The 2024 NBA Draft ended two weeks in the past. Which means it’s time to settle into the 2025 NBA Draft cycle.
The excellent news? NBA executives are way more obsessed with this one than the 2024 model. Merely put, the expertise on the high of this draft is drastically higher. There are not less than 5 gamers on this class who would have been taken No. 1 within the 2024 NBA Draft had they been eligible.
The loaded group on the high is led by Duke incoming freshman Cooper Flagg, a two-way wing who is among the finest highschool gamers to come back by the American system within the final decade. Flagg not too long ago turned heads in scrimmages in opposition to Crew USA stars because the youngest member of the choose crew. Past him, V.J. Edgecombe, Nolan Traoré, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper significantly excite scouts as they head into the 12 months.
After these 5, there are as many questions with this draft class as there are with any group. Will this change into the deepest pool of expertise to enter the NBA shortly? A lot will depend upon how gamers develop over the summer season. Who turns into the following Devin Carter to spike up the board from second-round choose to lottery-level expertise? Who turns into the following Bub Carrington to go from off of the radar as a one-and-done to begin the 12 months to a top-15 choose? Can somebody make a bounce after transferring like Dalton Knecht or Jaylon Tyson did this previous cycle. There’s loads left to type by, however that’s why we’ve 50 weeks till the draft.
In that vein, this checklist shouldn’t be meant to be learn in a particular order outdoors of the highest 5. Take into account it extra of a watch checklist or a information to peruse as we undergo the beginning of this course of. I attempted to place collectively the type of mixture of gamers we’d see chosen on draft night time, and that features a number of returning prospects on high of the freshmen everyone seems to be rightly enthusiastic about.
For example, whereas I really like Drake Powell at North Carolina — notably his defensive vitality and depth — I’m curious how his offensive recreation will instantly translate to the faculty stage. Derik Queen’s offensive talent set is excellent, however I’ve questions on his defensive mobility at Maryland. Can Will Riley take care of the physicality that shall be introduced to him in school whereas at Illinois? Can Joson Sanon do something however rating? What’s going to Carter Bryant appear to be at Arizona? You can even promote me on a Jackson McAndrew breakout in an ideal schematic scenario at Creighton. This freshman class is loaded with potential breakout candidates.
This board will, after all, look fairly completely different in June 2025 than it does in July 2024. Nevertheless, I’d be stunned if any of the highest 5 slip beneath the extent of a legitimately critical prospect as soon as the pre-draft course of ramps up subsequent March.
(Ages listed are as of the projected June 25-26 draft date.)
1. Cooper Flagg | 6-8 ahead | 18 years previous | Duke
Let’s put this merely: Flagg is among the finest two-way gamers I’ve seen at the highschool stage in a very long time. Largely, that’s primarily based on his processing capacity. For a teen, he thinks the sport sooner than everybody else. You see that almost all on protection, the place he imposes his will upon the sport on and off the ball. He’s large as a assist defender, blocking a ridiculous variety of pictures and protecting the alternative facet of the ground, with critical talent for locating steals. He’s additionally an excellent offensive participant who has labored his approach into his talent set. His deal with has improved drastically over his time in highschool, and he’s able to creating makeable pull-up jumpers, notably from the midrange space. His 3-point shot continues to enhance.
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Cooper Flagg and the small New England city that raised basketball’s brightest younger star
Flagg is the last word winner and competitor, and the precise type of participant I’d wish to be a part of my group. He’s the primary in a bunch of not less than 5 gamers who clearly would have gone No. 1 within the 2024 NBA Draft. We’re attending to see why this week throughout his time with the US Choose Crew that’s competing in opposition to Crew USA in Olympics prep scrimmages.
2. Dylan Harper | 6-5 guard | 19 years previous | Rutgers
Harper is as versatile a scoring guard as you’ll discover in highschool basketball. His fundamentals are off-the-charts nice, and he has a exceptional quantity of poise for a teen. He’s dynamic on or off the ball, which isn’t at all times the case for younger gamers and is extremely essential when making an attempt to challenge NBA development and growth. On the ball, he performs with efficient tempo and poise. He’s large placing defenders in jail in ball screens and conserving them on his again hip along with his measurement. He has a three-level scoring recreation that features a polished mid-range repertoire, robust ending within the paint and constant taking pictures from 3. Off the ball, I believe he’ll persistently knock down pictures along with attacking closeouts and discovering open kickouts when obtainable after collapsing the protection.
To high it off, I like Harper’s all-around recreation, too. He’s not fairly the influence defender Flagg is, however is a good rebounder and makes use of his measurement and physicality successfully to remain connected to opposing offensive gamers whereas making his presence felt.
3. Nolan Traoré | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Saint-Quentin
No 2025 draft prospect helped themselves extra this spring than Traoré, an enormous guard out of France who will play for Saint-Quentin within the French skilled league subsequent season after spurning provides from Gonzaga, Alabama, and the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program. Together with Harper and V.J. Edgecombe, Traoré was persistently among the many three finest guards on the courtroom at April’s Nike Hoop Summit. His confidence and poise in ball screens showcased itself effectively all through the week. It was troublesome to remain in entrance of him, and as soon as he received a bonus utilizing a display, he pressed it with confidence as a passer and scorer. Defensively, he knew precisely the place he wanted to be and persistently helped his crew carry out at a excessive stage.
After returning to France to play for Saint-Quentin, he was very good within the crew’s league quarterfinals collection in opposition to European energy ASVEL, scoring 39 factors in two video games whereas dispensing 14 assists versus solely seven turnovers. In late Could, he dominated the Adidas Subsequent Era Match, incomes an All-Match berth highlighted by a monster 45-point displaying in opposition to a Barcelona crew that options two gamers on this mock draft in Dame Sarr and Kasparas Jakucionis. Traoré appears each bit the a part of a top-five guard and can probably cement that standing this forthcoming season in France.
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V.J. Edgecombe dunks throughout the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Recreation. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Photographs)
4. V.J. Edgecombe | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Baylor
Edgecombe is one other considered one of my favourite gamers within the class. He’s a supremely athletic combo guard who’s beginning to present flashes of having the ability to play level guard at a excessive stage. That’ll be obligatory, as he measured a bit smaller than anticipated on the Hoop Summit and can probably are available at lower than 6-4 with out footwear. Nevertheless, he makes up for his measurement deficiencies with electrical athleticism and playmaking on the courtroom. He’s among the many most functionally explosive teenage basketball gamers I’ve seen shortly. He can blow by nearly anybody with out a display due to a lightning-quick first step and crossover. He’s all kinds of twitchy and might dwell within the paint at any time when he needs. He finishes far above the rim and nonetheless appears to rise by gamers once they contact him regardless of a comparatively skinny body. Past that, he has extremely balanced physique management and might maneuver round site visitors earlier than and after he picks up his dribble when attacking.
I even love Edgecombe’s defensive recreation; he’s exceptionally aggressive and appears to have very good instincts for creating motion performs along with being obtainable as a assist defender. So long as the lead guard expertise preserve coming alongside, Edgecombe has each bit the look of a top-five participant — even when his measurement may pose some questions.
5. Ace Bailey | 6-8 wing/ahead | 18 years previous | Rutgers
It’s not unfair to say that Bailey has extra upside than any participant within the 2025 NBA Draft class. If all of it goes proper for him at Rutgers subsequent season, he could also be seen as the following nice huge wing creator to enter the NBA. He has all the instruments you want: He’s monumental and rangy with actual size, and has real athleticism that permits him to get downhill when he needs to complete above the rim. Off that, he passes effectively and finds open teammates recurrently, displaying robust imaginative and prescient for his measurement. His jumper appears clear and will be capable to proceed to mature as he will get older. Plus, at simply 18 on draft day subsequent 12 months, he’s one of many youngest gamers within the class.
However there are just a few regarding areas I’d wish to see him clear up heading into school. He doesn’t use his athletic instruments to their fullest potential on a regular basis. He settles within the midrange far too typically and will be invisible at instances. Once more, he’s youthful than many of the gamers within the class, so he deserves a little bit of time to proceed to develop into his recreation. However with Harper subsequent to him at Rutgers this 12 months, I’ll be trying to see Bailey persistently play inside the circulate of the sport and make an influence throughout all elements of the sport.
6. Hugo González | 6-6 wing/ahead | 19 years previous | Actual Madrid
Gonzalez has been essentially the most embellished 2006-born European participant to this stage of his profession. He received the MVP of the Munich regional of the Adidas Subsequent Era Match in 2023, then received MVP of the whole event in 2024 whereas main Actual Madrid to victory. Final summer season, he was named to the All-Match crew of the under-18 European championships whereas main Spain to a silver medal. He’s a terrific participant on each ends of the ground as a wing who processes the sport rapidly. Defensively, he covers the courtroom exceptionally effectively and appears to continuously bait offensive gamers into poor selections. Offensively, he can create off the bounce a bit and excels as a passer. NBA groups want to see him iron out the consistency of his the jumper; he has contact, however must positive tune his mechanics, shot prep off the catch and launch. However the really feel for the sport is critical, as are his instruments.
7. Asa Newell | 6-9 ahead/huge | 19 years previous | Georgia
Newell was one of many favourite gamers I noticed throughout the spring circuit, as he performed very effectively throughout Nike Hoop Summit practices. He does all the little issues at a extremely excessive stage. Defensively, he’s an excellent shot blocker and rim protector, particularly for his measurement. He flies round on that facet of the courtroom and makes his presence felt. He strikes effectively on the perimeter and didn’t have many points guarding in area as a much bigger participant. On offense, he confirmed actual potential as a shooter in spot-up and pick-and-pop conditions, in addition to the power to rim-run. He’ll throw down huge dunks and performs at pace in these circumstances, making it exhausting to get a physique on him and keep in entrance. His recreation is a terrific match for the fashionable NBA, particularly as an off-ball participant, and I’m betting on him as a one-and-done heading into the 12 months.
8. Liam McNeeley | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | Connecticut
It’s exhausting to discover a higher scheme and expertise match than McNeeley heading to Connecticut. He’s a 6-foot-6 sniper from distance, arguably the most effective shooter within the 2024 recruiting class. After Cam Spencer and Jordan Hawkins exploded inside Dan Hurley’s scheme during the last two years, it’s straightforward to examine McNeeley as the following individual in line to be the motion shooter that thrives in UConn’s offense. McNeeley is an especially spectacular mover with out the ball and has a excessive basketball IQ that showcases itself on each ends. He is aware of how one can discover open areas behind the 3-point line, in addition to curl off of screens and discover the area the protection provides him. McNeeley has each likelihood to be a one-and-done choose in the identical vein as Gradey Dick was again in 2023.
9. Jalil Bethea | 6-3 guard | 19 years previous | Miami (Fla.)
Bethea is among the finest scorers within the incoming 2024 recruiting class, a critical shooter with all kinds of wiggle in his recreation to get these pictures off. If you happen to depart him open off the catch, the ball might be getting into. He’ll additionally break down defenders off the bounce and drill 3s out of pull-up conditions. His jumper is gorgeous and appears to work from the midrange as effectively. He’s the type of participant who actually interprets to the fashionable, skill-conscious NBA, the place floor-spacing and taking pictures is at a premium each night time. On some stage, the place Bethea goes on draft night time may depend upon how a lot talent he exhibits as a distributor this season. There have been some actual flashes in that respect previously. If these can change into extra persistently, he’ll have a really robust likelihood on the lottery.
10. Ian Jackson | 6-4 guard | 20 years previous | North Carolina
The stories about Jackson out of North Carolina are already fairly robust. The e-book on him in highschool was that of a traditional guard from New York: extraordinarily robust and aggressive with a critical urge for food for enjoying each ends of the courtroom. He’s aggressive and bodily on protection regardless of being skinny, and loves to protect on the ball. On offense, every part is assault, assault, assault. He’s making an attempt to get downhill to the rim, both in transition, in ball screens as extra of a major choice or off the catch, the place he’ll rip by and attempt to get into the paint. His total basketball IQ might want to develop; he wants to begin slowing down extra and arising with a plan for his drives. However his athleticism and aggressiveness are very high-level. I’m betting on an enormous 12 months for Jackson.
![go-deeper](https://cdn.theathletic.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=128,height=128,fit=cover,format=auto/app/uploads/2024/05/20105329/Jack1-1024x683.jpg)
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‘Captain Jack’ is hoping to place wind in North Carolina’s sails as a freshman
11. Dink Pate | 6-6 guard | 19 years previous | Mexico Metropolis Capitanes
Pate was with the G League Ignite this previous season earlier than this system shut down, and he’ll play with the Mexico Metropolis Capitanes subsequent season. The Capitanes did a great job with prospect Malique Lewis final season, though Lewis is less complicated to include than a participant like Pate who thrives finest on the ball. Pate is the type of huge, lengthy guard prospect that each crew is in search of, a 6-foot-6 participant with critical ball expertise and functionality in display conditions. He can move at a excessive stage and operates effectively in the course of the courtroom along with scoring across the rim. Enjoying within the G League as a teen wasn’t the simplest factor for Pate this previous 12 months, and that confirmed along with his inefficiency. He shot simply 34.8 % from the sector and 21.4 % from 3. He should finally present essentially the most enchancment in his capacity to shoot from distance.
He’s one of many greater high-upside swings on this class. You may see a world the place he turns right into a participant who’s mentioned inside the similar conversations because the aforementioned clear top-five tier. Or, you may see a world the place the shot doesn’t take the leap and he’s extra of a challenge. There’s a lot to enhance, however the ceiling is excessive.
12. Donnie Freeman | 6-8 ahead | 19 years previous | Syracuse
Freeman took a strong talent leap throughout his senior 12 months at IMG Academy and appears like a ahead with the dimensions and expertise NBA groups search for from 4s. His talent set is diversified, with the power to drive in a straight line and end on the rim in addition to rating from past the 3-point line. He has actual bounce as a leaper. His deal with actually should enhance, as numerous his pictures are typically contested makes an attempt the place he’s pressured to cease within the midrange areas. Nonetheless, his jumper appears extraordinarily projectable. Defensively, he’s cellular, can slide with a number of completely different participant sorts and rotate throughout the play to contest. He’s been one of many huge risers inside the scouting neighborhood during the last 12 months.
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Collin Murray-Boyles emerged as a critical NBA prospect within the latter a part of his freshman 12 months at South Carolina. (Steve Roberts / USA Right now)
13. Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-7 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | South Carolina
Murray-Boyles was the highest-ranked participant on my board this 12 months to not declare for the 2024 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-7 wing with lengthy arms and a strong inside recreation, he was among the many best freshmen within the nation. After getting over an sickness to begin the season that noticed him miss all of November, Murray-Boyles emerged in February as an absolute power, averaging 14.9 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals over his closing 13 video games whereas taking pictures 64.8 % from the sector. He’s a powerful defender who strikes effectively in opposition to guards and bigs regardless of his bigger construct. He rebounds very effectively.
The massive questions come on offense, the place Murray-Boyles is basically a submit and mid-post participant who assaults on the block and off drives with nice footwork and contact on the inside. These round Murray-Boyles be aware he has proven potential as a shooter, and he made 76 % of his free throws after rising right into a major position for South Carolina late final season. However that would be the key swing talent. If he proves his jumper is actual and maintains his elite processing capacity and really feel for the sport, Murray-Boyles will probably be a lottery choose. If not, he is likely to be seen as an undersized greater wing within the vein of present Charlotte Hornets ahead Grant Williams.
14. Tre Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years previous | Texas
Johnson is among the finest bucket-getters within the 2024 recruiting class, a assured menace off the ball who persistently assaults the basket. He likes to get down the ground on the break and attempt to create havoc whereas discovering downhill benefits, however he counters that with a strong pull-up jumper recreation. Johnson is assured scoring from all three ranges and has even began flattening pictures from 3-point vary. He has nice size as effectively and confirmed actual development as a passer during the last 18 months.
So what’s the hold-up? Johnson isn’t an immense athlete, and I haven’t seen a lot high-end defensive play but. He’s lengthy and bodily, however his leaping capacity and first step aren’t that explosive. It’ll be fascinating to see how his recreation shifts as he strikes up ranges as a scorer. It looks like he should change into a dynamic shooter, and proper now, he developments extra towards the quantity facet relatively than the environment friendly facet.
15. Kasparas Jakucionis | 6-4 guard | 19 years previous | Illinois
Jakucionis is a 6-4 combo guard who has thrived at each single stage of his profession with Barcelona’s youth crew. He received the MVP of the Zadar area of 2023’s Subsequent Era Match, then adopted it with the MVP within the Belgrade part of the event this season whereas additionally making the general All-Match crew. Lengthy the most effective passers within the age group, the Lithuanian playmaker has an innate really feel out of ball screens, with the power to seek out open teammates from nearly any angle. His ball-screen recreation flows extremely effectively off that talent, as he’s displayed the power to hit 3s out of pull-up conditions and drive all the best way to the rim, utilizing his robust body to maintain defenders on his hip. He’s an especially inventive guard with good footwork, good deal with and excessive really feel for the sport. He may stand to tighten his deal with a contact if he’s going to play on the ball long-term, however he’s a powerful dribble-pass-shoot guess. He’ll attend Illinois this 12 months, the place I’m anticipating him to share a backcourt with Kylan Boswell. Jakucionis is my favourite among the many members of Illinois’ loaded freshman class.
16. Kon Knueppel | 6-6 guard | 19 years previous | Duke
That is my huge name within the 2025 class. Knueppel doesn’t essentially look the half — at round 6-foot-6 and 205 kilos, he’s extra huge than he’s lengthy — however he’s considered one of my 5 favourite freshmen getting into school basketball subsequent season. What he lacks in what one could seek advice from as “conventional” athletic instruments, he greater than makes up for with polish, talent and competitiveness. He led the EYBL in scoring final 12 months, and he’s terrific from all three ranges. He knocks down pictures from distance with exceptional effectivity for a teen, and the specter of his shot from the three and midrange areas opens up his recreation as a driver. His footwork is excellent; as soon as he will get you on his hip out of ball screens, it’s over. Defensively, he competes, utilizing his bodily body to his benefit in opposition to greater opponents, however he’s this excessive due to his work on the opposite facet of the ground, I believe he’s one of many nice offensive gamers on this 2024 recruiting class.
He’s the freshman I imagine in most at Duke outdoors of Flagg.
Sallis is a former five-star recruit who had a breakout third collegiate season in Winton-Salem after two seasons off the bench with Gonzaga. He averaged 18 factors, 4 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists this previous season with robust taking pictures splits, together with a marked bounce in 3-point proportion as much as 40.5 after a few years beneath the 26 % mark. Finally, his taking pictures would be the key. Sallis was the highest participant on my board to undergo the 2024 pre-draft course of and resolve to return to highschool. I had a first-round grade on him this 12 months, and I believe he would have probably been chosen someplace within the high 40. For him to consolidate that draft vary and probably even enhance upon it, the combo guard might want to show that his taking pictures enchancment was actual, in addition to persistently make high-level passing reads.
18. Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 huge | 18 years previous | Brisbane Bullets
Zikarsky is a huge, athletic 7-foot-3 huge man who’s expert offensively, covers floor in massive swaths along with his strides and erases pictures on the rim. Enjoying for the Brisbane Bullets in Australia was a little bit of a problem, as it might be for any 17-year-old adjusting to enjoying professionally for the primary time. He did common 14 factors and 9 rebounds enjoying on the U17 World Cup as an underage participant, and when he received an opportunity to play in opposition to gamers his personal age once more on the Albert Schweitzer Match in Germany, he received MVP whereas main Australia to a gold medal. He must preserve getting stronger and show he can grasp on protection in drop protection and in area, however he possesses some actual instruments that might result in numerous success within the NBA.
19. Alex Karaban | 6-8 wing | 22 years previous | Connecticut
Karaban declared for the 2024 draft went all the way down to the wire along with his determination however finally determined to return to Connecticut. I had a first-round grade on him had he stayed within the draft, as he’s a consummate skilled who helps his groups win when he’s on the courtroom. He’s a superb off-ball defender with measurement who cuts off angles along with his 7-foot wingspan and sharp anticipation. On the ball, he can guard 3s and 4s successfully. Offensively, he’s a superb shooter who has nailed 39 % of his 3s over his two years in school, seasons the place he began 77 of 78 video games for the Huskies as they received back-to-back nationwide titles. He’s additionally a superb off-ball mover and cutter. He appears like a decade-long NBA rotation participant so long as his jumper continues to fall. Any development that he exhibits this season with the ball in his arms can be icing on the cake.
20. Mackenzie Mgbako | 6-7 wing | 20 years previous | Indiana
Mgbako was seen as a possible one-and-done getting into his first season at Indiana, however he began the marketing campaign poorly and misplaced numerous steam. Few seemingly seen the strides he took within the second half of the season. In his closing 17 video games, Mgbako averaged 14.7 factors and 4.2 rebounds though he shot simply 39 % from the sector and 33 % from 3. He grew to become way more comfy getting his 3-point shot up at quantity over the again half of the marketing campaign, and regarded just like the type of post-hype sophomore five-star prospect who falls. off the radar earlier than an enormous season places them again on it. He nonetheless should get higher at placing the ball on the deck, however his defensive enchancment all through his freshman season was extremely essential. Even with big-time additions like Oumar Ballo, Kanaan Carlyle and Myles Rice, Mgbako is a powerful guess to be the most effective two-way Hoosier subsequent season, since he’ll have a 12 months in Mike Woodson’s system beneath his belt.
21. Boogie Fland | 6-1 guard | 18 years previous | Arkansas
Fland is small, however has a terrific mix of competitiveness and talent that makes me imagine he’ll be the influence participant amongst Arkansas’ freshmen this season. You must guard him from the second he passes halfcourt, as he’s a locked-and-loaded pull-up artist who can fireplace from 30 ft with ease. Hopefully, new Arkansas coach John Calipari — whom Fland adopted from a previous Kentucky dedication — permits him to play because the starter within the backcourt with Johnell Davis. Fland brings equally optimistic high-pressure defensive attributes as D.J. Wagner, however combines it with some critical offensive pull-up gravity. He additionally improved as a passer throughout his time in highschool, and I imagine he can run the purpose successfully.
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Kam Jones ought to be the primary scoring choice at Marquette this season. (Patrick Smith / Getty Photographs)
22. Kam Jones | 6-4 wing | 22 years previous | Marquette
One among my favourite gamers in school basketball the final two years, Jones is a reputable three-level scorer at Marquette, with very good contact in any respect three. He averaged 17 factors and shot obscenely effectively, making 50 % of his makes an attempt from the sector, 39 % from 3 and 72 % from the road. Marquette ran him off a number of dribble-handoff actions to get him downhill to his left, the place he confirmed a capability to complete across the rim with scoop pictures. He made 67 % of his makes an attempt on the basket, per Synergy. He additionally has a strong runner recreation, then can hit pull-up and catch-and-shoot 3s.
23. Jaland Lowe | 6-3 guard | 20 years previous | Pittsburgh
The opposite freshman within the backcourt at Pitt this 12 months subsequent to Bub Carrington, Lowe is equally terrific at enjoying on or off the ball. Not like Carrington, he’s a bit small. Nonetheless, by the tip of the 12 months, Lowe had the look of a critical All-ACC menace in 2025. From Jan. 16 onward, he averaged 13.5 factors, 4.2 assists and just one.5 turnovers per recreation. He’s a terrific decision-maker along with being a spectacular passer and playmaker. The lefty has a lovely mix of lobs, dump-off passes and kickouts, plus does all of it off a dwell dribble. He throws them with pristine contact when obligatory, in addition to with actual velocity along with his robust left hand when required. He additionally drilled 39 % of his 3s over that final 17-game pattern and has a clean lefty stroke that ought to proceed to bloom. If I needed to choose a participant to steer the ACC in assists subsequent season, it might be Lowe. I additionally anticipate him to toss in round 15 factors per recreation and hit pictures from distance.
24. Okay.J. Evans | 6-8 wing/ahead | 19 years previous | Oregon
One among school basketball’s finest defensive playmakers this previous season, Evans returned to highschool regardless of posting obscene block and steal numbers that illustrate his important upside on that facet of the courtroom on the subsequent stage. Evans averaged 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in simply 22 minutes per night time whereas additionally grabbing 5 rebounds per recreation. The problems got here on offense, the place he was an efficient finisher across the rim however made simply 26.7 % from 3. Evans has the type of jumper that ought to enhance long-term, and he has proven contact each at earlier ranges and at Oregon. He made 79.5 % of his free throws. There’s some work to do right here, however the upside is actually that of a late first-round choose if issues break proper.
25. Okay.J. Lewis | 6-3 guard | 20 years previous | Arizona
Lewis entered this 12 months’s draft and was a shocking non-invite to the NBA Draft Mix. He had an amazing season coming off of the bench, hitting 46 % of his pictures and 34 % from 3 whereas making good passing reads and displaying spectacular exercise ranges within the backcourt. He’s an influence guard who can drive by opposing gamers’ chests. If you happen to give him any benefit, he’s going to maintain it and use his size to complete on the rim or discover fascinating passing angles. The place Lewis actually thrives, although, is on protection. He’s switchable throughout all perimeter positions due to his power and size. His motor runs scorching on that finish and he creates turnovers along with his willingness to get into the motion and crowd opposing gamers. He’ll probably enter Arizona’s beginning lineup this season instead of the departed Pelle Larsson, and I anticipating he’ll proceed displaying his complementary NBA talent set.
26. Isaiah Evans | 6-6 wing | 19 years previous | Duke
Evans is a critical upside swing who may go a number of completely different instructions this 12 months at Duke. A back-to-back North Carolina Mr. Basketball winner, Evans has a ton of intriguing instruments that ought to make him a high-end NBA wing sooner or later. The query is when. He may find yourself being a 12 months away and extra of a 2026 prospect as his body continues to mature. He’s nonetheless solely about 175 kilos and is sort of skinny. He may additionally get misplaced within the shuffle with all of Duke’s perimeter expertise — not simply Flagg and Knueppel, but in addition switch Sion James and returning guards Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster. Or, he might be able to go from the bounce as a protracted, athletic scoring wing who’s strong defensively as effectively. No matter occurs this 12 months, Evans is an efficient guess long-term. He confirmed robust shot-making capacity, strong passing acumen inside a crew idea as a drive-and-kick participant and a willingness to defend with extraordinarily lengthy arms.
27. Motiejus Krivas | 7-2 huge | 20 years previous | Arizona
Krivas is a cellular huge man who has large coordination for his measurement at 7-foot-2. His ft are clean, and he navigates the perimeter exceptionally effectively as a screener or dribble-handoff choice. He’s a continuing menace as a curler to the rim, and finds straightforward factors with layups or dunks across the hoop. A local of Lithuania, it’s clear he has a critical variety of instruments at his disposal as he will get stronger across the rim. His ending will, at instances, let him down. Whereas he solely blocked 19 pictures in 437 minutes, he’s an amazing drop-coverage defender who takes up an immense quantity of area on the inside. It’s exhausting to show the nook on him, and he’s at all times obtainable. When two-time All-Pac-12 huge man Oumar Ballo transferred to Indiana, it was a fairly clear assertion concerning the leap that’s anticipated of Krivas. I’m anticipating an enormous bounce.
28. Milan Momčilović | 6-8 wing/ahead | 20 years previous | Iowa State
Momcilovic had a rollercoaster freshman season. On the plus facet, he made each the All-Freshman crew within the Huge 12 in addition to the All-Huge 12 event crew on a superb Iowa State squad that earned a No. 2 seed within the NCAA Match. He’s a critical shooter who hit 36 % from 3 on many troublesome makes an attempt. He tailed off over his final 17 video games, making simply 28.4 % from 3 and averaging simply 8.4 factors per recreation. Nevertheless, any reputable 6-foot-8 shooter off motion shall be a critical prospect in some respect. I’m anticipating an offensive breakout this season that permits him to morph extra right into a 15-point-per-game scorer who makes the All-Huge-12 crew.
Toppin was a shock invite to the 2024 NBA Draft Mix and impressed throughout pre-draft exercises. He was among the many best freshmen within the nation this previous season, averaging 12 factors and 9 rebounds whereas taking pictures greater than 62 % from the sector. He additionally drilled 11 3s this previous season, and that’ll be the important thing swing talent for him as he shifts from New Mexico to Texas Tech within the Huge 12. He clearly has an unbelievable motor and critical athleticism, however the talent piece of the sport wants to come back alongside subsequent. If he can show a bounce shot to pair with the flexibility he exhibits defensively and his rebounding, a first-round choice may simply be within the playing cards. It doesn’t damage that he has practically a 7-foot-1 wingspan, both.
30. Khaman Maluach | 7-1 huge | 19 years previous | Duke
Maluach is ranked as one of many top-five freshmen within the nation this season and is predicted to be a one-and-done at Duke. However after seeing him at Hoop Summit, I’ve some considerations about his readiness for the faculty stage. He struggled to persistently catch and end on the transfer on the greater pace of the sport he confronted in opposition to higher competitors all week in follow. On protection, it’s clear Maluach continues to be studying the intricacies of drop protection, the place his monumental 7-foot-1 measurement with a 7-foot-6 wingspan probably make him deadly when it comes to taking on area. In all of the tape I’ve seen, and in seeing him up shut, he appears to battle with containing the hole between the ballhandler and massive. He doesn’t have an excellent really feel but for how one can handle that area.
It’s troublesome to put him outdoors of the highest 30, if solely as a result of his instruments are what they’re. He’s mentioned to be an excellent child and a really exhausting employee. However I’m wondering if Syracuse switch Maliq Brown would possibly change into Duke’s most well-liked huge man this season in essential moments. Brown rightfully earned an ACC All-Protection crew choice final season, and even when he’s extra of a ahead than a middle, he has the power and size when paired with Flagg’s elite rim safety to permit Duke to measurement down.
This is a vital summer season for Maluach. He must stand up to hurry with Duke’s teaching employees on a number of the positioning that may enable him to change into simplest subsequent season. Nonetheless, most scouts agreed he regarded extra like a challenge than a surefire one-and-done participant this spring at Hoop Summit.
Second Spherical
31. Xaivian Lee | 6-3 guard | Princeton
32. Adou Thiero | 6-7 wing | Arkansas
33. Egor Demin | 6-7 guard | BYU
34. Jarin Stevenson | 6-9 ahead | Alabama
35. Dame Sarr | 6-8 ahead | Barcelona
36. Johni Broome | 6-10 huge | Auburn
37. Tucker DeVries | 6-6 wing | West Virginia
38. Payton Sandfort | 6-7 wing | Iowa
39. Grant Nelson | 6-10 huge | Alabama
40. Jaxson Robinson | 6-6 wing | Kentucky
41. Jamir Watkins | 6-7 wing | Florida State
42. Alex Toohey | 6-7 wing/ahead | Sydney Kings
43. Malique Lewis | 6-7 wing/ahead | Mexico Metropolis Capitanes
44. Darrion Williams | 6-6 wing | Texas Tech
45. Izan Alamansa | 6-9 huge | Perth Wildcats
46. Mark Sears | 6-0 guard | Alabama
47. Ryan Kalkbrenner | 7-1 huge | Creighton
48. Tyon Grant-Foster | 6-6 wing | Grand Canyon
49. Adama Bal | 6-6 wing | Santa Clara
50. Nique Clifford | 6-6 wing | Colorado State
51. Michael Ruzic | 6-8 ahead | Joventut
52. Xzayvier Brown | 6-1 guard | St. Joseph’s
53. Cade Tyson | 6-7 wing | North Carolina
54. Tyrese Proctor | 6-4 guard | Duke
55. Michael Ajayi | 6-8 ahead | Gonzaga
56. AJ Storr | 6-6 wing | Kansas
57. Keshon Gilbert | 6-4 guard | Iowa State
58. Walter Clayton Jr. | 6-2 guard | Florida
59. Saint Thomas | 6-6 wing | USC
(Prime pictures of Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe: Kevin M. Cox / Related Press; Wealthy Graessle / Icon Sportswire; Nicholas Muller / SOPA Photographs / Sipa USA; illustration by Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic)