NBA Scout Reveals 1 Major Reason He Ranks Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa Ahead of Cameron Boozer in 2026 Draft

The upcoming 2026 NBA Draft carries one of the most electric freshman classes in a long time. In fact, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo describes some of this draft as “the strongest NCAA freshman class in the past half-decade.” AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer led the way as the clear top-three prospects. Many expect all three to become franchise stars, but one NBA scout clearly prefers two of the freshmen over another.

NBA Scout Lower on Cameron Boozer Than AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson

Any team with a top-three pick in next year’s draft likely comes away with a franchise centerpiece. However, one NBA scout puts Dybantsa and Peterson in a tier above Boozer for one specific reason.

“Can you put the ball in his hands and you know he’s going to be able to get a bucket … when the game’s on the line? … It’s not a knock on Cam, it’s just that those other two guys (Dybantsa and Peterson) have the potential to be the best player on NBA championship teams,” said the scout.

Boozer averages 23.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 10 games for the Duke Blue Devils. Despite not having the on-ball, self-creation ability of Dybantsa or Peterson, he leads the three freshmen in scoring and contributes strongly in multiple areas, most notably on the glass.

Boozer’s combination of strength and shooting from beyond the arc suits him well for the modern NBA game. His best performances include a 35-point explosion against the University of Arkansas and a dominant 24-point, 23-rebound double-double versus the University of Tennessee.

However, one college coach points out Boozer’s lackluster rim finishing. “The rim finishing concerns are legitimate … He’s always been a below-the-rim finisher around bodies, around size,” said the coach who scouted Duke. Boozer also lacks the explosive leap and quick first step compared to both Peterson and Dybantsa.

Diving More Into Peterson and Dybantsa

Peterson frequently impresses with his ability to create space off the dribble and blow by his man. He averages 19.3 points as the University of Kansas’ starting point guard, but Peterson is more of a score-first guard.

Peterson averages 2.8 assists, and lower-body injuries have limited him to just four NCAA games. His frequent hamstring troubles could impact his draft status. Former Kansas standout Thomas Robinson thinks Peterson should exercise extreme caution.

ICYMI: Former Kansas great Thomas Robinson (@Trobinson0)’s take on Darryn Peterson 👀

“This injury isn’t anything to play with. For a kid with as much potential as him… hamstring injuries can be a trigger to a lot of things. He’s gotta be careful”

🎥: https://t.co/ddBjsb4Zco pic.twitter.com/kFzAXBRkWs

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) December 16, 2025

Dybantsa averages 20.9 points, 6.7 boards, 3.4 steals, and 3.4 assists for Brigham Young University. His explosive athleticism, combined with his handle at 6’9″, 210 pounds, allows him to get to the rim with ease. He finishes strong at the rim, but his perimeter shot needs improving. Dybantsa shoots 34.8% from 3-point range on just 2.3 attempts. His launch into NBA stardom could depend on his perimeter shot.