The 2025 NBA Draft cycle is formally right here. International groups have tipped off their common seasons, and school groups have began preseason practices. NBA scouts and executives are out and about, seeing groups apply and touring worldwide to seek out gamers.
Much has been written about pleasure relating to the 2025 draft. It does look drastically higher at the high of the class than the 2024 iteration. There is a lot of room for pleasure for tanking groups trying to replenish their youth.
But I'll preach a bit of warning. I wouldn’t get hyperbolic and say this is a superclass. I might say it seems to be like a pretty common draft class. The depth stays a vital query for groups. Beyond that, there are some differing opinions about how good the high 5 of this class tasks to be. Some love it and see a number of all-stars. Others consider there are actual questions on gamers equivalent to Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe. Can Edgecombe be a major possibility? Can Flagg create sufficient for himself to be a worthy No. 1 choose? Can Bailey make something simple for himself?
All these gamers have super 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 believe it can be troublesome to fee the high finish of this class forward of the 2023 group, which had Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson coming into the yr as potential franchise gamers, with Brandon Miller becoming a member of them in that projection. As nice as Flagg seems to be, it can be onerous to fee him inside the identical 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 is each purpose for enthusiasm about this group — and certainly, I'm excited to look at these gamers as the season will get underway — I might pause earlier than pinning your group’s whole hopes on this class the method many did two years in the past when Wembanyama got here by.
A couple of fast notes on the construction and format of this mock draft:
- The draft order right here is primarily based on the Vegas win complete over/below projections. We used BetMGM’s strains. This felt like the fairest projection of standings earlier than anybody has performed a aggressive recreation.
- Team wants are usually not taken into consideration. There’s not a lot purpose to do this at this stage on condition that trades will possible happen all through the yr and rosters will look totally different than they do now.
- If you don’t see a freshman you suppose needs to be right here, it’s possible as a result of I’m a bit skeptical as to whether or not they’ll be capable to go one-and-done in 2025. For occasion, Duke’s Isaiah Evans has a troublesome runway towards enjoying time given the Blue Devils’ depth. Alabama’s Derrion Reid additionally is enjoying on a loaded squad with two returning forwards from a Final Four group in Jarin Stevenson and Grant Nelson, an incoming heart in Cliff Omoruyi, plus a couple of older wings and guards in Houston Mallette and Chris Youngblood. I’d wish to know a little 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.
- Player 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 the most qualities enticing to NBA groups as he enters his freshman season at Duke at simply 17 (he turns 18 in December).
First and foremost, Flagg is amongst the 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 recreation on and off the ball defensively. He’s super as a assist defender, blocking a ridiculous quantity of pictures and overlaying the reverse aspect of the ground, with severe ability for locating steals. On offense, his recreation has proven drastic enchancment over the final couple of years. His deal with has improved over his time in highschool, and he’s succesful of creating makeable pull-up jumpers, notably from the midrange space. He is an superior cutter and offensive rebounder. Just by being an elite transition participant, reducing, and getting offensive rebounds, Flagg ought to common double figures.
GO DEEPER
Cooper Flagg's Duke debut simply the starting in season full of extremely anticipated steps
Whether he goes No. 1 will come down, in half, to how well-developed his capacity to create for himself seems to be by the finish of the yr. NBA groups consistently search for gamers who can create benefits for his or her group. Flagg is not the greatest participant in the class at doing that at this stage of his growth, however it is necessary to recollect how younger he is. He’s fairly early in his profession, much more so than anybody else in this class as a result of of his age. Still, evaluators want to see a continuation of the development he confirmed throughout his closing season at Montverde (Fla.) Academy in attacking and creating pictures off the bounce.
Ace Bailey | 6-9 wing/ahead | 18 years previous | Rutgers
Bailey is the title that comes up most frequently whenever you ask scouts, “Who could challenge Flagg at No. 1?” From a instruments perspective, it’s simple to see why. The 6-9 wing seems to be and feels extra like an NBA star than anybody in this class. He’s huge for a pull-up shot creator and pairs that with some severe athletic explosiveness. He seems to be each bit like that Paul George-style wing whom groups scour the globe to attempt to discover. Beyond that, his footwork and pick-ups as a pull-up shooter are well-developed for somebody this younger. In the final decade, I can rely the quantity of gamers on one hand who're this massive and may get into pull-up midrange and 3-point jumpers with as a lot movement, stability and effectivity as Bailey can.
So what are the points? They’re two-fold. First, Bailey appears to are likely to fall in love with the onerous pictures. He doesn’t appear to create as many simple pictures as you’d like. His deal with is artistic and artful; it’s simply free proper now and may be a bit excessive, which ends up in him not getting the most out of his drives. He additionally performs upright, which implies he doesn’t all the time entry his athleticism. Defensively, he may be a bit hit or miss with taking full benefit of his instruments, with some moments of high-flying blocks and others the place he seems to be to disengage.
Every instrument is there for Bailey to mount a severe problem for the high choose. But he must show he may be environment friendly at the school stage with the fashion he performs first.
Dylan Harper | 6-5 guard | 19 years previous | Rutgers
Harper is the extra polished of the two top-three Rutgers prospects. His footwork is pristine, and his deal with is artistic, with the capacity 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 capacity. His pull-up recreation has been fairly good, however greater than that, his capacity to create artful benefits out of ball screens has scouts excited. He’s a superb passer and playmaker, one thing scouts have observed since his efficiency at the Under-19 World Cup again in 2023 when he was typically requested to run the present whereas enjoying up a number of years in phrases of age group. He solely averaged three assists however had a ridiculous seven-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio.
What are the worries? Mostly, it includes his athleticism, as he is not a wildly explosive participant. He doesn’t have a ton of vertical pop, and his first step is not that spectacular, which means he must get by with that stage of craft all the time. His footwork and polish are ok 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 recreation over the final 18 months, however scouts need him to verify that capacity.
V.J. Edgecombe | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Baylor
Edgecombe is one of the most fun prospects in this class, a spotlight ready to occur. There are few extra explosive leapers inside the higher basketball group worldwide; he’s a highly effective athlete who will throw down thunderous dunks or rotate throughout the courtroom for large blocks at the least as soon as or twice per recreation. He’s additionally confirmed to be a superb shooter off the catch thus far in his profession, and his recreation off the bounce is creating. He performs nicely together with his proper hand in ball-screen conditions now. Defensively, Edgecombe is terrific throughout the board in the backcourt. Similarly to somebody like Cason Wallace, Edgecombe is skinny however has the energy by his chest to carry up towards a number of totally different participant sorts and the quickness to defend the quickest gamers in the world.
But possibly the greatest swing ability in this class will probably be the growth of his left hand. In highschool, should you may drive Edgecombe towards his left, it was a severe problem. His deal with was drastically looser, as was his capacity to manage the ball by any kind of contact. He additionally struggled ending round the basket together with his left hand. That ability proper now is the one which holds him again from being a major lead possibility versus extra of a secondary playmaker, shooter, athlete and defender. Right now, he’s a bit extra in the Wallace or Gary Harris mould (simply with extra explosiveness). That may all change, and Edgecombe is on an upward trajectory. He will get higher and higher each time scouts see him. But with out the left hand, it’s onerous to see Edgecombe difficult in any method for that high 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 at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament and late in the 2023-24 season for Saint-Quentin. He was a bit uneven at the European Under-18 Championships, main the competitors in assists however struggling some together with his effectivity as a scorer and his turnovers whereas being surrounded by a French roster with no capturing ability. Then in the early phases of his 2024-25 season for Saint-Quentin, he’s had a couple of monster video games (a 20-point, 10-assist displaying towards Nancy and a 27-point outburst towards Kolossos), and a couple of poor video games (going 3-of-15 with 9 turnovers in his first two video games).
What scouts will probably be on the lookout for extra from Traoré is how his capacity to attain effectively from all areas of the courtroom develops. Can he develop into a dynamic, three-level scorer? He’s snug taking these pictures, however can he constantly 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 particulars of his recreation.
Jakucionis comes in at No. 6 as a result of he is the participant I’ve obtained the most optimistic suggestions on outdoors of that high 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 Under-18 marketing campaign with Lithuania this summer time. The thought right here is a massive, multi-skilled guard who can play with or with out the ball in his palms. He is a maestro in ball screens and a super passer. He shoots it nicely each off pull-ups and off the catch. The issues listed below are that he’s not overly athletic, however he is aware of the right way to use his body in ways in which enable him to keep up benefits when essential out of these screening actions.
NBA groups see him as a nice guess to have a super season as a result of of the intersection between his ability and really feel for the recreation. Given the method the NBA is going, the place these two issues proceed to show themselves as being invaluable, it’s simple to see the pleasure constructing round him already. Expect a massive season.
Georgia Freshman “Asa Newell” beating #2 Overall Pick in 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/massive | 19 years previous | Georgia
Newell is a terrific massive man who performed with Flagg at Montverde. He’ll get to step out of that shadow and doubtlessly emerge as one of the major choices at Georgia, a group I believe is fairly underrated heading into the 2024-25 season. There are a lot of comparisons to be made right here to a man like Taylor Hendricks, who was taken in the high 10 a couple of years in the past. Newell is a terrific athlete and shot-blocker at 6-9 and makes successful performs together with his positioning and motor on that finish of the courtroom. On offense, he has a terrific, burgeoning perimeter recreation the place he can knock down pictures 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 the extra sophisticated evaluations. He had an unlimited Under-18 European Championships whereas enjoying 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 severe creation capacity in massive half as a result of of his elite deceleration ranges. His capacity 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 throughout the place.
Yet it’s been a bit extra up-and-down for Saraf to this point this yr with Ulm in Germany. He’s getting a vital quantity of reps as the group’s major 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 simply a bit smoother. That additionally results in questions on what his function will probably be if it seems he’s not fairly ok to be an on-ball creator in the NBA.
Saraf’s inventory is polarizing. Most see him as a first-rounder at this stage, however I’ve gotten a mix from high 10 all the method all the way down to the finish of the first spherical.
Kon Knueppel could be Duke’s greatest offensive participant this season — sure, even higher than Cooper Flagg. (Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
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 group’s second-best participant behind Flagg, and a few have even mentioned he’s the group’s greatest offensive participant proper now. An amazing scorer at the EYBL and highschool ranges, Knueppel, with a thicker body, doesn’t essentially look the half of a high-level draft choose, and he doesn’t look overly lengthy. However, he knocks down pictures at a excessive stage. It wouldn’t be a stunner to see him shoot 40 p.c from 3 this yr. He may drive and assault off the menace of that shot at a excessive stage. Given the method capturing is valued in immediately’s NBA, it’s simple to see him being thought of a lottery choose if he has a sturdy season.
10. San Antonio Spurs
Liam McNeeley | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | Connecticut
McNeeley is coming into the excellent 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 ability set McNeeley possesses. He’s an elite shooter for a teenager, and the third participant from final season’s Montverde group to be projected right here in the high 10. McNeeley can hit pictures off motion, however greater than that, he has a terrific really feel for the recreation. He’s not the most athletic participant in the world, however he’s massive and makes the proper choices each time he will get the ball or is on the defensive finish of the courtroom. UConn is fairly deep on the wing this yr, however I might anticipate McNeeley to finish up enjoying vital minutes as the Huskies go for a three-peat.
Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-7 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | South Carolina
Murray-Boyles is a excellent encapsulation of this draft class in a lot of methods. Most of the scouts I converse with deliver up Murray-Boyles as a participant whom they see as a first-round choose. But few have him as a lottery grade and as an alternative say that they’d love to pick out him in the again half of the first spherical. Why? As of proper now, they see a man who will possible play in the NBA for a whereas, 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 come back on the block or in mid-post face-ups. Those aren’t actions NBA groups run all that a lot. However, the actual purpose they’re enthusiastic about Murray-Boyles comes on protection, the place he’s excellent each in one-on-one in addition to in group settings. Still, the fear is that there isn’t a ton of upside right here. He’s a good guess to be a first-rounder if he showcases any enchancment with the jumper, however it would possibly 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 bit of weight and a lot of twitchy explosiveness. The thought right here is a massive wing/ahead hybrid who already has proven actual capacity to knock down midrange jumpers and is seeming so as to add the capacity to knock down 3s. On high of that, he’s wiry and has a ton of bounce. He will put up some enjoyable highlights all through the season. Freeman does have a bit of a strategy to go, although. The deal with is going to have to enhance, as is his general defensive consciousness. But should you’re on the lookout for an upside swing in this class, Freeman is one of 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 seems to be to have a strong spot at North Carolina. It’s a excellent match for him, as the group wants a sturdy 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 is conscientious on protection (with upside to be a severe affect participant on that finish) in addition to being a shot-maker with some capacity to drive off the bounce. I'm a bit skeptical that we’re going to see that capacity to drive and rating all that a lot outdoors of transition this yr in Chapel Hill, and Powell does have to show he can constantly hit open catch-and-shoot 3s. But he profiles completely in-between the two guards in their beginning lineup in addition to Cade Tyson as a floor-spacing greater wing in the frontcourt. Scouts who've been by to North Carolina have famous that he seems to be to fill the mixture for the group of filling a want and of readiness to play.
Miami freshman Jalil Bethea received the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game slam dunk contest. (Maria Lysaker / USA Today)
Jalil Bethea | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Miami (Fla.)
One of the greatest scorers in the 2024 recruiting class, Bethea can put the ball in the bucket. He’s a terrific pull-up shot-maker with vary already out to the NBA 3-point line. If you get him some house, he has a ton of shiftiness to have the ability to get to his spots. The key for Bethea is how it all seems to be 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 a probability to load up, however I haven’t but seen that capacity 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 in the high 10 for somebody on the lookout for severe scoring punch. But there’s a bit extra danger right here till we see what he seems to be like on a school courtroom enjoying towards vital athletes each single night time.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (through MIA)
Dink Pate | 6-6 guard | 19 years previous | Mexico City Capitanes
Pate is really one of the swing guys in this draft. His upside is immense if he can work out the right way to effectively rating in the G League this season — the dissolution of the G League Ignite program has resulted in him enjoying with the Mexico City Capitanes. Pate has severe on-ball ability and is a actual playmaker in ball screens. He can move and make performs for his teammates in addition to getting actual paint touches. But the key for Pate is the jumper. It’s by no means regarded clear, and that confirmed up final yr. He posted simply a 43.1 true capturing proportion final season, in massive half as a result of the half-court ending additionally hasn’t fairly translated. If he can work out to place the ball in the gap with consistency and effectivity, he’ll be a excessive draft choose. If he doesn’t, then it’ll be fascinating to see the place he finally ends up.
Hugo González | 6-6 wing/ahead | 19 years previous | Real Madrid
González is coming off a strong Under-18 European Championships in which he showcased a lot of what has made him such a extremely sought-after prospect but in addition some of the flaws groups are involved about heading into his pre-draft season. González is often called a super 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 capacity 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 recreation. González’s anticipation on protection is absurd, as he appears to see issues a break up second earlier than they occur. Having mentioned that, the jumper stays the query. González doesn’t undertaking as a notably high-level creator in 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 at the Under-18s. The quantity and his willingness to take them, nonetheless, drastically exceeded something he’d proven beforehand. But that will probably be his swing ability as an general prospect. González has to make 3s to showcase he has a function on offense in the NBA.
Motiejus Krivas | 7-2 massive | 20 years previous | Arizona
Another tremendous large, Krivas seems to be like an superior breakout guess primarily based on how he performed as a backup behind Oumar Ballo final season. Big males aren’t supposed to maneuver the method he does. He has nice coordination and footwork and showcases excellent contact. He’s additionally prepared to provoke contact and play by it. He seals his man when he can on the block and in addition strikes nicely in ball screens when rolling to the rim. He additionally makes his free throws and has tender palms that appear to catch every part in his space. He rebounds nicely on each ends of the courtroom. In this Arizona scheme that accentuates massive males, Krivas has a probability to be the greatest one who has come by in Tommy Lloyd’s tenure.
One of 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 couple of.5 assists, however extra importantly, he noticed an unlimited leap together 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. But general, there’s a lot of purpose for Sallis optimism coming into the yr.
Alex Karaban | 6-8 wing | 22 years previous | Connecticut
Karaban is the different participant who had a first-round grade on my private board final season however returned to high school. I had him in the late 20s, and it’s simple to see what his function will probably be in the NBA. He’s a terrific shooter, having made 39 p.c of his 3s over his two years at Connecticut. But extra importantly, he’s a consummate winner. He does all of the little issues you may ask a participant to do on the courtroom. He’s a terrific group defender who is reducing off angles and passes on the weak aspect. He cuts nicely off the ball on offense. He is in movement inside that Connecticut offense. On high of that, his expertise is super, as he began 77 of his 78 video games for the back-to-back nationwide champions. It’s simple to say, however he seems to be like a man who will slot into an NBA rotation for a whereas. 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 palms can be a actual optimistic for him with scouts.
Khaman Maluach | 7-1 massive | 18 years previous | Duke
I’m not fairly as excessive on Maluach as many appear to be in the preseason after having seen him at Nike Hoop Summit earlier this yr. I simply have some issues about his readiness for the school recreation. He struggled to catch and end on the transfer at the increased velocity of the recreation he confronted towards higher competitors all week in apply. On protection, it’s clear Maluach is nonetheless studying the intricacies of drop protection and in ball screens. He doesn’t fairly have a nice really feel but for managing the house between the curler and the ballhandler.
Here’s the factor, although: Maluach is huge. It’s onerous to overstate how massive he seems to be on the market. Many NBA scouts have been additionally impressed together with his play for the South Sudanese nationwide group this previous Olympic cycle throughout the precise occasion in addition to in warm-up video games. They talked about his capacity to slip his ft and transfer alongside the perimeter at his dimension. I’m a bit decrease on him than this, however I don’t suppose it would fairly be an correct illustration of the place the NBA scouting group is presently to have him outdoors of the high 20. They’re in him and will probably be at Duke early and sometimes to verify him out.
Motiejus Krivas seems to be primed for a breakout season at Arizona. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Tre Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years previous | Texas
Johnson is a severe shot-maker. Few gamers in this recruiting class can get buckets at the stage he can. He’s aggressive, consistently probing and attacking defenses to see if a crease is accessible. If not, he’s snug pulling up in the midrange space and has began pulling down pictures from distance. The concern right here, although, is that Johnson isn’t a nice athlete in comparison with different shot-creators in this mould. He has lengthy arms and is prepared to make use of his body to play by and even provoke contact. But 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 recreation with out the ball in his palms can sustain at the NBA stage, on condition that no NBA group is going to roll out the ball for him early in his profession.
22. Utah Jazz (through CLE)
Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 massive | 18 years previous | Brisbane Bullets
Zikarsky is one of the most intriguing massive prospects in the world proper now, a legit 7-3 large of a human who additionally strikes nicely and has wonderful palms. In his second season for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, Zikarsky hasn’t fairly discovered his footing but. He handled a few minor ankle accidents early in the season that didn’t enable him to get fairly as many reps in apply as you'll have hoped, and you'll see simply how uncooked he is in video games. He must get extra expertise to maintain bettering upon the intricacies of being a massive man, like his screening, positioning in drop protection towards ball screens, and his closeouts. More than something, although, I believe he’s simply a bit of a undertaking. I consider in him being an NBA participant sooner or later, however it would possibly take a while for him to achieve that potential. He’ll be 18 on draft day this yr, so he’s one of the youngest gamers in the class. It’s value 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 recreation towards Sydney right here.
Egor Demin | 6-8 guard | 19 years previous | BYU
This is increased than the place I might have Demin. But 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 in the high 30. There is vital curiosity in Demin’s capacity to be a 6-8 level guard and playmaker at BYU this season. Where I’m nervous is that I’m not completely positive how he scores the basketball but. At any stage, he’s by no means confirmed the capacity to complete constantly on the inside or knock down pictures. He’s prepared to take them, however there hasn’t been a lot effectivity. I consider in the passing and imaginative and prescient in a massive method, and that’s why he exhibits up right here. The novelty of a potential level guard at this dimension makes him one of the gamers I’m most in watching this season. But there are some actual questions scouts are on the lookout for 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 the early-season breakout gamers on the worldwide scene, enjoying nicely for the Sydney Kings. Throughout the summer time, he was the participant who I obtained the most optimistic suggestions on from sources amongst the youthful gamers who went by the Australian Olympic camp, and that features latest Indiana Pacers draft choose Johnny Furphy. Starting for a group thought of the favourite in the NBL this yr, Toohey has averaged 16 factors per recreation whereas capturing 54 p.c from 3-point vary. The capturing received’t fairly maintain at that quantity, however Toohey does look to be a severe shooter after having added vital energy all through each his higher and decrease halves this offseason. He’s additionally was a good defender in a group assemble who is not often out of place and whose size (at 6-8, he posted a 9-foot standing attain at Hoop Summit in 2023) covers a lot of floor.
25. Orlando Magic (through DEN)
Kwame Evans Jr. | 6-8 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | Oregon
Evans is a participant whom scouts have been enthused about at totally different factors final season as a result of of his size and willingness to play with effort and vitality on the defensive finish. He was a defensive playmaker at the 4 place final yr, averaging a steal and a block in simply 21 minutes per recreation. On high of that, he rebounded the ball nicely on each ends whereas enjoying subsequent to a terrific massive man in N’Faly Dante. The key for Evans will probably be the growth of the jumper. Believers inside NBA circles will level to his 79.5 p.c mark from the foul line as indicators of his severe contact, whereas these extra involved will level to his 26.7 p.c mark from the 3-point line. Showcasing the capacity to fireplace from distance will probably be the swing ability that both pushes Evans into the first spherical, or sees him return to varsity once more.
26. Oklahoma City 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 as 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 regular presence out on the courtroom with actual velocity who could make wonderful choices. He’ll get a probability to run the present for Pitt this season with out Carrington round. I’d anticipate a severe leap in manufacturing, with 15 factors and 5 assists per recreation not in any method out of the query. The key quantity will probably be his 2-point proportion and proportion at the basket. Scouts wish to see him constantly end on the inside on condition that his dimension is a 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 the extra productive European prospects this season. Similar 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 is pleasure about the 6-9 athlete’s mix of manufacturing and coordination, and he was additionally fairly good at the Under-18 European Championships for France subsequent to Traoré. The concern right here is what his greatest place is. With a 6-11 wingspan based on the Basketball Without Borders camp this previous all-star break, Essengue isn’t fairly sufficiently big to be a 5. However, he’s additionally probably not a 4, as his jumper wants a ton of work 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 in monitoring his progress greater than something all through the season. At such a younger age, he has a ton of time. If he exhibits he’s answered some of these issues by the time June rolls round, he’ll have a actual shot to go in Round 1.
28. Brooklyn Nets (through NYK)
Michael Ruzic | 6-10 ahead | 18 years previous | Joventut
Ruzic is one of the extra skilled rising draft prospects, having already seen near 700 minutes in the ACB and Eurocup competitions for Joventut in Spain. A Croatian massive man, the thought behind Ruzic is fairly easy: he’s a expert massive man who can step away and shoot in addition to play with the ball in his palms a bit for a greater participant. He averaged about 5 factors and three rebounds in 17 minutes per recreation final yr in Spanish league competitors and has the type of expert, fluid athleticism NBA groups covet from potential developmental bigs. He additionally appears to have lengthy arms, which ought to enable him to seek out extra success defensively on condition that he strikes nicely and has strong instincts in group ideas.
29. Brooklyn Nets (through OKC)
Ian Jackson | 6-4 guard | 20 years previous | North Carolina
Jackson is one of the extra fascinating top-10 recruits in the class, heading to North Carolina this yr so as to add to what is already a loaded backcourt with R.J. Davis and Elliot Cadeau. Jackson is about as aggressive a guard as you’ll discover, consistently trying to assault and stress the basket. He simply all the time looks like he’s making an attempt to get downhill and making an attempt 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. Ultimately, it’s going to come back all the way down to the shot. Jackson makes pictures in bursts however doesn’t all the time have the type of consistency that you simply’d hope for. My guess is that this finally ends up resulting in him being a excellent sixth man for the Tar Heels this yr, together with his capacity to alter the tempo of the recreation by coming into off the bench. That looks like the tailored function for him on this group.
Kam Jones ought to put up massive numbers at Marquette this season. (Tim Heitman / USA Today)
Jones is a polished scorer who enters the school season as a actual candidate to make an All-America group. He has excellent contact from all three ranges, and he made 67 p.c of his pictures at 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 recreation throughout that six-game stretch. NBA scouts would like to see him be extra constant as a playmaker in addition to a higher defensive presence. That’s the massive query. Who does Jones guard? Can he show he can guard ones? Is he sufficiently big to protect wings? Showcasing actual enchancment there will probably be the key to solidifying his inventory. But he looks like a good 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 massive | Auburn
37. Charlotte Hornets: Bogoljub Marković | 6-10 ahead | Mega
38. Dallas Mavericks (through TOR): Xaivian Lee | 6-3 guard | Princeton
39. Portland Trail 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 massive | Creighton
50. Orlando Magic: Rasheer Fleming | 6-9 guard | St. Joseph’s
51. Oklahoma City Thunder (through MEM): Baye Ndongo | 6-9 massive | 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 massive | 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
(Note: The New York Knicks have forfeited their 2025 second-round choose on account of free-agency shenanigans.)
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; pictures of Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg and V.J. Edgecombe: Lance King, Cameron Browne / Getty Images)
