2026 NBA Draft Sleepers: Stock Risers

While much of the attention in the 2026 NBA Draft cycle is focused on projected lottery picks, several under-the-radar prospects are quietly positioning themselves to climb draft boards or earn opportunities through NBA free agency. This group features players with clearly translatable NBA skills, including defensive versatility, high-level basketball IQ, playmaking, and athleticism, but each still has areas to refine before becoming complete prospects. Strong senior seasons, pre-draft workouts, and performances at postseason events could significantly boost their stock, making them names for NBA scouts and executives to monitor closely over the coming months.

Tamin Lipsey | PG | Iowa State | 6'1"

Lipsey projects as a high-IQ floor general whose value stems from decision-making, defensive activity, and leadership. He consistently controls tempo, protects the basketball, and creates opportunities for teammates while generating steals through anticipation and quick hands. Despite lacking elite athleticism, he compensates with toughness and feel for the game.

His biggest limitation is perimeter shooting. Subpar three-point and free-throw percentages allow defenders to play off him, limiting his offensive ceiling. Lipsey projects as a backup NBA point guard capable of organizing an offense and providing defensive pressure, with late second-round and two-way contract potential.

Quadir Copeland | SG | NC State | 6'6"

Copeland has emerged as one of the more intriguing senior wings in the class thanks to improved shooting and secondary playmaking. He scores effectively at multiple levels, attacks closeouts well, and has developed into a reliable perimeter threat while using his size and instincts to defend multiple positions.

While he lacks elite explosiveness and his shooting release remains somewhat slow, his combination of versatility, shooting, and defensive impact gives him a clear NBA role. He projects as a rotational 3-and-D wing with playmaking upside and could work his way into first-round consideration with a strong postseason.

Andrej Stojaković | SF | Illinois | 6'7"

Stojaković offers appealing size, basketball instincts, and defensive awareness on the wing. He contributes as a cutter, floor spacer, and opportunistic scorer while showing good body control finishing around the basket. His motor and understanding of team concepts help offset average physical tools.

The primary concern is shooting consistency. A significant drop in three-point efficiency has hurt his draft stock, while limited playmaking and a tendency to rely on his right hand reduce offensive versatility. He remains an interesting developmental prospect but would benefit from another collegiate season to refine his perimeter game.

Taylor Bol Bowen | PF | Alabama | 6'10"

Bowen is a modern defensive forward whose length and mobility allow him to switch across multiple positions and impact games on both the perimeter and around the rim. He is an active rebounder and possesses the physical tools NBA teams covet in versatile frontcourt defenders.

Offensively, consistency remains the question. After previously showing stretch-four potential, his shooting percentages have declined significantly, and his thin frame limits effectiveness around the basket. If he improves both strength and shooting reliability, Bowen has the upside to become a valuable two-way rotation forward at the NBA level.

Keba Keita | C | BYU | 6'8"

Keita is an explosive interior presence who thrives as a rim runner, lob threat, and offensive rebounder. His athleticism, strong hands, and finishing ability make him effective in a limited offensive role, particularly in transition and pick-and-roll situations.

His lack of size for a traditional center, limited offensive skill set outside the paint, and concerns about perimeter defense cap his upside. Nevertheless, Keita's energy, rebounding, and vertical spacing give him a pathway to an NBA roster as a backup center and developmental frontcourt contributor.