The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft took place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, sending the class’s top prospects to their new teams. AJ Dybantsa went first to Washington, Darryn Peterson was taken second by Utah, Cam Boozer went third to Memphis, and Caleb Wilson became Chicago’s pick at No. 4, with some analysts calling him the best player in the draft class.
After putting on a Bulls cap and shaking hands with commissioner Adam Silver, the 19-year-old forward from North Carolina, the same university where Michael Jordan played, made an audacious promise. “I want to be the greatest player of all time,” Wilson said. “You already have one GOAT in your history, so it’s time for another. I want to be bigger than Michael Jordan.” He later posted a childhood photo on social media wearing a Bulls sweatshirt.
Wilson, who stands 2.08 meters tall, has drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett, including from Draymond Green, who said, “I think Wilson can be the best player in this draft. His floor is Garnett, and if that is your floor... my God. Wilson is that special.” In his only college season, Wilson averaged 19.8 points on 57.8 percent shooting, plus 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.
Dybantsa said after joining the Wizards, “I am every coach’s dream and I am on the right path to reaching the NBA Finals,” adding that Washington is getting “a super versatile player who will do anything to win.” Peterson, who had been criticized for the number of games he missed at Kansas, said his rookie goal is to play all 82 games, reach the playoffs and try to win a championship. He also signed with Adidas in one of the five most expensive sneaker deals ever for an NBA rookie. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said Peterson’s ceiling is Kobe Bryant. Boozer, meanwhile, said before the draft that years from now people would look back and say he should have been the No. 1 pick.
