What happened: AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson were the first two names called in the 2026 NBA Draft, going off the board as the top two selections. The pair had long been viewed as the headliners of the class and separated themselves from the rest of the field heading into draft night.

Why it matters: Landing in the top two sets both prospects up as immediate cornerstones for the franchises that drafted them. Peterson, who came off the board at No. 2, arrives with expectations as a foundational piece, as does the same Darryn Peterson taken near the top of the order, while Dybantsa carries the weight of being among the very first picks of the class.

What to watch: Watch how each franchise integrates its new arrival into the rotation and how the two top picks stack up against one another once the 2026-27 season tips off.