We’re firmly into conference play in the college basketball season, which means it’s time to update the 2025 NBA Mock Draft here at The Athletic.
Why does conference play matter so much more than the nonconference slate? First and foremost, it’s later in the season. Freshmen have had a chance to adjust to the speed of the game. Teams are more settled, and roles are better allocated. The early growing pains have come and gone, giving way to more fully formed players and organization.
Second, teams might not play each other twice as they did before the rise of super-conferences, but you better believe coaches have a better sense of how to slow down or stop opposing teams’ schemes in their leagues. That creates an even better scouting context for those top players from an NBA Draft perspective. If you can succeed during conference play, you can prove that you are capable of adjusting on the fly with what the opposition is going to present you every night.
There’s still a lot up for grabs in this draft class. In general, scouts are mixed on the class. There are two players at the top in Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper who receive universal acclaim when I speak with executives across the league. But that mid-lottery zone is a question mark right now, with several players who either display great scoring skill and little else, or a lot of other skills with questionable scoring ability. Several big men have emerged as intriguing prospects, both old and young. That has actually given the class a bit of depth. But there are questions about the depth of the wing class as the draft stretches on.
Teams are searching high and low for intriguing players in this class. Some are great defensive specialists who have impressed but have questionable offensive talents, whereas others are high-level scorers with flaws beyond that. The guard group is very young but has a lot of long-term upside depending on who proves themselves worthy of staying in the draft. Players like Alabama’s Labaron Philon and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears have created a real degree of excitement. Yet there are seemingly few complete players in this class, and those players may not be quite ready for the highest level.
All told, this is not shaping up to be the monstrous class that was projected in some corners. It looks like a good group of talent that will certainly exceed the production of the 2024 class, but it’s not one of the best classes of the last decade. I liked the 2023 class, the 2021 class and the 2018 class a bit better than this one when accounting for the high-end talent as well as the depth.
A few quick notes on the structure and format of this mock draft:
• Draft order is based on team record as of Jan. 5. Heights listed are according to school/teams.
• Team needs are not taken into account. There’s not much reason to do that at this stage given that trades will likely occur throughout the year and rosters will look different than they do now. Once the trade deadline passes, we’ll get into that zone.
• Player ages are as of the projected draft day in 2025 (June 25).
1. New Orleans Pelicans
Cooper Flagg | 6-9 forward | 18 years old | Duke
There is at least a real conversation surrounding No. 1, but Flagg is consistently the name I get more often than Harper, and there are a few reasons for that.
First, Flagg has been terrific this season while playing most of his freshman year at 17 years old. He’s averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists with nearly two steals and over one block per game. He’s a two-way force, defending exceptionally well as a switchable power forward for Duke as well as providing some real rim protection as a weakside rotational presence. The offensive efficiency doesn’t look particularly great, but he’s showcased a bit more as a creative force with ball in hand than expected from scouts this year, operating in midrange areas and generating a ton of shots as a primary option with a handle that continues to improve. His passing is terrific, and he plays well off the ball.
Scouts continue to point to Flagg’s demeanor and competitiveness. This certainly isn’t to question anything in that regard with Harper — the Rutgers guard not only passes but excels in answering all of the off-court questions that teams have with flying colors — but Flagg is seen as truly elite for a young player in how he approaches the game. He’s seen as a winner, the kind of player who can lift his team’s level in terms of aggression and competitiveness from day one because he doesn’t take any possessions or days off. He also plays a premium position as a big wing that teams continue to covet league-wide. Two-way, shot-creating wings are the hardest player types to find.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯💀🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️ @Cooper_Flagg pic.twitter.com/K0cqvzuWtY
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 8, 2025
Ultimately, if Flagg shows any continued improvement with his jump shot, he will likely go No. 1. His shooting efficiency has at least opened the door a bit. Thus far, Flagg is making just 45.8 percent of his attempts overall and 30.8 percent of his 3s. He has gone 8-of-16 from 3 in his past five games, a stretch in which he has averaged 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, four assists and over a block and a steal per game.
2. Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper | 6-6 guard | 19 years old | Rutgers
Harper is in the mix for No. 1. He’s been a bit better than Flagg this season, averaging 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from 3 and 75 percent from the line. He went scoreless in 15 minutes on Monday against Wisconsin but was dealing with the flu. He had a monster 37-point game earlier this season against Alabama, a huge 24/12/5 game against Penn State, 36 points versus Notre Dame and 24 points on 13 shots against Seton Hall. More than anything, it’s the well-rounded polish of Harper’s game that showcases itself every time he takes the court. He’s a terrific ballhandler, great decision-maker, sharp defender and good shooter. There isn’t really anything he doesn’t do well at this level, and he’s elite at creating shots.
What are the questions that come up most? The first one is whether Harper will be able to consistently get this degree of separation against NBA-level defenders. He’s not a monster athlete, but he’s unbelievable at finding little creases in the defense and has incredibly flexible hips that allow him to find his way through traffic to get to the rim. The other big question is his pull-up game, as he’s made just 33 percent from 3 and 40 percent from the midrange on such shots, per Synergy. But given that he’s just 19 and has been as impressive as he’s been, it’s hard to nitpick. To me, this is a two-person draft at the top, and Harper has pushed himself into that top tier with Flagg.
3. Toronto Raptors
Ace Bailey | 6-10 wing/forward | 18 years old | Rutgers
Bailey has turned into a highly polarizing player for scouts. What’s unquestionable is his ability to create and make shots. He is about as ridiculous a shot-taker and shot-maker as you’ll find, and no player’s three-minute highlight reel this year will look better. You can put together a highlight package that makes him look like he’s the NBA’s next great elite wing creator because of his ability to make difficult shots. And yet, there’s a lot that teams are worried about.
On those pull-up jumpers that Bailey loves to take, he’s only made about 40 percent from the midrange and 33 percent from 3, per Synergy. In half-court settings, Bailey is creating attempts at the rim fewer than two times per game and only making them at a 54 percent clip despite being listed at 6-10 and possessing ridiculous levels of explosiveness. Moreover, Bailey is only averaging 0.7 assists per game. That’s an almost impossible to believe nine assists in 406 minutes for someone who has the ball in their hands an awful lot.
But it’s also worth remembering Bailey won’t turn 19 until after draft day. While it is important to focus on what he struggles to do right now, he also is one of the better shot-makers I’ve ever evaluated at this age. Scouts still see the upside with Bailey if his development goes right over the next three years. I tend to be pretty averse to this type of player, and I still can’t get him outside of my top four. Even if he does end up being just a shot-maker, he has a real chance to be very Michael Porter Jr.-like in his ability to hit catch-and-shoot 3s and create in a straight line. Part of why Porter has been so successful is that he’s landed in a perfect spot next to Nikola Jokić, and a big part of why I have Bailey at No. 4 on my board is that no one has come and taken the slot from him. There’s still much to be intrigued by with Bailey’s ability to put the ball in the basket, and I’ve liked several flashes from him defensively this season as a switchable player with real size.
4. Charlotte Hornets
Kasparas Jakučionis | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Illinois
Jakučionis has been among the most impressive players in the country this season, and more importantly, he’s been getting better throughout the season. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting an incredibly efficient 49.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from 3 and 87 percent from the line. However, over his last nine games, he’s averaging 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from 3 and 89.8 percent from the line. Most impressively, that stretch has come against the strongest portion of Illinois’ schedule so far, including games against Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Oregon, Northwestern, Washington and Missouri. Illinois has played a top-30 schedule in the country, per KenPom. It will only get tougher, too, as the Illini play a monster Big Ten schedule plus a showcase game against Duke in February.
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Jakučionis is a crafty, creative ballhandler who dominates the ball and consistently creates open shots for both himself and his teammates. He’s a maestro out of ball screens, sees the court pristinely in transition and consistently knocks down shots both off the catch and off pull-ups. The turnover rate is quite high, a product of not being a monster athlete and playing in tight quarters. He turns it over nearly four times per game and will need to get that under control. But I had Jakučionis in the top six in the preseason, and he’s exceeded every expectation while a large portion of prospects have struggled. I have him at No. 3 on my board ahead of Bailey, and I think he has the look of a terrific long-term NBA player who can thrive on or off the ball and potentially develop into a highly skilled primary creator if given time to iron out the tightness of his handle.
V.J. Edgecombe’s athleticism stands out, but he hasn’t been very efficient for Baylor. (Chris Jones / Imagn Images)
5. Utah Jazz
V.J. Edgecombe | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | Baylor
Edgecombe hasn’t been particularly impressive this season, but scouts remain excited about his blend of athleticism and motor. A big part of the reason Edgecombe remains this high is that very few other prospects have screamed up the board to take the slot from him.
Edgecombe’s ability to impact the game when he doesn’t have the ball has stood out to scouts. He’s an excellent defender who uses his athleticism and strength to disrupt everything opposing players do at the point of attack. He’s aggressive and hawking in passing lanes. He’s a monster weakside rim protector for a guard. While he struggles to play with the ball in his hand compared to what a top-five pick usually looks like, he is a good decision-maker who doesn’t make many mistakes.
The key with Edgecombe the rest of the way will be proving that he can shoot it at a higher clip than he has thus far (he made over 40 percent from 3 off the catch in each of his last two seasons at Long Island Lutheran) and continuing to show any growth the ball in his hands. As I mentioned in the preseason, I’ve felt for a long time like Edgecombe’s left hand is a serious issue, and he needs to keep working on his comfort level to actualize his ability to navigate creases and cracks in the defense out of ball screens. Right now, he looks most similar to someone like an explosive Gary Harris. That’s a valuable player, but I don’t know that it’s someone teams will be particularly enthusiastic about at No. 5.
6. Portland Trail Blazers
Asa Newell | 6-9 forward/big | 19 years old | Georgia
Newell has been about as metronomically consistent as you will find for a freshman this year. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He’s been in double figures every single game save for one, a nine-point showing against Marquette. He’s switchable and impactful on the defensive end because of how flexible and coordinated he is athletically. Georgia can play him in drop coverage against ball screens or can use him in more aggressive coverages. He does a good job of rotating across the play and protecting the rim from the weak side and is quite active with his hands. Offensively, he largely plays as a big, but one who can pick-and-pop and occasionally knock down a 3. He’s hit nine of them this season, albeit at a 29 percent clip.
And yet — and I mean this as no shot at Newell — it feels aggressive to have Newell this high given that he’s largely just been utilized as a low-usage, defensive big this season. He looks like he’s going to be an excellent NBA player, but there’s a lot of work to do with both his frame and his ability to consistently attack the glass. Still, he’s an enormous athlete who has been productive, and NBA teams are excited to see how he fares in SEC play.
7. Brooklyn Nets
Egor Demin | 6-9 guard | 19 years old | BYU
Demin started out looking like a top-five pick, but he has struggled over the past month. He dealt with a sore knee in December that forced him to miss a few games, and it’s worth acknowledging that. But the question that comes up consistently with scouts is whether Demin can separate from his man when the athleticism level increases across the court.
There’s not a better passer in this 2025 draft class, as Demin can throw incredible live-dribble dishes with either hand consistently to any part of the court with serious velocity or touch depending on what’s required. But how valuable is that skill set if he can’t consistently collapse a defense? How valuable is it if he can’t consistently score? Demin started the season hot from 3 and has showcased improved shooting mechanics, but his 3-point percentage is down to 31 percent after a cold spell that has seen him go 1-of-20 over the last five games. His 12 points on Tuesday against Texas Tech was his first double-figure scoring effort since Nov. 28.
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The passing is so good with Demin that I can’t get him outside of the top 10. He’s a serious talent and immensely gifted with the ball in his hands. There’s not a better passer in all of college basketball, and he’s legitimately massive. And yet, there’s still a lot to prove here as he continues to get back from his injury and starts to play more consistently difficult competition in the Big 12, as he learned last weekend against Houston.
8. Sacramento Kings
Liam McNeeley | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
McNeeley is out for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury, and that’s extremely disappointing because it came right after Connecticut had started to feature him as a primary playmaker on offense. McNeeley is one of those players who does whatever the coach asks of him and can plug a significant number of holes across the court. He’s an elite shooter, hitting 38 percent from 3 so far on some difficult looks, including highly sought-after movement 3s. He passes well and makes plays for his teammates consistently. He rarely turns it over with a near 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, he’s big and knows how to use his size to his advantage. He rebounds really well for his size, reading the ball off the rim at a high level. He has a complete game, and in the six games before his injury, he averaged 15 points, five rebounds and three assists for a team that hadn’t lost prior to his injury since its catastrophic 0-3 run in the Maui Invitational. McNeeley and Alex Karaban are the two best players on a team coming off two straight national titles that looks poised to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
Kon Knueppel | 6-7 guard | 19 years old | Duke
Knueppel hasn’t blown the doors off the place at Duke, but scouts continue to be really impressed with him. So far, he’s averaging 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Those aren’t the kind of numbers that jump off the page. However, scouts have been impressed with his defense; he looks like the kind of playmaking floor-spacer who will be able to stick on that end in the NBA. He’s only made 35.9 percent of his 3s so far, something that scouts do not believe will last. They really value Knueppel’s shooting ability and think he’ll continue to develop into the kind of player who can not just make open 3s from NBA distance but also attack closeouts and run ball screens with comfort because of his feel for the game. Knueppel is the kind of player who will likely continue to make positive strides throughout the year as his shooting regresses to its expected level and as he gets even more comfortable with the college game.
10. Detroit Pistons
Tre Johnson | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Texas
Scouts can’t look beyond the production with Johnson, as he’s averaging 19 points per game and shooting 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3 as a freshman. Those are ridiculous numbers that go to show just how well-defined his scoring game is already.
But there is something of a muted reaction when I bring him up to evaluators. Largely, that’s because of a couple of things. First, Johnson didn’t play well in New York City in front of a bevy of scouts attending games against Syracuse and St. Joseph’s. He scored 16.5 points per game in those two but shot just 11 of 36, turned it over 3.5 times per game and didn’t really contribute otherwise. Indeed, that’s the second main concern. Johnson just has not been all that good at anything this year beyond scoring. He showcases intriguing vision when his mind is set on playmaking for others, but he doesn’t do it all that often. He averages 2.3 assists per game, but that’s not a particularly high number for how often he has the ball in his hands. And while I think Johnson generally rotates around the court and knows where to be defensively, he’s not disruptive on that end. There’s a lot to be excited about with him as a scorer, and he’s not as limited as someone like North Carolina’s Ian Jackson. However, teams do want to see Johnson play a more consistently impactful brand of basketball when the ball is not in his hands.
11. San Antonio Spurs (via CHI)
Ben Saraf | 6-6 guard | 19 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
Saraf is one of my personal favorites in this class. He emerged on the scene quickly this summer, winning the MVP award of the Under-18 European Championships while posting multiple 40-point games and averaging five assists. He then came over to Portland to play in a preseason NBA game and showed up well. He scored 16 points while hitting 3 of 5 from 3 and showed real passing acumen even though he only ended up with two assists. There are worries here, particularly around Saraf’s jumper (a lefty shot that comes out of his hand a bit flat at times) and his defensive ability (although I like his instincts and playmaking ability on that end).
He’s averaging 12.5 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field in a pro league in Germany, while also dishing out 4.2 assists per game. He thinks the game at an incredibly high level. Teams will want to learn where they think his body is, and how much improvement can be made to his overall athleticism and explosiveness once he gets into a real strength-training program.
Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears has emerged as one of the most intriguing guard prospects in this class. (Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images)
12. Houston Rockets (via PHX)
Jeremiah Fears | 6-4 guard | 18 years old | Oklahoma
Fears is arguably the most interesting player in this draft class outside of Flagg, Harper and Bailey. On the one hand, he’s carried Oklahoma to a terrific, unexpected start to the season at 13-1 with wins over Michigan and Arizona. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists with an above-average true shooting percentage. On the other hand, Oklahoma’s advanced metrics all give pretty serious cause for concern, and Fears’ underlying metrics also are quite messy.
First, the good stuff. He’s 6-4 or so with a great first step, great last-step acceleration and a real ability to change pace. Fears gets to the rim at an exceedingly high level and creates a significant number of shots for himself there. Fears is also quite skinny, and his half-court finishing numbers are nowhere near where his overall finishing numbers are. He’s made only 48.8 percent of his shots at the rim in half-court settings, per Synergy. His pull-up jumper and floater from the midrange have been quite effective so far, as he’s made those shots both at over 50 percent. But he’s making under 30 percent of 3s, and that’s not even the biggest red flag. Fears has turned the ball over 3.6 times per game for a turnover rate of 22 percent. While Fears has played well against teams like Michigan and Arizona, his overall stats are likely a bit inflated by the fact that Oklahoma’s nonconference strength of schedule is ranked 332nd in the country, per KenPom.
So what does all of this mean? Scouts are highly intrigued by Fears and are enthusiastic to watch him in SEC play. Already, we got some interesting tape against Alabama, when Fears got to the rim but also shot 5 of 15 and turned it over three times. Essentially, Fears is this season’s wait-and-see guy. He might end up being much higher than this on draft night if he continues to prove that he can get to the rim at will and starts making them more consistently there. He also might end up being a guy who is better off returning to college if teams in the SEC can adjust to him and figure out ways to slow him down. It’s worth noting he is a late reclassification from the recruiting class of 2025, which means he is extremely young compared to the rest of the class. There’s a lot of time for him to work on his weaknesses and become a serious NBA prospect in the Monta Ellis-style mold.
13. Golden State Warriors
Nolan Traoré | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | Saint-Quentin
Traoré is the big faller. Seen as a potential top-five pick entering the season following a monster Hoop Summit performance leading into great games for Saint-Quentin at the end of last season, Traoré has struggled mightily this year. He’s averaging 10.9 points but doing so while shooting just 35.4 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from 3. He’s averaging a terrific 4.8 assists per game and has gotten the turnovers under control, but scouts are starting to wonder how exactly he’ll be able to score as a lead guard. He’s not a particularly strong finisher, doesn’t have an awesome in-between game and hasn’t really made 3s. That, on top of being in the ballpark of about 6-3 (he came in at Hoop Summit last year at 6-4 1/2 in shoes), creates some real interest in where exactly Traoré ends up on draft night. Teams are very intrigued to have some of their lead evaluators head over to Europe to get eyes on him and see what’s happening.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Noa Essengue | 6-8 forward | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
Scouts remain impressed by Essengue, a forward from France playing with Saraf in Germany. Scouts got to see these two up close when Ulm traveled to Portland to play the Trail Blazers this year, with Essengue scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds with a strong second half. The idea here is a big, versatile wing who is younger than anyone in the draft class other than Flagg who has already been productive playing at 17 in a solid professional league. He’s active and switchable on defense, with serious coordination and mobility for his size. Offensively, scouts wonder exactly what the best position for him is. Because he struggles to shoot it, Essengue often looks more like a center right now as opposed to an NBA wing. He’s at his best playing with a motor and aggressiveness on the glass, which he consistently does. However, he would also be quite undersized for the center position. He’s so young that it is tough to tell exactly where he’s going to settle in. However, there’s clearly upside athletically at this size. Essengue’s range is a bit wide when you talk to scouts, but the ones who like him tend to really like him.
15. Indiana Pacers
Derik Queen | 6-10 big | 19 years old |Maryland
Arguably the most productive freshman in the country this season, Queen is averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and over one block and one steal per game while doing it all quite efficiently. He shoots 56.2 percent from the field, gets to the foul line often and displays skills on tape that big-bodied 6-10 teenagers simply rarely showcase. He has unbelievable balance and coordination for his size and is excellent at attacking and driving off of the bounce against bigs. Queen can catch in the mid-post and throw up an impressive array of midrange jumpers with touch, or put his shoulder into somebody and get to a hook shot. He’s comfortable shooting 3s even if they haven’t gone in yet. I would bet at some point in his career he makes them.
Defensively there are serious questions. He’s undersized and doesn’t move wildly well laterally. There will also be questions about his weight (though he’s done great work over the last eight months to get into the best shape of his career). But Queen is one of those players whom scouts continue to note as having been great every single time they’ve seen him. He was remarkably productive at Montverde (Fla.) Academy. He was great in front of scouts at the McDonald’s All-American game, and he has been great this season for the Terrapins.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA)
Labaron Philon | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Alabama
Philon is another smaller guard whom teams are struggling to place right now. The Alabama native who attended high school powerhouse Link Academy has some height and is aggressive attacking the rim. However, he is quite skinny and isn’t a ready-made shooter at this point. His first step is quite fast, and he goes from slow to fast with real acceleration. He’s comfortable finishing with both hands at the rim and seems to take sharp, direct lines toward the rim that allow him to finish with real efficiency.
Philon is also a sharp decision-maker with good passing vision and creativity. He’ll throw live-dribble passes with both hands, and he sees the court with a sharp clarity. He averages four assists versus only 1.6 turnovers per game, an excellent mark for a guard who was a late reclassification into college hoops. He also averages 12.6 points, is generally active on defense and has a nice floater game he can get to as a counter. However, the shooting is going to have to improve. That’s where the main concern for teams remains along with the overall frame, given that he’s 175 pounds. Philon strikes me as a player who might be better off returning to school for one more year while he gets his body right. It would be a difficult rookie season for him in the NBA. But most teams I’ve spoken with see him as a first-rounder right now, and that’s often difficult to pass up.
17. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
Thomas Sorber | 6-10 big | 19 years old | Georgetown
Sorber has been among the most productive freshmen in the country, and scouts are fascinated to see how he performs in Big East play. Sorber’s stats jump off the page — he’s averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks. However, the numbers do fall off a bit against better competition. Sorber was averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field in his first six games against high-majors; he put up 11 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks Tuesday against No. 7 Marquette. Listed at 6-10, Sorber will be undersized for the center position in the NBA, and scouts are a bit skeptical he’ll actually come in at that size without shoes once he gets a full measurement at the combine.
The name that comes up a bit with him is Xavier Tillman. Sorber is relatively below-the-rim and struggles to shoot from distance, which has led scouts to wonder what exactly the role is on offense beyond being able to short-roll and pass. However, much like Tillman, Sorber is terrific positionally on defense and seems to have very high-level reaction time. Sorber might end up being a multi-year guy, or he might end up being a one-and-done. But he’s been superb for Georgetown.
18. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)
Noah Penda | 6-8 forward | 20 years old | Le Mans
Penda is a big-bodied four man with a ton of skill. But more than the skill, Penda’s overall feel for the game stands out. He’s an incredibly reactive player. He reads the court really well as a passer and manipulates defenders with his eyes. Defensively, he’s sharp and consistently in the right spot. He’s switchable because of how strong he is. The scoring efficiency doesn’t look great, as he’s shooting just 43 percent from the field, but he’s averaging 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, and has done so almost entirely as a teenager in the top-tier professional French league (he just turned 20).
The big number for Penda is that he’s making 36.2 percent from 3 so far this year, as that has been an issue in the past. However, he looks to have quieted his mechanics a bit, and the shot looks smoother off the catch. He’s even shown some interesting moments without a dip on his ball as a shooter off the catch. Penda just looks like a really solid NBA rotation player every time I watch him.
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19. Utah Jazz (via MIN)
Kam Jones | 6-5 wing | 22 years old | Marquette
Jones has stepped wonderfully into the role vacated by Tyler Kolek, running Marquette’s offense gloriously. He is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and nearly seven assists per game, but more importantly, he’s also doing it while limiting his mistakes. The guard basically only takes good shots, and he turns it over just 1.6 times per game, giving him more than a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s also an elite finisher, with pristine gathers and footwork blended with perfect touch in the painted area. He’s making 53.5 percent of his shots in total but also a sparkling 70 percent of his shots at the rim. There will always be some defensive concerns with Jones, but he’s answered big questions this year in terms of his ability to run an offense, which gives NBA teams a bit more confidence that he can play next to star players as a point guard who can play both on and off the ball. Jones is also only hitting 34 percent from 3 so far, but don’t fret, as that won’t last. He’s a career 38 percent 3-point shooter on over six attempts per game. There are no worries about his jumper long term.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-8 wing/forward | 20 years old | South Carolina
Murray-Boyles is another fairly polarizing player around the league, albeit one to whom scouts consistently assign a first-round grade. The big-bodied forward is averaging 15.8 points, nine rebounds and two assists and has consistently played excellent defense this season. He gets to the line and continues to be about as productive as anyone in the SEC. For a nine-game stretch before a loss against Mississippi State, he was averaging 17 points and shooting 67 percent. South Carolina uses him often on the block, but he also can catch high on the court and attack downhill with quick moves off the bounce, particularly in dribble-handoff settings.
He’s excellent at screening and rolling into post-ups or slipping into the paint. Murray-Boyles is also a terrific, switchable defender who can move up and down the lineup as well as provide some weakside rim protection. Teams want to learn more about his shooting ability, as he’s only made four of his 12 3-point attempts this season. But big, physical defenders who can pass and play well without the ball will always be of interest to teams in the league.
Maybe he lacks size and explosiveness, but Michigan State’s Jase Richardson has everything else. (Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
21. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL)
Jase Richardson | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | Michigan State
Richardson is one of my favorites in this class. Yes, he’s a bit undersized, listed at 6-3 with some questions as to whether he reaches that threshold. But the guy just knows how to play. He’s always in the right spot. He’s incredibly smart and efficient both with his shooting and when he has the ball in his hands. He’s only averaging nine points per game right now, but he’s shooting 60 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3. He averages 2.2 assists versus only 0.8 turnovers. He rebounds for his size a bit and defends well. He cuts off the ball and has shown the ability to play on the ball. Richardson has been one of those players who, despite his lineage (he’s the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson), has always been underrated. He played with the Boozer twins at Columbus High in Miami and didn’t get as much time on the ball as you’d expect. Now, he’s playing for Tom Izzo, a coach notoriously difficult on freshmen, and he’s still thriving. Richardson is a guy I totally buy into, and a lot of NBA teams are starting to do the same — even with the concerns about his height and questions about his overall explosiveness.
22. Orlando Magic (via DEN)
Boogie Fland | 6-2 guard | 18 years old | Arkansas
Fland is one of those players whom scouts seem to agree upon as being good but don’t have much consensus on where he should be taken. Undoubtedly, that’s because of his size. Fland is listed at 6-2, but teams are highly skeptical that he’ll actually come in at that height at the NBA Draft Combine. He has a strong, powerful frame that helps make up for that lack of height. But position-locked smaller guards tend to be quite polarizing, and Fland hasn’t finished well around the rim this season. He’s not overly vertical and doesn’t have a ton of explosiveness. But he can really shoot the ball, and he has consistently made terrific decisions. He’s averaging 15.6 points and 5.9 assists versus only 1.8 turnovers. NBA teams are very interested to see him in conference play to see if the scoring efficiency can stay at a solid level, as Fland has a 47.4 true shooting percentage against what KenPom classifies as Tier A or B opponents. These upcoming games will be a big separator for Fland.
23. Orlando Magic
Hugo González | 6-6 wing/forward | 19 years old | Real Madrid
Gonzalez is at least starting to play a bit here and there for a loaded Real Madrid team. When he gets on the court for some extended run, he tends to play quite well. He had 14 points recently in a game against Rio Breogan and played pretty well in a EuroLeague game against Monaco. Teams would love to see him get out there more often after a long, impressive junior career in which he won the Next Generation Tournament MVP last year and averaged 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks for Spain in the Under-18 European championships last summer.
Gonzalez needs to shoot it better from distance, but he’s a highly intelligent player who consistently seems to be in the right spots on defense and plays with a real edge. His motor never stops running. He’s also a good passer for a wing and has a good understanding of space and movement with his off-ball play. His range is a bit wide right now, but most NBA teams still see him as a clear first-rounder. But I can’t emphasize enough that they’d like to see him play a bit more consistently between now and the draft.
24. Dallas Mavericks
Alex Karaban | 6-8 wing | 22 years old | Connecticut
I continue to buy Karaban as a really solid NBA rotation player. Everything he does on the court for UConn translates nicely to the NBA. He’s stepped up into a bigger role this year, averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists, but more than that, he fits the 3-and-D archetype swimmingly. He’s drilling 42.9 percent of his 3-point attempts on seven tries per game, a career high. He’s also an incredibly sharp ball-mover, makes quick decisions and is always in the right spot defensively. At 6-8 with a near-7-foot wingspan, Karaban can cover a ton of ground on the weak side defensively, and he does a great job anticipating what offensive players want to do both on and off the ball. People wrote off Connecticut far too early this season, and Karaban, along with McNeeley, is the biggest reason why the Huskies have bounced back.
25. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)
Khaman Maluach | 7-2 big | 19 years old | Duke
It’s been an up-and-down season for Maluach. He’s had highly impactful games, like a recent 15-point, eight-rebound outing against Georgia Tech. He’s also had games when he’s struggled to stay on the court, such as against Louisville where he saw just 11 minutes. He also struggled immensely against the two best frontcourts he faced this year in Auburn and Kansas, scoring a combined four points and grabbing four rebounds in 38 minutes. The role is easy to define, as he has immense size for the NBA center position at 7-1 with a 7-6 wingspan and a massive standing reach. I’ve also been impressed with him in space defending out on the perimeter, using his feet to slide with opposing guards well. But Maluach desperately needs to become more impactful on offense, as his hands have been hit-or-miss and his overall feel could use a boost. He has just five assists in 289 minutes, which is one of the lowest assist rates you will see for a potential first-round pick. But as a rim-running potential defender, teams will often bet on tools over production, and Maluach certainly has the tools.
26. Memphis Grizzlies
Rasheer Fleming | 6-9 forward | 20 years old | Saint Joseph’s
Fleming is one of the big risers of this draft cycle, a big forward out of St. Joseph’s who has been on an upward trajectory now for the last five or so years. Originally from New Jersey, Fleming played on a stacked Camden High School team that was coached by Rick Brunson and featured former five-star recruits D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, Fleming is the one from that group who has emerged into a real first-round prospect. He has a massive wingspan in the 7-4 ballpark, and he’s a monster athlete with serious run-and-jump skill along with coordination.
He has put those tools to use this season, and his skill set has come together wonderfully. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, shooting 57 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3 on over four attempts from distance per game. There’s a lot here for a developmentally inclined organization to work with given how positive his momentum is as a player. He has to continue working through his feel for the game as he gains further experience, but he undeniably has tools that few in this class can match physically.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK)
Bogoljub Markovic | 6-11 forward | 19 years old | Mega
Markovic is this season’s bet on production from Europe. The stretch big man has been terrific, averaging 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists, shooting over 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3. He can grab and go with a functional handle for a teenage big man and has really nice touch around the rim as well as from 3. His feel is quite strong, and his decisions tend to be pretty solid. He’s not quite as skilled with the ball as someone like Nikola Jović, who also came from Serbian powerhouse Mega. He might end up as more of a position-locked four man. That’ll give him a bit less versatility positionally and make him a bit less of an intriguing overall prospect. But Markovic has the kind of size, skill and feel for the game that will make him highly interesting to NBA teams.
Auburn’s Johni Broome has been the player of the year in college basketball to this point. (John Reed / Imagn Images)
28. Boston Celtics
Johni Broome | 6-10 big | 22 years old| Auburn
One of two older bigs late in this first round whom NBA teams are excited about, Broome has been the best player in college basketball this season and has been good everywhere he’s ever played. He was excellent at Morehead State. He has been excellent for two years at Auburn. He was also excellent at the NBA Draft Combine when he performed there in five-on-five settings. Sometimes, you just don’t want to overthink players who have always been good. He’s averaging 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 blocks. He’s dominant on the interior as a post-up big and has also made 33 percent of his 2.5 3s per game over the last two seasons. Positionally, he’s elite, and he knows how to carve out space using his frame. He’s undersized for the center position in the NBA, but it’s hard to look at what he’s done and not envision a backup NBA center. Broome has been terrific all year, and I had a top-40 grade on him last cycle, too, before he decided to return to Auburn.
29. LA Clippers (via OKC)
Ian Jackson | 6-4 guard | 20 years old | North Carolina
Arguably no player has been hotter in college hoops than Jackson, a five-star freshman guard who started slowly while being stuck behind guards R.J. Davis, Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau. However, over his last eight games, he’s averaging 19.3 points while shooting 53 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3, including at least 23 points in each of his last four games. Jackson has long been extremely confident going back to high school, so belief in himself was never going to be a concern. His game has translated quite well because he’s knocking down shots. If he sprays out to the corners, he’s firing without concern. If he gets downhill in transition, he’s attacking with real force. If he sees a mismatch with a big on him, he’ll use quick crossovers to create an angle and attack. What teams would like to see now is any sort of passing ability. Jackson’s averaging 0.7 assists per game during this run and hasn’t showcased much in the way of creativity as a distributor. He looks the part of a bench scorer in the NBA right now. But the difference between that and a starting guard is the ability to help make your teammates better. That’s what makes him more of a later first-round type of prospect despite the hot scoring run.
30. Utah Jazz (via CLE)
Ryan Kalkbrenner | 7-1 big | 23 years old | Creighton
Kalkbrenner has also been elite as an older big man this season. With very legitimate NBA size and length at 7-1, the Creighton star has long been one of the best rim protectors in college basketball. That hasn’t changed this season even though Creighton is 9-6. Opponents shoot just 45.1 percent from 2-point range against the Bluejays and also never get to the foul line. His 7.1 percent block rate is right in line with his career marks. Kalkbrenner is also averaging 17.1 points per game and shooting 66.9 percent from the field despite taking over one 3 per game and not having a true point guard. He’s a reliable presence and looks every bit the part of a backup NBA big man in an era when there are actually enough of those to go around. Teams see him somewhere in the No. 25 to No. 40 range right now.
Second round
31. Boston Celtics (via Washington): Alex Toohey | 6-7 wing/forward | Sydney Kings
32. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans): JoJo Tugler | 6-8 forward | Houston
33. Charlotte Hornets: Nique Clifford | 6-5 wing | Colorado State
34. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): Dink Pate | 6-7 guard | Mexico City Capitanes
35. Minnesota Timberwolves: Adou Thiero | 6-8 wing | Arkansas
36. Toronto Raptors (via Portland): Walter Clayton Jr. | 6-2 guard | Florida
37. Brooklyn Nets: Darrion Williams | 6-6 wing | Texas Tech
38. Dallas Mavericks (via Philadelphia): Donnie Freeman | 6-9 forward | Syracuse
39. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 big | Brisbane Bullets
40. San Antonio Spurs (via Chicago): Chaz Lanier | 6-5 wing | Tennessee
41. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento): Miles Byrd | 6-7 wing | San Diego State
42. Washington Wizards (via Detroit): Tyrese Proctor | 6-6 guard | Duke
43. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta): Danny Wolf | 7-0 big | Michigan
44. San Antonio Spurs: Xaivian Lee | 6-4 guard | Princeton
45. Golden State Warriors (via Miami): Jaland Lowe | 6-3 guard | Pittsburgh
46. Indiana Pacers: Maxime Raynaud | 7-1 big | Stanford
47. Washington Wizards (via Golden State): Cedric Coward | 6-7 wing | Washington State
48. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota): Michael Ruzic | 6-9 forward | Joventut
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee): Jamir Watkins | 6-7 wing | Florida State
50. Los Angeles Lakers (via LA Clippers): JT Toppin | 6-9 forward | Texas Tech
51. Dallas Mavericks: Johann Grunloh | 6-10 big | Rasta Vechta
52. Los Angeles Lakers: Hunter Sallis | 6-5 guard | Wake Forest
53. Orlando Magic: Mark Sears | 6-0 guard | Alabama
54. Charlotte Hornets (via Denver): Ben Henshall | 6-5 guard | Perth Wildcats
55. New York Knicks (via Memphis): Izan Almansa | 6-10 forward |Perth Wildcats
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston): Eric Dixon | 6-8 forward | Villanova
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston): Ryan Nembhard | 6-0 guard | Gonzaga
58. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City): Tucker DeVries | 6-7 wing | West Virginia
59. Cleveland Cavaliers: Brooks Barnhizer | 6-6 wing | Northwestern
(Note: The New York Knicks have forfeited their 2025 second-round pick because of free-agency shenanigans.)
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