The 2026 NBA Summer League is officially in the books, and evaluators finally have real professional tape on a loaded rookie class. In a detailed grading breakdown of the top lottery picks, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer firmly cemented themselves as the early frontrunners for Rookie of the Year.
Washington Wizards brass didn’t need to see much. They shut down No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa after just two games in Las Vegas. But those two games were plenty. The 19-year-old phenom racked up 50 points combined, terrorizing defenders with physical downhill driving and an elite ability to draw contact in the paint.
That immediate scoring translation is exactly what the franchise hoped for. Dybantsa carries serious weight on his shoulders as only the third No. 1 overall pick in the history of the Wizards, following John Wall in 2010 and Kwame Brown back in 2001. Now, Washington will pair his high-ceiling perimeter creation alongside Trae Young to anchor their new core.
Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson took a different route. The No. 2 pick unexpectedly played deeper into the exhibition schedule than most top selections. He spent his minutes carving up defenses with advanced downhill distribution and relentless rim pressure. Scouts walked away highly impressed by his passing vision.
And then there is Cameron Boozer. The Memphis Grizzlies grabbed him at No. 3, and he instantly looked like the most pro-ready prospect on the floor. Boozer dominated the glass with his huge frame, but his expanding 3-point stroke really turned heads. That combination of size and shooting range gives him an incredibly high floor right out of the gate.
Caleb Wilson also put the league on notice. The fourth overall pick dropped jaws in his Chicago Bulls debut by hitting seven 3-pointers in a single contest. To put that shooting leap into perspective, Wilson hit exactly seven 3-pointers during his entire freshman season at North Carolina. He matched that total in one professional game.