College coaches assess top 2026 NBA draft prospects

College basketball coaches who have competed against the top incoming NBA prospects offered assessments of their skills and growth. The evaluations focused on the first four selections and additional first-round players. Coaches cited specific performances and defensive habits observed during recent seasons.

Top four selections The player taken first led his conference in scoring at 25.5 points per game and earned consensus All-American honors. He recorded multiple 40-point games and posted a 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. One opposing coach noted that the player guarded the opposing team's leading scorer throughout a game.

Another coach from the same conference said the player improved his competitiveness and output late in the season. The second overall selection played one season at Kansas. The third pick came from Duke, and the fourth selection also attended Duke.

Point guard group and other first-round players Coaches discussed several point guards selected in the first round and compared their decision-making and athletic traits. They also identified players taken later in the round who exceeded expectations based on statistical output and game film.

One coach highlighted a player who raised his draft stock by returning to school for an additional season rather than entering the draft earlier.