2027 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects -

Welcome to India Edition The 2027 NBA draft cycle is underway, with college basketball tipping off this week. It's time for an initial, informed look at the 2027 class, a group that will pose a stiff test for NBA teams as we learn more about these prospects in the coming months. NBA teams have anticipated 2027 to be a down draft cycle for several reasons, chief among them that this year's incoming freshman class is considered weaker than the past few. That doesn't mean teams won't prioritize younger talent early in the draft as they usually do. It does leave more room for older prospects to rise the board, and for returning prospects to solidify themselves. This group of college freshmen, headlined by projected No. 1 pick Tyran Stokes, will likely test scouts' patience all season, as not many are expected to be ready to initially play positive minutes. Coupled with the fact that college basketball is loaded with older players due to the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule, younger players will require especially nuanced evaluation from NBA teams as the season goes on. The reality is that most of the players on this list will end up back in college next season, with Division I programs now capable of paying top players well above the contractual slot value of being a first-round pick. That change in incentives will presumably thin out the first round come spring, and the fifth year of eligibility granted to NCAA prospects is expected to drastically impact the overall depth of the second. The 2027 draft will also be the first to be under the NBA's new lottery rules designed to curb tanking. The new system increases the variance in team selection position, a dynamic that will further complicate this draft, with the worst teams now able to fall outside the top 10 and play-in teams given more upward mobility. The structural changes to the lottery, the changing college basketball landscape and the flatter talent curve of this class could make this a particularly unpredictable, complex year for the draft. Expect this board to change quite a bit in the coming months, as players emerge and separate themselves. This process is informed by my own player evaluations and intel from around the NBA and college ranks, and it offers a representation of the eligible player pool and insight into how league executives and scouts value the class. This is not a mock draft and does not consider team fit or the potential draft order. Quick links: Early 2027 mock draft | Lottery simulator Summer scouting notes | More draft coverage Freshman | Height: 6-8 | Age: 19.1 Stokes starts the season with a significant opportunity to establish himself at No. 1, with Kansas' success largely dependent on how quickly he adjusts to college. He's a bona fide do-it-all perimeter talent who can take over games on offense and defense, profiling as the type of big, modern playmaker the NBA covets. Stokes can create advantages for teammates as a passer and attack mismatches with his handle and physicality, but his decision-making and jump shooting are still a work in progress. NBA evaluators are looking for better efficiency, consistency and maturity from Stokes, whose emotions can at times impede his competitive success. A step forward in those areas could move him toward stardom and solidify his path to hearing his name called at the top. Although there's no consensus right now at No. 1, Stokes' skill set gives him an edge as the college season gets underway. Slovenia | Height: 6-8 | Age: 18.0 Joksimovic vaulted into early discussions to be the No. 1 pick after he led Slovenia to gold at the under-18 EuroBasket over the summer, where he looked like the type of jumbo on-ball maestro who could eventually orchestrate an NBA offense. His size advantage, instincts as a pick-and-roll operator and creative passing give him quality long-term upside. He's still developing as a perimeter shooter -- and there are questions about his ability to create without a screen -- but Joksimovic fits an attractive oversized point guard archetype that will warrant a swing early in the draft. Entering the fall, scouts had questions about how big a role Joksimovic would carve out at Baskonia and whether that might complicate his case atop the draft. He has played well of late and has seen his minutes increase after the club made a coaching change in mid-October. How his season unfolds from here will be a key storyline for the next few months, but there's plenty to like from a talent perspective, as well as the fact that he's among the youngest players in this class. Freshman | Height: 6-7 | Age: 18.0 Branch III has big-time physical tools for his position, with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and an excellent build that should help him make an immediate defensive impact. He's a capable floor spacer and unselfish ball-mover with good vision but doesn't create his own shot well off the bounce. Becoming more assertive in picking his spots as a scorer is the next step, and whether he can develop into a go-to type player is the long-term question. But Branch's defense and ability to catch and shoot provide a terrific long-term base on which to build. Scouts have occasionally lamented Branch's moments of passivity, and his tendency to float through games has produced some mixed reviews. But he's also one of the youngest players in the class. With continued growth in what appears to be a strong development situation at BYU, Branch's excellent two-way upside should clear a path for him to become one of the first names off the board and a potential candidate at No. 1. Freshman | Height: 6-2 | Age: 19.1 Smith was a top player in high school, producing wins with his tenacious perimeter defense and explosive downhill and transition play. He has excellent speed, strength and length for his size and plays extremely hard, traits that have made him highly impactful. He's an inconsistent jump shooter and not a natural point guard, however, and will require a significant leap as a shot creator to become a high-level scorer in the NBA, with scouts having questions about how his half-court offense will translate. Arkansas will feature Smith in a fast-paced setup and give him valuable decision-making reps, creating a runway for a big freshman season. NBA teams love his intangibles and winning background, aspects that raise his long-term floor as a player. But he might need to show tangible offensive improvement to make a case at the very top of the draft. Freshman | Height: 6-5 | Age: 18.9 Holt's combination of slashing ability, disruptive defense and ceaseless motor makes him an easy prospect to appreciate. His ball pressure and ability to chase on the perimeter on defense have always been his calling card, and his promise as an explosive secondary playmaker presents intriguing upside. That intersection of strengths will help him make a difference in college as the de facto replacement for Brayden Burries at Arizona -- but he's not a polished offensive player yet and thrives more off playing with energy. How high Holt ultimately rises on draft boards will likely depend on what type of offensive growth he shows this season, with his shooting and ability to create off the bounce still inconsistent. He has a promising long-term profile either way and projects into a valued NBA archetype with his two-way impact and intangibles, capable of effectively fitting into all types of lineups. Freshman | Height: 6-4 | Age: 18.3 Wednesday, Nov. 4 • 76ers-Pistons, 7 p.m. ET • Mavericks-Spurs, 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 11 • Cavaliers-Knicks, 7 p.m. ET • Warriors-Rockets, 9:30 p.m. ET All games available on the App. Coleman has been on quite the trajectory over the past year, putting himself in the one-and-done conversation after building momentum with NBA scouts in the spring and summer. While he doesn't enter the season with the same national cachet as Smith or Holt, he's not all that far behind them considering the all-around strides he has made and the similar archetype he fits as a combo guard who impacts winning in several different aspects. While Coleman is stylistically different from Keaton Wagler, whose minutes he'll replace at Illinois, he is set for a major role thanks to his impact as a disruptive defender, outstanding rebounder and improving perimeter scorer. He'll have to continue polishing his handle and shot creation to earn a major on-ball timeshare in the pros, but he's an increasingly confident shooter capable of making plays for teammates, pointing to long-term offensive upside. Senior | Height: 7-2 | Age: 21.9 Krivas was trending toward the first round of the 2026 draft before he decided to return to Arizona, and he now has a pathway into the lottery. There's strong market demand for bigs around the league as teams continue tilting toward keeping size on the floor, and he opens the season viewed by many scouts as the most NBA-ready college center. While his defense and rebounding will be the main selling points, he's set to become a bigger offensive focus for a new-look Wildcats team. Krivas, who averaged 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, is an outstanding paint protector and offensive rebounder. He's a coordinated mover for his size who should be able to immediately plug into a rotation and help NBA teams win the possession battle. His offensive game is unflashy, but he exhibited shooting touch with a 78% clip from the foul line last season. If Krivas can continue building on last season's growth, he could be the first big off the board. Sophomore | Height: 6-6 | Age: 20.5 Mullins is on the shortlist of best shooters in college basketball and should be in for a big sophomore season. He has battled various injuries over the past year and didn't have the type of freshman year he hoped for -- he averaged 12.0 points and shot just 42.1% from the field over 29 starts -- but has an opportunity to break out in a major way on a new-look UConn team that will make him an offensive focal point this time around. He has good size for a 2-guard, competes defensively and can shoot off movement at a high level, projecting as a valuable off-ball player in the pros if he can put it all together. His skill set should be attractive for the NBA, but Mullins needs to string together consistent high-level play to offer the proof of concept that would maximize his stock. Senior | Height: 6-9 | Age: 23.3 Haugh turned down a chance to be a first-round pick to return to Florida, where he'll again be the face of one of college basketball's title contenders. He's quite old for a draft prospect and doesn't offer the same type of ceiling as many players in the class, but he will be as NBA-ready as it gets, capable of plugging into NBA lineups as a high-energy team defender and rebounder. Haugh won't command much offensive usage in the pros, but he's a good off-ball cutter and opportunistic scorer who should scale down easily alongside better players. He will need to make 3s at a better clip (career 32%) to maximize his draft position, but he could also be a beneficiary of the flattened lottery odds, with win-now teams in search of plug-and-play prospects potentially picking higher than in years past. Junior | Height: 6-11 | Age: 20.7 Duke's preseason games showcased a slimmer, more aggressive Ngongba -- a potentially major development for his long-term outlook, especially given his history of foot injuries. Ngongba is good at much of what NBA teams ask from their centers: He's a great passer who is comfortable in ball-screen actions and playing on the perimeter, and he has good feet and instincts defensively. He averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes last season, numbers he looks set to improve upon across the board. With Cameron Boozer off to the NBA, the Blue Devils are set to run a lot of offense through Ngongba, who could be among the best players in college basketball in his third season if what he has shown thus far is an indicator. The arrow seems to be pointing up for him as a name to watch closely in what is shaping up as a solid group of draftable bigs. Sophomore | Height: 6-7 | Age: 20.1 If his usage (38 points on 20 shots) in Arizona's opener is indicative, Kharchenkov is on the verge of breaking out as he steps into heavy offensive responsibilities at Arizona. An exceptionally strong and physical player, he was the team's top perimeter defender and a solid connective passer and supporting piece as a freshman, as he averaged 10.4 points in 28.4 minutes. Expect him to be more aggressive looking for shots this season, and a more consistent jumper is the missing piece: He shot just 31.7% from range in a low-usage role last season. If he can be efficient amid what's likely a significant volume spike, his stock will benefit -- but Kharchenkov's ability to guard multiple positions and play all over the floor is more likely to be his NBA calling card. Freshman | Height: 6-11 | Age: 18.5 Analytics has unveiled its new NBA Trade Lab, an interactive web app for fans to build, save and vote on mock trades. Can you build the perfectly balanced trade that fans of all teams involved would accept? • Build your own trades here • More NBA coverage There was positive buzz about Ekezie coming off a good preseason showing against Kansas that showcased his shot blocking and strong shooting touch. How big of a role he'll carve out this year on a crowded Louisville team anchored by veteran center Flory Bidunga is a fair question. After reclassifying to get to Louisville a year early -- despite undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year -- Ekezie should have more opportunities to make an impact. His size and instincts give him long-term NBA upside: He has added significant muscle since arriving in college, and his potential to protect the rim, space the floor and clean things up around the basket adds intrigue. Ekezie isn't the most dynamic lateral mover and is young enough that some inconsistency is expected -- he's not likely to be featured offensively -- but there's room for him to wind up in the lottery with continued growth. Freshman | Height: 6-5 | Age: 19.0 Goosby is a natural connective perimeter player who should step into a big role at Texas, with his feel and vision helping make life easier for teammates. He's still developing as a primary ball handler and should get opportunities to develop at the point, but projects more comfortably as a bigger combo guard and secondary handler long term. His 3-point shooting is a bit of a question mark at this stage due to his longer release, but there's excellent role potential here as a baseline due to his tools, defensive playmaking and unselfish style. Goosby will have the minutes to play his way into the one-and-done mix with a good season. Sophomore | Height: 7-0 | Age: 20.0 Moreno is another returner set to make a leap as a defensive anchor and improving offensive option. He gained valuable experience as a freshman, averaging 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 22.6 minutes, and will be a bigger key to the team this time around. He has a soft touch around the rim, great passing vision for a center and rebounds well. He has good instincts on offense and defense, making him a stabilizing force up front and a solid paint defender. Kentucky will play through Moreno in the post and as a screener -- he doesn't stretch the floor yet and isn't an explosive athlete, but he does plenty of things well that will matter in the NBA. He could break out and play his way firmly into the draft. Freshman | Height: 6-6 | Age: 18.7 Andrews is a versatile prospect with a strong winning history, excellent frame and a well-rounded profile for a complementary wing. A powerful athlete and plus positional rebounder, he can defend multiple positions and should provide value guarding the perimeter and in the possession battle. His offense is a work in progress though: he's still developing as a decision-maker and isn't an advanced ball handler or consistent jump shooter. Andrews' defensive impact should help him carve out a strong role at Arkansas, with his draft readiness hanging on his improvement on the other side of the ball. Freshman | Height: 6-9 | Age: 18.2 Thompson arrives at Ohio State with high expectations, but he's a long-term prospect likely to have some growing pains as he adjusts to college. He's a perimeter scorer with great size and long-range prowess, and he has excellent length that he uses well defensively. But he's an inconsistent producer right now, who is most intriguing to scouts conceptually, and an especially young freshman who could ultimately benefit from multiple years of college. Where Thompson struggles right now is creating his own shot and handling physicality -- he has a higher center of gravity that might limit him to straight-line drives and settling for jumpers. He has obvious upside, but scouts have also been frustrated by his relaxed approach at times, and he wasn't impactful in the Buckeyes' preseason games. Thompson will draw heavy NBA interest to start the season, but he has work ahead to solidify himself as a true one-and-done player. Freshman | Height: 6-11 | Age: 18.7 Keita arrives in Chapel Hill after developing in FC Barcelona's system and is slated to take on a critical role with the Tar Heels as a defensive eraser and rim runner who can catch lobs and cover ground. While there will be an adjustment period in college, he has a strong development opportunity at UNC, and his 7-foot-7 wingspan, rim protection and excellent mobility have put him on the radar as a potential one-and-done prospect. While Keita's ball skills are raw and he needs to add strength to his lanky frame, he has a good understanding of his role for a center his age. He profiles as an attractive NBA project, though he will need time to fill out and get more comfortable rebounding and contending with physicality. Sophomore | Height: 6-8 | Age: 20.4 Sarr is a long, disruptive perimeter defender with an NBA-ready frame and excellent tools who is still coming into his own offensively. After struggling to make shots as a freshman -- he averaged just 6.4 points in 23.5 minutes -- he remains an intriguing long-term player if his shot comes along, with his body type and feel for the game worth a swing for NBA teams. While Duke didn't give him much offensive responsibility last season, picking spots to be aggressive and improving on his shooting splits (40.4% from the field, 32.3% from 3) would be a step in the right direction for a player with 3-and-D potential. The question is whether that development happens fast enough to land him in the 2027 draft. Sophomore | Height: 6-6 | Age: 20.8 Allen is expected to have the ball in his hands more often this season, with Alabama lacking a true point guard and Labaron Philon gone to the NBA. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 24 starts for the Crimson Tide last season and returns as a centerpiece of the team. Allen is a versatile perimeter player with solid feel who rebounds his position well and can defend multiple spots. Though he's a capable ball-mover who benefits from Alabama's up-tempo style, he lacks an elite skill offensively -- he's not a high-level half-court creator and is an average shooter. How he handles the expanded role will determine his draft case. Sophomore | Height: 6-7 | Age: 19.6 Arenas appears poised for a step forward as a sophomore, with a difficult 2025 (which included a car accident in April and a torn meniscus in July) in the rearview. He played in just 14 games last season, averaging 14.1 points but shooting just 34.1% from the field, including 21.3% from 3. He has excellent positional size and intriguing shot-creation chops, but it has been difficult for many scouts to get past last season's struggles with decision-making, shot selection and overall inefficiency. Arenas looked more comfortable in the preseason for the Trojans, and there's room for him to rise up the board in a wide-open draft if he can help USC win in a leading role. Freshman | Height: 6-4 | Age: 18.3 Crowe is a talented offensive guard set for a productive season on a Missouri team that was built with him in mind to lead it. His 3-point shooting and microwave scoring stretches will draw scouts all season. His defensive shortcomings and ability to create for teammates have drawn scrutiny as NBA evaluators ascertain whether he can grow into an on-ball role and be efficient enough to warrant significant volume in the pros. While the NBA has become an increasingly unforgiving setting for shoot-first guards in Crowe's mold, he's a player scouts will watch closely. Senior | Height: 6-11 | Age: 22.3 Condon is another proven winning college player with a clear path to the NBA, adding value on offense and defense with his size, mobility, passing and motor. He's a good enough athlete to toggle between the 4 and 5 defensively, allowing him to slide into different types of lineups and provide size and rebounding. His jumper has been a question since arriving at Florida in 2023 and will be a key area for improvement that would raise his NBA ceiling significantly. He made just nine of his 53 3-point attempts last season (17%). Still, Condon has developed enough of an all-around game that he might be able to succeed in a useful pro role regardless. Freshman | Height: 6-8 | Age: 18.2 Gaskins is a long-term project with NBA-level tools and developing offensive skills. Right now, he's caught between forward spots, as he's still developing his perimeter game and is slightly undersized for the 4, his likely long-term position. He projects as a versatile defender with plus length but will need to at least provide consistent spacing as a baseline -- he has relied more on his midrange game and physical strength as a scorer to this point. Gaskins should have the requisite role at Miami to make a one-and-done case, but he's quite young and might take time. Freshman | Height: 6-4 | Age: 19.0 McCoy could be a wild-card prospect in the 2027 draft, as he's slated to miss the entire season after tearing his right ACL during Michigan's summer tour of Lithuania and Croatia. He was playing well and piquing NBA interest before that, starting with a good showing at the Nike Hoop Summit that showcased his explosiveness, plus physical tools and tenacious defense. There have been long-standing questions around his shooting and ballhandling that he won't be able to answer this season, but he remains a player to keep in mind. If he decides to test in the spring, he could be the beneficiary of the flatter nature of this draft. Freshman | Height: 7-0 | Age: 19.7 Muurinen has been a confounding player for scouts: he's a physically fluid and bouncy 7-footer who flashes perimeter skill, but an inconsistent producer and decision-maker who has struggled with reliability. He has a good platform to prove some things at Arkansas, where he slides into a well-fitting role in an up-tempo system, and has played with a motor so far and put his NBA-level tools on display. While Muurinen will continue to be polarizing for teams, there's an opportunity for him to help shift that perception in a wide-open draft year. 26. Colben Landrew, SG/SF, UConn | Age: 18.7 27. Christian Collins, SF, USC | Age: 19.1 28. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, SF, Nanterre | Age: 18.3 29. Luigi Suigo, C, Villanova | Age: 19.8 30. Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt | Age: 20.8 31. Cameron Williams, PF, Duke | Age: 19.0 32. David Mirkovic, PF/SF, Illinois | Age: 20.8 33. Abdou Toure, SG, Arkansas | Age: 19.2 34. Miles Sadler, PG, West Virginia | Age: 19.3 35. Dash Daniels, PG/SG, South East Melbourne | Age: 18.9 36. Billy Richmond III, SG/SF, Arkansas | Age: 20.6 37. Baba Oladotun, SG/SF, Maryland | Age: 17.9 38. Matt Able, SG, North Carolina | Age: 20.3 39. Trey McKenney, SG, Michigan | Age: 20.2 40. Najai Hines, C, UConn | Age: 19.6 41. Milan Momcilovic, PF, Kentucky | Age: 22.1 42. Juke Harris, SG, Tennessee | Age: 21.3 43. Jeremy Fears Jr., PG, Michigan State | Age: 21.5 44. Tounde Yessoufou, SF, St. John's | Age: 20.5 45. Davis Fogle, SG, Gonzaga | Age: 20.4 46. Cheickh Niang, SG, Trento | Age: 18.1 47. Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida | Age: 23.1 48. Shelton Henderson, SG/SF, Miami | Age: 20.0 49. Amare Bynum, PF, Ohio State | Age: 19.8 50. Nik Khamenia, SF/PF, UConn | Age: 19.9 51. Miles Byrd, SG/SF, Providence | Age: 22.3 52. Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston | Age: 21.8 53. Moustapha Thiam, C, Michigan | Age: 20.7 54. Eric Reibe, PF/C, USC | Age: 20.4 55. Cameron Houindo, PF, Cedevita Olimpija | Age: 18.8 56. Michael Ruzic, PF/C, LSU | Age: 20.1 57. Stefan Vaaks, SG/PG, Illinois | Age: 21.5 58. Pryce Sandfort, SG/SF, Nebraska | Age: 21.8 59. Andrej Stojakovic, SG/SF, Illinois | Age: 22.2 60. Paul McNeil Jr., SG, NC State | Age: 20.5 61. David Punch, F, Texas | Age: 20.3 62. Matas Vokietaitis, C, Texas | Age: 22.0 63. Johann Grunloh, C, Virginia | Age: 21.2 64. Cayden Boozer, PG, Duke | Age: 19.3 65. Flory Bidunga, C, Louisville | Age: 21.5 66. John Blackwell, SG, Duke | Age: 21.9 67. Neo Avdalas, SF, North Carolina | Age: 20.7 68. Daniel Jacobsen, C, Purdue | Age: 20.5 69. Massamba Diop, C, Gonzaga | Age: 21.8 70. Jacob Cofie, PF, USC | Age: 20.7 71. Xavier Edmonds, PF, TCU | Age: 22.5 72. Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin | Age: 22.0 73. Jaden Toombs, C, SMU | Age: 19.4 74. Sam Lewis, SG, Virginia | Age: 21.8 75. Collin Chandler, SG, BYU | Age: 22.7 76. Jayden Ross, SG/SF, UConn | Age: 22.3 77. Dillan Shaw, SG/SF, Arizona State | Age: 20.6 78. Bryson Tiller, PF, Missouri | Age: 21.0 79. KJ Lewis, SG, USC | Age: 22.3 80. Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois | Age: 23.2 81. Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Illinois | Age: 23.2 82. Pharrel Payne, C, Maryland | Age: 22.2 83. Tre Singleton, SF, Iowa State | Age: 20.0 84. Jalen Haralson, SF, Tennessee | Age: 19.5 85. Elliot Cadeau, PG, Michigan | Age: 22.2 86. Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn | Age: 21.3 87. Amani Hansberry, PF, Virginia Tech | Age: 22.1 88. Robert Wright III, PG, BYU | Age: 21.0 89. Nigel James Jr., PG, Marquette | Age: 20.8 90. Kanon Catchings, SF, Georgia | Age: 21.2 91. Kayden Mingo, PG/SG, Baylor | Age: 19.7 92. Braden Huff, PF/C, Gonzaga | Age: 23.2 93. Mouhamed Faye, PF/C, Paris Basket | Age: 21.7 94. Pavle Backo, C, OKK Beograd | Age: 19.3 95. Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada, PG/SG, ASVEL | Age: 20.0 96. JT Toppin, PF/C, Texas Tech | Age: 21.4 97. Aiden Tobiason, SG/SF, Syracuse | Age: 20.5 98. Mason Falslev, , Utah State | Age: 25.0 99. Kwame Evans Jr., PF, Villanova | Age: 22.3 100. Paulius Murauskas, PF, Arizona State | Age: 22.7