For months, the narrative atop the 2026 NBA Draft board felt written in stone. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was the presumptive king, a prospect so talented that scouts were already whispering about him in the same breath as the league’s elite franchise guards.
But as we hit the final stretch of the college season, the stone has begun to crack.
With the draft now just a few months away, the betting markets at BetOnline are reflecting a fundamental shift in how front offices are evaluating the top of this class. The gap between the favorite and the field is closing, and we are officially witnessing a legitimate race to the top.
The Favorite: Darryn Peterson (-150)
Peterson remains the man to beat, and for good reason. When he’s on the floor, he is arguably the most dominant offensive weapon in college basketball—a three-level scorer with the poise, size, and body control that scouts dream of. However, his -150 price tag is a direct reflection of recent uncertainty. Between nagging soft-tissue injuries and a few games where he’s been noticeably absent in the second half, questions about his durability and “competitiveness” have crept into scouting rooms. Talent-wise, he is a generational guard; availability-wise, he’s becoming a “wait and see” prospect.
The Challenger: AJ Dybantsa (+120)
If there is a “sharp” play on the board right now, it’s AJ Dybantsa (+120). The BYU forward has been nothing short of a revelation. Standing 6’9” with elite fluidity, Dybantsa is doing the heavy lifting for the Cougars, putting up massive scoring numbers while playing nearly 34 minutes a night. While Peterson has been navigating injury management, Dybantsa has been a reliable, high-usage engine. Scouts are starting to view him as the “safer” pick—the guy who will show up every night, play the minutes, and deliver star-level production from day one.
The Longshot: Cameron Boozer (+700)
Don’t let the +700 price fool you. Cameron Boozer is the most versatile player in this draft, and he’s the clear frontrunner for National Player of the Year. He does everything: rebounds, facilitates, defends, and scores with an efficiency that makes him look like a ten-year NBA veteran. While the oddsmakers have him in third, history shows that as the tournament pressure ramps up, the “best player on the best team” often jumps to the front of the line. If Duke makes a deep run in March, expect that +700 to shrink significantly.
The Verdict: Proceed with Caution
This isn’t a year where you bet the house on the favorite. The “Darryn Dilemma” is real. If he plays through his injuries and dominates the tournament, his value will hold. But if he continues to deal with minutes restrictions or “mysterious” exits, the board will continue to tilt toward Dybantsa’s consistency.
My advice? If you’re bullish on talent, stick with Peterson. But if you’re looking for where the “scout-driven” money is moving, Dybantsa at +120 is rapidly becoming the value pick of the year.
