The 2025 NBA Draft class is totally coming into focus with March Insanity across the nook. Whereas the hype of this class has worn off barely because the season has gone on, it’s nonetheless a robust group of incoming expertise outlined by excessive upside swings all through the lottery.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the apparent No. 1 decide. He’s lived as much as the hype throughout his freshman 12 months with the Blue Devils, and will probably be anticipated to be an All-NBA participant by the point he reaches his prime. Behind Flagg, there are a variety of prospects who’ve a pathway to NBA stardom but additionally have scary draw back situations in the event that they don’t hit.
There’s been numerous modifications since our final mock draft. Oklahoma’s Jeremy Fears and Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe are among the many risers, whereas BYU’s Egor Demin is the largest faller. Right here’s how we see the 2025 NBA Draft class proper now, with quick scouting experiences on each potential first-round decide.
1. Washington Wizards – Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg resides as much as the ‘generational’ tag, and proving definitely that he’s in a tier of his personal on this class. Flagg looks like a team-building cheat-code: at 6’9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he’s a virtually elite run-and-jump athlete with a continuous motor with supreme versatility on each ends of the ground. He’s a dominant defensive prospect who can defend the rim and routinely make massive performs off-ball. Offensively, Flagg is already a killer play-finisher, transition risk, and offensive rebounder who’s flashing potential a jumbo on-ball creator. This can be a reputable franchise-changing prospect who will ceaselessly bolster the trajectory of the fortunate workforce that wins the lottery to land him.
2. Utah Jazz – Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Harper is a big lead guard with a particular ability for getting downhill. At 6’6, 215 kilos with a reported 6’10 wingspan, the Rutgers freshman can stress the rim at will and has proven spectacular of entirety regardless of not being an explosive above-the-rim athlete.His potential to separate pick-and-roll defenders is mesmerizing to observe, and up to now he’s proven large craft on his potential to hit layups. Harper is extra of a scorer than a playmaker for the time being, however he’s proven he can deal with the keys to an offense with a virtually 30 % help charge and near a 2:1 help to turnover ratio. With solely common explosiveness, Harper might want to show he’s higher than the common shooter he’s been to this point at Rutgers. Nonetheless, his potential to get to the basket, hound smaller guards defensively, and deal with major utilization with above-average scoring effectivity has made him the clear No. 2 prospect on this class behind Flagg.
3. New Orleans Pelicans – V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Edgecombe is essentially the most athletic guard the category, and recently he’s making actual strides together with his ability degree. Whereas he’s a little bit undersized at 6’3 with a reported 6’6 wingspan, Edgecombe has absurd explosion that he makes use of to power turnovers, end on the rim, and create benefits in opposition to a set protection. Lengthy-term, he has the instruments to develop right into a lead shot creator with a depraved first step and next-level hangtime across the basket to transform layups or draw fouls. Edgecombe’s protection ought to translate to the league instantly. He’s an superior off-ball playmaker, with an enormous 3.3 % block charge fora guard and a 4.2 steal charge, and in addition has the potential to lock up on the ball. The large query right here his capturing, however even that has improved: he’s making 47.4 % of his threes on 5.2 makes an attempt per recreation over his final 11 video games. On a spaced out NBA flooring, Edgecombe’s pace and athleticism ought to really feel much more spectacular.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Bailey is essentially the most polarizing participant within the class, but nonetheless looks like a lock for the top-5 because of his mixture of dimension, youth, shot-making, and athleticism. At 6’10 with a 7-foot wingspan, Bailey performs with a continuing inexperienced gentle, which results in him taking and making some ridiculous photographs from the perimeter. One of many youngest gamers on this class with an Aug. 2006 birthday, Bailey is oozing with uncooked expertise however nonetheless must learn to truly play basketball. He is without doubt one of the most reticent passers I’ve ever scouted, and has solely recorded 16 assists in his first 16 video games. His lack of really feel reveals up defensively at occasions too, however his bodily instruments are so good that he can usually get well to the ball. A guess on Bailey this excessive would require a workforce believing they will proceed to show him the sport, which isn’t a nasty guess for a participant this younger and this gifted.
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5. Brooklyn Nets – Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Maluach has performed a slim function in his freshman season at Duke, nevertheless it looks like he’s simply scratching the floor of his long-term potential. The Duke middle has elite bodily instruments for an NBA middle at 7’2, 250 kilos with a reported 9’8 standing attain. He’s basically been in a catch-and-dunk function so far, however he’s additionally placing up one of the crucial environment friendly scoring seasons a draft prospect has ever had. Via his first 20 video games, the South Sudan native is capturing a surprising 75.6 % from the sector. He’s a monster on the offensive glass and has severe upside as a rim protector, although his timing feels a half-second late as a shot blocker proper now. Maluach has dangerous fingers and is completely incapable of creating performs for his teammates, which might considerably cap his upside if it doesn’t enhance. Nonetheless, he’s flashed sufficient ball dealing with and capturing potential within the BAL earlier than enrolling at Duke to make groups assume he has one other degree to get to together with his ability.
6. Toronto Raptors – Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Jakucionis’ excellent manufacturing throughout his freshman season ought to earn him seems within the draft beginning at No. 3. The Illini level guard has best-in-class imaginative and prescient and creativity as a passer, with a uncommon potential to move his teammates open and ship dimes from all angles. Jakucionis additionally places stress on opposing defenses as a scorer: his stepback three going left is a deadly weapon, and he’s proven an unimaginable knack for attending to the foul line this season. His 64 % true capturing is an unbelievable quantity for a guard — particularly one like Jakucionis who lacks elite athletic traits. It’s honest to surprise if the foul drawing will translate to the subsequent degree, as a result of the Lithuanian is restricted together with his burst. He additionally wants to chop down on his turnovers and his fouls on protection. Up to now, Jakucionis is a significantly better capturing off the dribble than he’s off the catch, which limits his potential as a flooring spacer. He’s not a great defensive prospect regardless of having good energy for his age. There’s a pathway for Jakucionis to be a very good start line guard within the NBA, however his margins will probably be slim on account of his lack of athletic explosion.
7. Portland Path Blazers – Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Newell is an enormous ahead who can end performs with energy across the rim and supply some paint safety defensively. At 6’10, the Georgia freshman has hammered dwelling 43 dunks in his first 21 video games whereas capturing 73 % on the rim. He’s been a monster on the offensive glass with a 15.2 % o-board charge that ranks top-30 in America, per KenPom. Newell has been making an attempt to point out off his three-point stroke for NBA groups, and whereas he’s not a shooter but (13-for-47 from deep so far), it’s encouraging that he’s not scared to take them. Scouts will query Newell’s really feel for the sport with nearly as many turnovers as assists, and they’ll surprise if he’s lengthy sufficient (7-foot wingspan) to capably maintain down minutes on the 5. Newell could must be in a extra restricted play-finishing function to be at his greatest, but when he finds the proper entrance court docket match, he has the instruments to be a productive participant.
8. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of 76ers) – Jeremy Fears, G, Oklahoma
Fears confirmed a number of indictors for star potential throughout his crimson sizzling begin as a freshman at Oklahoma. He’s cooled down a bit in convention play in opposition to a troublesome SEC schedule, however there’s nonetheless a lot to love about his long-term projection. The 6’4 guard has actual shot creation potential with a decent deal with and the power go stream into pull-up jumpers. He’s carried a sky-high utilization charge (31 %) at a younger age (he turned 18 in Oct.) with above-average scoring effectivity (58 % true capturing). Fears’ three-ball hasn’t been falling recently and his lack of energy can get him in some dangerous spots, however he’s a worthy long-term creation guess after the highest prospects are off the board.
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9. Chicago Bulls – Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles bypassed the draft final 12 months to return to South Carolina for his sophomore season, and has pulled off the uncommon feat of accelerating his utilization whereas bettering his scoring effectivity and sustaining his elite degree defensively. There will probably be skepticism about how he’ll deal with the NBA as a 6’7 massive man and not using a dependable outdoors shot, however his manufacturing and flashes of translatable ability ought to give groups optimism. Murray-Boyles is highly effective 245-pound athlete who assaults the opposition aggressively at each ends of the ground. He’s the top-of-the-line defensive prospects on this class as an enormous who can blow up pick-and-rolls, power turnovers on digs, and supply stout paint safety regardless of his lack of dimension. On offense, Murray-Boyles can play within the quick roll together with his spectacular passing potential whereas producing energy as a downhill scorer. He’s been capable of create seems for himself at occasions together with his mixture of energy, dealing with, and contact. He’s additionally a strong screener. His manufacturing is tough to argue with, however it is going to be fascinating to see how groups view his projection come draft time.
10. San Antonio Spurs – Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Tre Johnson’s upside is tied to how his nuclear capturing potential interprets to the very best ranges. The 6’6 freshman wing is hitting 38 % of his threes on 6.6 makes an attempt per recreation, exhibiting a fast launch and the power to hit photographs after off-ball motion. The issue is Johnson simply doesn’t have a well-rounded recreation: he’s restricted as a ball handler and infrequently will get to the foul or foul line, and he additionally almost as many turnovers as assists. If Johnson can survive on the defensive finish, he ought to have sufficient gravity as a shooter to offer himself actual offensive utility even together with his flaws.
11. San Antonio Spurs (by way of Hawks) – Derik Queen, C, Maryland
It will be straightforward to put in writing off Queen’s NBA translation as an undersized massive man with solely common athleticism and no actual three-point shot, however that may overlook all the things that’s made him particular as a freshman for Maryland. The beefy 6’10 massive man can create offense with the ball in his fingers with a sophisticated deal with for his participant his dimension. He can use his massive body to create area when he will get going downhill, and he’s proven delicate contact (72.5 % on the rim) when he will get in shut. Queen might want to reduce down his turnovers and become a greater passer, however there will probably be extra consideration on his capturing projection. He’s been strong from the foul line this 12 months (76 %), however is barely 2-of-22 from three. A singular participant who would require a exact match to hit his highest finish outcomes, Queen’s projected vary may very well be one of many wider on this class.
12. Golden State Warriors – Ben Saraf, G, Ulm
The 6’5 level guard out of Israel is placing collectively a formidable season within the German league at 18 years previous. Saraf has full management of the sport as a lead guard, exhibiting nice passing imaginative and prescient and a strong mid-range pull-up jumper he can use as a scoring weapon. The difficulty with Saraf is his three-point shot hasn’t been falling and he falls beneath the NBA common in run-and-jump athleticism for a guard. Nonetheless, Saraf has sufficient similarities to Kasparas Jakucionis to demand lottery seems if the Illini freshman goes top-5.
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13. Atlanta Hawks – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
Philon struggles to shoot from deep and is restricted athletically, however nonetheless leaves an indelible imprint in each recreation. The 6’4 freshman from Alabama has plus energy and instincts and makes use of it to make all types of successful performs. He’s a great rebounder for his place, he can lock down defensively, and his flashes of bullying his manner by defenses as a pick-and-roll ball handler are spectacular. Philon has showcased good contact inside and a capability to self-create seems off the dribble, so his sub 30 % three-point stroke shouldn’t be too scary for his professional projection. He simply seems like a job participant who does all of the little issues to assist groups compete.
14. Dallas Mavericks – Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
Knueppel’s manufacturing hasn’t fairly matched his preseason hype, however there’s nonetheless a great participant right here with translatable NBA expertise. The thick 6’7 wing can play on- or off-the-ball offensively, with spectacular poise working within the pick-and-roll and the power to bomb away from three-point vary off the catch. Knueppel lacks the size and explosion you normally see out of NBA wings, which makes his defensive projection an enormous query mark and places extra emphasis on his have to shoot at a excessive degree. Whereas the thought some had of him as a possible top-5 decide feels too optimistic, his dribble-pass-shoot ability set turns into extra interesting regardless of his limitations in the direction of the center of the primary spherical.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves – Liam McNeely, F, UConn
McNeeley’s case for a top-20 decide begins together with his potential to be top-of-the-line shooters on this draft class. The 6’7 freshman wing is making 38 % of his threes on 9.5 makes an attempt per 100 possessions. He’s displayed connective passing traits and has simply sufficient ball dealing with juice to beat a scrambling shut out. McNeeley is restricted athletically which can damage his protection and rim ending (he solely has one dunk this 12 months), however he’s a excessive flooring prospect with sufficient offensive expertise to remain on the ground.
16. Orlando Magic – Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Jase Richardson has gone from legacy recruit to immediate impression freshman at Michigan State. Richardson is a little bit small (listed at 6’3) and doesn’t have his father’s elite athleticism, however he’s an extremely sensible participant who is aware of how one can decide his spots on the ground. Richardson is a ridiculously environment friendly scorer making 64 % of his two-pointers, 41 % of his threes, and 82 % of his free throws. Whereas he’s not a tremendous playmaker, he additionally not often makes errors, boasting a virtually a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Richardson has performed with low utilization (17.6 %) so far, and it’s laborious to say how he’d scale as much as an even bigger function in opposition to largest and extra athletic competitors. If nothing else, Richardson simply is aware of how one can play, and has confirmed he’s already rattling good in opposition to previous competitors in school.
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17. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Warmth) – Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Sorber has been top-of-the-line freshmen surprises of the season, going from the No. 40 general recruit within the RSCI to a possible top-20 decide throughout his debut season with at Georgetown. The 6’10 massive man has performed with imposing physicality at each ends of the ground. He’s an excellent rebounder, a troublesome display screen setter, and might take in contact within the paint defensively whereas nonetheless difficult the shot. He’s flashed the connective passing traits that NBA groups love out of their massive males, and he seems like a strong finisher inside. Sorber doesn’t have a three-point shot for the time being, he’s a bit undersized for a middle, and he’s not a fast twitch athlete, however his highly effective and environment friendly recreation will get the job performed.
18. Houston Rockets (by way of Suns) – Nolan Traore, G, France
Traoe was thought-about a possible top-5 decide coming into the season, however an up-and-down 12 months for Saint-Quentin within the prime French professional league has instantly made him one of many class’ most divisive prospects. The 6’5 guard has an intriguing mixture of pace, playmaking, and rim stress that would translate effectively because the NBA pushes the tempo to new heights yearly. The difficulty is that he isn’t an inefficient scorer proper now (47 % true capturing) with simply common vertical pop across the basket and a shaky three-point shot. The 18-year-old is dealing with an infinite utilization charge (31 %) whereas going through more durable competitors than any school participant, so perhaps the concept that he’s sliding on this draft is totally overblown.
19. Utah Jazz (by way of Timberwolves) – Noah Penda, F, Le Mans
Penda is a protracted and beefy ahead out of France who has proven nice two-way versatility in a troublesome league as a 20-year-old. At 6’8 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, Penda seems like an amazing defensive prospect who has made some strides on offense. Whereas he’s restricted by way of each his pace and explosion, Penda is tremendous sturdy and all the time appears to know the place to be defensively. He’s put up monster defensive playmaking stats (3.3 % steal charge and 5.4 % block charge) that showcase his phenomenal defensive consciousness. Penda isn’t going to beat many gamers off the dribble, however he has some stuff you may work with offensively if he can shoot it at a league-average degree. He’s a sensible cutter and good passer who contributes on the offensive glass. Each workforce needs lengthy forwards with sturdy really feel for the sport, and Penda checks these containers.
20. Indiana Pacers – Noa Essengue, F, Ulm
Essengue is a 6’9 French ahead who deserves first spherical seems for his athletic instruments, persistently excessive motor, and strong productiveness as an 18-year-old within the German league. He has a particular ability for drawing fouls together with his potential to deal with the ball a bit within the open flooring and discover openings on cuts across the basket. He’ll present some supplemental shot-blocking however may get buried by stronger and longer gamers. His three-point shot (23.3 % on his first 60 makes an attempt) is his massive swing ability.
21. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Clippers) – Ian Jackson, G, UNC
Jackson is a microwave scorer who has been on fireplace to begin convention play for North Carolina. The 6’5 guard is a blur with the ball in his fingers who shines in transition and might create scoring alternatives for himself within the halfcourt. He’s been a strong shooter from deep so far at 39 % from three, however nearly all of his makes are assisted. Jackson doesn’t move a lot and his skinny body will give groups pause defensively. He’s additionally a lot older than a typical freshman, turning 20 in Feb. Jackson actually has some crimson flags as a prospect, however simply turning into a greater pull-up shooter would assist his projection immensely. Groups will all the time want guards who can create a bucket, and Jackson can do this.
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22. Atlanta Hawks (by way of Lakers) – Johni Broome, C, Auburn
Broome has been the perfect participant in school basketball this 12 months, and it’s introduced renewed curiosity in his professional projection. The 6’10, 235-pound massive man is an absolute bulldozer as an inside scorer, has confirmed nice shot-making contact from mid-range (almost 50 % on his first 63 mid-range twos), and he’s a adequate passer and decision-maker to be the hub of an offense. Broome has been a unbelievable rim protector (10 % block charge) and rebounder on each ends of the ground, and people expertise aren’t going to vanish simply because he’s a bit undersized for an NBA 5. As a fifth-year school participant there’s certain to be loads of skepticism about Broome’s NBA potential, however he’s been so rattling good this 12 months that he deserves an opportunity.
23. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Bucks) – Egor Demin, G, BYU
I used to be responsible of shopping for the early hype on Demin throughout his sizzling begin in opposition to a cupcake schedule. His manufacturing plummeted as BYU entered convention play, exposing his lack of pace and explosiveness and his shaky outdoors shot. The thought of Demin as a 6’9 level guard with panoramic imaginative and prescient remains to be intriguing long-term, however he’s going to want to up his ability degree and alter his physique to beat the considerations about his instruments.
24. Orlando Magic (by way of Nuggets) – Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Miles Byrd’s breakout season at San Diego State has marked him as top-of-the-line potential 3-and-D wings within the class. Byrd has made main strides as a shooter, going from 31.1 % on 2.2 makes an attempt per recreation from three final season to 35.8 % on 6.2 per recreation this 12 months. His defensive markers are much more encouraging: his 5.2 % block charge and 4.4 % steal charge are monster numbers that present his athleticism, motor, and instincts. The 6’7 wing can proceed to point out extra off the dribble, however he looks like he may be an impactful participant with out sucking up a ton of utilization on an NBA flooring. Whereas he’s technically in his third 12 months of school basketball. Byrd doesn’t flip 21 years previous till Sept. and is already exhibiting he may very well be a late bloomer.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s
Fleming has been a revelation throughout his junior season, catching the NBA’s consideration for his large body, spectacular defensive playmaking, improved capturing, and powerful ending on the rim. Fleming has perfect dimension for an NBA 4 at 6’9, 220+ kilos with a reported 7’5 wingspan. He’s been capable of leverage these extremely lengthy arms to get blocks (5.1 % block charge) and steals (3.1 % steal charge) all season within the Atlantic-10. He’s additionally been cleansing the glass at each ends of the ground this 12 months, together with a 24.9 % defensive rebound charge that almost ranks top-50 within the nation. Fleming has made an enormous leap as a three-point shooter this 12 months (40.4 % on his first 89 makes an attempt), however he’s largely identified for his inside scoring. He’s making 69 % of his photographs on the rim to this point, and has hammered in 29 dunks in his first 20 video games. Fleming doesn’t create off the bounce a lot and groups would possibly nonetheless have skepticism about his shot given his non-existent mid-range recreation and poor free throw capturing numbers. His mixture of dimension and manufacturing ought to nonetheless be sufficient to get him seems later within the first spherical.
26. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Knicks) – Kam Jones, Marquette
Jones has a case as being the perfect guard in school basketball this 12 months after his vital enchancment as a playmaker within the wake of Tyler Kolek’s departure from Marquette. The 6’5 senior guard has upped his help charge type 16.6 % final 12 months to 40.3 % this season, which ranks top-10 within the nation. As Jones has soaked up extra utilization, it’s come at the price of his capturing: he was a 40.6 % three-point shooter final 12 months, and thats dipped to 32.7 % this 12 months. Jones can shoot it so groups shouldn’t be too apprehensive about that. He’s a strong worth late in spherical one as a possible backup guard.
27. Boston Celtics – Hugo González, F, Actual Madrid
Gonzalez has been on the NBA’s radar for some time after some sturdy showings at FIBA youth tournaments lately. Enjoying time has been laborious to return by this season for the soon-to-be 19-year-old on top-of-the-line golf equipment in Europe, however he nonetheless has the bodily instruments that attraction to scouts. An athletic 6’6 ahead with a robust body, Gonzalez makes vitality performs defensively and on the glass, and has proven some progress together with his three-point stroke. If groups consider in his shot (which has solely hit at 28.6 % this 12 months on low quantity), he may go a lot increased than this.
28 Brooklyn Nets (by way of Rockets) – Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse
Freeman has had an up-and-down season and is out proper now with a foot harm, however he’s intrigued each since his standout run on the McDonald’s All-American Sport practices. Freeman has tons of expertise as a protracted and athletic 6’10 ahead with a straightforward capturing stroke. He’s been a monster on the defensive glass this 12 months, and his contact from the foul line (80 %) and deep vary ought to give groups assured he’ll shoot the three ball higher than he did earlier than the foot harm. Freeman is one thing of a lottery ticket choice, however he’s obtained the instruments groups needs.
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29. Phoenix Suns (by way of Cavs) – Drake Powell, F, North Carolina
It’s straightforward to see what NBA like about Powell’s long-term projection as a protracted and athletic 6’6 wing who could make performs on protection and hit some catch-and-shoot threes. His manufacturing has been inconsistent many of the season, making him a premium candidate to return to highschool for sophomore 12 months in an try to spice up his draft inventory. If he does declare, groups may nonetheless speak themselves into him as a long-term high-energy wing who can hold the ground spaced with a 37.5 % three-point stroke to this point.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (by way of Thunder) – Flory Bidunga, C/F, Kansas
Bidunga was a 5-star recruit who gained an even bigger function on Kansas throughout KJ Adams’ current harm. An excellent bouncy 6’9 massive man, Bidunga can end performs with energy above the rim on each ends of the ground. He doesn’t provide any capturing or creation, however he’s a great finisher inside and an absurdly fluid athlete.