NBA Draft 2026: The ACC’s Dark Horses Poised to Shake Up the Future of Basketball

1. Cam Boozer

Do you like buckets? If so, I have the player for you to watch. Burton is a bucket getter, scoring 21 points per game on nearly 38% shooting from deep as a sophomore last year. The thing that will hold him back in NBA conversations is his size, as he is very undersized. However, I would highly recommend watching him play at least once.

The once proud basketball conference that is the ACC has taken a bit of a nosedive in recent years. It was just a few short years ago that saw Final Four’s filled with the likes of North Carolina, Miami, Virginia and Louisville. Now, only the Duke Blue Devils have been the constant for this conference. 2025-26 on the surface seems better for this league, as the overall talent level has gone up with the additions of some quality coaches and transfer portal classes. But who are the players to watch in this conference?

Former LSU Head Coach Will Wade has successfully cleaned his image while down at McNeese State, and his return to the big leagues brought with it a major investment into the basketball program at NC State. Williams, the headliner of the portal additions, excelled at Texas Tech, to the point where many thought he’d be in the 2025 Draft. By going back to school, NC State will look to feature him in route to making it back to March Madness.

5’11” Guard, Notre Dame

The first of the two highly touted freshmen that Cuse brought in is Sadiq White, a forward out of IMG Academy. White decided to go to Syracuse over the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois and Tennessee, among others. White will immediately provide vertical spacing for the Orange, as his bounce and explosiveness is near the top of his class.

George is potentially the best true point guard in the country, having led the ACC in assists last year at Georgia Tech. George is an all-around player, averaging over 12 points per contest to go along with his assist total. With highly touted freshmen Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White (more on them later) flanking him, expect those numbers to increase in 2025-26.

3. Kiyan Anthony

10. Nikolas Khamenia

6’3” Guard, Syracuse

Yet another Cardinal, and it won’t be the last either. Louisville hit the portal to bring in McKneely, who was one of the best three-point shooters in the ACC last season at Virginia. Whether he comes off the bench or lands in the starting five, expect a heavy dose of McKneely to help Louisville space the floor. He projects to have NBA-ready shooting.

6’6” Guard, Louisville

7. Isaac McKneely

6’5” Guard, Syracuse

One thing about Duke is that they are not afraid to sign and rely on freshmen, even in this portal era. Khamenia is the first of two Devils that you’ll see here, as the true freshman was the number 15 prospect in the country, per 247 sports. Expect him to contribute right away.

Remember what I said about Duke’s propensity to start and rely on freshmen? On this side of Cooper Flagg, there might not be a bigger lock in this class than Cam Boozer. Already 235 pounds, he’s got the frame to play any type of game that Duke needs him to. He’s an elite passer for his position, and he rebounds the ball at a high level. If the shot translates, he’s going to be beyond special.

6’3” Guard, Louisville

6’6” Forward, North Carolina State

6’8” Forward, Duke

6’8” Forward, Syracuse

6’9” Forward, Duke

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey did a nice job keeping Hadley around for a fifth year in college. Hadley is a bruising guard, who at 6’6” and nearly 220 pounds, is built more like a wide receiver than a guard. He plays that way as well, with over seven boards per game last year and a field goal percentage of 52%. It’s reminiscent of Jalen Pickett from Penn State, which was good enough to get him to the league. It should be good enough for Hadley, too.

2. Mikel Brown

8. J’Vonne Hadley

5. Darrion Williams

The ACC, once a shining beacon of collegiate basketball prowess, has seen its star dim a bit in recent seasons. Not long ago, Final Four selections included a rich tapestry of programs like North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, and Louisville, painting a scene of fierce competition and unrivaled talent. But these days, it’s the Duke Blue Devils who carry the torch, standing as the enduring symbol of the conference’s basketball identity. With the 2025-26 season looming, there’s a buzz swirling around the league — a fresh injection of top-tier coaching talent and transfer portal gems hint at a resurgence. Yet, amid this hopeful haze, the burning question remains: which players are destined to leave their mark and define this next chapter of ACC basketball? Let’s dive into the ten athletes who are set to captivate and carry the conference forward. LEARN MORE

6. Naithan George

Mikel Brown might already be the most skilled guard in the ACC and he hasn’t played a minute of ball yet. With Team USA over the summer, Brown averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game in route to winning Gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup. There’s no ceiling here for Brown, especially if he can grow into his frame while in college. He could be the number one pick in the Draft if things go right.

Ten players to watch

6’4” Guard, Louisville

I mean, come on, who isn’t excited to watch Carmelo’s kid play at Carmelo’s alma mater in a year that will define where this storied program is in this new era? Kiyan is a tough shot taker and maker, much like Carmelo. However, Kiyan has developed a nice floor game that should continue to develop I college. You can tell when watching him that he learned how to play from a pro. I can’t wait to see him play.