Rucker's Scouting Notebook: 2026 NBA Draft Sleepers to Monitor
The 2026 NBA Draft class has fans buzzing. As the cycle marches on, let's take a look at some NBA Draft Sleepers starting to make noise.
The 2026 NBA Draft class has fans buzzing when it comes to the potential star power that this incoming class can offer. NBA fans are flooding in earlier than usual to get an updated look at some of the biggest names when it comes to the class. Beyond the big names in this class, though, there are some fascinating sleepers who are starting to make some noise.
Each scouting notebook installment will feature a closer look at a different area of the upcoming NBA Draft class. Previous installments have featured some notable matchups to keep an eye on each week when it comes to prospects. Today, we’re going to highlight a wide range of sleepers. To have some fun with it, I’ll be putting a “Sleeper Level” on a group of prospects. This will range from some players who have quickly generated enough buzz to almost throw out the “sleeper” tag. As well as some deep cuts that you might just want to add to your scouting database.
Some of these names have made a loud announcement to the scouting community. Even though it’s early in the year, their play on the court has gotten scouts around the NBA buzzing about their draft stock for this year’s class. Others have made a loud enough start to the year that they have put themselves on radars. With a number of these players, it’s important to remember the context. While some of the younger prospects are generating buzz, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going to be in this class. It just means that it’s time to get them firmly on your watch list because we’ve got a LONG way to go this cycle.