Beyond the Big Names, Part II: Finding Value Beyond the Headlines in the 2026 NBA Class
Early Season Sleepers Emerging as Conference Play Begins
A New Calendar, A New Evaluation Window
The start of a new calendar year doesn’t just flip the page—it signals the beginning of conference play, where roles solidify, rotations tighten, and prospects start separating themselves from the noise. With non-conference games now in the rearview mirror, this is often the best time to identify sleepers and under-the-radar prospects before the rest of the basketball world catches up. Over the last eight weeks, several players outside the mainstream draft conversation caught my eye. Some may be future 2027 prospects, some may never hear their name called on draft night—but all of them are worth tracking as conference play ramps up.
Before diving into this group, it’s worth remembering how quickly the league can change its mind. With the 54th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Taelon Peter, a 6’3” shooting guard from Liberty. Peter wasn’t invited to the NBA Draft Combine and was largely unknown outside deep scouting circles after starting his career at Division II Arkansas Tech. Now on a two-way contract, he’s already logged NBA minutes. So who will be this year’s Taelon Peter?
That answer remains unknown—but if you need a nudge, here’s the next wave of names to know early.
Matas Deniusas
Freshman | Forward | 6’9”, 220 lbs | UT Martin
Matas Deniusas hails from Latvia, and somehow the UT Martin coaching staff convinced the sharpshooting forward to suit up in the Ohio Valley Conference. Maybe it wasn’t much of a sell considering the Skyhawks feature seven international players on their roster. Still, landing an 18-year-old with this kind of skill set is notable.
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