The 2026 Final Four is loaded with a variety of different types and levels of NBA prospects. Five already look like good bets to go in the lottery. And there will be a number of other candidates to scout for teams picking in the mid-to-late first and second round.
Certain players with smaller roles are also worth tracking for 2027, as NIL and a weaker 2027 draft are bound to bring back some promising underclassmen from Arizona, Michigan, Illinois and UConn.
Top Prospects
Keaton Wagler, 6-foot-6 freshman guard, Illinois
Wagler came from off the radar back in October to become the top prospect at the Final Four. He just put together a 25-point game against Iowa in which he built a highlight reel of high-level creativity and shotmaking. He’s not explosive or strong, but he overcomes athletic and physical limitations with advanced footwork, shooting, touch and IQ.
Brayden Burries, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, Arizona
Burries has been a constant in the scoring column for Arizona, and he hasn’t needed any fancy skills or exciting athletic traits. He’s highly effective attacking downhill and using footwork and body control. He’s a three-level shotmaker who’s hit 11-of-19 threes through four NCAA tournament games. Burries is a low-maintenance scorer with defensive tools who can fit in and generate offense in any role or system playing on and off the ball.
Braylon Mullins, 6-foot-5 freshman guard, UConn
There figures to be extra focus on Mullins after his historic shot against Duke. One made three-pointer won’t change a player’s draft stock, but it was evident just how much range and confidence Mullins has behind the arc. NBA teams will look at him as a plug-and-play scorer who thrives off the ball with movement and extra space from a fourth level. But he also has some functional athletic ability for play-finishing and defense.
Koa Peat, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Arizona
Peat enters the Final Four coming off consecutive 20-point NCAA tournament games. His scouting report has remained the same throughout the season, as he hasn’t added any shooting range or promising creation skill. However, he’s strong and athletic finishing plays around the basket, and he’s a threat to attack closeouts or fall away into a mid-range jumper. Smart passing and defensive reads help make Peat a more complete player and potential high-level, role-playing Swiss Army Knife at the next level.
Yaxel Lendeborg, 6-foot-9 senior forward, Michigan
Yaxelborg has a case as the best current player in the Final Four. He’s also 23 years old, which will limit interest from NBA teams drafting top 10. But in the next tier, teams figure to feel safe about selecting a 6’9” forward who’s consistently checked a valued mix of boxes from UAB to the Final Four with Michigan. He’s improved his shooting to reach 37.2 percent on 4.5 three-point attempts per game. His passing has always been a plus. And he’s blossomed into an impact defender who moves well and has gotten better at anticipating.
First-round candidates
Aday Mara, 7-foot-3 junior center, Michigan
NBA teams can pick apart Mara’s flaws and fit, being a center who isn’t switchable and struggles mightily from the free-throw line. But even if it’s in a reduced role, Mara can be a very unique weapon for a rotation as a 7’3” shot-blocker, huge finishing target and excellent passer you can run offense through. A matchup with Motiejus Krivas in the Final Four will draw lots of focus from scouts.
Morez Johnson, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward/center, Michigan
Scouts are curious as to whether Johnson declares or returns to a bigger NIL bag and role at Michigan. There is definitely NBA interest in a forceful, 6’9” finisher and rebounder who brings toughness inside and the defensive versatility to block shots or guard away from the basket. The upside really kicks in if he continues to build on his 13 made threes and improved free-throw shooting.
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Michigan head coach Dusty May talks with Seth Davis and Andy Katz on the latest episode of The Hoops HQ Show
Motiejus Krivas, 7-foot-2 junior center, Arizona
Krivas won’t look like a sexy, high-upside draft pick. But he has the chance to be impactful immediately for an NBA team that could use more rim protection and a physical presence inside. At 7’2” 260 pounds, he’ll instantly become one of the league’s biggest frontcourt players who changes games defensively and makes free throws.
Tarris Reed, 6-foot-11 junior center, UConn
Support for Reed has gradually grown as he’s become a more involved scorer. Though not the most modernized big man, he’s still skilled and coordinated offensively around the paint, and there aren’t many college players who have his block and assist rates.
Jaden Bradley, 6-foot-3 senior guard, Arizona
Bradley will be worth looking at in the second round as a backup point guard who can put pressure on defenses with his drives and opposing ball-handlers with his defense. He’s a two-way playmaker who’s been a consistent mid-range and free-throw shooter.
Kylan Boswell, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Illinois
No shooting improvement has kept Boswell from building any draft buzz. But teams could view him as a jack-of-all-trades guard who can run offense, get downhill, create for teammates, defend and bring professionalism to a lineup.
Alex Karaban, 6-foot-8 senior forward, UConn
NBA teams are bound to see a role player in Karaban, who’s contributed to three Final Four runs with the same combination of off-ball shooting, cutting and good decision-making. The lack of ball-handling or athleticism shouldn’t matter for a floor-spacer and connector whose job will be to make threes, finish plays and move the ball.
Longer-term Prospects
Ivan Kharchenkov, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, Arizona
Kharchenkov scored at least 14 points in three of four NCAA tournament games. He’s a physical slasher and intense defender who could be a surefire first-rounder next year if he improves on his 31.4 percent three-point shooting.
Trey McKenney, 6-foot-4 freshman forward, Michigan
Scouts will have to think out of the box with McKenney, who’s built more like a tight end than NBA guard. Still, the combination of 225-pound size and 38.4 percent three-point shooting is worth monitoring. He’s a dangerous shotmaker who’s also looked good pulling up in the mid-range.
Dwayne Aristode, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Arizona
Aristode has fallen out of Arizona’s regular rotation, but he has a chance to generate NBA interest down the road with a three-and-D profile: 6’8” wing size and 45.3 percent three-point shooting.
David Mirkovic, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Illinois
Mirkovic’s athletic and defensive limitations are glaring, but at 6’8”, a shoot-dribble-pass skill set remains intriguing.
Meet your guide
