The 2025 NBA Draft cycle is formally right here. Worldwide groups have tipped off their common seasons, and school groups have began preseason practices. NBA scouts and executives are out and about, seeing groups observe and touring worldwide to search out gamers.
A lot has been written about pleasure relating to the 2025 draft. It does look drastically higher on the prime of the category than the 2024 iteration. There’s loads of room for pleasure for tanking groups seeking to replenish their youth.
However I’ll preach a little bit of warning. I wouldn’t get hyperbolic and say this can be a superclass. I’d say it appears to be like like a reasonably common draft class. The depth stays a major query for groups. Past that, there are some differing opinions about how good the highest 5 of this class initiatives to be. Some find it irresistible and see a number of all-stars. Others imagine there are actual questions on gamers comparable to Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe. Can Edgecombe be a main possibility? Can Flagg create sufficient for himself to be a worthy No. 1 choose? Can Bailey make something straightforward for himself?
All these gamers have large potential, however I are likely to agree with the scouts who don’t see this group as a generational crop of expertise proper now. Coming into the season, I feel it could be tough to charge the highest finish of this class forward of the 2023 group, which had Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson getting into the yr as potential franchise gamers, with Brandon Miller becoming a member of them in that projection. As nice as Flagg appears to be like, it could be laborious to charge him throughout the similar tier of participant as Wembanyama, and I’ve but to listen to from a single evaluator inside league circles who believes that.
So whereas there’s each cause for enthusiasm about this group — and certainly, I’m excited to observe these gamers because the season will get underway — I’d pause earlier than pinning your workforce’s whole hopes on this class the best way many did two years in the past when Wembanyama got here by.
Just a few fast notes on the construction and format of this mock draft:
- The draft order right here relies on the Vegas win whole over/underneath projections. We used BetMGM’s traces. This felt just like the fairest projection of standings earlier than anybody has performed a aggressive sport.
- Workforce wants aren’t taken into consideration. There’s not a lot cause to do this at this stage on condition that trades will seemingly happen all year long and rosters will look totally different than they do now.
- Should you don’t see a freshman you suppose ought to be right here, it’s seemingly as a result of I’m a bit skeptical as to whether or not they’ll have the ability to go one-and-done in 2025. As an illustration, Duke’s Isaiah Evans has a tough runway towards taking part in time given the Blue Devils’ depth. Alabama’s Derrion Reid is also taking part in on a loaded squad with two returning forwards from a Remaining 4 workforce in Jarin Stevenson and Grant Nelson, an incoming heart in Cliff Omoruyi, plus a few older wings and guards in Houston Mallette and Chris Youngblood. I’d prefer to know somewhat extra about how the Crimson Tide’s rotation will shake out. Maryland’s Derik Queen has some defensive questions he’ll have to reply early. There are actually others.
- Participant ages are as of the projected draft day in 2025 (June 25).
Cooper Flagg | 6-8 ahead | 18 years previous | Duke
Since he reclassified into this recruiting class following his sophomore marketing campaign, Flagg has been seen as the virtually surefire participant to go No. 1. I wouldn’t fairly go so far as to say he’s a certainty, however he has essentially the most qualities enticing to NBA groups as he enters his freshman season at Duke at simply 17 (he turns 18 in December).
At first, Flagg is among the many greatest defensive prospects I’ve ever evaluated. He’s aggressive past all perception, with a motor and tenacity that by no means ceases for a second on the courtroom. He imposes his will upon the sport on and off the ball defensively. He’s large as a assist defender, blocking a ridiculous variety of photographs and protecting the alternative facet of the ground, with critical talent for locating steals. On offense, his sport has proven drastic enchancment over the past couple of years. His deal with has improved over his time in highschool, and he’s able to creating makeable pull-up jumpers, notably from the midrange space. He’s an superior cutter and offensive rebounder. Simply by being an elite transition participant, slicing, and getting offensive rebounds, Flagg ought to common double figures.
GO DEEPER
Cooper Flagg’s Duke debut just the start in season stuffed with extremely anticipated steps
Whether or not he goes No. 1 will come down, partly, to how well-developed his capability to create for himself appears to be like by the tip of the yr. NBA groups always search for gamers who can create benefits for his or her workforce. Flagg just isn’t the perfect participant within the class at doing that at this stage of his improvement, however it is very important bear in mind how younger he’s. He’s fairly early in his profession, much more so than anybody else on this class due to his age. Nonetheless, evaluators want to see a continuation of the expansion he confirmed throughout his closing season at Montverde (Fla.) Academy in attacking and creating photographs off the bounce.
Ace Bailey | 6-9 wing/ahead | 18 years previous | Rutgers
Bailey is the identify that comes up most frequently once you ask scouts, “Who may problem Flagg at No. 1?” From a instruments perspective, it’s straightforward to see why. The 6-9 wing appears to be like and feels extra like an NBA star than anybody on this class. He’s monumental for a pull-up shot creator and pairs that with some critical athletic explosiveness. He appears to be like each bit like that Paul George-style wing whom groups scour the globe to attempt to discover. Past that, his footwork and pick-ups as a pull-up shooter are well-developed for somebody this younger. Within the final decade, I can depend the variety of gamers on one hand who’re this large and may get into pull-up midrange and 3-point jumpers with as a lot stream, steadiness and effectivity as Bailey can.
So what are the problems? They’re two-fold. First, Bailey appears to are likely to fall in love with the laborious photographs. He doesn’t appear to create as many straightforward photographs as you’d like. His deal with is inventive and artful; it’s simply free proper now and is usually a bit excessive, which leads to him not getting essentially the most out of his drives. He additionally performs upright, which implies he doesn’t all the time entry his athleticism. Defensively, he is usually a bit hit and miss with taking full benefit of his instruments, with some moments of high-flying blocks and others the place he appears to be like to disengage.
Each instrument is there for Bailey to mount a critical problem for the highest choose. However he must show he could be environment friendly on the school stage with the type he performs first.
Dylan Harper | 6-5 guard | 19 years previous | Rutgers
Harper is the extra polished of the 2 top-three Rutgers prospects. His footwork is pristine, and his deal with is inventive, with the flexibility to craft a number of counters collectively off drives relying on how defenders play him. He’s typically been deployed as a scorer early in his profession, and he has that capability. His pull-up sport has been fairly good, however greater than that, his capability to create artful benefits out of ball screens has scouts excited. He’s a superb passer and playmaker, one thing scouts have seen since his efficiency on the Beneath-19 World Cup again in 2023 when he was typically requested to run the present whereas taking part in up a number of years by way of age group. He solely averaged three assists however had a ridiculous seven-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio.
What are the troubles? Principally, it includes his athleticism, as he’s not a wildly explosive participant. He doesn’t have a ton of vertical pop, and his first step just isn’t that spectacular, which means he must get by with that stage of craft on a regular basis. His footwork and polish are adequate to get constant separation, however the ending craft can generally let him down. Scouts additionally wish to see what his stage is as a shooter. There have been marked enhancements in his pull-up sport over the past 18 months, however scouts need him to substantiate that capability.
V.J. Edgecombe | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Baylor
Edgecombe is among the most enjoyable prospects on this class, a spotlight ready to occur. There are few extra explosive leapers throughout the higher basketball neighborhood worldwide; he’s a strong athlete who will throw down thunderous dunks or rotate throughout the courtroom for enormous blocks at the very least a couple of times per sport. He’s additionally confirmed to be a superb shooter off the catch up to now in his profession, and his sport off the bounce is growing. He performs nicely along with his proper hand in ball-screen conditions now. Defensively, Edgecombe is terrific throughout the board within the backcourt. Equally to somebody like Cason Wallace, Edgecombe is skinny however has the facility by his chest to carry up in opposition to a number of totally different participant sorts and the quickness to defend the quickest gamers on the earth.
However perhaps the largest swing talent on this class would be the improvement of his left hand. In highschool, for those who may drive Edgecombe towards his left, it was a critical concern. His deal with was drastically looser, as was his capability to regulate the ball by any form of contact. He additionally struggled ending across the basket along with his left hand. That talent proper now’s the one which holds him again from being a main lead possibility versus extra of a secondary playmaker, shooter, athlete and defender. Proper now, he’s a bit extra within the Wallace or Gary Harris mould (simply with extra explosiveness). That would all change, and Edgecombe is on an upward trajectory. He will get higher and higher each time scouts see him. However with out the left hand, it’s laborious to see Edgecombe difficult in any method for that prime slot.
Nolan Traoré | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Saint-Quentin
Traoré has had an up-and-down run since his terrific spring, when he impressed a number of scouts at Nike Hoop Summit, then went on to play nicely on the Adidas Subsequent Technology Event and late within the 2023-24 season for Saint-Quentin. He was a bit uneven on the European Beneath-18 Championships, main the competitors in assists however struggling some along with his effectivity as a scorer and his turnovers whereas being surrounded by a French roster with no taking pictures talent. Then within the early phases of his 2024-25 season for Saint-Quentin, he’s had a few monster video games (a 20-point, 10-assist displaying in opposition to Nancy and a 27-point outburst in opposition to Kolossos), and a few poor video games (going 3-of-15 with 9 turnovers in his first two video games).
What scouts will probably be in search of extra from Traoré is how his capability to attain effectively from all areas of the courtroom develops. Can he change into a dynamic, three-level scorer? He’s comfy taking these photographs, however can he persistently make them? He has not all the time been a constant shooter, and his ending leaves one thing to be desired at occasions with how far he’ll attempt to rating away from the rim. Traoré doesn’t have a monster first step or a ton of vertical explosiveness, so he’ll must be dialed in with the small print of his sport.
Jakucionis is available in at No. 6 as a result of he’s the participant I’ve obtained essentially the most constructive suggestions on outdoors of that prime group from sources linked to each school basketball and the NBA. The 6-5 guard is anticipated to run the present for Illinois this season following a terrific Beneath-18 marketing campaign with Lithuania this summer time. The thought here’s a large, multi-skilled guard who can play with or with out the ball in his fingers. He’s a maestro in ball screens and an amazing passer. He shoots it nicely each off pull-ups and off the catch. The considerations listed here are that he’s not overly athletic, however he is aware of the right way to use his body in ways in which permit him to keep up benefits when obligatory out of these screening actions.
NBA groups see him as an excellent wager to have an amazing season due to the intersection between his talent and really feel for the sport. Given the best way the NBA goes, the place these two issues proceed to show themselves as being priceless, it’s straightforward to see the thrill constructing round him already. Anticipate an enormous season.
Georgia Freshman “Asa Newell” beating #2 General Choose within the 2024 NBA Draft “Alexander Sarr” off the dribble off of the closeout. pic.twitter.com/W198fAY2Ci
— Aidan Dawson (@aidandawson25) August 27, 2024
Asa Newell | 6-9 ahead/large | 19 years previous | Georgia
Newell is a terrific large man who performed with Flagg at Montverde. He’ll get to step out of that shadow and doubtlessly emerge as one of many main choices at Georgia, a workforce I feel is sort of underrated heading into the 2024-25 season. There are a variety of comparisons to be made right here to a man like Taylor Hendricks, who was taken within the prime 10 a few years in the past. Newell is a terrific athlete and shot-blocker at 6-9 and makes successful performs along with his positioning and motor on that finish of the courtroom. On offense, he has a terrific, burgeoning perimeter sport the place he can knock down photographs from the perimeter and straight-line drive to complete inside.
Ben Saraf | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | Ratiopharm Ulm
Of this cycle, Saraf is already one of many extra sophisticated evaluations. He had an infinite Beneath-18 European Championships whereas taking part in for Israel, successful MVP of the occasion. He had a number of 40-point video games and averaged 28 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. There aren’t many gamers fairly like him on the world stage proper now, a lefty with critical creation capability largely due to his elite deceleration ranges. His capability to make use of a gradual step on his drives and gathers going towards the rim permits him to be impactful as a scorer. He’s additionally a superb passer who makes performs for his teammates far and wide.
But it’s been a bit extra up-and-down for Saraf thus far this yr with Ulm in Germany. He’s getting a major variety of reps because the workforce’s main possibility at lead guard, and the inefficiency is displaying. The jumper isn’t fairly there but; he must iron out the mechanics and make them only a bit smoother. That additionally results in questions on what his position will probably be if it seems he’s not fairly adequate to be an on-ball creator within the NBA.
Saraf’s inventory is polarizing. Most see him as a first-rounder at this stage, however I’ve gotten a mix from prime 10 all the best way all the way down to the tip of the primary spherical.
Kon Knueppel could be Duke’s greatest offensive participant this season — sure, even higher than Cooper Flagg. (Grant Halverson / Getty Photos)
Kon Knueppel | 6-5 guard | 19 years previous | Duke
Knueppel is one other participant whom scouts proceed to rave about after seeing Duke. He’s typically famous as being the workforce’s second-best participant behind Flagg, and a few have even stated he’s the workforce’s greatest offensive participant proper now. An incredible scorer on the EYBL and highschool ranges, Knueppel, with a thicker body, doesn’t essentially look the a part of a high-level draft choose, and he doesn’t look overly lengthy. Nevertheless, he knocks down photographs at a excessive stage. It wouldn’t be a stunner to see him shoot 40 p.c from 3 this yr. He also can drive and assault off the specter of that shot at a excessive stage. Given the best way taking pictures is valued in immediately’s NBA, it’s straightforward to see him being thought-about a lottery choose if he has a powerful season.
10. San Antonio Spurs
Liam McNeeley | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | Connecticut
McNeeley is getting into the proper state of affairs at Connecticut. The Huskies have received back-to-back nationwide championships and confirmed they know the right way to use gamers with the talent set McNeeley possesses. He’s an elite shooter for a youngster, and the third participant from final season’s Montverde workforce to be projected right here within the prime 10. McNeeley can hit photographs off motion, however greater than that, he has a terrific really feel for the sport. He’s not essentially the most athletic participant on the earth, however he’s large and makes the fitting selections each time he will get the ball or is on the defensive finish of the courtroom. UConn is sort of deep on the wing this yr, however I’d count on McNeeley to finish up taking part in vital minutes because the Huskies go for a three-peat.
Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-7 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | South Carolina
Murray-Boyles is an ideal encapsulation of this draft class in a variety of methods. A lot of the scouts I converse with deliver up Murray-Boyles as a participant whom they see as a first-round choose. However few have him as a lottery grade and as a substitute say that they’d love to pick out him within the again half of the primary spherical. Why? As of proper now, they see a man who will seemingly play within the NBA for some time, however not a man with a ton of star energy. He’s 6-7 with lengthy arms and has a large bodily body that enables him to bully opponents even at 19 years previous.
And but, he hasn’t confirmed he can shoot from distance but, and most of his offense tends to return on the block or in mid-post face-ups. These aren’t actions NBA groups run all that a lot. Nevertheless, the actual cause they’re enthusiastic about Murray-Boyles comes on protection, the place he’s excellent each in one-on-one in addition to in workforce settings. Nonetheless, the concern is that there isn’t a ton of upside right here. He’s an excellent wager to be a first-rounder if he showcases any enchancment with the jumper, nevertheless it may find yourself a bit decrease than this after different gamers emerge.
Freeman was a riser later in his highschool profession, a late bloomer bodily who was skinny (and nonetheless is, to some extent) earlier than including a little bit of weight and a variety of twitchy explosiveness. The thought here’s a large wing/ahead hybrid who already has proven actual capability to knock down midrange jumpers and is seeming so as to add the flexibility to knock down 3s. On prime of that, he’s wiry and has a ton of bounce. He’ll put up some enjoyable highlights all through the season. Freeman does have a little bit of a option to go, although. The deal with goes to have to enhance, as is his total defensive consciousness. However for those who’re in search of an upside swing on this class, Freeman is among the names scouts get most enthusiastic about earlier than anybody has performed this yr.
Drake Powell | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | North Carolina
Powell is an athletic wing with lengthy arms who appears to be like to have a strong spot at North Carolina. It’s an ideal match for him, because the workforce wants a powerful two-way wing to play with R.J. Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson. Powell, at 6-6, has all the time profiled as a terrific two-way wing who’s conscientious on protection (with upside to be a critical influence participant on that finish) along with being a shot-maker with some capability to drive off the bounce. I’m a bit skeptical that we’re going to see that capability to drive and rating all that a lot outdoors of transition this yr in Chapel Hill, and Powell does have to show he can persistently hit open catch-and-shoot 3s. However he profiles completely in-between the 2 guards of their beginning lineup in addition to Cade Tyson as a floor-spacing greater wing within the frontcourt. Scouts who’ve been by to North Carolina have famous that he appears to be like to fill the mixture for the workforce of filling a necessity and of readiness to play.
Miami freshman Jalil Bethea received the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Recreation slam dunk contest. (Maria Lysaker / USA Immediately)
Jalil Bethea | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Miami (Fla.)
Among the best scorers within the 2024 recruiting class, Bethea can put the ball within the bucket. He’s a terrific pull-up shot-maker with vary already out to the NBA 3-point line. Should you get him some area, he has a ton of shiftiness to have the ability to get to his spots. The important thing for Bethea is the way it all appears to be like in half-court settings when he has to attempt to get paint touches this yr. He’s nonetheless fairly skinny. He’s explosive when he has an opportunity to load up, however I haven’t but seen that capability to play by contact at a excessive sufficient stage. If that comes alongside — in addition to the passing and decision-making — Bethea may find yourself as an upside swing within the prime 10 for somebody in search of critical scoring punch. However there’s a bit extra danger right here till we see what he appears to be like like on a university courtroom taking part in in opposition to vital athletes each single night time.
15. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through MIA)
Dink Pate | 6-6 guard | 19 years previous | Mexico Metropolis Capitanes
Pate is really one of many swing guys on this draft. His upside is immense if he can work out the right way to effectively rating within the G League this season — the dissolution of the G League Ignite program has resulted in him taking part in with the Mexico Metropolis Capitanes. Pate has critical on-ball talent and is an actual playmaker in ball screens. He can cross and make performs for his teammates along with getting actual paint touches. However the important thing for Pate is the jumper. It’s by no means regarded clear, and that confirmed up final yr. He posted only a 43.1 true taking pictures proportion final season, largely as a result of the half-court ending additionally hasn’t fairly translated. If he can work out to place the ball within the gap with consistency and effectivity, he’ll be a excessive draft choose. If he doesn’t, then it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place he finally ends up.
Hugo González | 6-6 wing/ahead | 19 years previous | Actual Madrid
González is coming off a strong Beneath-18 European Championships during which he showcased a lot of what has made him such a extremely sought-after prospect but additionally among the flaws groups are involved about heading into his pre-draft season. González is called an amazing defender who performs with immense tenacity and a excessive motor. All of that performed up in these video games on the wing, the place he confirmed the flexibility to protect a number of positions and make high-level performs on that finish. He averaged a ridiculous 2.7 steals and two blocks per sport. González’s anticipation on protection is absurd, as he appears to see issues a break up second earlier than they occur. Having stated that, the jumper stays the query. González doesn’t mission as a very high-level creator within the NBA, so he’ll have to knock down 3s. He made simply 20.8 p.c from distance taking seven makes an attempt per on the Beneath-18s. The quantity and his willingness to take them, nevertheless, drastically exceeded something he’d proven beforehand. However that will probably be his swing talent as an total prospect. González has to make 3s to showcase he has a job on offense within the NBA.
Motiejus Krivas | 7-2 large | 20 years previous | Arizona
One other tremendous big, Krivas appears to be like like an superior breakout wager based mostly on how he performed as a backup behind Oumar Ballo final season. Large males aren’t supposed to maneuver the best way he does. He has nice coordination and footwork and showcases excellent contact. He’s additionally keen to provoke contact and play by it. He seals his man when he can on the block and likewise strikes nicely in ball screens when rolling to the rim. He additionally makes his free throws and has tender fingers that appear to catch all the things in his space. He rebounds nicely on each ends of the courtroom. On this Arizona scheme that accentuates large males, Krivas has an opportunity to be the perfect one who has come by in Tommy Lloyd’s tenure.
One in all two gamers on whom I had a first-round grade final season who didn’t declare for the draft, Sallis is a former five-star recruit who had a breakout third collegiate season at Wake Forest, following a switch from Gonzaga. He averaged 18 factors, 4 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists, however extra importantly, he noticed an infinite leap along with his 3-point jumper. He hit 40.5 p.c of his 3s final season after two years beneath 26 p.c at Gonzaga. NBA groups wish to see him consolidate that 3-point quantity, in addition to get again to being the high-energy defender he was at Gonzaga early in his profession when he got here off the bench. It additionally wouldn’t damage if he began to showcase higher passing imaginative and prescient. However total, there’s a variety of cause for Sallis optimism getting into the yr.
Alex Karaban | 6-8 wing | 22 years previous | Connecticut
Karaban is the opposite participant who had a first-round grade on my private board final season however returned to highschool. I had him within the late 20s, and it’s straightforward to see what his position will probably be within the NBA. He’s a terrific shooter, having made 39 p.c of his 3s over his two years at Connecticut. However extra importantly, he’s a consummate winner. He does all the little issues you possibly can ask a participant to do on the courtroom. He’s a terrific workforce defender who’s slicing off angles and passes on the weak facet. He cuts nicely off the ball on offense. He’s in movement inside that Connecticut offense. On prime of that, his expertise is large, as he began 77 of his 78 video games for the back-to-back nationwide champions. It’s straightforward to say, however he appears to be like like a man who will slot into an NBA rotation for some time. UConn will probably be relying on him to be greater than that this yr, as he’ll step into the highlight following the departure of most of his teammates. Any development that he may present with the ball in his fingers can be an actual constructive for him with scouts.
Khaman Maluach | 7-1 large | 18 years previous | Duke
I’m not fairly as excessive on Maluach as many appear to be within the preseason after having seen him at Nike Hoop Summit earlier this yr. I simply have some considerations about his readiness for the school sport. He struggled to catch and end on the transfer on the larger pace of the sport he confronted in opposition to higher competitors all week in observe. On protection, it’s clear Maluach continues to be studying the intricacies of drop protection and in ball screens. He doesn’t fairly have an excellent really feel but for managing the area between the curler and the ballhandler.
Right here’s the factor, although: Maluach is gigantic. It’s laborious to overstate how large he appears to be like on the market. Many NBA scouts had been additionally impressed along with his play for the South Sudanese nationwide workforce this previous Olympic cycle throughout the precise occasion in addition to in warm-up video games. They talked about his capability to slip his ft and transfer alongside the perimeter at his measurement. I’m a bit decrease on him than this, however I don’t suppose it could fairly be an correct illustration of the place the NBA scouting neighborhood is at present to have him outdoors of the highest 20. They’re focused on him and will probably be at Duke early and sometimes to test him out.
Motiejus Krivas appears to be like primed for a breakout season at Arizona. (Kirby Lee / USA Immediately)
Tre Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years previous | Texas
Johnson is a critical shot-maker. Few gamers on this recruiting class can get buckets on the stage he can. He’s aggressive, always probing and attacking defenses to see if a crease is out there. If not, he’s comfy pulling up within the midrange space and has began flattening photographs from distance. The priority right here, although, is that Johnson isn’t an excellent athlete in comparison with different shot-creators on this mould. He has lengthy arms and is keen to make use of his body to play by and even provoke contact. However he’s not all that explosive. And the protection has left one thing to be desired. The excellent news is that he’s an aggressive rebounder for a guard, however he must showcase this yr that his sport with out the ball in his fingers can sustain on the NBA stage, on condition that no NBA workforce goes to roll out the ball for him early in his profession.
22. Utah Jazz (through CLE)
Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 large | 18 years previous | Brisbane Bullets
Zikarsky is among the most intriguing large prospects on the earth proper now, a professional 7-3 big of a human who additionally strikes nicely and has glorious fingers. In his second season for the Brisbane Bullets within the NBL, Zikarsky hasn’t fairly discovered his footing but. He handled just a few minor ankle accidents early within the season that didn’t permit him to get fairly as many reps in observe as you’ll have hoped, and you may see simply how uncooked he’s in video games. He must get extra expertise to maintain enhancing upon the intricacies of being an enormous man, like his screening, positioning in drop protection in opposition to ball screens, and his closeouts. Greater than something, although, I feel he’s only a little bit of a mission. I imagine in him being an NBA participant sooner or later, nevertheless it may take a while for him to succeed in that potential. He’ll be 18 on draft day this yr, so he’s one of many youngest gamers within the class. It’s price being affected person and checking again later this yr to see how he’s developed. I broke all of that down in a video with tape from his latest sport in opposition to Sydney right here.
Egor Demin | 6-8 guard | 19 years previous | BYU
That is larger than the place I’d have Demin. However very like with Maluach above, it wouldn’t fairly be an correct description of the place scouts are at this stage if I didn’t rank him within the prime 30. There’s vital curiosity in Demin’s capability to be a 6-8 level guard and playmaker at BYU this season. The place I’m frightened is that I’m not completely certain how he scores the basketball but. At any stage, he’s by no means confirmed the flexibility to complete persistently on the inside or knock down photographs. He’s keen to take them, however there hasn’t been a lot effectivity. I imagine within the passing and imaginative and prescient in an enormous method, and that’s why he reveals up right here. The novelty of a possible level guard at this measurement makes him one of many gamers I’m most focused on watching this season. However there are some actual questions scouts are in search of him to reply, even with their curiosity ranges.
24. Brooklyn Nets (through MIL)
Alex Toohey | 6-8 wing | 21 years previous | Sydney Kings
Toohey has been one of many early-season breakout gamers on the worldwide scene, taking part in nicely for the Sydney Kings. All through the summer time, he was the participant who I bought essentially the most constructive suggestions on from sources among the many youthful gamers who went by the Australian Olympic camp, and that features latest Indiana Pacers draft choose Johnny Furphy. Beginning for a workforce thought-about the favourite within the NBL this yr, Toohey has averaged 16 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 54 p.c from 3-point vary. The taking pictures received’t fairly maintain at that quantity, however Toohey does look to be a critical shooter after having added vital energy all through each his higher and decrease halves this offseason. He’s additionally became an excellent defender in a workforce assemble who is never out of place and whose size (at 6-8, he posted a 9-foot standing attain at Hoop Summit in 2023) covers a variety of floor.
25. Orlando Magic (through DEN)
Kwame Evans Jr. | 6-8 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | Oregon
Evans is a participant whom scouts had been enthused about at totally different factors final season due to his size and willingness to play with effort and power on the defensive finish. He was a defensive playmaker on the 4 place final yr, averaging a steal and a block in simply 21 minutes per sport. On prime of that, he rebounded the ball nicely on each ends whereas taking part in subsequent to a terrific large man in N’Faly Dante. The important thing for Evans would be the improvement of the jumper. Believers inside NBA circles will level to his 79.5 p.c mark from the foul line as indicators of his critical contact, whereas these extra involved will level to his 26.7 p.c mark from the 3-point line. Showcasing the flexibility to fireplace from distance would be the swing talent that both pushes Evans into the primary spherical, or sees him return to school once more.
26. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through PHI)
Lowe performed subsequent to first-round choose Bub Carrington final season and was fairly good in his personal proper as a freshman guard. He got here into his personal because the season progressed, averaging 12 factors and three.7 assists versus 1.6 turnovers throughout ACC play final yr whereas hitting over 40 p.c from 3. He’s a gentle presence out on the courtroom with actual pace who could make glorious selections. He’ll get an opportunity to run the present for Pitt this season with out Carrington round. I’d count on a critical soar in manufacturing, with 15 factors and 5 assists per sport not in any method out of the query. The important thing quantity will probably be his 2-point proportion and proportion on the basket. Scouts wish to see him persistently end on the inside on condition that his measurement is an actual query mark heading into the yr.
27. Utah Jazz (through MIN)
Noa Essengue | 6-9 ahead | 18 years previous | Ratiopharm Ulm
Essengue has already proven to be one of many extra productive European prospects this season. Comparable in age to Flagg, Essengue received’t flip 18 till December. And but he’s averaging 8.8 factors and 4.8 rebounds for Ulm. There’s pleasure in regards to the 6-9 athlete’s mix of manufacturing and coordination, and he was additionally fairly good on the Beneath-18 European Championships for France subsequent to Traoré. The priority here’s what his greatest place is. With a 6-11 wingspan based on the Basketball With out Borders camp this previous all-star break, Essengue isn’t fairly large enough to be a 5. Nevertheless, he’s additionally not likely a 4, as his jumper wants a ton of labor and his ballhandling leaves some actual questions. Defensively, scouts do see some actual switchability on protection that brings pleasure, although. Essengue is a participant whom scouts are simply focused on monitoring his progress greater than something all through the season. At such a younger age, he has a ton of time. If he reveals he’s answered a few of these considerations by the point June rolls round, he’ll have an actual shot to go in Spherical 1.
28. Brooklyn Nets (through NYK)
Michael Ruzic | 6-10 ahead | 18 years previous | Joventut
Ruzic is among the extra skilled rising draft prospects, having already seen near 700 minutes within the ACB and Eurocup competitions for Joventut in Spain. A Croatian large man, the thought behind Ruzic is fairly easy: he’s a talented large man who can step away and shoot in addition to play with the ball in his fingers a bit for a much bigger participant. He averaged about 5 factors and three rebounds in 17 minutes per sport final yr in Spanish league competitors and has the sort of expert, fluid athleticism NBA groups covet from potential developmental bigs. He additionally appears to have lengthy arms, which ought to permit him to search out extra success defensively on condition that he strikes nicely and has strong instincts in workforce ideas.
29. Brooklyn Nets (through OKC)
Ian Jackson | 6-4 guard | 20 years previous | North Carolina
Jackson is among the extra attention-grabbing top-10 recruits within the class, heading to North Carolina this yr so as to add to what’s already a loaded backcourt with R.J. Davis and Elliot Cadeau. Jackson is about as aggressive a guard as you’ll discover, always seeking to assault and stress the basket. He simply all the time looks as if he’s attempting to get downhill and attempting get paint touches, both in transition or in half-court settings as a driver. The excellent news is that he additionally brings that high-level depth to the defensive finish, as nicely. In the end, it’s going to return all the way down to the shot. Jackson makes photographs in bursts however doesn’t all the time have the sort of consistency that you just’d hope for. My guess is that this finally ends up resulting in him being an excellent sixth man for the Tar Heels this yr, along with his capability to vary the tempo of the sport by getting into off the bench. That looks as if the tailored position for him on this workforce.
Kam Jones ought to put up large numbers at Marquette this season. (Tim Heitman / USA Immediately)
Jones is a refined scorer who enters the school season as an actual candidate to make an All-America workforce. He has very good contact from all three ranges, and he made 67 p.c of his photographs on the rim and 39 p.c from 3 final season. He additionally confirmed some actual potential at lead guard throughout Tyler Kolek’s late-season absence, averaging 4.5 assists per sport throughout that six-game stretch. NBA scouts would like to see him be extra constant as a playmaker in addition to a greater defensive presence. That’s the massive query. Who does Jones guard? Can he show he can guard ones? Is he large enough to protect wings? Showcasing actual enchancment there would be the key to solidifying his inventory. However he looks as if an excellent candidate to be drafted this season.
SECOND ROUND
31. Brooklyn Nets: Okay.J. Lewis | 6-3 guard | Arizona
32. Washington Wizards: Mackenzie Mgbako | 6-7 wing | Indiana
33. Sacramento Kings (through POR): Boogie Fland | 6-1 guard | Arkansas
34. Detroit Pistons: JT Toppin | 6-9 guard | Texas Tech
35. San Antonio Spurs (through CHI): Jarin Stevenson | 6-9 ahead | Alabama
36. Minnesota Timberwolves (through UTA): Johni Broome | 6-10 large | Auburn
37. Charlotte Hornets: Bogoljub Marković | 6-10 ahead | Mega
38. Dallas Mavericks (through TOR): Xaivian Lee | 6-3 guard | Princeton
39. Portland Path Blazers (through ATL): Adou Thiero | 6-7 wing | Arkansas
40. San Antonio Spurs: Milan Momčilović | 6-8 wing/ahead | Iowa State
41. Los Angeles Lakers (through LAC): Tyrese Proctor | 6-4 guard | Duke
42. Golden State Warriors: Payton Sandfort | 6-7 wing | Iowa
43. Memphis Grizzlies (through HOU): Dailyn Swain | 6-7 wing | Xavier
44. Los Angeles Lakers: Jamir Watkins | 6-7 wing | Florida State
45. Brooklyn Nets (through MIA): Mark Sears | 6-0 guard | Alabama
46. San Antonio Spurs (through NOP): Darrion Williams | 6-6 wing | Texas Tech
47. Washington Wizards (through PHX): Cade Tyson | 6-7 wing | North Carolina
48. Indiana Pacers: Nique Clifford | 6-6 wing | Colorado State
49. Sacramento Kings: Ryan Kalkbrenner | 7-1 large | Creighton
50. Orlando Magic: Rasheer Fleming | 6-9 guard | St. Joseph’s
51. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through MEM): Baye Ndongo | 6-9 large | Georgia Tech
52. Cleveland Cavaliers: Sion James | 6-4 guard | Duke
53. Dallas Mavericks: Ben Henshall | 6-5 guard | Perth Wildcats
54. Cleveland Cavaliers (through MIL): Izan Almansa | 6-9 large | Perth Wildcats
55. Denver Nuggets: Tucker DeVries | 6-6 wing | West Virginia
56. Charlotte Hornets (through PHI): Saint Thomas | 6-6 wing | USC
57. Atlanta Hawks (through MIN): Michael Ajayi | 6-8 ahead | Gonzaga
58. Houston Rockets (through OKC): AJ Storr | 6-7 wing | Kansas
59. Orlando Magic (through BOS): Noah Penda | 6-7 ahead | Le Mans
(Observe: The New York Knicks have forfeited their 2025 second-round choose because of free-agency shenanigans.)
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; images of Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg and V.J. Edgecombe: Lance King, Cameron Browne / Getty Photos)
