2026 NBA DRAFT: LEAD GUARDS

 2026 NBA DRAFT GUARDS

Jalen Brunson is the KING OF NEW YORK and a legend after leading the Knicks to their first NBA title in 53 years. He was the Finals MVP where he put on a performance for the ages. He has become a star with his ability to get to the rim and take make high percentage clutch shots.

 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the back-to-back NBA MVP and was the Finals MVP in 2025. Like Brunson his best skill is his ability to get his spot and make high percentage shots. He has a big size advantage over Brunson and most other guards as well.

Both Brunson and SGA were part of one of the best guard drafts in NBA history in 2018. That draft also produced Luka Dončić and Trae Young.

The 2009 draft class had arguably the deepest class of starting guards in NBA history led by Hall of Fame players Steph Curry and James Harden. It also included Jrue Holliday, Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Darren Collison, Patrick Beverley and Patty Mills.

The 2008 draft class had Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Goran Dragić, Mario Chalmers, George Hill, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo and DJ Augustin

The 1999 draft had no superstar but a lot of quality starters with Steve Francis, Andre Miller, Baron Davis and Jason Terry

The 1996 draft is the best guard class of all time with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury and Derek
 Fisher. 4 Hall of Fame Players.

The strength of the 2026 draft class is the elite variety of guards. It has a chance to be as special as the 2017, 2009, 2008, 1999 and 1996 draft classes.

Here is a breakdown of the lead guards in this year’s draft with statistical analysis/comparison, measurement analysis/comparisons athletic analysis/comparisons and a scouting report.

 
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS
 

PLAYER

PTS

TRB

AST

STL

FG%

3P%

FT%

Darius Acuff Jr-PG-Arkansas

23.5

3.1

6.4

0.8

48.4%

44.0%

80.9%

Ty Lawson-PG 2009

16.6

3.0

6.6

2.1

53.2%

47.2%

79.8%

Damian Lillard-PG 2012

24.5

5.0

4.0

1.5

46.7%

40.9%

88.7%

Kingston Flemings-PG-Houston

16.1

4.1

5.2

1.5

47.6%

38.7%

84.5%

Steve Francis-PG 1999

17.5

4.5

4.5

2.4

52.3%

38.8%

79.0%

Jalen Brunson-PG 2018

18.9

3.1

4.6

0.9

52.1%

40.8%

80.2%

Mikel Brown Jr-PG-Louisville

18.2

3.3

4.7

1.2

41.0%

34.4%

84.4%

Donovan Mitchell-SG 2017

15.6

4.9

2.7

2.1

40.8%

35.4%

80.6%

Jamal Crawford-CG 2000

16.6

2.8

4.5

1.1

41.2%

32.7%

78.4%

Keaton Wagler-CG-Illinois

17.9

5.1

4.2

0.9

44.5%

39.7%

79.6%

OJ Mayo-CG 2008

20.7

4.5

3.3

1.5

44.2%

40.9%

80.3%

Austin Reaves-CG 2021

18.3

5.5

4.6

0.9

44.3%

34.7%

84.4%

Labaron Philon-PG-Alabama

22.0

3.5

5.0

1.2

50.1%

39.9%

79.8%

Jameer Nelson-PG 2004

20.6

4.7

5.3

2.8

47.5%

39.0%

79.2%

DJ Augustin-PG 2008

19.2

2.9

5.8

1.2

43.9%

38.1%

78.3%

Ebuka Okorie-PG-Stanford

23.2

3.6

3.6

1.6

46.5%

35.4%

85.2%

Payton Pritchard-CG 2020

20.5

4.3

5.5

1.5

46.8%

41.5%

82.1%

Kemba Walker-PG 2011

23.5

5.4

4.5

1..9

42.8%

33.0%

81.9%

Bennett Stirtz-CG-Iowa

19.8

2.4

4.4

1.4

47.7%

35.8%

84.8%

Jerryd Bayless-CG 2008

19.7

2.7

4.0

1.0

45.8%

40.7%

83.9%

Grayson Allen-CG 2015-18

17.2

3.9

3.9

1.3

43.7%

38.0%

83.5%

Christian Anderson-PG-TX Tech

18.5

3.6

7.4

1.5

47.2%

41.5%

80.5%

Trey Burke-PG 2013

18.6

3.2

6.7

1.6

46.3%

38.4%

80.1%

Jevon Carter-PG 2018

17.3

4.6

6.6

3.0

42.2%

39.3%

85.5%

Jaden Bradley-CG-Arizona

13.3

3.4

4.4

1.4

46.3%

39.4%

80.9%

Fred VanVleet-PG 2015

13.6

4.5

5.2

1.9

42.7%

35.7%

79.6%

Aaron Brooks-PG 2007

17.7

4.3

4.3

1.6

46.0%

40.4%

84.6%

Braden Smith-PG-Purdue

14.3

3.5

8.8

1.7

44.0%

36.2%

82.5%

TJ McConnell-PG 2015

10.4

3.8

6.3

1.2

49.8%

32.1%

82.9%

Tyus Jones-PG 2015

11.8

3.5

5.6

1.7

41.7%

37.9%

88.9%

Ryan Conwell-SG-Louisville

18.8

4.8

2.7

1.1

40.8%

34.5%

83.2%

Randy Foye-SG 2006

20.5

5.8

3.0

1.4

41.1%

35.0%

79.1%

Brandin Podziemski

19.9

8.8

3.7

 

48.3%

43.8%

77.1%

Jack Kayil-CG-Germany

12.2

3.0

4.7

0.9

38.1%

29.8%

77.2%

Michael Carter-Williams-G 2013

11.9

5.0

7.3

2.7

39.3%

29.4%

69.4%

 

 

 

MEASUREMENT ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS

 

PLAYER

HT

WT

WING

LENGTH

REACH

Darius Acuff Jr-PG-Arkansas

6'3"

186

6'7''

4.00

8'2.5''

Goran Dragic-CG 2008

6'3"

190

6'7''

4.0

8'3''

Russell Westbrook-CG 2008

6'3.5"

192

6'7.75''

4.25

8'4''

Kingston Flemings-PG-Houston

6'3"

183

6′3.5”

0.50

8'2.5''

Kyrie Irving-PG 2005

6'3"

190

6′4”

0.50

8'3''

Monta Ellis-CG 2005

6'2.75"

176

6′3.25”

0.50

8'2''

Mikel Brown Jr-PG-Louisville

6'5"

190

6′7.5”

2.50

8'4.5''

Derrick White-CG 2017

6'5"

190

6′7.5”

2.50

8'5.5''

Tyrese Haliburton-PG 2020

6'4.75"

180

6′7.75”

3.00

8'4.5''

Keaton Wagler-CG-Illinois

6'6''

188

6'6.25''

0.25

8'4''

Austin Reaves-CG 2021

6'5.75''

197

6'6.25''

0.50

8'4''

Keyonte George-CG 2023

6'5''

185

6'6''

1.00

8'5''

Labaron Philon-PG-Alabama

6'3''

176

6'6.25''

3.25

8'3.5''

Ja Morant-PG 2019

6'2.5''

174

6'6''

3.25

8'4''

De'Aaron Fox-PG 2017

6'3.25''

170

6'6.5''

3.25

8'4''

Ebuka Okorie-PG-Stanford

6'2"

186

6'7.75''

5.75

8'2''

Eric Bledsoe-CG-2010

6'1.5"

192

6'7.5''

5.25

8'2''

Jeff Teague-PG-2009

6'1.5"

175

6'7.5''

5.25

8'2''

Bennett Stirtz-CG-Iowa

6'4"

186

6'6"

2.00

8'2.5''

Grayson Allen-CG 2018

6'4.5"

198

6'7.25"

2.75

81''

Andrew Nembhard-CG-2022

6'4.5"

193

6'5.75"

1.25

8'3''

Christian Anderson-PG-TX Tech

6'2"

180

6'6.25''

4.25

8'0.5''

Tyus Jones-PG 2015

6'2"

185

6'6''

4.00

8'1''

Trey Burke-PG 2013

6'1.25"

187

6'5.5''

4.25

8'1.5''

Jaden Bradley-CG-Arizona

6'3"

205

6'6.25''

3.25

8'0''

Davion Mitchell-CG 2021

6'1.25"

202

6'4.25''

3.0

8'0.5''

Jerryd Bayless-CG 2008

6'3"

205

6'4

1.00

8'1”

Braden Smith-PG-Purdue

5'11''

167

6'3.25''

4.25

7'9.5''

Jose Alvarado-PG 2021

5'11''

179

6'1''

4.25

7'9.5''

Luke Ridnour-PG 2003

6'2"

167

6'4''

3.00

7'11''

Ryan Conwell-SG-Louisville

6'3"

214

6'7''

3.00

8'0.5''

Randy Foye-SG 2006

6'3.25"

212

6'6.25''

3.00

8'1''

Dion Waiters-SG 2012

6'4"

221

6'7.25''

4.00

8'2''

Jack Kayil-CG-Germany

6'5''

185

DNM

DNM

DNM

 

 

ATHLETIC ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS

 

PLAYER

Agility

Shuttle

Sprint

Stand Vert

Max Vert

Darius Acuff Jr-PG-Arkansas

10.99

2.93

3.06

31.5

36.5

Russell Westbrook-CG 2008

10.99

-

3.08

30.0

36.5

Ty Lawson-PG 2009

10.99

-

3.12

29.0

36.5

Kingston Flemings-PG-Houston

10.61

2.69

3.07

33.5

40.5

Eric Gordon-CG 2008

10.81

2.69

3.01

32.0

40.0

Jalen Brunson-PG 2018

10.59

3.11

3.15

29.0

37.0

Mikel Brown Jr-PG-Louisville

10.57

2.89

3.24

33.5

39.5

Stephon Castle-CG 2024

10.93

2.91

3.19

28.5

37.0

Dyson Daniels-CG 2022

10.81

2.81

3.22

29.0

34.0

Keaton Wagler-CG-Illinois

11.05

3.00

3.27

33.0

36.0

Dylan Harper-CG 2025

11.07

3.05

3.16

30.5

36.5

Steph Curry-CG 2009

11.07

-

3.28

29.5

35.5

Labaron Philon-PG-Alabama

11.55

3.13

3.09

30.5

35.0

DJ Augustin-PG 2008

11.27

-

3.07

28.5

35.0

Ayo Dosunmu PG 2020

11.51

3.27

3.23

27.0

33.5

Ebuka Okorie-PG-Stanford

10.71

2.96

3.26

31.5

37.5

Kemba Walker-PG 2011

10.87

-

3.16

32.0

39.5

Jeff Teague-PG 2009

11.05

-

3.18

30.5

36.5

Bennett Stirtz-CG-Iowa

11.25

2.91

3.17

30.5

37.5

Immanuel Quickley-CG 2020

11.21

2.46

3.17

29.5

35.5

Landry Shamet-CG 2018

11.23

3.21

3.11

31.0

39.5

Christian Anderson-PG-TX Tech

10.85

2.85

3.18

31.0

40.5

Terry Rozier-CG 2015

10.85

2.84

3.15

33.0

38.0

Jordan Farmar-CG 2006

11.07

-

3.17

33.5

42.0

Jaden Bradley-CG-Arizona

10.75

3.13

3.20

30.5

36.0

Cory Joseph -PG 2011

10.75

-

3.27

27.5

35.0

Aaron Brooks-PG 2007

10.57

-

3.20

32.5

39.5

Ryan Conwell-SG-Louisville

10.69

2.86

3.21

32.5

39.5

Randy Foye-SG 2006

10.53

-

3.23

32.0

38.5

Andrew Nembhard-PG 2022

10.46

3.02

3.26

26.5

35.0

Braden Smith-PG-Purdue

10.76

2.87

3.23

31.0

38.5

Jordan Clarkson-CG 2014

10.76

2.98

3.28

33.0

38.5

Malcolm Brogdon-CG 2016

10.77

2.64

3.31

30.5

35.5

Jack Kayil-CG-Germany

DNT

DNT

DNT

DNT

DNT

 

Scouting Reports: 

Darius Acuff Jr-PG-Arkansas    
6'3"/186/6'7''
23.5 PTS       3.1 REB         6.1 AST                  
Fr./19.6
Hometown: Detroit
Current NBA Comp: Russell Westbrook/Damian Lillard
Old School NBA Comp: Ty Lawson
ROLE: Starting Point Guard with Superstar potential
BEST TOOLS: Playmaking/Multi Level Scoring/IQ/Power/Toughness        

Acuff simply has the IT factor. He was the SEC Player of the Year where he led the conference in scoring and assists. Concerns about his size limit his star upside. However. he had nearly IDENTICAL size and athletic measurements to Russell Westbrook. He has the toughness and shooting touch of Lillard and the playmaking and speed of Lawson. He was the fastest player at the combine and he knows how to use his speed to get past longer and physical defenders.  

Statistically he is the best point guard that John Calipari has ever coached. That is saying a lot when one sees the names on this chart. He is the best playmaker and scorer on the list. His shooting splits are very similar to SGA. The six players on this list have combined for 3 MVPs, 2 NBA Championships, 15 All Stars and 2 Rookie of the Year Awards. Acuff hopes to build on this legacy.

 

PLAYER

PTS

TRB

AST

STL

FG%

3P%

FT%

Darius Acuff Jr 2026

23.5

3.1

6.4

0.8

48.4%

44.0%

80.9%

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2018

14.4

4.0

5.1

1.6

48.5%

40.4%

81.7%

John Wall 2010

16.6

5.0

4.3

1.8

46.1%

32.5%

75.4%

Derrick Rose 2008

14.9

4.5

4.7

1.2

50.3%

47.2%

79.8%

Jamal Murray 2016

20.0

5.2

2.2

1.0

45.4%

40.8%

78.3%

De'Aaron Fox 2017

16.7

5.0

4.6

1.8

47.9%

24.6%

73.6%

Tyreke Evans 2009

17.1

5.4

3.9

2.1

45.5%

27.4%

71.2%

 
Kingston Flemings-PG-Houston
6'3"/183/6′3.5
16.1 PTS       4.1 REB         5.2 AST         
Fr./19.5
Hometown: San Antonio
Current NBA Comp: Jalen Brunson/Kyrie Irving
Old School NBA Comp: Steve Francis
ROLE: Starting Point Guard with Superstar potential
BEST TOOLS: Elite Athletic Ability/Playmaking/Scoring/Mid-Range Shooting

Flemings' is a lightning quick guard with a first step that is on par with Brunson and Irving. He showcased his elite speed finishing second in the sprint and shuttle run. He also has a 40.5-inch vertical leap. He is not big and is not long but his game is built upon speed and efficiency.

His shooting splits (47.6%/38.7%/84.5%) are top notch and very similar to the career averages of Brunson (48.5%/38.5%/82.6%) and Irving (47.4%/39.4%/88.8%). Flemings has a chance to be that type of player in the right situation.


Mikel Brown Jr-PG-Louisville    
6'5"/190/6′7.5”          
18.2 PTS       3.3 REB         4.7 AST         
Fr./20.2
Hometown: Orlando
Current NBA Comp: Tyrese Haliburton/Stephon Castle
Old School NBA Comp: Jamal Crawford
ROLE: Starting Combo Guard
BEST TOOLS: Elite Athletic Ability/Size/Playmaking/Defensive Upside

Brown Jr. was the 7
th rated player coming out of high school and showed his unlimited potential in only 21 games last season at Louisville. His size and athletic ability are on par with Haliburton and Castle. He is very quick and explosive and can finish well with both hands.

His pull up jumper is on the Haliburton and Crawford level and he knows how to use his size to create space. As long as he stays healthy, he will have a very long and productive career. The big question will be if he can be a true point guard. He may be better served as a secondary creator that is an elite scorer.


Keaton Wagler-CG-Illinois
6'6''/188/6'6.25''       
Fr./19.2
17.9 PTS       5.1 REB         4.2 AST                  
Hometown: Shawnee, KS
Current NBA Comp: Austin Reaves/Keyonte George
Old School NBA Comp: OJ Mayo
ROLE: Starting Combo Guard
BEST TOOLS: Multi Level Scoring/Playmaking/IQ

Wagler was one of the best stories in college basketball last season. He was the 150
th rated player coming out of high school but ended up leading Illinois all the way to the Final Four. His coming out party was 46-point win on the road at Purdue. His combination of composure and smoothness is fun to watch. His shooting splits (44.5%/39.7%/79.6%).

Wagler also has concerns on if he is a primary creator. But luckily, he has the size to play shooting guard. He is not an elite athlete but that should not stop him as his game is more skill based. His athletic profile is similar to Dylan Harper and Steph Curry so one can see how his game will translate.


Labaron Philon-PG-Alabama     
6'3''/176/6'6.25''
22.0 PTS       3.5 REB         5.0 AST         
So./20.6
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Current NBA Comp: De'Aaron Fox/Mike Conley
Old School NBA Comp: DJ Augustin/Jameer Nelson
ROLE: Starting Point Guard
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Playmaking/Elite Speed

Philon returned to school and doubled his scoring output and more importantly improved as a shooter. He was amazing in the tournament where he almost gave eventual champion Michigan all they can handle with a 35-point performance. His college stats and shooting splits are similar to Jameer Nelson and DJ Augustin. He’s a small guard with a slight frame but he has good length. He should be a starter in the league for many years but lacks the star upside of the four guards rated ahead of him.


Ebuka Okorie-PG-Stanford
6'2"/186/6'7.75''
23.2 PTS       3.6 REB         3.6 AST                   
Fr./19.2          
Hometown: Nashua, NH
Current NBA Comp: Tyrese Maxey/Dennis Schröder
Old School NBA Comp: Kemba Walker/Jeff Teague
ROLE: Starting Point Guard or 6th/7th Man
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Playmaking/Elite Speed

Okorie was not highly rated coming out of high school and played on a team that didn’t even make the tournament. However, he is the best driver in the class and has the speed and change of direction like Tyrese and Kemba. He has very good length and power for a smaller guard. He was the best player on the court in Stanford’s midseason upset of UNC. He is a fun player to watch that could be a steal but will need time to develop.


Bennett Stirtz-CG-Iowa    
6'4"/186/6'6" 
19.8 PTS       2.6 REB         4.4 AST       
Sr./22.6
Hometown: Liberty, MO
Current NBA Comp: Grayson Allen/ Landry Shamet/Immanuel Quickley
Old School NBA Comp: Kirk Hinrich
ROLE: Second Unit Playmaker and Scorer
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Playmaking/Toughness

Stirtz has taken a long road to the NBA from Division II Northwest Missouri State to Drake and then to Iowa. He was the MVC Player of the Year at Drake then All Big Ten at Iowa. He is a really good shooter and playmaker with the size to play point guard or off the ball. He is not an elite athlete but he is a good athlete with numbers similar to Immanuel Quickley and Landry Shamet. He should be an ideal role player that can be the perfect second unit option.


Christian Anderson-PG-Texas Tech          
6'2"/180/6'6.25''
18.5 PTS       2.6 REB         7.4 AST       
So./20.1
Hometown: Atlanta
Current NBA Comp: Jevon Carter/Collin Gillespie
Old School NBA Comp: Trey Burke
ROLE: Second Unit Playmaker and Sharpshooter
BEST TOOLS: Passing/Shooting/Length

Anderson had a huge jump in production from his freshman to sophomore season at Texas Tech. He nearly doubled his scoring output and tripled his assist numbers. His shooting splits were elite (47.2%/41.5%/80.5%). He is also very durable as he led the conference in minutes per game and had 14 games where he never came out of the game.


Jaden Bradley-CG-Arizona         
6'3"/205/6'6.25''
13.3 PTS       3.4 REB         4.4 AST       
Sr./22.8
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Current NBA Comp: Fred VanVleet/Davion Mitchell
Old School NBA Comp: Aaron Brooks/Cory Joseph
ROLE: Defensive Combo Guard
BEST TOOLS: Toughness/Defense/Shooting/IQ

Bradley was the Big 12 Player of the Year that improved as a playmaker in his career at Arizona. If there is a player in this draft that can go from a late second or undrafted player to NBA starter it is Bradley. He does all of the little things and his feel for the game and the moment is what made him special at Arizona.


Ryan Conwell-SG-Louisville      
6'4"/214/6'7'' 
18.8 PTS       4.8 REB         2.7 AST  
Sr./22.0
Hometown: Indianapolis
Current NBA Comp: Brandin Podziemski/Kevin Porter Jr.
Old School NBA Comp: Randy Foye
ROLE: Second Unit Shooting Guard
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Power/Length/Toughness

Conwell is a strong lefty that knows how to use his size to get to the rim. It may be concerning that he played at four different schools in four years (South Florida, Indiana State, Xavier, Louisville) but he was productive at the last three stops and has always been a good shooter. He may be on the shorter side for a two guard but he has good length and power.


Braden Smith-PG-Purdue           
5'11''/186/6'3.25''
14.3 PTS       3.5 REB         8.8 AST                   
Sr./22.9
Hometown: Westfield, IN
Current NBA Comp: TJ McConnell/Jose Alvarado
Old School NBA Comp: Ish Smith
ROLE: Second Unit Point Guard
BEST TOOLS: Elite Playmaking/Defense/Leadership/Toughness

Smith became the all-time leader in NCAA assists surpassing a 33-year record held by Bobby Hurley. Smith has the length and athletic ability to be a very good defender on a second unit like McConnell and Alvarado. His intangibles will get him on a roster, but he will need to show he can be a true second unit point guard to stick in the league. 


Jack Kayil-CG-Germany (Alba Berlin)            
6'4''/185/6'6'' 
12.2 PTS       3.0 REB         3.7 AST       
INT/20.4
Hometown: Berlin
Current NBA Comp: Killian Hayes/Dante Exum
Old School NBA Comp: Michael Carter-Williams/ Nate McMillan
ROLE: Defensive Combo Guard
BEST TOOLS: Playmaking/Defense/Size

Kayil is a big playmaking guard that surprised many by staying in the draft over playing at Gonzaga. He won the German League’s Under-22 Player of the Year. He has a nice skill set and projects as good defender at the next level. However, he had awful shooting splits last season (38.1%/29.8%/77.2%). We have seen this scouting report many times of big guards that can create and defend but can’t shoot to save their lives

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