​Rewritten version: The Sporting News originally published a piece titled “One thing to watch from each top five 2026 NBA Draft pick at Las Vegas Summer League.” It notes that adding The Sporting News as a preferred source is as simple as clicking here. For basketball fans, Las Vegas Summer League results are notoriously poor predictors of how young players will develop. Yet even the most restrained observer can get swept up in the allure of small-sample analysis, especially when it comes to highly heralded rookies.
With that in mind, here is one key thing I’m watching for each of the top five picks from the star-studded 2026 draft class. At BYU, nearly every possession starts or ends with AJ Dybantsa touching the ball. A midseason injury to his star teammate Richie Saunders amplified Dybantsa’s offensive responsibilities. He already led the nation in scoring and was near the top in usage rate, but the share of possessions he handled jumped to an enormous 36.8 percent after Saunders went down. In Las Vegas, Dybantsa will be the primary handler and creator, sharing the floor with other notable prospects like Tre Johnson and Will Riley. He will need to function effectively without the ball as well—a facet where he has less experience and development is still needed. Despite his strong on-ball potential, it will be worthwhile to watch how he adapts to being off the ball, especially on a Trae Young–style system.
Peterson’s health appears improved compared with many of his college appearances at Kansas. His game has long leaned toward finesse, but his downhill burst and flexibility should generate more rim contact than he showed in college. Demonstrating a more forceful attack to the basket would be a promising sign. For more on Peterson, you can read about five lessons from his Utah Summer League performance.
Like he did in college, Boozer should dominate offensively in Vegas, though his instincts on defense are more limited. His strongest defensive value comes on the wing, where quick hands and precise positioning stand out. Without elite vertical explosiveness, length, or instincts, he was sometimes scored on by more athletic players in college. A first exposure to NBA-level competition will test his shot-blocking, rim deterrence, and interior positioning. Among all Summer League or other small-sample statistics, three-point volume is a strong predictor of future success; maximizing Caleb Wilson’s elite athleticism and passing ability will hinge on his shooting development, and this setting could be where he feels confident launching from deep. Wilson shot seven of 27 from three at North Carolina on low volume, and his college stat line reflected only modest 1.1 attempts per game. It would be a positive sign if he increases his three-point frequency and efficiency in Vegas.