack off the dribble from beyond the arc. His overall polish is just not that of a prospect you come across often, and he could be one of the 10 best players in the NBA in time.

I’d expect him to outright dominate college basketball from day one. The college game is so suited for someone like Boozer, and him walking into Duke has the potential to be one of the best one-and-done season for a prospect in a long time.

3. Darryn Peterson: 2026 Draft, Kansas Commit

Peterson is perhaps the prospect who doesn’t get the shine he should considering his skills. The Prolific Prep point guard is one of the most physically gifted guards to come along in a long time, but the presence of Dybansta and Boozer as the top players in the class, as well as his time on the Adidas circuit with less cameras limits his social media star power. He stands at 6’5” with a 6’10” wingspan, and the kid is absolutely jacked. He just doesn’t look like a normal high schooler.

Peterson is known best for his transition scoring and speed, where he can use that speed and frame to power through defenders for highlight plays. In the halfcourt this is a bit more controlled, but Peterson is a force at getting to the rim. He has all the skills and contortions that can help him get to the line as well, where he is incredibly efficient. Peterson’s shooting is still not elite, but it is at a level to play on or off of the ball at a high level, and his form looks good.

The defensive end of the floor excites me most for Peterson. I am not yet sure that he is a true number one option in the NBA, and he has the tools and flashes of a truly elite on the ball defender. If he can truly buy into these tools during his time at Kansas he could potentially challenge one of Dybansta or Boozer for the title of at least second overall pick. Peterson is a talent that would have way more buzz in a normal landscape, and is a player I hope to go far in the league.

4. Brandon McCoy: 2027 Draft, Uncommitted

McCoy is the best defensive guard prospect to come along with in a long time. The point-guard currently attends St. John Bosco and is a force to be reckoned with on defense. His athleticism, anticipation, and listed 6’10” wingspan makes him one of the most exciting defenders among all prospects.

McCoy destroyed opponents in front of him in the U17 World Cup this summer while playing a year up. He would frequently just take the ball from opposing players, using strength and length that isn’t common among 16 year olds. His hands are among the best as well, and he always has a hand in his matchups handle while not fouling at a high rate. He is incredibly twitchy and displays an incredible reaction time he can use to guard in isolation or jump passing lanes. McCoy projects to be one of the best defenders in the NBA in due time.

On the offensive end McCoy can turn his steals into easy points, as he is an incredible open floor athlete. He has the vertical pop to finish over or on people at the rim, as well as touch and creativity to match. His jumper is still developing, but McCoy is a force to get to the rim. He has the handle to catch his defenders off balance or step back and take jumpers in the mid range. His shot gets good rotation and he shoots it willingly. As a passer McCoy has the vision to hit open shooters when he drives as well as passing well in the pick and roll.

What makes me more excited than most on McCoy is his versatility and floor as a prospect. If his shot comes around, which there is not indicator or major red flags compared to your average 17 year old, he will be a dribble pass shoot guard who is menace on the defensive end. You have seen players like Jrue Holiday, Jalen Williams, Derrick White, and Amen Thomson impact the defensive side of the ball in multiple ways in recent years, and I believe McCoy could be a defender of that variety while bringing the offensive skill to be a potential number 2 or 3 on a squad offensively.

5. Tyran Stokes: 2027 Draft, Uncommitted

While I have McCoy ranked higher than Stokes in his own class, Stokes is the player most likely to blossom into a number 1 option in the NBA. Stokes is currently playing his junior season at Notre Dame in Los Angeles after a summer finishing 2nd in EYBL with AJ Dybansta on Oakland Soldiers and a Gold Medal playing up a year in the U17 World Cup.

Stokes is a power driver at the wing-forward combo who’s game aesthetically reminds me of a combination of Carmelo Anthony and Zion Williams. What makes me less sure of Stokes’ route to NBA stardom compared to the big wings mentioned earlier is he doesn’t posses the truly elite skills that either of these two players have. Stokes’ isn’t the elite shooter Carmelo was, and doesn’t have Zion’s one of a kind combination of touch and athleticism. That being said Stokes is clearly very talented.

He has a very big frame at a listed 6’7” and 245 pounds, and he knows how to throw it around to score. He loves hop steps inside the lane and can finish at a high level below or above the rim. He is still developing as a shooter, but his shot looks repeatable with good spin. He has passed the ball well for someone of his size, particularly in Team USA games, where he ranked 3rd on Team USA and 3rd in the entire event in assists. He throws good lobs and has a flair to his passing. On defense he moves well for his size and does a good job at throwing his chest into defenders and walling off driving lanes.

Stokes is an interesting prospect for the class of 2027. He has a lot of star power with some intriguing flashes as a potential secondary or tertiary player.

6. Nate Ament: 2026 Draft, Uncommitted

Ament is one of the most fascinating prospects in the 2026 Draft. ] Listed at 6’9” Ament has an ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot that aren’t very common. He projects to be an efficient play finisher for an elite offense. He shoots at a very high level and has clear elite touch combined with a high release. He knows how to spot up and attack a closeout. He lacks some ball security inside the lane due to a lack of strength, but when he gets to the rim he is an elite finisher. He is a good athlete with the size to finish over nearly anyone inside the lane. As a passer he shows real flashes of hitting cutters and kicking to shooters, but it isn’t an outright positive in his game right now.

On the defensive end Ament consistently posts good steal and block rates, using his size to disrupt defenders. He can struggle with strength while guarding on the ball, but the sky can be the limit for someone who moves as well as him on the defensive end.

Ament’s ability is really limited by his ability to deal with contact and lack of strength. There aren’t a lot of players with his shot, skill, and size combination, and that makes him one of the safer bets to one day blossom into a seamless fit as a number 2 or 3 in the NBA.

7. Alijah Arenas: 2026 Draft, Uncommitted

The son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, Alijah, has a scoring game beyond his years that looks to translate to any level. A lot of high school basketball scorers can be very one dimension, but Arenas is not that player.

He possesses a creativity and safety with the ball that is reminiscent of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and LaMelo Ball. If you ever watch the young Arenas dribble, it is clear his ability to handle pressure from defenses is incredibly high, and he is able to do this while breaking down defenders and initiating advantages at his own pace. He can use his off hand to maintain his line as a driver, and then instantly switch over to a spin and snatch defenders for an easy look.

His shot is good as well. His Adidas circuit shooting numbers are better than his high school numbers, but the majority of his 3-point attempts at Chatsworth High School are self created. He can shoot off the dribble or off the catch and has clear amazing touch.

As a passer Arenas makes great outlet passes and can throw quick whip passes off of either hand. His ability to use his eyes to lure defenders away from open teammates is also good. He has an understanding that the scoring gravity he possesses will create open shots.

Some of the outright creativity he shows has no comparisons. He can play off two feet when needed and use step throughs and shot fakes to create easy shots at the rim, all while having the touch to finish through contact. He can sometimes struggle with strong bigs, but a positive is he is always the one initiating contact. The best scorers in the NBA all are incredibly physical, and Arenas knows this skill will get him far. He doesn’t have the elite athleticism of a Darryn Peterson, or the defensive prowess of Brandon McCoy, but there isn’t a player with more skill, creativity, or craft to match Alijah Arenas.

8. Miikka Muurinen: 2027 Draft, Uncommitted

When Miikka Muurinen moved to America to play high school basketball he was a relatively unknown name. In the past few months he has skyrocketed to 5 star status, after he was one of the best players in all of Peach Jam.

Muurinen is listed a 6’10” and looks the part, and play with an entirely face up game. His ability to hit jumpers at that size is rare, and the fluidity he displays as a mover is incredibly high. He can block shots on the interior but also has some of the footspeed to guard bigger wings or forwards. There is a lot of versatility to love.

His ability to take defenders off the dribble after spotting up is a marquee skill for Muurinen, and one that will translate to the NBA considering his size and speed. He runs the floor in transition well and reminds me a lot of Lauri Markkanen. He has a ways to go before he can in the NBA alongside Markkanen, but Muurinen is a promising prospect for the next few years.

9. Jayden Quaintance: 2026 Draft, Playing at ASU

Quaintance is currently playing his freshman season at Arizona State, but will be draft ineligible for this season after reclassifying up and being to young to be in the NBA. This has given the big man time to play in college basketball and sharpen his skills before next season taking on a bigger role in the NCAA before being drafted.

Right now Quaintance is one of the best rim protectors in all of college basketball. He is posting a block rate of 12.2%, which is incredibly high, let alone for a freshman who won’t turn 18 until JULY. He is listed at 6’9” and looks a little undersized for a center, but he has a ton of vertical pop that can let him contest any shots at the rim. He can quickly pogo stick off the ground for a second jump without sacrificing nearly any height either. He also gets a lot of skills, showing a good ability to use his hands and take the ball from defenders.

On offense his game is a bit more limited right now. Quaintance’s game is a bit non-existent outside of about 3 feet. A lot of his looks aren’t created for himself and he operates best as a play finishing big. He has taken 11 3s so far this season, and has made 2 of them, but he is shooting a mere 50% at the free throw line, which isn’t exactly a huge positive indicator. He is shooting 71% at the rim which is promising, but only 55% on non-dunk attempts, which can limit his ability to be a truly elite inside presence. Quaintance is interesting right now, but this year in college basketball may be exactly what he needs in order to take that next step in his sophomore season, but right now the defensive production is impossible to ignore.

10. Karim Lopez: 2026 Draft, Playing in NBL

The wing out of Mexico Karim Lopez has decided to play overseas in the NBL Next Stars program for the New Zealand Breakers after playing in the Joventut junior program in Spain the past few years.

Listed at 6’8” Lopez has good length and movement skills, so right now he shines on the defensive end. He focuses very well on that end and uses his length well. He is very switchable and has good footspeed. Lopez’s shot isn’t falling right now, but his form looks good and he has soft touch. His handle is also very fluid and he looks confident going to the rim.

What makes me so confident in Lopez’s skills is that he is a 17 year old playing in a league of grown men, a very physical NBL for that matter, that doesn’t look bothered by contact on either end of the floor. A player like that who has some ancillary skills as a secondary ball handler while potentially shooting and defending well is one that I would bet on to have staying power in the NBA. New Zealand looks much better with Lopez on the floor compared to off, and there is still room for him to develop extra skills.