{"id":2002774,"date":"2026-06-21T09:30:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T06:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2002774"},"modified":"2026-06-21T09:30:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T06:30:39","slug":"2026-nba-draft-confidential-coaches-scouts-on-cam-boozer-caleb-wilson-and-top-big-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2002774","title":{"rendered":"2026 NBA Draft confidential: Coaches, scouts on Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson and top big prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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No, the Oklahoma City Thunder are not likely to trade Chet Holmgren after the third-year center\u2019s terrible Western Conference finals run against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. (Unless, maybe, that sorcerer Sam Presti can pry away Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks for less than a half-dozen future picks.) It\u2019s more likely that Oklahoma City keeps it moving and runs it back next season, with the 24-year-old Holmgren continuing to guard the yard alongside center Isaiah Hartenstein. No matter Wemby\u2019s dominance in the postseason, Holmgren was on the All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team, and one good big is no longer enough.<\/p>\n

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So, while there are two legit superstar prospects at the top of this year\u2019s draft in AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, and a half-dozen guards that could go in the lottery, two quality bigs \u2014 Duke\u2019s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina\u2019s Caleb Wilson \u2014 are near-certain locks to go, in some order, third and fourth overall. In many other drafts, Boozer and Wilson could have gone one-two, such are their qualities and potential.<\/p>\n

Boozer brings elite processing skills, rebounding and passing, and he shot 39 percent on 3s for the Blue Devils, continuing a pattern of team success wherever he plays. His Columbus High School team in Florida won four straight state championships.<\/p>\n

Wilson displayed explosive offensive power in the paint \u2014 he had 67 dunks in 24 games for the Tar Heels before a broken hand ended his season early \u2014 along with strong midrange skills and the potential to be a plus rim defender. Believe it or not, Wilson claims he wasn\u2019t all that athletic<\/a> well into his teenage years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really started changing during COVID,\u201d Wilson said at the Chicago pre-draft combine last month. \u201cStarting jump roping every day, working out with my dad a lot, just really applying myself to getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boozer, Wilson and the other bigs complete this year\u2019s Draft Confidential, my annual compilation of intel from more than two dozen NBA and college head coaches and assistant coaches, NBA scouts, college executives and NBA front-office people, dating back to before the NCAA Tournament. In exchange for anonymity, the in-the-know people and decision makers told me the truth about each year\u2019s top prospects.<\/p>\n

As ever, this is not<\/em> a definitive list of every potential draftee. Some people you know and love will not appear here. I kept it, as I do most years, to most \u2014 not all \u2014 of the guys whom I think have at least a puncher\u2019s chance of getting drafted. The incomparable Sam Vecenie went to town again this year with his exhaustive list of 100 potential draftees and two-way players<\/a>, along with video. It\u2019s truly one-stop shopping for the hardest of hard-core draftniks.<\/p>\n

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In contrast, my shop is come in, get a cup of coffee, grab a Danish, go on about your day. It\u2019s my version of what our Bruce Feldman does every year before the NFL draft<\/a> \u2014 getting the skinny from college and pro coaches and coordinators about the top college football prospects, his detailed reporting a complement to Dane Brugler\u2019s annual Beast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Part I, highlighting Peterson and the top guards, is available here<\/a>. Part II, highlighting Dybantsa and the top wing prospects, is available here<\/a>. Heights listed are the official measurements of the players from the Chicago pre-draft combine in May.<\/p>\n

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Cameron Boozer | 6-8 1\/4 big | 18 years old | Duke<\/h2>\n
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Why Cameron Boozer produces and wins at every level<\/div>\n
Sam Vecenie<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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