Vegas report card gives Dybantsa and fellow rookies top marks
CBS Sports graded every 2026 NBA lottery pick after Summer League, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer earning A marks.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
AJ Dybantsa needed only two Las Vegas Summer League games to earn an A from CBS Sports, which said the Washington Wizards rookie showed enough for the team to end his run early rather than risk injury.
CBS Sports writer Cameron Salerno graded every lottery pick from the 2026 NBA Draft as the Las Vegas event neared its finish, and the top of the class came out looking polished. Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick, scored 50 points across his two appearances and attempted 14 free throws, with CBS Sports highlighting his ability to attack the rim and draw contact.
The NBA’s social account posted one of Dybantsa’s Summer League lines: 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks for Washington.
No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson also received an A from CBS Sports after playing in Utah’s fourth Las Vegas game. Salerno wrote that Peterson’s Summer League work in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas supported his standing as a top prospect out of Kansas, while noting that turnovers and fouls remain areas to tighten.
The opening-night meeting between Dybantsa and Peterson was a major draw, according to CBS Sports, because it was their first matchup since Kansas faced BYU in Big 12 play earlier in the year.
More A grades at the top
Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick, also landed an A. CBS Sports cited his 23-point, six-rebound, four-assist opener against Chicago, then his 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting in what was expected to be his final Vegas game. Salerno also pointed to Boozer’s 40% 3-point shooting at Duke and his passing as reasons for confidence.
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson, taken fourth, earned an A after opening Summer League with 35 points and seven 3-pointers against Memphis. CBS Sports noted that Wilson made the same number of 3s during his entire freshman season at North Carolina.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick, joined the A group. CBS Sports said Burries had a case for Summer League MVP consideration after showing scoring, defense, passing and rebounding. In his third appearance, he had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 8-of-15 shooting.
The full lottery ledger
- No. 1, AJ Dybantsa, Wizards: A
- No. 2, Darryn Peterson, Jazz: A
- No. 3, Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies: A
- No. 4, Caleb Wilson, Bulls: A
- No. 5, Keaton Wagler, Clippers: C+
- No. 6, Mikel Brown Jr., Nets: B+
- No. 7, Darius Acuff Jr., Kings: B+
- No. 8, Kingston Flemings, Hawks: B
- No. 9, Morez Johnson Jr., Mavericks: B+
- No. 10, Brayden Burries, Bucks: A
- No. 11, Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors: B+
- No. 12, Aday Mara, Thunder: B
- No. 13, Nate Ament, Bucks: C+
- No. 14, Hannes Steinbach, Hornets: B+
Among the next tier, CBS Sports praised Morez Johnson Jr.’s opener for Dallas: 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, plus eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Hannes Steinbach also finished strong for Charlotte, with 27 points and 15 rebounds against Milwaukee, his second double-double in four games.
Not every lottery pick received a glowing grade. Keaton Wagler and Nate Ament each drew a C+. CBS Sports said Wagler started slowly before showing better tape in his second game, while Ament answered a quiet three-game start with 23 points against Charlotte.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.