The NBA Draft is a treasure trove of talent, and the 2026 edition promises to be a particularly exciting one. With a strong top three, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer, the future of the league looks bright. But who will come out on top? Let's take a look at the rankings of the top 27 NBA Draft picks of the century, with a special focus on the 2026 class.
LeBron James - The GOAT himself, LeBron James, continues to defy age and expectations. At 41, he's still averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. His impact on the court is immeasurable, with a net-rating swing over 10.0 in 10 of his 23 seasons. LeBron's dominance is further evidenced by his 1,179 games with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, the most in NBA history.
Victor Wembanyama - The young phenom, Victor Wembanyama, is a force to be reckoned with. At 22, he's already led his team to the NBA Finals, finished third in MVP voting, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously. With averages of 23.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals, Wemby is a player with a bright future.
Anthony Davis - Anthony Davis is a skilled big man with a classical post game, a reliable jumper, and a nose for shot-blocking and rebounds. His career averages of 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks are impressive, and he's added a championship to his resume with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dwight Howard - Dwight Howard was a dominant big man during his time with the Orlando Magic. He averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals, and his ability to protect the paint and disrupt pick-and-rolls made him a key player. Howard's impact on both ends of the floor earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Kyrie Irving - Kyrie Irving is a dangerous offensive player when healthy, with a 3.0-plus offensive box plus/minus in each of his 14 seasons. His ability to score from all three levels and his extensive repertoire of moves make him a tough opponent. Kyrie's most famous shot was a side-stepping three that secured the 2016 NBA Finals for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Karl-Anthony Towns - Karl-Anthony Towns has been a dominant rebounder and one of the best shooting big men of all time. His ability to make adjustments and become a playmaker and defender has been crucial to the New York Knicks' championship win.
Anthony Edwards - Anthony Edwards is a rising star with four All-Star appearances, two All-NBA nods, and two conference finals appearances. His playoff exploits are particularly exciting, and he's turned the Minnesota Timberwolves into title contenders.
Yao Ming - Yao Ming, despite playing in only eight NBA seasons, was a force for the Houston Rockets. His averages of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, along with a plus-6.1 relative true shooting percentage, made him a dominant player.
Blake Griffin - Blake Griffin's career was marred by injuries, but he did enough to have a 54.8 percent chance of making the Hall of Fame. His contributions to the Los Angeles Clippers were key to their turnaround, and he rose to second on the franchise leaderboard in points, rebounds, and assists.
Cade Cunningham - Cade Cunningham is quickly developing into one of the NBA's best playmakers. His steady demeanor and ability to control the tempo of a game make him a valuable asset. With averages of 25.1 points and 9.5 assists, he's a player on the rise.
Derrick Rose - Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in league history, had a career dramatically altered by injuries. Despite never quite reaching his peak, he recovered nicely and had a late-career surge as a reserve, earning Sixth Man of the Year awards.
Zion Williamson - Zion Williamson is a near-unstoppable scorer when he plays, with an average of 27.8 points per 75 possessions. His relentless slashing and finishing at the rim have made him a positive-impact player in New Orleans.
John Wall - John Wall's career was altered by a devastating spate of injuries, but he was one of the game's most dominant point guards before that. His ability to control the pace of the game and his impact on the Wizards' net rating made him a key player.
Cooper Flagg - Cooper Flagg is a rookie who's already threatening to crack the top 10. His averages of 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals are impressive, and he has the potential to become a top player in the league.
Paolo Banchero - Paolo Banchero has the potential to climb up these rankings, but his raw production in the playoffs and his team's point differential per 100 possessions with him on the floor are areas for improvement.
Ben Simmons - Ben Simmons' career got off to a roaring start, but his inability and unwillingness to shoot, along with back injuries, derailed his once-promising career. He didn't play a single game in 2025-26.
Deandre Ayton - Deandre Ayton has the distinction of being the top pick in Luka Dončić's draft. His career per-75-possession averages are impressive, but his lack of fire and unwillingness to play through contact on offense are drawbacks.
Kenyon Martin - Kenyon Martin may not have reached superstar status, but his 15 seasons and double-digit scoring average qualify as a successful NBA career. He was a key cog for two New Jersey Nets squads that made the NBA Finals.
Andrew Bogut - Andrew Bogut had two NBA careers: one before his gruesome arm injury and one after. His ability to act as an offensive hub around which Curry and Klay Thompson could cut made him a key player for the Golden State Warriors.
Andrew Wiggins - Andrew Wiggins has piled up basic numbers over the course of his 12 NBA seasons. However, his BPM is below average, and his volume of shots and dreadful scoring efficiency are areas for improvement.
Markelle Fultz - Markelle Fultz's career has been among the most bizarre in league history for a No. 1 overall pick. His shoulder and headspace issues have affected his performance, and he's only appeared in 26 games over the two seasons since he last played for Orlando.
Andrea Bargnani - Andrea Bargnani is one of two players in NBA history who were taken No. 1 overall without any high school or college experience in the United States. His performance with the Toronto Raptors was mixed, and he quickly became a plus-minus nightmare.
Greg Oden - Greg Oden's career was cut short due to injuries, but he showed flashes in his first two campaigns. His per-75-possession averages were impressive, and he was a dominant player before his injuries.
Zaccharie Risacher - Zaccharie Risacher has played only two seasons and is barely 21 years old. He has shown some signs of real three-and-D upside, but he has a long way to go to live up to his billing and the early accomplishments of his peers.
Kwame Brown - Kwame Brown had significantly more staying power than Anthony Bennett, but he didn't register a single above-average season during his career. His teams' net points per 100 possessions were 1.4 points worse when he played.
Anthony Bennett - Anthony Bennett's time in the NBA was short-lived, with only 151 games and an average of 12.6 minutes and 4.4 points. His career win shares are about what Rudy Gobert has gotten every four games during his career.
Zaccharie Risacher - This feels a little unfair, as Zaccharie Risacher has only played two seasons and is barely 21 years old. However, he has shown some signs of real three-and-D upside, and his early accomplishments are impressive.
