Hoops Trending: See What's Popular Now
The algorithm has spoken. Stephen Gillaspie has analyzed the data and generated a playlist of prospects that you might enjoy!
Your Next Watch
Based on the last six NBA draft classes, an average of 13.7 freshmen have been selected in the first round. Several factors have played a part in why 18 freshmen were selected in last year’s draft. The termination of the G League Ignite program and the shift in talent acquisition within the Overtime Elite have given soon-to-be collegiate-aged prospects fewer realistic pathways to the NBA. The implementation of NIL contracts has also given international prospects much more incentive to travel to the States and play in the NCAA instead of international clubs.
Based on these factors, here are some new releases you might enjoy…
#1 in College Hoops: Darryn Peterson
Darryn Peterson is a new release who has topped the charts out of nowhere. Can this superstar guard maintain his new throne while restoring a historic program to glory?
Tags: Walking Paint Touch, Powerful Build, Stout Defense
Customers Also Watched: Kobe Bryant, Anthony Edwards, Andrew Wiggins
#2: Cameron Boozer
Cameron Boozer is the spinoff of former NBA player Carlos Boozer. A juggernaut of an athlete with a trophy room that rivals any, Boozer looks to dominate his way to the NBA.
Tags: Impeachable Intangibles, Defensive Stalwart, DNA
Customers Also Watched: Tim Duncan, Rasheed Wallace, Jerami Grant
#3: AJ Dybantsa
Down-on-his luck millionaire AJ Dybantsa embarks on a journey to discover who he really is. Can this smooth operating perimeter talent discover that true power comes from within?
Tags: Enchanting Handle, Overall Scoring Package, Budding Defensive Abilities
Customers Also Watched: Tracy McGrady, Stephen Jackson, J.R. Smith
Bingeworthy Seniors
There is nothing more comforting than rewatching your favorite show. Whether it’s four or five seasons worth of film, you can always find something new on the film—no matter how many times you’ve watched it. NBA teams have shown some willingness to go after upperclassmen, taking 3.2 seniors on average per draft. The effect of NIL on the number of seniors drafted has yet to be determined, with three, six, and four being taken over the last three drafts, respectively. That tops the one, two, and three seniors drafted the three drafts prior by a mile!
Sometimes you have to go where everybody knows your name!
Bennett Stirtz
Despite being older, it feels like the pilot for Stirtz dropped just yesterday. This mighty mouse of a prospect captivated the imagination of the world during March Madness, then found a new home in Iowa. Can he continue his Cinderella story?
Tags: Insane Range, Crazy Confidence, Gets Others Involved
Customers Also Watched: Stephen Curry, Trae Young, Jimmer Fredette
Yaxel Lendeborg
Everyone believes in Yaxel, but he has yet to burst through the proverbial glass ceiling. Just when it felt like it was his time, the powers that be told him “not yet.” Traveling from warm Alabama to icy Michigan might seem like a big move for some, but this modern big will do anything to make his dreams come true!
Tags: Hefty Tool Belt, Can-Do Attitude, Size/Skill Intersection
Customers Also Watched: Paul Millsap, Al-Farouq Aminu, Stanley Johnson
Alex Karaban
The ultimate superhero sidekick gets his own movie! Alex Karaban has fought crime alongside heroes like Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson, and Liam McNeeley. Can Alex keep Storrs safe in his season finale?
Tags: Floor Spacing, Intelligence, Sneaky Help Defense
Customers Also Watched: Peja Stojakovic, Corey Kispert, Landry Fields
Globally Beloved Prospects
With the advent of NIL, more and more prospects have come from overseas to play for college basketball teams. This hasn’t been limited to just “NBA players”, either. This may lead some to believe that the number of prospects being drafted that play for foreign clubs is decreasing. That would be false. Over the past six drafts, the 2020 class had six players drafted who actively played outside of the United States. That is the highest number, but the 2025 class tied that number. Moreover, the 2024 class has the next-highest number of prospects playing overseas, with five.
While the NIL has been made out to be a “Boogeyman” of sorts, the impact of it doesn’t seem to have ravaged international basketball clubs barren.
Karim Lopez
Karim Lopez is a young prospect looking to be noticed by NBA executives. No one ever sees it coming, but Karim moves like someone lurking in the shadows and strikes when you least expect it!
Tags: Fearless Driver, Slashing & Cutting, Sneaky Athleticism
Customers Also Watched: Terrence Shannon Jr., Gary Harris, Rodney Stuckey
Dash Daniels
If big brother can do it, so can he! Dash Daniels is looking to prove to everyone that there is more to his family’s legacy than his brother Dyson’s career. Will he do it? Time will tell!
Tags: Feathery Touch, Paint Prodding, Positional Size
Customers Also Watched: Michael Carter-Williams, Dante Exum, Cody Williams
Neoklis Avdalas
Neoklis Avdalas’s creativity has given him some recognition in his home country, but will his skill hold up against American talent? He’ll need to show he can shoot to come out on top. Dive in to this cult classic prospect!
Tags: Herky-Jerky Movement, Slippery, Organization
Customers Also Watched: Caris LeVert, Matas Buzelis, Jarrett Culver
Guards We Think You’ll Love
In a league that has routinely told you that guards are a dime a dozen, and that they are a fading position, the algorithm has proven that to be incorrect. In fact—of the four positions that you have watched—only one position has a higher drafted average than guards. The NBA has drafted 7.8 guards in the first round per year, with the 2022 class drafting the fewest number of guards at five. Compare that to the eight guards taken in the first round last season, and you can see that the NBA still values this position.
NOTE: The depth of guards in the 2026 class looks to be quite deep. It is my opinion that this position group could provide a few wrinkles in the draft if everything breaks right. Teams with multiple picks could go with another position guard with their earlier pick, and then go with a guard later. This, of course, could be impacted by the number of guards who could return for another year of college. Separately, I predict a heavy discourse of “BPA vs. Need” due to the number of Guards in this class.
Mikel Brown Jr.
Mikel Brown Jr. is an outsider who is looking to prove himself worthy of being appreciated for who he is. Is he misunderstood? Is he just a smaller fish in a big pond? He’ll have to fight his way to the top in order to find out!
Tags: X-Ray Court Vision, Yo-Yo Handles, Versatile Scorer
Customers Also Watched: Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Shaun Livingston
Darius Acuff Jr.
Getting into the family business, Darius Acuff Jr. looks the part…but can he live up to the expectations? The latest season will answer those questions and more!
Tags: Manipulative Handle, Filled Out Frame, Crafty Finishing Ability
Customers Also Watched: Stephon Marbury, Immanuel Quickley, Ryan Rollins
Labaron Philon
If at first you don’t succeed…
Labaron Philon thought that things would go well his first time around, but he is about to learn that the best things in life are worth fighting for.
Tags: Panoramic View, Velcro Defense, Jitterbug Movement Patterns
Customers Also Watched: Rajon Rondo, De’Aaron Fox, Elfrid Payton
Wing Picks For You
Do you like wings who can shoot? We have them! Do you like wings who can defend? We have those too! The NBA has been thought of as “positionless” for a while, but one thing every team needs is players who can make life as easy as possible for a superstar. Wings have typically fit into that descriptor nicely. In the past six NBA drafts, NBA teams have taken 8.8 wings in the first round on average. That ranks the highest among all other position groups!
Take a look at some wings we’ve curated for your scouting pleasure:
Braylon Mullins
In his class, Braylon isn’t the most popular. He isn’t the biggest, the fastest, or the strongest. But this wing has a BIG heart and is willing to help others. Check out this prospect that the whole family can enjoy!
Tags: Infinite Stamina, Lightening Release, Limitless Range
Customers Also Watched: Kyle Korver, Kon Knueppel, Reed Sheppard
Dame Sarr
Fitting in is easy whenever you’re talented, right? Dame Sarr is about to find out! Sarr will have to prove he can fit in a place unlike anywhere else he’s ever been.
Tags: Lunch-pail Mentality, Jack-of-All-Trades, Team Defender
Customers Also Watched: Rudy Gay, Aaron Wiggins, Cam Whitmore
Tounde Yessoufou
Everyone loves an underdog. In one of the most feel-good stories of the year, Tounde Yessoufou stars as a prospect who has the heart of a lion and a physique carved from marble.
Tags: Chiseled Physique, Frenetic Energy, Single-Bound Leaping
Customers Also Watched: Anthony Edwards, RJ Barrett, Ronnie Brewer
Critically Acclaimed Forwards
It has been recommended to you that guards aren’t as much of a dying breed as you once thought. You have seen for yourself why wings have been the most drafted position group over the past six drafts. However, there is no denying that forwards carry the sort of star power that fans all want. Even though forwards rank third among the four position groups, they only trail guards by ~0.1 (7.8 to 7.7). This is because of the size and skill set these sorts of players typically debut with.
These forwards are likely to scratch your itch if you’re looking for a hit!
Nikolas Khamenia
Every Batman needs a Robin, and that’s what Nikola Khamenia is to his friend, Cam Boozer. In this hit prospect, you’ll see why it’s no small act to be there for others!
Tags: Innate Feel, Consistent Finishing Ability, Connectivity
Customers Also Watched: Franz Wagner, Jalen Johnson, Kyle Anderson
Nate Ament
Tale as old as time; a tall skinny forward who likes to space the floor. Directed by the head coach who brought you hit prospect Kevin Durant, Nate Ament is a new spin on a classic player archetype.
Tags: Oodles of Length, Knockdown Shot, Helpful Defender
Customers Also Watched: Kevin Durant, Jaden McDaniels, Zaccharie Risacher
Koa Peat
Ever been misunderstood? So has Koa Peat. A series of events has painted Koa out to be something he’s not. Determined to defend himself, Koa makes every attempt to show that he’s tough, but he’s no bully!
Tags: Grit and Determination, Distribution, Physical Defender
Customers Also Watched: Deni Avdija, Scottie Barnes, Jeremy Sochan
Jump Back Into Bigs
Big men are like “Action Heroes”. Sure, a few actors have carved out a niche in some “Blow ‘Em Up” flicks today, but this type of actor was bigger in the 80s and 90s. While that may have been the case in recent history, things could be looking up for skilled giants! Last season, eight bigs were taken in the first round—the most in the past six draft classes. “Double Big” lineups have become more palatable for teams, harkening back to a simpler time in NBA history.
If you haven’t been a fan of bigs, it’s time to give them another chance!
Chris Cenac Jr.
Chris Cenac Jr. is a modern big man who is likely to draw criticism for not being “tough”. Chris strikes up an “odd couple” relationship with Kelvin Sampson—a “no-nonsense” coach paired with a talented young prospect who may learn a thing or two along the way.
Tags: Paradigm Shifter, Positional Playmaker, Rim Protection
Customers Also Watched: Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson Jr., Alex Sarr
Jayden Quaintance
A childhood prodigy, Jayden Quaintance has shown a high aptitude for basketball at a young age. Now that he is old enough to face the real world, can he learn the skills that he needs to succeed on his own?
Tags: Immovable Object, Twitch, Ferocious Competitor
Customers Also Watched: Bam Adebayo, Onyeka Okongwu, Isaiah Stewart
Magoon Gwath
In the Superhero Age of cinema, few characters have the versatility of the stretchy and bouncy Magoon Gwath. Like most heroes, Magoon will have to conquer the villains who will look to expose his weaknesses!
Tags: Elastic Reach, Impeccable Dexterity, Deceptive Fluidity
Customers Also Watched: Kyle Filipowski, Chris Boucher, Aleksej Pokusevski
…Are You Still Watching?
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This is such a fun concept! Great stuff