2026 NBA DRAFT: SHOOTERS
2026 NBA DRAFT SHOOTERS
Shooting
is at a premium in today’s NBA. There is a direct correlation with teams and
players that can shoot and winning basketball games. This past season, 8 of the
top 10 teams in Field Goal percentage won at least 50 games.
The
2026 NBA champion New York Knicks were 11th in Field Goal percentage,
4th in 3 Point percentage and 10th in free throw
percentage.
The
2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder were 7th in Field Goal percentage,
6th in 3 Point percentage and 1st in free throw
percentage.
The
2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics were 8th in Field Goal percentage, 2nd
in 3 Point percentage and 7th in free throw percentage.
In
this year’s NBA Finals, we saw the importance of 3 and D players like Mikal
Bridges, Josh Hart, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie plus specialty bench scorers
like Landry Shamet.
As
far as the team building process goes, many GM’s look for a sharpshooter as
soon as they have found two young building blocks.
Here is a breakdown of the shooters in this year’s draft with statistical analysis/comparison, measurement analysis/comparisons athletic analysis/comparisons and a scouting report.
The top two players are Cameron Carr and Brayden Burries. Both players have All Star upside but will be drafted in the late lottery. They actually played against each other this year. Carr scored 26 on 57.9% shooting while Burries scored 24 on 61.5% shooting as Arizona won a close game. The photo below is from that game.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS
NOTE: Comparisons are based by players COLLEGE stats.
|
PLAYER |
PTS |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
TRB |
AST |
STL |
|
Cameron Carr-SG-Baylor |
18.9 |
48.6% |
37.4% |
80.1% |
5.8 |
2.6 |
0.9 |
|
Derrick White-SG 2017 |
18.1 |
50.7% |
39.6% |
81.3% |
4.1 |
4.4 |
1.5 |
|
Mikal Bridges-SG/SF 2018 |
17.7 |
51.4% |
43.5% |
85.1% |
5.3 |
1.9 |
1.5 |
|
Brayden Burries-SG-Arizona |
16.1 |
49.1% |
39.1% |
80.5% |
4.9 |
2.4 |
1.5 |
|
Dillon Brooks-SF/SG 2017 |
16.1 |
48.8% |
40.1% |
75.4% |
3.2 |
2.7 |
1.1 |
|
Desmond Bane-SF/SG 2020 |
16.6 |
45.2% |
44.2% |
78.9% |
6.3 |
3.9 |
1.5 |
|
Isaiah Evans-SG-Duke |
15.0 |
43.3% |
36.1% |
86.0% |
3.2 |
1.3 |
0.7 |
|
Gary Trent Jr.-SG 2018 |
14.5 |
41.5% |
40.2% |
87.2% |
4.2 |
1.4 |
1.3 |
|
Rip Hamilton-SG 1999 |
21.5 |
44.3% |
34.7% |
83.3% |
4.8 |
2.7 |
1.2 |
|
Meleek Thomas-SG-Arkansas |
15.6 |
43.5% |
41.6% |
84.3% |
3.8 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
|
Jordan Poole-SG 2019 |
12.8 |
43.6% |
36.9% |
83.3% |
3.0 |
2.2 |
1.5 |
|
Alex Karaban-CF/SG-UConn |
13.2 |
46.4% |
37.4% |
85.1% |
5.3 |
2.4 |
0.8 |
|
Danny Green-SG 2009 |
13.1 |
47.1% |
41.8% |
85.2% |
4.7 |
2.0 |
1.8 |
|
Richie Saunders-SG/SF-BYU |
18.0 |
48.8% |
37.6% |
81.7% |
5.8 |
2.1 |
1.7 |
|
Wesley Mathews-SG/SF-2005 |
18.3 |
47.5% |
36.8% |
82.9% |
5.7 |
2.3 |
1.3 |
|
Tyler Bilodeau-CF-UCLA |
17.6 |
51.8% |
46.4% |
87.3% |
5.6 |
1.1 |
0.5 |
|
Luke Babbit-CF 2010 |
21.9 |
50.0% |
41.6% |
91.7% |
8.9 |
2.1 |
1.0 |
|
Sergio de Larrea-CG-Spain |
7.0 |
44.1% |
42.1% |
80.6% |
2.0 |
2.7 |
0.5 |
|
Duncan Robinson 2016-2018 |
9.3 |
45.5% |
41.9% |
86.4% |
2.5 |
1.2 |
0.6 |
MEASUREMENT ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS
|
PLAYER |
HT |
WT |
WING |
LENGTH |
REACH |
|
Cameron Carr-SG-Baylor |
6'6" |
184 |
7'0.75'' |
6.75 |
8'8'' |
|
Mikal Bridges-SG/SF |
6'7" |
200 |
7'1'' |
6.00 |
8'8'' |
|
Andrew Wiggins-SG/SF |
6'7" |
200 |
7'0'' |
5.00 |
8'8'' |
|
Brayden Burries-SG-Arizona |
6'5" |
215 |
6'6'' |
1.00 |
8'2.5'' |
|
Desmond Bane-SF/SG 2020 |
6'5" |
215 |
6'5'' |
0.00 |
8'2.5'' |
|
Dillon Brooks-SF/SG 2017 |
6'6" |
220 |
6'6'' |
2.00 |
8'4.5'' |
|
Alex Karaban-CF/SG-UConn |
6'7'' |
225 |
6'11'' |
4.00 |
8'8.5'' |
|
Cedi Osman-CF 2015 |
6'7'' |
230 |
6'11'' |
4.00 |
8'9'' |
|
Tyler Bilodeau-CF-UCLA |
6'8'' |
228 |
7'0.75'' |
4.75 |
8'11'' |
|
Nic Batum-CF/SG 2008 |
6'8.25'' |
230 |
7'1'' |
4.75 |
8'10.5'' |
|
Isaiah Evans-SG-Duke |
6'6" |
186 |
6'8.75'' |
2.75 |
8'8.5'' |
|
Max Christie-SG 2020 |
6'5.75" |
189 |
6'8.75'' |
3.00 |
8'6.5'' |
|
Meleek Thomas-SG-Arkansas |
6'4" |
190 |
6'6.75" |
2.75 |
8'4'' |
|
Jordan Poole-SG 2019 |
6’4.5" |
191 |
6'6.75" |
2.25 |
8'3.5'' |
|
Sergio de Larrea-CG-Spain |
6'6" |
175 |
6'9" |
3.00 |
8'5'' |
|
Isaiah Joe-SG 2020 |
6'4.5" |
170 |
6'7.5" |
3.00 |
8'5'' |
|
Richie Saunders-SG/SF-BYU |
6'6" |
204 |
6'8.75'' |
2.75 |
8'6.5'' |
|
Josh Hart-SG/SF 2017 |
6'5" |
209 |
6'8.5'' |
3.50 |
8'5'' |
ATHLETIC ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS
|
PLAYER |
Agility |
Shuttle |
Sprint |
Stand Vert |
Max Vert |
|
Cameron Carr-SG-Baylor |
10.46 |
2.80 |
3.17 |
38.0 |
42.5 |
|
Zach LaVine-SG 2014 |
10.42 |
2.80 |
3.19 |
33.5 |
41.5 |
|
Victor Oladipo-SG 2013 |
10.69 |
2.80 |
3.25 |
33.0 |
42.0 |
|
Brayden Burries-SG-Arizona |
10.59 |
2.92 |
3.21 |
35.0 |
38.5 |
|
Norman Powell-SG
2015 |
10.69 |
3.20 |
3.20 |
32.5 |
40.5 |
|
Tim Hardaway Jr.SG
2013 |
10.68 |
2.93 |
3.25 |
31.5 |
37.5 |
|
Meleek Thomas-SG-Arkansas |
11.57 |
2.97 |
3.22 |
31.5 |
38.0 |
|
Austin Rivers-CG 2012 |
11.54 |
- |
3.32 |
32.5 |
37.5 |
|
Landry Shamet-CG 2018 |
11.26 |
3.21 |
3.21 |
31.5 |
39.5 |
|
Isaiah Evans-SG-Duke |
11.87 |
2.89 |
3.18 |
27.0 |
35.5 |
|
Naji Marshall-SG/SF 2020 |
11.77 |
2.90 |
3.37 |
28.5 |
35.0 |
|
Alex Karaban-CF/SG-UConn |
11.19 |
3.01 |
3.28 |
28.0 |
33.0 |
|
Omri Casspi-CF 2009 |
11.15 |
- |
3.28 |
25.5 |
32.5 |
|
Richie Saunders-SG/SF-BYU |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
|
Tyler Bilodeau-CF-UCLA |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
|
Sergio de Larrea-CG-Spain |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
DNT |
Cameron Carr-SG-Baylor
6'5"/184/7'0.75''
18.9 PTS 5.8
REB 37.4%-3PT 80.1%-FT 2.6
AST
RS So./21.6
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Current NBA Comparison: Derrick White/Mikal Bridges
Old School NBA Comparison: Eddie Jones
ROLE: #3 Scoring Option, 3 and D Player, All Star Upside
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Elite Length/Elite Athletic Ability
Carr was the biggest winner at the combine where
he showcased his Zach LaVine/Victor Oladipo level athletic ability. He also
measured with a wingspan longer than AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson. He projects
as Bridges type 3 and D player with Derrick White and Eddie Jones All Star
upside. Like White, he basically came out of nowhere to become an all-conference
performer. Bridges also had a huge jump in production in his final season at Villanova. Carr would be a plug and play starter or 6th man for any team picking in the 9-16 range.
Brayden Burries-SG-Arizona
6'5"/215/6'6''
16.1 PTS 4.9
REB 39.1%-3PT 80.5%-FT 2.4
AST
Fr./20.8
Hometown: San Bernardino, CA
Current NBA Comparison: Desmond Bane/Dillon Brooks
Old School NBA Comparison: Corey Maggette
ROLE: Perfect #3 Scoring Option with All Star Upside
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Long Range Shooting/Toughness/Power
Burries lived up to the hype as a top ten
recruit as he led Arizona to the National Title game. He is cut from the
Bane/Brooks/Maggette mold a strong wing that can score and defend. He is very
athletic and ready to contribute right away. His upside is a 20+ PPG scorer
that could turn into a creator like Devin Booker. Ideally, he is the 3rd
option on a playoff team. Burries would also be a plug and play starter or 6th man for any team picking in the 9-16 range.
Meleek Thomas-SG-Arkansas
6'4"/180/6'5"
15.6 PTS 3.8
REB 41.6%-3PT 84.3%-FT 2.5
AST
Fr./19.9
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Current NBA Comparison: Jordan Poole/Landry Shamet
Old School NBA Comparison: Austin Rivers
ROLE: Second Unit Instant Offense Scorer
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Scoring/Off Ball Defense
Thomas formed arguably the best backcourt in
the country with Darius Acuff. His role is very set as an instant offense
player that can really shoot the ball and get to the rim. If he improves as a
creator, he has the upside to become a starting guard. We have seen the
importance of second unit scorers/shooters like Poole and Shamet in winning NBA
titles.
Isaiah Evans-SG-Duke
6'6"/186/6'8.75''
15.2 PTS 3.2
REB 36.1%-3PT 86.0%-FT
So./20.6
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Current NBA Comparison: Naji Marshall/Max Christie
Old School NBA Comparison: Kerry Kittles
ROLE: Wing Sharpshoot with Starter Upside
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Length
Evans was a high recruit that played in the
shadow of Cooper Flagg and Kon Knuppel as a Freshman. He returned to school and
took a huge leap in production as he doubled his scoring output. He is a
shooter that can get hot fast. He really moves well without the basketball and
is an elite cutter. His shooting splits are similar to Rip Hamilton coming out
of college. Hamilton or Kerry Kittles would be the ceiling for Evans.
Alex
Karaban-CF/SG-UConn
6'7''/219/6'11''
13.2 PTS 5.3
REB 37.4%-3PT 85.1%-FT 2.4
AST
Sr./23.6
Hometown: Southborough, MA
Current NBA Comparison: Max Strus
Old School NBA Comparison: Omri Casspi/Danny Green
ROLE: Backup Wing Sharpshooter
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Hustle/Length
The best word to describe Karaban is WINNER. He
is the all-time winningest player in UConn men's basketball history with a
winning percentage of 83.4. He also has the NCAA record for tournament wins
with 18 wins. He has been a valuable role player on two National Title teams
and last year’s Final Four team. He measured well at the combine with a
wingspan that will allow him to play both forward spots at the next level.
Richie Saunders-SG/SF-BYU
6'6"/204/6'8.75''
18.0 PTS 5.8
REB 37.6%-3PT 81.7%-FT 2.1
AST
Sr./24.8
Hometown: Riverton, UT
Current NBA Comparison: Josh Hart/Grayson Allen
Old School NBA Comparison: Wesley Mathews
ROLE: Dirty Work Role Playing Wing
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Defense/Hustle
Saunders is shooter that can also rebound and
do the dirty work on defense. Every contender needs a guy like this. We just
saw the importance that Josh Hart had for the Knicks' championship. Lu Dort had a similar contribution last season with the Thunder. Saunders ACL injury along
with his age may see him drop to the second round or possibly be undrafted. But
guys like this usually carve out a role in the NBA.
Tyler Bilodeau-CF-UCLA
6'8''/228/7'0.75''
17.6 PTS 5.6
REB 51.8%-FG 46.4%-3PT 87.3%-FT
Sr./22.2
Hometown: Kennewick, WA
Current NBA Comparison: Jake LaRavia/Sam Hauser
Old School NBA Comparison: Luke Babbit
ROLE: Specialty Sharpshooting Second Unit Forward
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Defense/Hustle
Bilodeau was the best shooter in the nation as
evidenced by his near 50/40/90 shooting split season. He measured well at the
combine with the necessary length and weight to play power forward for a second
unit.
Sergio de Larrea-CG-Spain
6'6"/175/6'9"
7.0 PTS 2.0 REB 42.1%-3PT 80.6%-FT 2.7 AST
INT/20.5
Hometown: Valladolid, Spain
Current NBA Comparison: Isaiah
Joe/Duncan Robinson
Old School NBA Comparison: Rudy Fernandez/Sasha Vujačić
ROLE: Wing Sharpshoot
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Defense/Hustle
The European is sort of a mystery sleeper in
this draft. The slender guard can really shoot and has the potential to be a
secondary creator as well.
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