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Dec 11, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Dartmouth Big Green forward Brandon Mitchell-Day (21) passes around Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard J.R. Konieczny (20) in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

2026 NBA Draft: Deep Sleepers to Watch in College Basketball this Season

Originally posted on NBA Draft on SI | By Randall Sweet | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The 2026 NBA Draft class is filled with high-profile prospects.

From incoming five-star recruits, to well-known returnees, the group has already been heavily discussed, and will be dissected even more over the next year. Players like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer are some of the biggest names among freshman, while star sophomores Isaiah Evans and Jayden Quaintance should factor into the first round as well.

Aside from the prospects who have already generated buzz, there are plenty of college basketball players across the country who could insert themselves into the upcoming draft class with strong performances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Here are a few candidates to play their way into the 2026 draft class.

Bubu Benjamin, George Washington

Listed at 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds, Benjamin transferred to GWU over the offseason after two years at Tarleton State.

During the 2024-25 campaign, Benjamin averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 44.1% from the field and 30% from deep on four attempts per game.

Keonte Jones, Dayton

After playing at two junior colleges before an impressive stint with Cal State Northridge, Jones will play for the Flyers in 2025-26.

Newest Dayton Flyer commit via the portal is Keonte Jones from Cal State Northridge. Here’s him literally dunking over someone. pic.twitter.com/xR10ETTQ9I
— Sidelines - Dayton (@SSN_Dayton) July 30, 2025

The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 13.1 points, nine rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 50.6% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc on one attempt per game last season.

Brandon Mitchell-Day, Dartmouth

Mitchell-Day enters his senior season at Dartmouth after a breakout junior campaign with the Big Green.

In 2024-25, the 6-foot-8 forward put up 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.

Dayan Nessah, Cleveland State

A 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward, Nessah averaged 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game as a freshman at George Washington before transferring to Cleveland State over the offseason.

Cleveland State’s Dayan Nessah with the ridiculous poster off vert

He’s had a huge WC so far, looking like a steal in the portal so far. pic.twitter.com/ikgVHGvXAf
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) July 1, 2025

While Nessah's college statistics may not turn heads, the rising sophomore averaged 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 52% from beyond the arc in FIBA U19 EuroBasket competition this summer with Team Switzerland.

Barry Evans, VCU

Entering his senior season, VCU will be Evans' third collegiate stop after two years at St. Bonavture and one at Bryant.

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Tournament in 2025, averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 37.5% from 3-point range on 3.4 attempts per game.

This article first appeared on NBA Draft on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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