The 2027 NBA draft cycle is underway as college basketball tips off this week, and Tyran Stokes headlines an early class that will pose a stiff test for NBA teams. NBA teams expect 2027 to be a down draft cycle, chiefly because this year’s incoming freshman class is considered weaker than recent ones. That doesn’t mean teams won’t prioritize younger talent early in the draft, as they usually do. It does leave more room for older prospects to rise and for returning prospects to solidify themselves.
Most of the freshmen are not expected to be ready to play meaningful minutes right away, which will test scouts’ patience all season. College basketball is also loaded with older players because of the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule, so NBA teams will need to evaluate younger players with especially nuanced analysis as the season goes on.
Most of the players on this list will likely return to college next season. Division I programs can now pay top players well above the contractual slot value of a first-round pick, which should thin out the first round when spring arrives. The fifth year of eligibility is also expected to drastically affect the overall depth of the second round.
The 2027 draft will be the first held under the NBA’s new lottery rules, which are designed to curb tanking. The new system increases the variance in team selection position. The worst teams can now fall outside the top 10, and play-in teams gain more upward mobility. Together with the changing college landscape and the flatter talent curve of this class, those changes could make this a particularly unpredictable and complex draft. Expect this board to shift considerably in the coming months as players emerge and separate themselves.
This ranking reflects individual player evaluations and intel 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 potential draft order.
1. Tyran Stokes, SF/PG, Kansas
Stokes has a significant opportunity to establish himself as the No. 1 prospect, and Kansas’ success will depend largely on how quickly he adjusts to college. He is a bona fide do-it-all perimeter talent who can take over games on both ends, fitting the big, modern playmaker profile that the NBA covets. Stokes creates advantages for teammates as a passer and attacks mismatches with his handle and physicality. His decision-making and jump shooting remain works in progress.
NBA evaluators want better efficiency, consistency and maturity from Stokes, whose emotions can at times impede his competitive success. A step forward in those areas could move him toward stardom and cement his path to being selected first. Although there is no consensus at No. 1, Stokes’ skill set gives him an edge as the college season gets underway.
2. Stefan Joksimovic, PG, Baskonia
Joksimovic moved into early No. 1 pick discussions after he led Slovenia to gold at the under-18 EuroBasket over the summer. He looked like a jumbo on-ball maestro who could eventually orchestrate an NBA offense. His size, instincts as a pick-and-roll operator and creative passing give him strong long-term upside. He is still developing as a perimeter shooter, and questions remain about his ability to create without a screen. Still, he fits an attractive oversized point guard archetype that will likely warrant a selection early in the draft.
Entering the fall, scouts questioned how big a role Joksimovic would carve out at Baskonia and whether that might complicate his case at the top of the draft. He has played well of late, and his minutes have increased since the club made a coaching change in mid-October. How his season unfolds will be a key storyline in the coming months. There is plenty to like from a talent perspective, and he is among the youngest players in this class.
3. Bruce Branch III, SG/SF, BYU
Branch III has big-time physical tools for his position, including a 7-foot-1 wingspan and an excellent build that should help him make an immediate defensive impact. He is a capable floor spacer and unselfish ball-mover with good vision, but he does not create his own shot well off the bounce. Becoming more assertive in picking his spots as a scorer is the next step. Whether he can develop into a go-to player is the long-term question. His defense and ability to catch and shoot provide a strong base to build on.
Scouts have occasionally criticized Branch’s moments of passivity, and his tendency to drift through games has drawn mixed reviews. He is also one of the youngest players in the class. With continued growth in what appears to be a strong development situation at BYU, his two-way upside could make him one of the first names off the board and a potential candidate for No. 1.
4. Jordan Smith Jr., SG/PG, Arkansas
Smith was a top high school player, known for tenacious perimeter defense and explosive downhill and transition play. He has excellent speed, strength and length for his size, and he plays extremely hard, traits that have made him highly impactful. He is an inconsistent jump shooter and not a natural point guard. He will need a significant leap as a shot creator to become a high-level NBA scorer, and scouts have questions about how his half-court offense will translate.
Arkansas will use Smith in a fast-paced system and give him valuable decision-making reps, creating a runway for a big freshman season. NBA teams value his intangibles and winning background, which raise his long-term floor. He may need to show tangible offensive improvement to make a case at the very top of the draft.
5. Caleb Holt, SG/PG, Arizona
Holt combines slashing ability, disruptive defense and a relentless motor, making him an easy prospect to appreciate. His ball pressure and ability to chase on the perimeter have always been his calling card. His promise as an explosive secondary playmaker adds intriguing upside. Those strengths should help him make an impact at Arizona as the de facto replacement for Brayden Burries. He is not yet a polished offensive player, however, and he thrives most when he plays with energy.
How high Holt rises will likely depend on the offensive growth he shows this season, as his shooting and ability to create off the bounce remain inconsistent. He has a promising long-term profile either way. His two-way impact and intangibles project him into a valued NBA archetype, and he can fit effectively into all types of lineups.
6. Quentin Coleman, SG/PG, Illinois
Coleman has traveled a steep path over the past year, putting himself in the one-and-done conversation after building momentum with NBA scouts in the spring and summer. He does not enter the season with the same national profile as Smith or Holt, but he is not far behind them given the all-around strides he has made. He also fits a similar archetype as a combo guard who impacts winning in several ways.
Coleman is stylistically different from 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 he is an increasingly confident shooter who can make plays for teammates. That points 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. Demand for bigs is strong across the league as teams keep prioritizing size on the floor. Many scouts view him as the most NBA-ready college center to open the season. His defense and rebounding are his main selling points, 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 is a coordinated mover for his size who should plug into a rotation immediately and help NBA teams win the possession battle. His offensive game is unflashy, but he showed shooting touch with a 78% clip from the foul line last season. If he builds on last season’s growth, he could be the first big selected.
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 did not go as he hoped. He averaged 12.0 points and shot just 42.1% from the field over 29 starts. He now has an opportunity 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 defensively and can shoot off movement at a high level, projecting as a valuable off-ball player in the pros if he puts it all together. His skill set should appeal to the NBA, but Mullins must string together consistent high-level play to prove the concept and 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 one of college basketball’s title contenders. He is quite old for a draft prospect and does not offer the same ceiling as many players in the class. He will, however, be as NBA-ready as it gets, capable of fitting into NBA lineups as a high-energy team defender and rebounder.
Haugh will not command much offensive usage in the pros, but he is a good off-ball cutter and opportunistic scorer who should adapt easily alongside better players. He needs to make 3-pointers at a better clip, as his career mark is 32%, to maximize his draft position. He could also benefit from the flattened lottery odds, since win-now teams seeking plug-and-play prospects may pick higher than in past years.
10. Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Duke’s preseason games showed a slimmer, more aggressive Ngongba. That is a potentially major development for his long-term outlook, especially given his history of foot injuries. He is good at much of what NBA teams want from their centers. He is a great passer who is comfortable in ball-screen actions and on the perimeter, and he has good feet and instincts defensively. He averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes last season, and he looks set to improve across the board.
With Cameron Boozer off to the NBA, the Blue Devils will run a lot of offense through Ngongba. He could be among the best players in college basketball in his third season if what he has shown so far is any indicator. The arrow points up for him, and he is a name to watch closely in what is shaping up as a solid group of draftable bigs.
11. Ivan Kharchenkov, SF, Arizona
If his usage in Arizona’s opener is any indication, Kharchenkov is on the verge of a breakout. He scored 38 points on 20 shots as he steps into heavy offensive responsibilities. An exceptionally strong and physical player, he was the team’s top perimeter defender and a solid connective passer as a freshman, averaging 10.4 points in 28.4 minutes. Expect him to look for his shot 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 season. If he can stay efficient amid a likely spike in volume, his stock will benefit. 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 good preseason showing against Kansas, where he displayed his shot blocking and strong shooting touch. How big a role he carves out on a crowded Louisville team anchored by veteran center Flory Bidunga is a fair question. He reclassified to arrive at Louisville a year early, despite undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year, and he should have more chances to make an impact.
His size and instincts give him long-term NBA upside. He has added significant muscle since arriving in college, and his potential to protect the rim, space the floor and clean up around the basket adds intrigue. He is not the most dynamic lateral mover and is young enough that some inconsistency is expected. He is unlikely to be featured offensively, but he could land in the lottery with continued growth.
13. Austin Goosby, SG/PG, Texas
Goosby is a natural connective perimeter player who should step into a big role at Texas. His feel and vision help make life easier for teammates. He is still developing as a primary ball handler and should get chances to play the point, but he projects more comfortably as a bigger combo guard and secondary handler long term. His 3-point shooting is a question mark because of his longer release. Still, his tools, defensive playmaking and unselfish style point to excellent role potential. With a good season, he will have the minutes to play his way into the one-and-done mix.
14. Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky
Moreno is another returner set to make a leap as a defensive anchor and improving offensive option. He gained valuable experience as a freshman, averaging 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 22.6 minutes, and he will be a bigger key to the team this time around. He has a soft touch around the rim, great passing vision for a center and solid rebounding. His offensive and defensive instincts make him a stabilizing force up front and a reliable 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. He could break out and play his way firmly into the draft.
15. JJ Andrews, SG/SF, Arkansas
Andrews is a versatile prospect with a strong winning history, excellent frame and well-rounded profile for a complementary wing. He is a powerful athlete and a plus positional rebounder who can defend multiple positions and add 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 an advanced ball handler or consistent jump shooter. His defensive impact should help him carve out 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 have growing pains as he adjusts to college. He is a perimeter scorer with great size and long-range prowess, and his excellent length helps him defensively. He is an inconsistent producer right now and is most intriguing to scouts conceptually. As an especially young freshman, he could benefit from multiple years of college.
Thompson struggles to create his own shot and handle physicality. His higher center of gravity may limit him to straight-line drives and settling for jumpers. He has obvious upside, but 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 to start the season, but he has work ahead to become 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 take on a critical role with the Tar Heels as a defensive eraser and rim runner who can catch lobs and cover ground. He will face an adjustment period in college, but he has a strong development opportunity at UNC. 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 has a good understanding of his role for a center his age and profiles as an attractive NBA project, though he will need time to fill out and 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 coming into his own 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 develops, and his body type and feel for the game make him worth a look for NBA teams.
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 development happens 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 often this season, since Alabama lacks a true point guard and Labaron Philon has gone to the NBA. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 24 starts for the Crimson Tide 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, but he lacks an elite offensive skill. 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 appears poised for a step forward as a sophomore, with a difficult 2025 behind him that included a car accident in April and a torn meniscus in July. He played in just 14 games last season, averaging 14.1 points but shooting just 34.1% from the field, including 21.3% from 3. He has excellent positional size and intriguing shot-creation skills, but many scouts have struggled to look past last season’s problems with decision-making, shot selection and overall inefficiency. He looked more comfortable in the Trojans’ preseason, and he can 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 with him in mind to lead it. His 3-point shooting and microwave scoring stretches will draw scouts all season. His defensive shortcomings and limited ability to create for teammates have drawn scrutiny as NBA evaluators determine whether he can grow into an on-ball role and be efficient enough to earn significant volume in the pros. The NBA has become an increasingly unforgiving setting for shoot-first guards like him, and scouts will watch him closely.
22. Alex Condon, PF/C, Florida
Condon is another proven winner with a clear path to the NBA. He adds value on offense and defense with his size, mobility, passing and motor. He is athletic enough to toggle between the 4 and 5 defensively, which lets him slide into different lineups and provide size and rebounding. His jumper has been a question since he arrived at Florida in 2023, and improving it would raise his NBA ceiling significantly. He made just nine of his 53 3-point attempts last season, a 17% clip. Still, he has developed enough of an all-around game that he could succeed in a useful pro role regardless.
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. He is still developing his perimeter game and is slightly undersized for the 4, which is his likely long-term position. He projects as a versatile defender with plus length, but he needs to provide consistent spacing as a baseline. So far he has relied more on his midrange game and physical strength as a scorer. Gaskins should have the role at Miami to make a one-and-done case, but he is quite young and may need time.
24. Brandon McCoy, SG, Michigan
McCoy could be a wild-card prospect in the 2027 draft. He is set to miss the entire season after tearing his right ACL during Michigan’s summer tour of Lithuania and Croatia. He was playing well and drawing NBA interest before that, starting with a good showing at the Nike Hoop Summit that displayed his explosiveness, physical tools and tenacious defense. Long-standing questions about his shooting and ballhandling will remain unanswered this season, but he is a player to keep in mind. If he decides to test 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 player for scouts. He is a physically fluid and bouncy 7-footer who flashes perimeter skill, but he has been an inconsistent producer and decision-maker who has struggled with reliability. He has a good platform to prove himself at Arkansas, where he fits a well-suited role in an up-tempo system. He has played with a motor so far and displayed his NBA-level tools. He will remain polarizing for teams, but he has an opportunity to shift that perception in a wide-open draft year.
Remaining big board for the 2027 class
26. Colben Landrew, SG/SF, UConn | Age: 18.7
27. Christian Collins, SF, USC | Age: 19.1
28. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, SF, Nanterre | Age: 18.3
29. Luigi Suigo, C, Villanova | Age: 19.8
30. Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt | Age: 20.8
31. Cameron Williams, PF, Duke | Age: 19.0
32. David Mirkovic, PF/SF, Illinois | Age: 20.8
33. Abdou Toure, SG, Arkansas | Age: 19.2
34. Miles Sadler, PG, West Virginia | Age: 19.3
35. Dash Daniels, PG/SG, South East Melbourne | Age: 18.9
36. Billy Richmond III, SG/SF, Arkansas | Age: 20.6
37. Baba Oladotun, SG/SF, Maryland | Age: 17.9
38. Matt Able, SG, North Carolina | Age: 20.3
39. Trey McKenney, SG, Michigan | Age: 20.2
40. Najai Hines, C, UConn | Age: 19.6
41. Milan Momcilovic, PF, Kentucky | Age: 22.1
42. Juke Harris, SG, Tennessee | Age: 21.3
43. Jeremy Fears Jr., PG, Michigan State | Age: 21.5
44. Tounde Yessoufou, SF, St. John’s | Age: 20.5
45. Davis Fogle, SG, Gonzaga | Age: 20.4
46. Cheickh Niang, SG, Trento | Age: 18.1
47. Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida | Age: 23.1
48. Shelton Henderson, SG/SF, Miami | Age: 20.0
49. Amare Bynum, PF, Ohio State | Age: 19.8
50. Nik Khamenia, SF/PF, UConn | Age: 19.9
51. Miles Byrd, SG/SF, Providence | Age: 22.3
52. Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston | Age: 21.8
53. Moustapha Thiam, C, Michigan | Age: 20.7
54. Eric Reibe, PF/C, USC | Age: 20.4
55. Cameron Houindo, PF, Cedevita Olimpija | Age: 18.8
56. Michael Ruzic, PF/C, LSU | Age: 20.1
57. Stefan Vaaks, SG/PG, Illinois | Age: 21.5
58. Pryce Sandfort, SG/SF, Nebraska | Age: 21.8
59. Andrej Stojakovic, SG/SF, Illinois | Age: 22.2
60. Paul McNeil Jr., SG, NC State | Age: 20.5
61. David Punch, F, Texas | Age: 20.3
62. Matas Vokietaitis, C, Texas | Age: 22.0
63. Johann Grunloh, C, Virginia | Age: 21.2
64. Cayden Boozer, PG, Duke | Age: 19.3
65. Flory Bidunga, C, Louisville | Age: 21.5
66. John Blackwell, SG, Duke | Age: 21.9
67. Neo Avdalas, SF, North Carolina | Age: 20.7
68. Daniel Jacobsen, C, Purdue | Age: 20.5
69. Massamba Diop, C, Gonzaga | Age: 21.8
70. Jacob Cofie, PF, USC | Age: 20.7
71. Xavier Edmonds, PF, TCU | Age: 22.5
72. Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin | Age: 22.0
73. Jaden Toombs, C, SMU | Age: 19.4
74. Sam Lewis, SG, Virginia | Age: 21.8
75. Collin Chandler, SG, BYU | Age: 22.7
76. Jayden Ross, SG/SF, UConn | Age: 22.3
77. Dillan Shaw, SG/SF, Arizona State | Age: 20.6
78. Bryson Tiller, PF, Missouri | Age: 21.0
79. KJ Lewis, SG, USC | Age: 22.3
80. Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois | Age: 23.2
81. Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Illinois | Age: 23.2
82. Pharrel Payne, C, Maryland | Age: 22.2
83. Tre Singleton, SF, Iowa State | Age: 20.0
84. Jalen Haralson, SF, Tennessee | Age: 19.5
85. Elliot Cadeau, PG, Michigan | Age: 22.2
86. Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn | Age: 21.3
87. Amani Hansberry, PF, Virginia Tech | Age: 22.1
88. Robert Wright III, PG, BYU | Age: 21.0
89. Nigel James Jr., PG, Marquette | Age: 20.8
90. Kanon Catchings, SF, Georgia | Age: 21.2
91. Kayden Mingo, PG/SG, Baylor | Age: 19.7
92. Braden Huff, PF/C, Gonzaga | Age: 23.2
93. Mouhamed Faye, PF/C, Paris Basket | Age: 21.7
94. Pavle Backo, C, OKK Beograd | Age: 19.3
95. Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada, PG/SG, ASVEL | Age: 20.0
96. JT Toppin, PF/C, Texas Tech | Age: 21.4
97. Aiden Tobiason, SG/SF, Syracuse | Age: 20.5
98. Mason Falslev, Utah State | Age: 25.0
99. Kwame Evans Jr., PF, Villanova | Age: 22.3
100. Paulius Murauskas, PF, Arizona State | Age: 22.7