2025 NBA mock draft: Cooper Flagg leads strong group of prospects. But is it a ‘superclass’?

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 follow and touring worldwide to search out gamers.

A lot has been written about pleasure concerning the 2025 draft. It does look drastically higher on the prime of the category than the 2024 iteration. There may be 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 it is a superclass. I’d say it appears to be like like a reasonably common draft class. The depth stays a big query for groups. Past that, there are some differing opinions about how good the highest 5 of this class tasks to be. Some like 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 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 believe it could be tough to fee 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 onerous to fee 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 look at these gamers because the season will get underway — I’d pause earlier than pinning your workforce’s complete hopes on this class the way in which 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 relies on the Vegas win complete over/beneath projections. We used BetMGM’s traces. This felt just like the fairest projection of standings earlier than anybody has performed a aggressive sport.
• Crew wants will not be taken under consideration. There’s not a lot cause to try this at this stage on condition that trades will probably happen all year long and rosters will look totally different than they do now.
• In the event you don’t see a freshman you assume must be right here, it’s probably 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 enjoying time given the Blue Devils’ depth. Alabama’s Derrion Reid is also enjoying on a loaded squad with two returning forwards from a Last 4 workforce in Jarin Stevenson and Grant Nelson, an incoming middle in Cliff Omoruyi, plus a few older wings and guards in Houston Mallette and Chris Youngblood. I’d prefer to know just 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.
• 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 probably the most qualities engaging 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 overlaying the other aspect of the ground, with severe talent for locating steals. On offense, his sport has proven drastic enchancment during the last couple of years. His deal with has improved over his time in highschool, and he’s able to creating makeable pull-up jumpers, significantly from the midrange space. He’s an superior cutter and offensive rebounder. Simply by being an elite transition participant, chopping, and getting offensive rebounds, Flagg ought to common double figures.

Whether or not he goes No. 1 will come down, partly, to how well-developed his potential to create for himself appears to be like by the top of the yr. NBA groups continually search for gamers who can create benefits for his or her workforce. Flagg shouldn’t be the perfect participant within the class at doing that at this stage of his improvement, however you will need to keep 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 wish to see a continuation of the expansion he confirmed throughout his remaining 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 while you ask scouts, “Who might problem Flagg at No. 1?” From a instruments perspective, it’s simple 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 severe 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 rely the variety of gamers on one hand who’re this huge and might get into pull-up midrange and 3-point jumpers with as a lot movement, stability 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 onerous photographs. He doesn’t appear to create as many simple photographs as you’d like. His deal with is artistic and artful; it’s simply unfastened proper now and is usually a bit excessive, which leads to him not getting probably the most out of his drives. He additionally performs upright, which suggests 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 device is there for Bailey to mount a severe problem for the highest choose. However he must show he may be environment friendly on the school degree with the model 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 artistic, with the power 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 potential. His pull-up sport has been fairly good, however greater than that, his potential to create artful benefits out of ball screens has scouts excited. He’s a wonderful passer and playmaker, one thing scouts have seen since his efficiency on the Below-19 World Cup again in 2023 when he was typically requested to run the present whereas enjoying 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? Largely, 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 shouldn’t be that spectacular, which means he must get by with that degree of craft on a regular basis. His footwork and polish are ok to get constant separation, however the ending craft can typically let him down. Scouts additionally need to see what his degree is as a shooter. There have been marked enhancements in his pull-up sport during the last 18 months, however scouts need him to verify that potential.

V.J. Edgecombe | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Baylor

Edgecombe is without doubt one of the most fun prospects on this class, a spotlight ready to occur. There are few extra explosive leapers throughout the larger basketball neighborhood worldwide; he’s a robust athlete who will throw down thunderous dunks or rotate throughout the courtroom for large blocks not less than a few times per sport. He’s additionally confirmed to be a wonderful shooter off the catch so far in his profession, and his sport off the bounce is growing. He performs effectively together 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 ability by his chest to carry up towards a number of totally different participant varieties and the quickness to defend the quickest gamers on this planet.

However perhaps the largest swing talent on this class would be the improvement of his left hand. In highschool, in case you might pressure Edgecombe towards his left, it was a severe situation. His deal with was drastically looser, as was his potential to manage the ball by any type of contact. He additionally struggled ending across the basket together with his left hand. That talent proper now’s the one which holds him again from being a major 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 onerous to see Edgecombe difficult in any means 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 effectively on the Adidas Subsequent Era Match and late within the 2023-24 season for Saint-Quentin. He was a bit uneven on the European Below-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 talent. Then within the early levels of his 2024-25 season for Saint-Quentin, he’s had a few monster video games (a 20-point, 10-assist exhibiting towards Nancy and a 27-point outburst towards Kolossos), and a few poor video games (going 3-of-15 with 9 turnovers in his first two video games).

What scouts might be on the lookout for extra from Traoré is how his potential to attain effectively from all areas of the courtroom develops. Can he turn out to be a dynamic, three-level scorer? He’s comfy taking these photographs, 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 instances 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 have to 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 acquired probably the most optimistic suggestions on exterior 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 Below-18 marketing campaign with Lithuania this summer time. The thought here’s a huge, multi-skilled guard who can play with or with out the ball in his arms. He’s a maestro in ball screens and an incredible passer. He shoots it effectively each off pull-ups and off the catch. The issues listed here are that he’s not overly athletic, however he is aware of use his body in ways in which permit him to take care of benefits when crucial out of these screening actions.

NBA groups see him as an important guess to have an incredible season due to the intersection between his talent and really feel for the sport. Given the way in which the NBA goes, the place these two issues proceed to show themselves as being worthwhile, it’s simple to see the joy constructing round him already. Count on a giant season.

Georgia Freshman “Asa Newell” beating #2 Total 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/huge | 19 years previous | Georgia

Newell is a terrific huge man who performed with Flagg at Montverde. He’ll get to step out of that shadow and doubtlessly emerge as one of many major choices at Georgia, a workforce I believe 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 profitable performs together 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 difficult evaluations. He had an unlimited Below-18 European Championships whereas enjoying for Israel, profitable 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 potential largely due to his elite deceleration ranges. His potential to make use of a sluggish step on his drives and gathers going towards the rim permits him to be impactful as a scorer. He’s additionally a wonderful passer who makes performs for his teammates in every single place.

But it’s been a bit extra up-and-down for Saraf thus far this yr with Ulm in Germany. He’s getting a big variety of reps because the workforce’s major possibility at lead guard, and the inefficiency is exhibiting. 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 might be if it seems he’s not fairly ok 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 way in which all the way down to the top of the primary spherical.

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 mentioned 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. Nonetheless, he knocks down photographs at a excessive degree. It wouldn’t be a stunner to see him shoot 40 % from 3 this yr. He can even drive and assault off the specter of that shot at a excessive degree. Given the way in which capturing is valued in right now’s NBA, it’s simple 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 gained back-to-back nationwide championships and confirmed they know 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 probably the most athletic participant on this planet, however he’s huge and makes the suitable choices 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 enjoying 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 carry up Murray-Boyles as a participant whom they see as a first-round choose. However few have him as a lottery grade and as an alternative say that they’d love to pick him within the again half of the primary spherical. Why? As of proper now, they see a man who will probably 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 come back on the block or in mid-post face-ups. These aren’t actions NBA groups run all that a lot. Nonetheless, the true 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 fear is that there isn’t a ton of upside right here. He’s a great guess to be a first-rounder if he showcases any enchancment with the jumper, but it surely 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 little bit of weight and a variety of twitchy explosiveness. The thought here’s a huge wing/ahead hybrid who already has proven actual potential to knock down midrange jumpers and is seeming so as to add the power 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 technique to go, although. The deal with goes to have to enhance, as is his general defensive consciousness. However in case you’re on the lookout for an upside swing on this class, Freeman is without doubt 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 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 severe influence participant on that finish) along with being a shot-maker with some potential to drive off the bounce. I’m a bit skeptical that we’re going to see that potential to drive and rating all that a lot exterior of transition this yr in Chapel Hill, and Powell does have to show he can constantly 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 mix for the workforce of filling a necessity and of readiness to play.

Jalil Bethea | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Miami (Fla.)

Top-of-the-line 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. In the event you get him some house, 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 potential to play by contact at a excessive sufficient degree. If that comes alongside — in addition to the passing and decision-making — Bethea might find yourself as an upside swing within the prime 10 for somebody on the lookout for severe 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 enjoying towards vital athletes each single evening.

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 effectively rating within the G League this season — the dissolution of the G League Ignite program has resulted in him enjoying with the Mexico Metropolis Capitanes. Pate has severe on-ball talent and is an actual playmaker in ball screens. He can go 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 capturing 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 fascinating 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 Below-18 European Championships through which he showcased a lot of what has made him such a extremely sought-after prospect but in addition a few of the flaws groups are involved about heading into his pre-draft season. González is named an incredible 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 power 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 cut up second earlier than they occur. Having mentioned that, the jumper stays the query. González doesn’t challenge as a very high-level creator within the NBA, so he’ll have to knock down 3s. He made simply 20.8 % from distance taking seven makes an attempt per on the Below-18s. The amount and his willingness to take them, nevertheless, drastically exceeded something he’d proven beforehand. However that might be his swing talent as an general prospect. González has to make 3s to showcase he has a job on offense within the NBA.

Motiejus Krivas | 7-2 huge | 20 years previous | Arizona

One other tremendous large, Krivas appears to be like like an superior breakout guess primarily based on how he performed as a backup behind Oumar Ballo final season. Huge males aren’t supposed to maneuver the way in which 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 likewise strikes effectively in ball screens when rolling to the rim. He additionally makes his free throws and has comfortable arms that appear to catch all the things in his space. He rebounds effectively on each ends of the courtroom. On this Arizona scheme that accentuates huge males, Krivas has an opportunity to be the perfect one who has come by in Tommy Lloyd’s tenure.

Certainly 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 pair of.5 assists, however extra importantly, he noticed an unlimited leap together with his 3-point jumper. He hit 40.5 % of his 3s final season after two years beneath 26 % at Gonzaga. NBA groups need 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 harm if he began to showcase higher passing imaginative and prescient. However general, 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 simple to see what his position might be within the NBA. He’s a terrific shooter, having made 39 % of his 3s over his two years at Connecticut. However extra importantly, he’s a consummate winner. He does the entire little issues you’ll be able to ask a participant to do on the courtroom. He’s a terrific workforce defender who’s chopping off angles and passes on the weak aspect. He cuts effectively 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 simple to say, however he appears to be like like a man who will slot into an NBA rotation for some time. UConn might 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 might present with the ball in his arms could be an actual optimistic for him with scouts.

Khaman Maluach | 7-1 huge | 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 issues about his readiness for the school sport. He struggled to catch and end on the transfer on the increased pace of the sport he confronted towards higher competitors all week in follow. On protection, it’s clear Maluach remains to be studying the intricacies of drop protection and in ball screens. He doesn’t fairly have an important really feel but for managing the house between the curler and the ballhandler.

Right here’s the factor, although: Maluach is gigantic. It’s onerous to overstate how huge he appears to be like on the market. Many NBA scouts have been additionally impressed together 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 potential to slip his toes and transfer alongside the perimeter at his dimension. I’m a bit decrease on him than this, however I don’t assume it could fairly be an correct illustration of the place the NBA scouting neighborhood is presently to have him exterior of the highest 20. They’re thinking about him and might be at Duke early and infrequently to test him out.

Tre Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years previous | Texas

Johnson is a severe shot-maker. Few gamers on this recruiting class can get buckets on the degree he can. He’s aggressive, continually probing and attacking defenses to see if a crease is obtainable. If not, he’s comfy pulling up within the midrange space and has began pulling down photographs from distance. The priority right here, although, is that Johnson isn’t an important athlete in comparison with different shot-creators on this mould. He has lengthy arms and is prepared 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 arms can sustain on the NBA degree, 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 huge | 18 years previous | Brisbane Bullets

Zikarsky is without doubt one of the most intriguing huge prospects on this planet proper now, a authentic 7-3 large of a human who additionally strikes effectively and has glorious arms. In his second season for the Brisbane Bullets within the NBL, Zikarsky hasn’t fairly discovered his footing but. He handled a couple of minor ankle accidents early within the season that didn’t permit him to get fairly as many reps in follow as you’d have hoped, and you’ll see simply how uncooked he’s in video games. He must get extra expertise to maintain enhancing upon the intricacies of being a giant man, like his screening, positioning in drop protection towards ball screens, and his closeouts. Greater than something, although, I believe he’s only a little bit of a challenge. I consider in him being an NBA participant sooner or later, but it surely would possibly 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 towards Sydney right here.

Egor Demin | 6-8 guard | 19 years previous | BYU

That is increased than the place I’d have Demin. However very similar to 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 may be vital curiosity in Demin’s potential to be a 6-8 level guard and playmaker at BYU this season. The place I’m frightened is that I’m not completely positive how he scores the basketball but. At any degree, he’s by no means confirmed the power to complete constantly on the inside or knock down photographs. He’s prepared to take them, however there hasn’t been a lot effectivity. I consider within the passing and imaginative and prescient in a giant means, and that’s why he reveals up right here. The novelty of a possible level guard at this dimension makes him one of many gamers I’m most thinking about watching this season. However 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 many early-season breakout gamers on the worldwide scene, enjoying effectively for the Sydney Kings. All through the summer time, he was the participant who I received probably the most optimistic 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 capturing 54 % from 3-point vary. The capturing gained’t fairly maintain at that quantity, however Toohey does look to be a severe shooter after having added vital power all through each his higher and decrease halves this offseason. He’s additionally was a great 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 have 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 effectively on each ends whereas enjoying subsequent to a terrific huge 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 % mark from the foul line as indicators of his severe contact, whereas these extra involved will level to his 26.7 % mark from the 3-point line. Showcasing the power to fireplace from distance would be the swing talent that both pushes Evans into the primary spherical, or sees him return to varsity 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 % from 3. He’s a gentle presence out on the courtroom with actual pace who could make glorious choices. He’ll get an opportunity to run the present for Pitt this season with out Carrington round. I’d count on a severe leap in manufacturing, with 15 factors and 5 assists per sport not in any means out of the query. The important thing quantity might be his 2-point proportion and proportion on the basket. Scouts need to see him constantly end on the inside on condition that his dimension 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 gained’t flip 18 till December. And but he’s averaging 8.8 factors and 4.8 rebounds for Ulm. There may be pleasure in regards to the 6-9 athlete’s mix of manufacturing and coordination, and he was additionally fairly good on the Below-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 sufficiently big to be a 5. Nonetheless, he’s additionally probably not 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 thinking about 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 issues 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 without doubt one of the extra skilled rising draft prospects, having already seen near 700 minutes within the ACB and Eurocup competitions for Joventut in Spain. A Croatian huge man, the thought behind Ruzic is fairly easy: he’s a talented huge man who can step away and shoot in addition to play with the ball in his arms 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 form 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 effectively and has strong instincts in workforce ideas.

29. Brooklyn Nets (through OKC)

Ian Jackson | 6-4 guard | 20 years previous | North Carolina

Jackson is without doubt one of the extra fascinating 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, continually seeking to assault and stress the basket. He simply all the time looks as if 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 effectively. Finally, it’s going to come back all the way down to the shot. Jackson makes photographs in bursts however doesn’t all the time have the form 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, together with his potential 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.

Jones is a cultured 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 % of his photographs on the rim and 39 % 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 large query. Who does Jones guard? Can he show he can guard ones? Is he sufficiently big to protect wings? Showcasing actual enchancment there would be the key to solidifying his inventory. However he looks as if a great 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 huge | 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 huge | Creighton

50. Orlando Magic: Rasheer Fleming | 6-9 guard | St. Joseph’s

51. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through MEM): Baye Ndongo | 6-9 huge | 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 huge | 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

(Be aware: The New York Knicks have forfeited their 2025 second-round choose on account of free-agency shenanigans.)

(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photographs of Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg and V.J. Edgecombe: Lance King, Cameron Browne / Getty Photos)