Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast Top-10 Prospects in the NBA 2025-26
6 snips
Jan 10, 2026 John Hollinger, a renowned basketball analyst known for his deep statistical insights, joins Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux to evaluate the top NBA prospects under 23 years old. They rank players like Victor Wembanyama as the clear number one due to his unmatched ceiling and defensive prowess. The discussion also highlights Cooper Flagg's potential, Chet Holmgren's versatile defense, and Alperen Şengün’s offensive uniqueness. The trio assesses emerging talents like Reed Sheppard, Keonte George, and Kon Knueppel, diving into player strengths, weaknesses, and their future in the league.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ranking By Long-Term Ceiling Not Current Stats
- The hosts rank players aged 23 and under by who they'd want for the rest of their careers, prioritizing ceiling over floor.
- They use this to capture who can impact winning on elite teams rather than current production.
Wembanyama Occupies A Solo Tier
- Victor Wembanyama is treated as a separate tier because his defensive impact and offensive growth make him uniquely likely to win MVPs.
- Durability remains the main caveat, but his on-court net rating when healthy is elite.
Flagg's Upside Warrants A Separate Tier
- Cooper Flagg sits in his own tier due to rare age-adjusted upside as a two-way forward who can create with the ball.
- Concerns remain about his perimeter quickness, but his power/footwork fit the game's direction.