The Athletic NBA Daily: NBA Draft Check-In with Sam Vecenie | Slam N’ Jam

Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: Andrew Schlecht (D), Alex Spears (E)
Guest: Sam Vecenie (F), The Athletic’s NBA Draft Analyst
Focus: Early check-in and analysis of the 2026 NBA Draft class, prospects’ strengths/weaknesses, fit, and early stats-based trivia.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft with Sam Vecenie, widely regarded as one of the foremost draft analysts in basketball. The group considers the leading prospects’ games, development areas, and potential as franchise-changers, then runs through a rapid “Lightning Round” of scouting superlatives and closes with a fun, stats-packed rookie trivia showdown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Top 3 Prospects: Detailed Evaluations

(03:02–16:53)

a. Darrin Peterson (Kansas)

• Profile: Do-it-all guard; previously ranked #1 on Sam’s board.
• Playmaking: “I think that the way that he improved throughout his high school career is really what’s most impressive to me … he got so good at reading that backline defender and finding what was available. I thought he was so, so sharp in terms of his timing.” (F, 03:27)
• Strengths: Strong ball handler, adept under pressure, excellent pull-up shooter, complete offensive profile, finishes above the rim, versatile.
• Projection: “One of the most complete guard prospects I’ve evaluated. There’s just very little he doesn’t bring to the table.” (F, 04:35)

b. Cameron Boozer (Duke)

• Stats so far: 21 pts, 10 rebs, 4 ast per game.
• Finishing challenges: Despite his famed footwork on the block, “because he has always been that size and has always been so strong … he hasn’t really had to worry about the footwork on his gathers and on his drives … Now that he’s not able to go through guys, he’s had to adjust.” (F, 05:24–08:30)
• Strengths: Hard worker, expanded perimeter game, passing vision, mismatch creator.
• Defensive projection: “Way underrated defender. He’s not going to be like an all-defense guy necessarily, but he is really smart. He is constantly aware, … the loudest, most communicative player on defense.” (F, 10:08)
• Comps: “Very similar to Kevin Love to me, just like more advanced in terms of perimeter game and honestly a little bit more advanced on defense.” (F, 11:20)

c. AJ Dybantsa (BYU)

• Physical profile: “Spectacular in terms of the tools … explosive off the ground … so flexible. The way he plays with bend and is able to gain leverage—that’s why he lives at the foul line right now.” (F, 12:27)
• Strengths: Physical tools, straight-line paint touches, loads of ceiling.
• Developmental areas: Needs improved ball handling, more confident three-point shooting, better off-ball defense, more live-dribble passing.
• Fit/ceiling: “He’ll be somebody that has as high of a ceiling once he gets to the NBA as he wants to have, frankly; it’s kind of up to him how great he wants to be.” (F, 15:47)

2. Prospect Intangibles

(16:39–17:50)

• Character: No red flags on the top three, though Sam is “still kind of digging on that.” Notes Darren is a “hyper competitor” and Cam Boozer a leader and hard worker.
• Other fun personalities: “Caleb Wilson’s the guy that … is the most fun stuff that I’ve gotten so far. Immensely confident, immensely funny … a joy to be around kind of guy.” (F, 16:53)

3. Next Tier Guards & Key Risers

(17:50–26:27)

a. Mikel Brown Jr.

• “One of the best intersections of three-point shooting—both off the catch and off the bounce—and like passing and vision and like live-dribble passing ability that I’ve seen in a while.” (F, 18:04)
• Needs improvement on finishing at the rim.

b. Kingston Flemings (Houston)

• “Burstier, very comfortable in the mid-range … has a floater, nice pull-up jumper … but can get in the air to jump pass without a plan.” (F, 18:04)
• Both Brown and Flemings currently poor defenders.

c. Caleb Wilson (UNC)

• “He is really thriving in transition against a lot of the bad teams that they’ve played. … Was comfortable hitting shots in the mid range in that [Kansas] game in a way that we as the scouting community wanted to learn more about.” (F, 22:01)
• Offense trending up, defense slightly less than expected.

d. LeBaron Filon (Alabama)

• Came back to improve draft stock—has answered key questions: “Teams wanted to see if he can shoot from three … he’s drilling 41% from three right now … able to really create plays for his teammates at a high level.” (F, 24:27)
• Stock has improved; likely moved from late first to possible lottery.

e. Bennett Sturtz

• “Oklahoma City Thunder love child if there’s ever been one—everything that they value: processing, shooting, positional size … Maybe the best decision maker in college basketball last season … Can knock down shots off the dribble. Unbelievable passer, playmaker, just very skinny.” (F, 26:44, 28:11)
• Big test: how he deals with physicality in the Big Ten.

4. Lightning Round: Prospect Superlatives & Questions

(29:42–38:49)

• Most Polarizing Prospect: “Maybe Chris Senac at Houston. Developed perimeter game for a guy that is as big as he is, teams want to see if he can rebound consistently, if he can defend consistently.” (F, 30:12)
• Best Shooting Prospect: “Braylon Mullins in Connecticut … averaged 9.5 threes per game and hit them at 42% … NBA caliber movement.” (F, 31:18)
• Best International Prospect: “I guess I’ll say Dash Daniels … I know that that guy defends at an NBA level, like, right now.” (F, 32:11)
• Best Center Prospect: “Senac has the highest upside … [but] if [Jaden Quaintance] comes back healthy, Quaintance is like a genuinely monster defender.” (F, 33:10)
• Prospect Most Limited by Team/Situation: “I think Kansas around Darren Peterson is quite under-talented compared to what Kansas has been.” (F, 34:55)
• Biggest Riser: “Definitely Flemings … the burst just immediately jumped off the screen.” (F, 38:25)

5. Conference Play Watch List

(36:09–38:16)

• Prospects Sam most wants to see in conference: Chris Senac, Jaden Quaintance (when healthy), and Neoclass Abdullis (Virginia Tech).
• “What is the growth like throughout the course of the year?” (F, 36:55)

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Boozer’s adjustments:
  “He’s just going to have to figure out how to adjust. He’s not overly big … has to win with touch and Euro steps and decel and gathers … It’s just going to take time.” (F, 08:30)
• On personality & team fit:
  “No red flaggy [personality] yet … Caleb Wilson—immensely confident, immensely funny from everyone I’ve talked to.” (F, 16:53)
• On top rookie traits:
  “If you’re a team that desperately needs someone to create advantages across the court, [AJ Dybantsa] is someone you’ll be immensely interested in.” (F, 15:47)

7. Rookie Trivia Showdown: Highlights & Stats

(42:41–64:40; selected highlights)

Note: Trivia questions test Sam and Andrew's recall on 2025’s rookie class stats. Below are a few fun examples with answers:

• Who has the most shot attempts in the restricted area (rookie)?
  Answer: Jeremiah Fears (E, 44:08)

• How many rookies have scored 30 points in a game this season?
  Answer: Four (F, 45:12)

• Fastest riser on Sam’s board since season start?
  “Definitely Flemings. … I just hadn’t seen a lot of Flemings, … the burst immediately jumped off the screen.” (F, 38:25)

• Which rookie has more three-point makes than two-point makes (min. 300 mins)?
  Correct answer includes Jaegor Dioman (E, 48:04)

• Which rookie leads team in points?
  Cooper Flagg (E, 51:23)

8. Memorable Exchanges / Tone

• The conversation is quick, energetic, and peppered with NBA nerdery and sarcastic rapport.
• E (Alex), after a missed stat:
  “I have to do podcasts with you every week.” (E, 50:38)
• Sam, on missing trivia:
  “That sucks for you, Sam. That's the only time that won't be the right answer to a question like that.” (E, 61:26)

Noteworthy Quotes with Timestamps

• Peterson's polish:
  “He’s just one of the most complete guard prospects I’ve evaluated. There’s just very little he doesn’t bring to the table.” —Sam Vecenie (F, 04:35)
• Boozer’s comparison:
  “Very similar to Kevin Love to me, just like more advanced in terms of perimeter game and honestly a little bit more advanced on defense.” —Sam Vecenie (F, 11:20)
• On AJ Dybantsa’s ceiling:
  “It’s kind of up to him how great he wants to be, because if he’s able to fix the shot … the ceiling is immense.” —Sam Vecenie (F, 15:47)
• On Cam Boozer’s adjusting to higher-level size:
  “Now that he’s not able to go through guys, he’s had to adjust, and so far the adjustments haven’t been amazing.” —Sam Vecenie (F, 08:30)
• Best shooting prospect:
  “Braylon Mullins … averaged 9.5 threes per game and hit them at like 42%. … NBA-caliber movement.” —Sam Vecenie (F, 31:18)

9. Overall Vibe & Takeaways

• The 2026 draft class is top-heavy with three clear franchise-altering choices but has intriguing depth.
• There’s a premium on two-way play, coachability, and adaptability.
• Developmental context—team role, coaching, personality—continues to separate stars from solid contributors.
• Early non-con schedules are inflating some stats; everyone’s eager to see prospects’ development and production in conference play.

10. Closing Thoughts / Call-outs

• Sam Vecenie praises both hosts, saying, “I will promote just you guys continuing to succeed on this show. … I hope that you guys continue to have success so I get to come on and Andrew gets to kick my ass in trivia regularly.” (F, 64:54)
• The hosts tease next week’s “Wizards Week”—themed content on the Washington Wizards.

Summary Table: Top Prospects

| Player | Strengths | Key Questions | Notable Quote (Timestamp) | |--------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Darren Peterson | Complete guard, playmaker, balanced scorer | Ultimate NBA role—lead vs. combo | “One of the most complete guard prospects I've evaluated.” (F, 04:35) | | Cam Boozer | Perimeter growth, positional versatility, work ethic | Rim finishing vs elite size | “Very similar to Kevin Love to me, just ... more advanced…” (F, 11:20) | | AJ Dybantsa | Physical tools, explosive, leverage, foul-drawing | Off-ball defense, outside shooting| “Ceiling is immense for AJ ... it's kind of up to him.” (F, 15:47) | | Mikel Brown Jr. | Shooting & passing intersection, live-dribble play | Rim finishing, defense | “Best intersection ... that I've seen in a while.” (F, 18:04) | | Kingston Flemings | Burst, midrange scoring, athleticism | Passing plan, defense | “Flemings is more bursty …” (F, 18:04) | | Caleb Wilson | Athleticism, transition, rebounder, passing | 3P shooting, half-court scoring| “A lot of reason for enthusiasm ...” (F, 22:01) |

For anyone seeking a fast, expert lens on the next generation of NBA talent, this episode packs evaluations, strategic fit analysis, and draft-nerd banter in classic Athletic style.