All 30 NBA teams scouting Big 12 tournament for 2026 draft class

Top basketball executives from all 30 National Basketball Association (NBA) teams are in attendance at the Big 12 conference tournament, signaling intense early interest in the 2026 draft class The significant presence of front-office personnel in Kansas City has been described by one team president as being “like a preview of lottery night,” underscoring the event's importance for future team-building decisions

This widespread scouting effort is focused on evaluating a new wave of elite freshmen who are expected to be high draft picks The concentration of talent in a single tournament provides a rare opportunity for teams to conduct side-by-side evaluations of top prospects in a high-stakes, competitive environment. Observers have noted the presence of numerous high-level decision-makers, indicating that assessments made during this tournament could heavily influence draft boards across the league

Among the key prospects being closely watched are several notable freshmen from the conference. These include guard Darryn Peterson of Kansas, forward AJ Dybantsa of BYU, and guard Kingston Flemings of Houston While the tournament showcases a range of talent, these players in particular are drawing considerable attention from the league's top talent evaluators as potential cornerstones for franchises