NBA Draft prospect Cameron Carr performed strongly at the AWS NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
The 2026 NBA Draft is here and 60 players will hear their names called on Tuesday and Wednesday night. This is one of the deepest and most talented draft classes in recent memory and there is a ton of talent projected at the top with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.
Each draft there are a handful of players selected in the first round that completely outplay their draft stock. Tyrese Maxey was the 21st pick in the 2020 Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Jimmy Butler III was the last player selected in the first round when the Chicago Bulls took him with the 30th pick in 2011, and Rudy Gobert was the 27th pick in 2013 before becoming a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Which player could be the sleeper in the 2026 NBA Draft class? Here are five players who could outplay their projected draft slot.
Jayden Quaintaince, Kentucky, Sophomore
Even though he’s a sophomore, Quaintaince is still one of the youngest players in this draft class. He reclassed up a grade and elected to play two years in college to adjust quicker to the physicality of the college level and give him more reps before he hits the league. Quaintaince started his college career off at Arizona State and had glimpses of what his potential can be as an athletic floor-spacing big. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL towards the end of the season and had to sit out the first half of his sophomore season at Kentucky. He only appeared in four games last year and only went through the shooting drills at the combine, sitting out the agility and speed testing. The buzz around Quaintaince is teams are shying away from the 6-foot-10 center because of his medical history, and additional time or another surgery might be needed on his knee. He could fall to the late first round and any team that has the bandwidth to be patient with his recovery and development at the NBA level could be getting a steal in the draft.
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech, Sophomore
No one had a better first game in college basketball than Anderson did. In a win over Lindenwood back in November, Anderson posted 34 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and only one turnover in 37 minutes. “I was just trying to set the tone for the entire season,” Anderson said. “I’ve been overlooked my whole life so I’m going into the NBA with that same chip on my shoulder and I’m going to surprise a lot of people.” Anderson played with Hannes Steinbach (another projected first round pick) last summer at the U19 FIBA World Cup for Germany and really surprised a lot of NBA scouts and executives that were there evaluating his progress as a player. Anderson can get downhill with ease, is a dynamic passer, averaging 7.4 assists per game, and can play at an elite level on both sides of the ball. In a draft filled with several one-and-done lead guards, Anderson could prove to be one of the best ones to come out of this draft class.
Cameron Carr, Baylor, Junior
No player helped themselves more coming out of the AWS NBA Draft Combine than Carr. He decided to play in the first day of five-on-five scrimmages and was the best prospect on the court. He finished with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, and solidified himself as a top 20 pick in the draft. Carr measured at 6-foot-6 barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan and is one of the most electric players in transition. He uses his athleticism to play at the rim and had the dunk of the year against Arizona State. As a catch-and-shoot 3-point threat, he shot it consistently at 43% during the season and averaged 18.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Carr’s draft range is anywhere from late lottery to early 20s.
Dailyn Swain, Texas, Junior
Swain followed Sean Miller and his staff from Xavier to Texas and really elevated his game playing in the SEC. He has good length and size on the wing at 6-foot-7 with a near 7-foot wingspan and was one of the best passers on the perimeter all season long. Swain logged 21 assists in four NCAA Tournament games against tough teams, and although his 3-point shot needs some improving, his scoring instincts are there and his long-ball is something he can develop at the next level. Swinging and landing on a versatile three-and-D wing in the draft is something every team aims for and Swain could be that wing that produces at a high level in the NBA in a few short years.
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa, Senior
Stirtz started out his college career at Division II Northwest Missouri State before transferring to Drake and then Iowa for his senior season. He started every game the last two years and is the steady floor general that teams are looking to add right away to run their secondary unit and could be a starting point guard for an NBA team down the road. Stirtz averaged 18.3 points and 3.5 assists in postseason play, but the most impressive statline was playing 40 minutes and averaging 0.8 turnovers in four tough NCAA Tournament games. He is a consistent floor general and there’s nothing super flashy about his game, but he runs the offense well and has good size at 6-foot-4. His game is reminiscent of Mike Conley in how smooth he is, how he manipulates the defense and he finds his teammates with ease.
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