The 2027 NBA draft cycle is underway, with college basketball tipping off this week. It is time for an early look at the 2027 class, a group that will test NBA teams as the coming months reveal more about these prospects. Projected No. 1 pick Tyran Stokes headlines a class that teams expect to be weaker than recent ones.
NBA teams anticipate 2027 as a down draft cycle for several reasons, chief among them that this year’s incoming freshman class looks weaker than the past few. That does not mean teams will stop prioritizing younger talent early in the draft, as they usually do. It does leave more room for older prospects to rise and for returning players to solidify their standing.
Scouts will likely face a patient test all season, because few freshmen are expected to play positive minutes right away. College basketball also features many older players thanks to the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule, so NBA teams will need especially nuanced evaluations of the younger players as the season progresses.
Most players on this list will probably return to college next season. Division I programs can now pay top players well above the contractual value of a first-round pick, and that shift in incentives should thin out the first round in the spring. The extra year of eligibility is also expected to affect the depth of the second round significantly.
The 2027 draft will also be the first held under the NBA’s new lottery rules, which were designed to curb tanking. The new system adds more variance to team selection positions, so the worst teams can fall outside the top 10 and play-in teams gain more upward mobility. Combined with the changing college landscape and the flatter talent curve of this class, that could make the 2027 draft unusually unpredictable. This board will change considerably as players emerge and separate themselves.
This ranking reflects individual player evaluations and information gathered from around the NBA and college ranks. It represents the eligible player pool and shows how league executives and scouts value the class. It is not a mock draft and does not account for team fit or projected draft order.
Top 25 Prospects
1. Tyran Stokes, SF/PG, Kansas
Stokes has a major opportunity to establish himself at No. 1, and Kansas’ success will depend largely on how quickly he adjusts to college. He is a do-it-all perimeter talent who can take over games on both ends, fitting the big, modern playmaker profile that NBA teams covet. He creates advantages for teammates as a passer and attacks mismatches with his handle and physicality. His decision-making and jump shooting, however, remain works in progress. NBA evaluators want more efficiency, consistency and maturity from him, because his emotions can at times hurt his competitive success. Improvement in those areas could move him toward stardom. Although no consensus exists yet at No. 1, his skill set gives him an edge as the season begins.
2. Stefan Joksimovic, PG, Baskonia
Joksimovic entered early No. 1 pick discussions after he led Slovenia to gold at the under-18 EuroBasket over the summer. He showed the jumbo on-ball playmaking ability that could eventually run an NBA offense. His size, pick-and-roll instincts and creative passing give him strong long-term upside. He is still developing as a perimeter shooter, and questions remain about whether he can create without a screen. He fits an attractive oversized point guard archetype, though, and he will likely warrant an early-round swing. Scouts entered the fall unsure how large a role he would have at Baskonia. He has played well recently, and his minutes have increased since the club changed coaches in mid-October. He is also among the youngest players in the class.
3. Bruce Branch III, SG/SF, BYU
Branch III has outstanding physical tools for his position, including a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a build that should allow an immediate defensive impact. He is a capable floor spacer and an unselfish ball mover with good vision, but he does not create his own shot well off the bounce. Becoming more assertive as a scorer is his next step, and whether he can develop into a go-to player is the long-term question. Scouts have lamented his occasional passivity, and his tendency to drift through games has drawn mixed reviews. Still, his defense and catch-and-shoot ability provide a strong foundation. He is one of the youngest players in the class, and he is developing in what appears to be a strong situation at BYU. That could make him a candidate for No. 1.
4. Jordan Smith Jr., SG/PG, Arkansas
Smith was a top high school player who produced wins with tenacious perimeter defense and explosive downhill and transition play. He has excellent speed, strength and length for his size, and he plays extremely hard. He is an inconsistent jump shooter and not a natural point guard, so he will need a significant leap as a shot creator to become a high-level NBA scorer. Scouts also question how his half-court offense will translate. Arkansas will use him in a fast-paced system and give him valuable decision-making reps. NBA teams value his intangibles and winning background, which raise his long-term floor. He may need to show real offensive improvement to challenge for the very top of the draft.
5. Caleb Holt, SG/PG, Arizona
Holt combines slashing ability, disruptive defense and a relentless motor. His ball pressure and perimeter chase have long been his calling card, and his potential as an explosive secondary playmaker adds intriguing upside. He will step in as the de facto replacement for Brayden Burries at Arizona. He is not yet a polished offensive player, though, and he thrives most when he plays with energy. His shooting and ability to create off the bounce remain inconsistent. How high he rises will likely depend on his offensive growth this season. Either way, he projects as a valued NBA archetype capable of fitting into many types of lineups.
6. Quentin Coleman, SG/PG, Illinois
Coleman has made rapid progress over the past year and is in the one-and-done conversation after building momentum with NBA scouts in the spring and summer. He does not carry the same national profile as Smith or Holt, but his all-around improvement and combo guard profile keep him close to them. He plays a different style than Keaton Wagler, whose minutes he will replace at Illinois, and he is set for a major role. He is a disruptive defender, an outstanding rebounder and an improving perimeter scorer. He must keep polishing his handle and shot creation to earn a major on-ball role in the pros, but his growing confidence as a shooter and ability to create for teammates point to long-term offensive upside.
7. Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona
Krivas was trending toward the first round of the 2026 draft before he decided to return to Arizona, and he now has a path into the lottery. NBA teams continue to tilt toward keeping size on the floor, which creates strong demand for bigs. Many scouts view him as the most NBA-ready college center. His defense and rebounding will drive his value, and he is set to become a bigger offensive focus for a new-look Wildcats team. Krivas averaged 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds last season. He is an outstanding paint protector and offensive rebounder, and he moves in a coordinated way for his size. He shot 78% from the foul line last season, which suggests real touch. If he builds on last season’s growth, he could become the first big off the board.
8. Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn
Mullins ranks among the best shooters in college basketball and should have a big sophomore season. Injuries hampered his past year, and his freshman season fell short of expectations. He averaged 12.0 points and shot 42.1% from the field over 29 starts. He now has a chance to break out on a new-look UConn team that will make him an offensive focal point. He has good size for a 2-guard, competes on defense and shoots well off movement. He projects as a valuable off-ball player in the pros if he puts everything together. He needs to string together consistent high-level play to prove he can maximize his stock.
9. Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, Florida
Haugh turned down a chance to be a first-round pick to return to Florida, where he will again be the face of a national title contender. He is older than most draft prospects and lacks the ceiling of many players in the class. However, he is about as NBA-ready as a prospect gets. He can plug into NBA lineups as a high-energy team defender and rebounder. He will not command much offensive usage in the pros, but he is a good off-ball cutter and an opportunistic scorer who should fit easily alongside better players. He needs to shoot 3-pointers at a better clip, as his career mark is 32%, to maximize his draft position. Win-now teams seeking plug-and-play prospects could also push him higher under the flatter lottery odds.
10. Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Duke’s preseason games showed a slimmer, more aggressive Ngongba, a major development given his history of foot injuries. He does much of what NBA teams ask of centers. He is a great passer who handles ball-screen actions and operates on the perimeter comfortably, and he has good feet and defensive instincts. He averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes last season, and he should improve on those numbers across the board. With Cameron Boozer off to the NBA, Duke will run much of its offense through Ngongba. He could be among the best players in college basketball in his third season if his early play holds up.
11. Ivan Kharchenkov, SF, Arizona
Kharchenkov’s usage in Arizona’s opener, where he scored 38 points on 20 shots, suggests he is on the verge of a breakout as he takes on heavy offensive responsibility. He is exceptionally strong and physical. As a freshman, he was the team’s top perimeter defender and a solid connective passer, averaging 10.4 points in 28.4 minutes. He will likely look for shots more aggressively this season. A more consistent jumper is the missing piece, since he shot just 31.7% from range in a low-usage role last year. If he remains efficient through a likely spike in volume, his stock will rise. His ability to guard multiple positions and play all over the floor is more likely to be his NBA calling card.
12. Obinna Ekezie Jr., C, Louisville
Ekezie generated positive buzz after a strong preseason showing against Kansas that highlighted his shot blocking and shooting touch. He will need to carve out his role on a crowded Louisville roster anchored by veteran center Flory Bidunga. He reclassified to join Louisville a year early and played through shoulder surgery earlier this year. He should now get more chances to make an impact. He has added significant muscle since arriving in college, and his ability to protect the rim, space the floor and clean up around the basket gives him long-term NBA upside. He is not the most dynamic lateral mover, and some inconsistency is expected at his age. He is not likely to be a featured offensive player, but he could reach the lottery with continued growth.
13. Austin Goosby, SG/PG, Texas
Goosby is a natural connective perimeter player who should take on a big role at Texas. His feel and vision make life easier for teammates. He is still developing as a primary ball handler and should get chances to play point guard, but he projects more comfortably as a bigger combo guard and secondary handler. His 3-point shooting remains a question because of his longer release. He still has excellent role potential thanks to his tools, defensive playmaking and unselfish style. With a strong season, he should have the minutes to join the one-and-done mix.
14. Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky
Moreno is another returner poised for a leap as a defensive anchor and improving offensive option. As a freshman, he averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 22.6 minutes, and he will be a bigger key to Kentucky this season. He has a soft touch around the rim, excellent passing vision for a center and good rebounding. His instincts on both ends make him a stabilizing force up front and a solid paint defender. Kentucky will run offense through him in the post and as a screener. He does not stretch the floor yet and is not an explosive athlete, but he does many things well that will matter in the NBA. A breakout season could secure his place in the draft.
15. JJ Andrews, SG/SF, Arkansas
Andrews is a versatile prospect with a strong winning history, an excellent frame and a well-rounded profile for a complementary wing. He is a powerful athlete and a plus positional rebounder who can defend multiple positions. He should provide value guarding the perimeter and winning the possession battle. His offense is still a work in progress. He is developing as a decision-maker and is not yet an advanced ball handler or a consistent jump shooter. His defensive impact should help him earn a strong role at Arkansas, and his draft readiness will depend on his improvement on the other end.
16. Anthony Thompson, SF/PF, Ohio State
Thompson arrives at Ohio State with high expectations, but he is a long-term prospect who will likely face growing pains as he adjusts to college. He is a perimeter scorer with great size and long-range ability, and his length helps him defensively. He is an inconsistent producer right now, and scouts find him most intriguing in concept. He is also an especially young freshman who could benefit from multiple years of college. He struggles to create his own shot and handle physicality. His higher center of gravity may limit him to straight-line drives and jumpers. Scouts have been frustrated by his relaxed approach at times, and he was not impactful in the Buckeyes’ preseason games. He will draw heavy NBA interest early, but he must work to solidify himself as a true one-and-done player.
17. Sayon Keita, C, North Carolina
Keita arrives in Chapel Hill after developing in FC Barcelona’s system. He is set to play a critical role for the Tar Heels as a defensive eraser and rim runner who catches lobs and covers ground quickly. His 7-foot-7 wingspan, rim protection and excellent mobility have put him on the radar as a potential one-and-done prospect. His ball skills are raw, and he needs to add strength to his lanky frame. He does understand his role well for a center his age. He profiles as an attractive NBA project, but he will need time to fill out and to get more comfortable rebounding and handling physicality.
18. Dame Sarr, SG/SF, Duke
Sarr is a long, disruptive perimeter defender with an NBA-ready frame and excellent tools, but he is still developing offensively. He struggled to make shots as a freshman, averaging just 6.4 points in 23.5 minutes. He remains an intriguing long-term player if his shot comes along, and his body type and feel for the game are worth an NBA swing. Duke did not give him much offensive responsibility last season. Picking his spots to be aggressive and improving his shooting splits, which were 40.4% from the field and 32.3% from 3, would be a step in the right direction for a player with 3-and-D potential. The question is whether that progress comes quickly enough to land him in the 2027 draft.
19. Amari Allen, SF, Alabama
Allen is expected to have the ball in his hands more this season, with Alabama lacking a true point guard after Labaron Philon’s departure for the NBA. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 24 starts last season and returns as a centerpiece of the team. He is a versatile perimeter player with solid feel who rebounds well for his position and can defend multiple spots. He is a capable ball mover who benefits from Alabama’s up-tempo style. He lacks an elite offensive skill, however, as he is not a high-level half-court creator and is an average shooter. How he handles the expanded role will determine his draft case.
20. Alijah Arenas, SG, USC
Arenas looks poised for a step forward as a sophomore after a difficult 2025 that included a car accident in April and a torn meniscus in July. He played just 14 games last season, averaging 14.1 points while shooting 34.1% from the field and 21.3% from 3. He has excellent positional size and intriguing shot-creation skills. Many scouts, however, have struggled to look past his decision-making, shot selection and overall inefficiency. He looked more comfortable in the Trojans’ preseason, and he could rise up the board in a wide-open draft if he helps USC win in a leading role.
21. Jason Crowe Jr., SG/PG, Missouri
Crowe is a talented offensive guard set for a productive season on a Missouri team built around him. His 3-point shooting and microwave scoring stretches will draw scouts all season. His defensive shortcomings and his ability to create for teammates have drawn scrutiny. NBA evaluators are determining whether he can grow into an on-ball role and be efficient enough to handle significant volume in the pros. The NBA has become an increasingly unforgiving setting for shoot-first guards like him, but scouts will watch him closely.
22. Alex Condon, PF/C, Florida
Condon is a proven winner with a clear path to the NBA. He adds value on both ends with his size, mobility, passing and motor. He is athletic enough to toggle between the 4 and 5 on defense, which lets him fit different lineups and provide size and rebounding. His jumper has been a question since he arrived at Florida in 2023, and improving it would significantly raise his NBA ceiling. He made just nine of 53 3-point attempts last season, a 17% clip. Even so, he has built an all-around game that could help him succeed in a useful pro role.
23. Caleb Gaskins, PF/SF, Miami
Gaskins is a long-term project with NBA-level tools and developing offensive skills. He is caught between forward spots, still developing his perimeter game and slightly undersized for the 4, his likely long-term position. He projects as a versatile defender with plus length, but he must provide consistent spacing to become a viable NBA player. So far, he has relied on his midrange game and physical strength as a scorer. He should have the role at Miami to make a one-and-done case, but he is young and may need time.
24. Brandon McCoy, SG, Michigan
McCoy could be a wild-card prospect in the 2027 draft. He is slated to miss the entire season after tearing his right ACL during Michigan’s summer tour of Lithuania and Croatia. Before the injury, he had been playing well and drawing NBA interest, starting with a strong showing at the Nike Hoop Summit that displayed his explosiveness, physical tools and tenacious defense. Long-standing questions about his shooting and ballhandling will go unanswered this season, but he remains a player to watch. If he tests the draft in the spring, he could benefit from the flatter nature of this class.
25. Miikka Muurinen, PF, Arkansas
Muurinen has been a confounding prospect for scouts. He is a physically fluid, bouncy 7-footer who flashes perimeter skill, but he has been an inconsistent producer and decision-maker who struggles with reliability. He has a good platform to prove himself at Arkansas, where he fits well into an up-tempo system. He has played with a motor so far and has shown his NBA-level tools. He will remain polarizing for teams, but a wide-open draft year gives him a chance to change that perception.
Remaining Big Board for the 2027 Class
- Colben Landrew, SG/SF, UConn (Age: 18.7)
- Christian Collins, SF, USC (Age: 19.1)
- Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, SF, Nanterre (Age: 18.3)
- Luigi Suigo, C, Villanova (Age: 19.8)
- Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt (Age: 20.8)
- Cameron Williams, PF, Duke (Age: 19.0)
- David Mirkovic, PF/SF, Illinois (Age: 20.8)
- Abdou Toure, SG, Arkansas (Age: 19.2)
- Miles Sadler, PG, West Virginia (Age: 19.3)
- Dash Daniels, PG/SG, South East Melbourne (Age: 18.9)
- Billy Richmond III, SG/SF, Arkansas (Age: 20.6)
- Baba Oladotun, SG/SF, Maryland (Age: 17.9)
- Matt Able, SG, North Carolina (Age: 20.3)
- Trey McKenney, SG, Michigan (Age: 20.2)
- Najai Hines, C, UConn (Age: 19.6)
- Milan Momcilovic, PF, Kentucky (Age: 22.1)
- Juke Harris, SG, Tennessee (Age: 21.3)
- Jeremy Fears Jr., PG, Michigan State (Age: 21.5)
- Tounde Yessoufou, SF, St. John’s (Age: 20.5)
- Davis Fogle, SG, Gonzaga (Age: 20.4)
- Cheickh Niang, SG, Trento (Age: 18.1)
- Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida (Age: 23.1)
- Shelton Henderson, SG/SF, Miami (Age: 20.0)
- Amare Bynum, PF, Ohio State (Age: 19.8)
- Nik Khamenia, SF/PF, UConn (Age: 19.9)
- Miles Byrd, SG/SF, Providence (Age: 22.3)
- Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston (Age: 21.8)
- Moustapha Thiam, C, Michigan (Age: 20.7)
- Eric Reibe, PF/C, USC (Age: 20.4)
- Cameron Houindo, PF, Cedevita Olimpija (Age: 18.8)
- Michael Ruzic, PF/C, LSU (Age: 20.1)
- Stefan Vaaks, SG/PG, Illinois (Age: 21.5)
- Pryce Sandfort, SG/SF, Nebraska (Age: 21.8)
- Andrej Stojakovic, SG/SF, Illinois (Age: 22.2)
- Paul McNeil Jr., SG, NC State (Age: 20.5)
- David Punch, F, Texas (Age: 20.3)
- Matas Vokietaitis, C, Texas (Age: 22.0)
- Johann Grunloh, C, Virginia (Age: 21.2)
- Cayden Boozer, PG, Duke (Age: 19.3)
- Flory Bidunga, C, Louisville (Age: 21.5)
- John Blackwell, SG, Duke (Age: 21.9)
- Neo Avdalas, SF, North Carolina (Age: 20.7)
- Daniel Jacobsen, C, Purdue (Age: 20.5)
- Massamba Diop, C, Gonzaga (Age: 21.8)
- Jacob Cofie, PF, USC (Age: 20.7)
- Xavier Edmonds, PF, TCU (Age: 22.5)
- Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin (Age: 22.0)
- Jaden Toombs, C, SMU (Age: 19.4)
- Sam Lewis, SG, Virginia (Age: 21.8)
- Collin Chandler, SG, BYU (Age: 22.7)
- Jayden Ross, SG/SF, UConn (Age: 22.3)
- Dillan Shaw, SG/SF, Arizona State (Age: 20.6)
- Bryson Tiller, PF, Missouri (Age: 21.0)
- KJ Lewis, SG, USC (Age: 22.3)
- Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois (Age: 23.2)
- Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Illinois (Age: 23.2)
- Pharrel Payne, C, Maryland (Age: 22.2)
- Tre Singleton, SF, Iowa State (Age: 20.0)
- Jalen Haralson, SF, Tennessee (Age: 19.5)
- Elliot Cadeau, PG, Michigan (Age: 22.2)
- Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn (Age: 21.3)
- Amani Hansberry, PF, Virginia Tech (Age: 22.1)
- Robert Wright III, PG, BYU (Age: 21.0)
- Nigel James Jr., PG, Marquette (Age: 20.8)
- Kanon Catchings, SF, Georgia (Age: 21.2)
- Kayden Mingo, PG/SG, Baylor (Age: 19.7)
- Braden Huff, PF/C, Gonzaga (Age: 23.2)
- Mouhamed Faye, PF/C, Paris Basket (Age: 21.7)
- Pavle Backo, C, OKK Beograd (Age: 19.3)
- Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada, PG/SG, ASVEL (Age: 20.0)
- JT Toppin, PF/C, Texas Tech (Age: 21.4)
- Aiden Tobiason, SG/SF, Syracuse (Age: 20.5)
- Mason Falslev, Utah State (Age: 25.0)
- Kwame Evans Jr., PF, Villanova (Age: 22.3)
- Paulius Murauskas, PF, Arizona State (Age: 22.7)