2026 NBA Draft Sleepers and Their Top Cards

Two 2026 NBA Draft Sleepers Worth Watching

The 2026 NBA Draft is in the books, and while the top of the board went largely as expected, there are always players who can outperform their draft slot and become useful names for collectors. In a draft headlined by AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, the biggest hobby attention will naturally stay on the top picks in next year’s Topps products.

Still, later first-round selections can create some of the best value opportunities if their on-court development outpaces early expectations. Two rookies who fit that description are Labaron Philon Jr. and Chris Cenac Jr. Both were drafted later than many projected, but each arrives with traits that could make him a hobby riser if his NBA role grows quickly.

Labaron Philon Jr. Brings Offensive Upside to Philadelphia

Guard Labaron Philon Jr. entered the draft after a strong season at Alabama. He originally declared for the 2025 NBA Draft before returning to school, and that extra year appears to have helped his development. At Alabama, Philon was asked to carry more of the offense and responded by becoming a true three-level scorer while helping lead the Crimson Tide offense to the No. 3 overall ranking.

Even with that production, Philon slid to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 22. The drop was tied to concerns about his defense, although he had shown better defensive play during his freshman season. For collectors, that draft-day slide may create a more accessible entry point than if he had gone much earlier.

Philon’s fit in Philadelphia is intriguing because his offensive skill set should translate well to a team that can use scoring help. If he continues to develop as a creator and also regains the defensive form he showed earlier in his college career, there is room for his hobby profile to climb.

Recent Labaron Philon Jr. Card Market Notes

Philon already has Bowman U autos on the market, and those cards have been trading at relatively reasonable levels. According to Card Ladder, his Bowman U autographs are selling in the $35 to $50 range. That gives collectors a baseline for his early market, especially compared with the type of prices often seen for higher-profile first-round names.

If Philon’s scoring translates quickly to the NBA and he earns meaningful minutes, his cards could benefit from the combination of a strong offensive profile and a draft position that left room for growth. For now, his market is being shaped by potential rather than established NBA production, which is exactly the kind of setup that can create sleeper interest.

Chris Cenac Jr. Lands With Boston and Brings Long-Term Appeal

Chris Cenac Jr. entered college with a strong reputation. ESPN ranked him as the No. 7 overall recruit in the country before his freshman season at Houston, where he arrived with a reputation for athleticism and work ethic. Cenac also made it clear that he wanted to be coached hard, which helped lead him to Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars.

His college production did not always jump off the page statistically, but he filled the role asked of him and rebounded at a high level. That type of team-first, role-specific production can sometimes be overlooked in draft analysis, especially when a player is still developing physically and skill-wise. Cenac ultimately went 27th overall to the Boston Celtics, a franchise with a reputation for maximizing raw talent.

The Celtics landing spot adds another layer of interest. Boston has often been associated with helping young players refine their games, and that matters for a prospect like Cenac. If his athleticism and motor continue to stand out while his offensive game expands, he could become one of the more interesting long-term names from the class.

Recent Chris Cenac Jr. Card Market Notes

Cenac’s card market looks a little different from Philon’s because his autograph cards are not in Bowman U. Instead, his Topps autos were limited to the 2025 Topps Chrome McDonald's All-American set. In that release, gold autographs numbered to 50 have been selling for about $50 per Card Ladder.

Cenac also appeared in Topps NOW Draft Day releases with autographs. His Topps NOW set sold out, so collectors looking for one will need to watch the secondary market. That sold-out status can matter for short-term availability, especially for collectors trying to secure early rookie-era cards before broader NBA product releases arrive.

Because Cenac’s early autograph options are more limited than some other rookies, his market may be shaped by scarcity as much as performance. If he develops into a reliable frontcourt contributor in Boston, those early Topps issues could draw more attention as the season progresses.

Why These Later First-Round Picks Matter for Collectors

Draft position often drives the first wave of hobby attention, but it does not always determine long-term value. Players selected later in the first round can become strong card targets if they land in the right situation and show clear improvement early in their careers. Philon and Cenac both fit that profile in different ways.

• Philon offers scoring upside and a relatively accessible early Bowman U market.
• Cenac brings size, athleticism, and a Boston landing spot that could help his development.
• Both players were drafted later than some expected, which may keep their early card prices from getting too inflated too quickly.
• Each has a path to more hobby attention if his NBA role expands faster than projected.

For collectors, that combination can be appealing. It creates the possibility of buying into a player before a breakout season changes the market. The key will be monitoring how both rookies are used early in their NBA careers and whether their production matches the traits that made them intriguing prospects in the first place.

What to Watch Next in Their Card Markets

Philon’s Bowman U autos already provide a clear starting point for collectors tracking his market. If he earns a steady role with the 76ers and shows that his Alabama scoring can carry over, those cards could become more active. His current pricing suggests there is still room for growth if his rookie season goes well.

Cenac’s card situation is more dependent on limited early Topps releases. Since his autograph cards have come through the 2025 Topps Chrome McDonald's All-American set and Topps NOW Draft Day, supply is more constrained. That could make his early cards more sensitive to on-court buzz, especially if he starts to build momentum with Boston.

As the offseason continues and rookie cards begin to settle into the market, both players are worth keeping on the radar. They may not be the first names collectors chase from the 2026 NBA Draft, but later first-round picks with real upside often become some of the most interesting stories once the season starts.