NBA

2025 Mock Drafts

A fabulous freshman season for Flagg ended in the Final Four for Duke with Flagg averaging 21 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in five NCAA Tournament games. He was the best player in the sport this season and is the unquestioned No. 1 player in the draft with his high-level defensive instincts and well-rounded offensive skill set. There are no holes in his game.

The son of former NBA player Ron Harper, Dylan is a two-way star for Rutgers. He averaged the fifth-most points among all Big Ten players as an 18-year-old (he turned 19 in early March). He's a lead guard prospect with creative qualities both as a shot-maker and shot-creator for others.

The size, scoring and sensational athleticism of Bailey makes him one of the most exciting prospects in this class. He needs to sharpen some of the passing and handling in his game but the ability to get a bucket is incomparable with any in this class.

Arrow is straight up for Johnson after a fabulous finish to his freshman season which consisted of scoring outings of 39, 29, 20, 23 and 32 among his final 10 games. He's a megawatt weapon who showed promise as a passer for a player billed largely as a scorer.

A steady upward trajectory for Edgecombe this season is among the reasons to be encouraged by his prospect profile. He's shown himself a more polished passer and playmaker to go with his exceptional athleticism, all while improving as a scorer.

Knueppel finished as a 40% 3-point shooter and averaged 14.4 points per game on a Duke team that won 35 games and made the Final Four. He averaged 15 points and shot 55.6% from distance in the NCAA Tournament and has the tools to be a plug-and-play scoring guard.

There are obvious holes in Fears' game -- largely around his shooting and how his defense will translate -- but there is obvious starpower here that's impossible to ignore, too. He has control of his handle and the ability to get downhill to the bucket or to find his spots better than any prospect in the class.

The son of former NBA star Jason Richardson blossomed this season into an unlikely one-and-done talent after taking over a starting spot on a top-10 Michigan State team and elevating it to a run to the Elite Eight. Richardson is a smooth bucket-getter with the smarts you'd expect as the offspring of a hoops junkie.

A big guard with winning qualities as a scorer and facilitator can find a role in most every NBA offense in 2025. He'd make for a great fit in Portland next to Scoot Henderson.

The final impression of Maluach at Duke was not a promising one: he played 21 minutes in a Final Four loss to Houston and grabbed zero rebounds despite his 7-foot-2 frame. But his length, movement and shot-blocking anticipation has NBA teams intrigued with his talent, especially after picking up basketball late in his life.

A throwback big whose game fits in the modern game, Queen brings physicality and finesse to the center spot with his ability to operate as a high-level passer and rebounding machine.

Clayton was not on the first round radar several weeks ago but could be considered late in the lottery after leading Florida to a national championship while averaging 22.3 points, 3.3 assists and shooting 43.5% from 3 during the NCAA Tournament. He's an older prospect who profiles primarily as a 2-guard and has the movement shooting skills that remind me of Jared McCain and Fred VanVleet

McNeeley is a winner who adds toughness, passing, shooting and energy as a 6-foot-7 wing who can do a little of everything. He played out of his natural position at times this season with UConn and was thrust into a facilitating role, but it helped showcase his skill as a downhill weapon who can see the floor and function in the NBA as a secondary creator.

Plain and simple: Demin is the best passer in this year's draft. At 6-foot-9 he sees over defenses and makes advanced reads by anticipating actions before they happen. His sub-30% 3-point shooting this season is the only major concern here in his otherwise great profile.

The old-school style of Murray-Boyles' game has been a smashing success in the SEC, where at South Carolina he has developed into one of the sport's most dynamic two-way players. He plays bigger than his listed size and wins with physicality on both ends of the floor.

I've been impressed by Newell's ability to play with physicality in the SEC this season -- something that was at one point seen as a weak point for him. His game seamlessly transfers to the NBA as a rim-running lob threat who can step out and space the floor.

Riley made a big rise up boards at the end of the season after scoring performances of 24, 27, 22, 21 and 22 among his final 15 games of the season. The 6-foot-8 19-year-old from Canada has great size and showed improvement as a shooter.

Clifford remains on the short list of guys I rank higher than most. He's a fifth-year player with a plug-and-play skill set as a shooter and defender, and he played like an All-American the final six weeks of the season for one of the hottest teams in the country at CSU.

Traore hasn't lived up to billing as a potential top-five prospect in this class but I'm still bullish on the talent. He plays a confident style with the ball in his hands and has enough playmaking to help in part offset some of his struggles with turnovers and shooting.

Wolf is a third-year college player but just 20 years old experiencing a breakout with Michigan this season. He's a 7-footer with guard skills -- handles, probing ability, the works -- who can also space the floor and rated out very well defensively despite his bigger and bulkier frame.

Fleming's rise into first-round territory can't be ignored. He had a breakout junior season with Saint Joseph's, hitting 39% from 3-point range and rating out in the 97th percentile on jumpers, per Synergy. Big wing with a great frame and translatable game.

Essengue has continued to impress overseas playing alongside another first-round prospect in Ben Saraf in Germany. He's a big wing who is very young and already producing at a high level professionally.

On a deep Real Madrid team, Gonzalez remains something of a mystery box prospect given his sporadic playing time. The idea of him -- a prospect whose game centers around his scoring ability as a big wing -- right now surpasses the reality of him. A 19-year-old who might be a developmental piece worth investing in.

There was no breakout for Powell this season but the underlying numbers in his profile suggests it's still wheels up for him moving forward. He showed immense promise as a defensive prospect and shot 38% from 3 while consistently knocking down jumpers and showing off an ability to attack closeouts.

A late-season injury for Thiero ended what was a huge breakout season for the Arkansas star who led the team in scoring. He's a bulldog defender with a big frame and an improved scoring game.

Bryant played sparingly at Arizona this season until late in the season and looks the part of a two-way wing who can impact winning with defense and shooting. He hit 37.1% of his 3s on the season as a true freshman and rated out in the 80th percentile as a jump shooter, per Synergy Sports data.

There was some good and some not-so-good on tape for Condon during Florida's NCAA Tournament run but his sophomore season crystalized what he is: a 6-foot-11 big who can pass, dribble and shoot. Despite being on the leaner side, he's also physical on defense and a timely playmaker. He may have a tough stay-or-go decision.

Saraf is an Israeli guard who has acquitted himself well overseas as a scorer and playmaker at just 18 years old this season. He has good positional size and plays with craft to make up for his lack of burst.

Sorber was quietly one of the most productive freshmen in college hoops this season, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 boards at Georgetown. He's a natural scorer inside with soft hands and a natural shot-swatter on the other end to boot.

Kalkbrenner finished his final season at Creighton with a fourth Big East Defensive Player of the Year award in five seasons with the Bluejays. He averaged 2.7 blocks per game this season and shot a career-best 34.4% from 3. An inside-out big who isn't quick but can space the floor and understands how to function in his role within the defense.

The Wizards would be the big winners if the ping pong balls bounced this way as Flagg is the runaway favorite to be the number one pick at this point. The ultra-versatile two-way threat could join Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson if he is college basketball's Player of the Year before becoming the top overall pick. If he adds an NCAA championship to that, it will be just him and Davis in that category. In other words, he hasn't just lived up to the hype, he's exceeded it, as the gains in his shooting and self-creation have only added to the allure surrounding his defense, competitiveness, passing, and athleticism.

The season wasn't what Rutgers hoped, but when Harper was healthy he still helped himself, proving to be a jumbo lead guard who could make plays for both himself and others. His shooting, which was considered the biggest variable coming into the season, was streaky and finished at 33% from behind the arc for the season. Expect whoever lands the second pick to dig deep into both that and the medical, as questions about his durability have risen this season. Overall though, he is in a very strong position after his only season at Rutgers.

I'm staying firm with my top three. While the season was a disappointment for Rutgers and Bailey didn't play with the necessary level of consistency to help himself, we still saw all the same signs that made him the second rated prospect in last year's high school class. It's the wing size, athleticism, and shot-making. Teams want to learn more about his overall process on both ends, and dig into the low assist rate, but the upside remains very high.

Edgecombe helped himself in the second half of the season, particularly in that late January run before he was derailed by the ankle injury. What's undeniable is the athleticism, defensive tools, and competitiveness. There has been growth with his shooting and overall guard skills, which gives him a high floor. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to his ceiling though, as there are vastly different opinions about what he may, or may not, be able to grow into offensively.

Credit where credit is due – Johnson had one heck of a season at Texas, putting up 20 points on 43% shooting from the floor, 40% from 3-point range, and 87% from the stripe while dishing out a 2.7 to 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio. That was all while being the focal point of opposing defenses every single night. That's not to say there isn't room for improvement in his decision-making, but his scoring ability and positional size clearly translate, and his efficiency proved to be better than advertised.

The Nets need some long-term building blocks in the backcourt and what makes Knueppel appealing is the high floor. It's hard to imagine him not becoming a productive NBA player who can help drive winning. He has a terrific overlap of size, skill, and court awareness. He's a scoring threat at multiple levels and capable of initiating offense as well. Being better than expected defensively doesn't hurt either.

The Lithuanian native looked like a top-three pick midway through the season, but was nowhere near as impactful in the last six weeks. There's still a lot to like with his size, skill, and crafty feel for the game. If it all clicks, he could be in the mix as early as four, but it just wasn't clicking down the stretch and the degree to which decision-makers will take that into account will ultimately dictate where he lands.

This is admittedly higher than I have Richardson on my big board, but Miami is a really good fit given their needs on the perimeter and a chance to grow into Tyler Herro's running mate. Richardson has exceeded all expectations this season with the overlap of his versatility and efficiency. There's one sentiment that he could have been even better with more volume, but my take is that the role was ideal for his stock to thrive, which it undeniably has.

Queen would be a super intriguing frontcourt partner for Wemby. He could lighten his load with some real playmaking ability up front, while Wemby's rim protection prowess could cover up for his defensive limitations. If the shooting ever comes for Queen, it would be an ideal pair and while his numbers on the season aren't inspiring, there's actually been some real growth in technique and fluidity.

Deni Avdija has been sensational down the stretch of the season for Portland. If he and Donovan Clingan are the frontcourt of the future, then Portland probably tries to address the lopsided fit of their backcourt here. Fears won't be ready next year, but he finished the season as strong as he started, leading Oklahoma back to the NCAA Tournament and showing extreme playmaking ability in the process. His presence also gives Portland flexibility to move off one of their current backcourt pieces.

He could very easily be gone earlier than this. He's long, strong, physical, very smart, and impactful on both ends of the floor. Some teams will be scared away by the lack of size for someone who still plays like a small ball five at times, which is why the fit could ultimately determine where he lands. In Chicago, he should see significant time from Day 1.

He's an exceptionally polarizing prospect. His perimeter size, floor vision, and passing ability are elite, but it's hard to call him a big point guard until he can handle the ball against pressure more consistently. The fact that his jump shot is even more inconsistent is another deterrent, but the Mavs could use both a ball-mover and a high upside youngster.

Maluach is a shot-blocker, lob threat, and rim runner – just the archetype that has translated so frequently in recent years – not to mention an ideal complement to Alperen Sengun. The worst case scenario here is that Houston gets their backup center. The best case is that they find a way to pair the two bigs at times and create jumbo lineups and consequent mismatches.

The frontcourt seems like the priority in Atlanta after adding quality young wings like Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Dyson Daniels in recent seasons. Newell gives them a lefty who can play either frontcourt spot, answered any questions about his motor this season, has the athleticism to rebound and finish inside, and the mobility to be versatile defensively. If the shooting clicks, this ends up being great value.

He was one of the best players in college basketball down the stretch of the season and a complete stat-stuffer. The fact that he maintained his 38% 3-point shooting, while increasing his volume to 5 attempts per game is important for his projection though. If he can fit into that 3-and-D box, he has a clear role, while his rebounding and versatility could help expand his value.

McNeeley is a much better shooter than the numbers showed this year, so he would provide some needed spacing around Wemby. He also made strides defensively, provided he could pressure the rim, and showed his competitiveness and intellect this season. He's got to finish better and stay on his feet through contact, but the fit alongside Stephon Castle, last year's one-and-done from Connecticut, would also be a positive.

Saraf is a big playmaking lefty who can create for himself and others. Given that Minnesota invested in a diminutive shot-making guard in Rob Dillingham last year, the fit is good as they build a long-term supporting cast around Anthony Edwards. Still, Saraf needs to take care of the ball, shoot it better, and turn tools into defensive reliability.

Beringer is an athletic big who has been gaining significant momentum as of late. He also has very good hands, so he could be an intriguing developmental partner for Isaiah Collier. Additionally, he creates another long-term option if Utah has to move Walker Kessler to better align their timelines.

He was considered a top-five pick to start the season and still has a good chance of being off the board before here. If available though, Traore would give the Nets a young playmaker to try to develop with the ball in his hands. He'd also be a nice fit alongside Knueppel, who they chose earlier in this scenario.

Fleming is long and athletic, measuring at 6-9 with a reported 7-5 wingspan. He has a powerful frame and made 39% of his 3-pointers this year on 4.5 attempts per game. He may never be more than a role player, but he has all the measurables to have a clear niche alongside Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams up front for OKC.

Bryant should certainly consider returning to school. There's a real chance he falls in the second round and he'd also have a chance to play his way into the lottery as a sophomore. He's intriguing though because he has a great frame, defends, passes, and has made important strides with his shooting. If he keeps developing, he could be a nice fit with Bam and Kel'el Ware on the frontline.

Riley is even less ready for the NBA than Bryant is, especially from a physical standpoint, and would be bound to spend significant time in the G League. Nevertheless, he went to Illinois with a clear one-and-done plan and showed some real growth down the stretch of the season. At 6-foot-8, there are flashes of shot-making and playmaking alike. Overall, he's a long-term stock with a high ceiling.

Essengue is a developmental prospect from France. He'll be one of the youngest players in the draft this year and while there's optimism about what he can grow into long-term, he will require patience. He's long and athletic, but needs to get stronger and simultaneously refine his offensive game. He's also shown flashes, albeit inconsistent, of the defensive versatility that Atlanta has been prioritizing.

Wolf has exceeded all expectations this year at Michigan and has NBA evaluators intrigued with his combination of size and skill. He's a big-time handler and passer for a 7-footer, but the footspeed and defense are the concerns. If the shooting pans out, he could fit nicely next to Alex Sarr

This may be viewed as a stretch, but when you look at Orlando's roster, what they could really use is a backup point guard who can space the floor around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Clayton is a lethal shot-maker and has become much more of a lead guard for the Gators. This might make sense.

Brooklyn is in asset acquisition mode and Gonzalez may be the most intriguing long-term prospect left regardless of position. He's an athletic and active wing who has a high defensive upside. If he can make standstill 3-pointers, he'll stick in the league as a 3-and-D prototype.

With Knueppel, Traore, and Gonzalez all being taken in this scenario, Brooklyn could add a big in Sorber. He exceeded all expectations this season at Georgetown, but there are still questions about how his game will translate and his recent injury will prevent him from answering them in the draft process.

Al Horford may not be able to play forever, so eventually the Celtics are going to need some depth up front. Broome has been one of college basketball's best players all season long and has enough versatility where he could transition into a serviceable role player at the next level.

Philon is another freshman who defied expectations this season and put himself on the one-and-done map in the process. The shooting is still a key variable but the size, athleticism, playmaking, instincts, and two-way tools make him an intriguing longterm piece.

Condon is another one that might not be NBA ready, but there's definitely been increasing chatter about him recently. He's got real size, two-way versatility with solid defensive mobility and 34% shooting from behind the arc on 1.6 attempts per game.

Whichever franchise secures the No. 1 pick would be wise to seriously consider all options, obviously. But, ultimately, they should land on Flagg, who would then become the first player born and raised in Maine to ever be selected first overall in the NBA Draft — and the sixth Blue Devil to do it following Art Heyman (1963), Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019) and Paolo Banchero (2022).

Reasonable minds can disagree on which of Rutgers' two five-star freshmen is the superior prospect — but I lean slightly toward Bailey, the 6-10 wing who has a chance to be the best scorer from this class. As folks sometimes say, Bailey simply does some things you cannot teach most players his size, and his shot-making ability is unmatched in college basketball (although the inconsistency connected to it can be concerning, specifically the way he might have a 13-of-15 effort from the field one week, then a 3-of-15 effort the next).

Big lead guards are desirable in the NBA -- and Harper is the best one in the class. He's the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and a 6-6 playmaker who is still averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game even though an ankle injury suffered in late January limited him on the court before ultimately sidelining him for each of Rutgers' past two contests.

Another lead guard with size who should go in the top five is Jakucionis, the 6-6 Lithuanian who projects as this class's best foreign-born prospect. Athleticism concerns might keep Jakucionis out of the conversation to go first overall, but it shouldn't lead to too many franchises passing on the 18 year-old.

Edgecombe started the season as more of a prospect than a player but has been flourishing in recent weeks — starting with a 30-point effort in a win over Kansas State. He's an explosive athlete who has averaged 3.5 made 3-pointers over Baylor's past four games to help get the Bears a single-digit seed in Jerry Palm's latest projected bracket for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Maluach is a 7-2, 250-pound center shooting 74.7% from the field and showing the ability to guard in space. Those things alone make him a reasonable option in the top 10, especially considering he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft with lots of room for growth.

Newell was a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2024 who is now the leading scorer for a Georgia program that entered the AP poll earlier this season for the first time in 14 years. He has shown the ability to move his feet well enough on defense to switch, and is comfortable shooting jumpers even if the 3-point percentage isn't great.

Knueppel is shooting 37.7% from 3 on 6.2 attempts per game — and most scouts will tell you he's a better shooter than that. The 6-7 guard is Duke's second-leading scorer at 13.5 points, and even if he never develops into a better-than-average shot-creator in the NBA, his elite jumpshot and solid defensive instincts have turned him into a top-10 option.

Johnson got 29 points in the season opener, 28 more four nights later and is now leading the SEC in scoring at 19.0 points while making 37.7% of the 6.5 3-pointers he's attempting a game. If Bailey is the best scorer in this class, Johnson might be next on that list, and there are always millions of dollars waiting for guards with size who can get buckets like him.

In a break from recent norms, I have each of the first 10 picks in this mock projected as college players — but Saraf should be the prospect who breaks the string. The guard from Israel doesn't possess elite athleticism or a great body, but he's effective with the ball in his hands as a playmaker and consistently performing well as a professional in Germany at the age of 18, which has bolstered his status with evaluators.

Fears has gone from the 65th-best prospect in the Class of 2024, according to 247Sports, to a serious lottery option. The guard plays at a different speed than most prospects, which is among the reasons he's rising on some draft boards despite shooting below 28% from beyond the arc.

McNeeley has been sidelined for a month but was starting to get comfortable in UConn's offense prior to the ankle injury that's complicated the Huskies' season. He entered college with a reputation as a solid all-around prospect who can really shoot it, and nearly everything he did in UConn's first 14 games supported that assessment.

BYU should have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (AJ Dybantsa) — and perhaps a top-10 pick in this one thanks to the presence of Demin, a freshman from Russia who is averaging 10.7 points and 5.9 assists. The vision and playmaking ability at his size is clearly intriguing, but subpar shooting, basically from anywhere outside of the paint, including at the free throw line, leaves some questions.

Fears might be the only freshman who has helped himself more this season than Sorber, who has gone from a borderline top-50 prospect in the Class of 2024 to a one-and-done lottery option. Georgetown has had lots of great bigs — among them Patrick Ewing and Roy Hibbert — and Sorber, a New Jersey native, looks like he could be the next.

Jones has long been established as a long-distance threat — but this season has seen him emerge as a real playmaker who is averaging 6.2 assists per game with a better than 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Most juniors who return to college for their senior years barely improve their draft stock, if at all, but Jones has gone from a projected second-round pick to a possible top-20 pick through the first three months of Marquette's season.

Fleming played at Camden High in New Jersey with multiple five-star prospects and also on the EYBL circuit — point being he was very visible but still a zero-star recruit, according to 247Sports. That should illustrate how much the 6-9 forward has developed under Billy Lange at Saint Joseph's, where he's now averaging 15.5 points while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range and emerging as a legitimate option in the top 20.

Traore has mostly experienced a rough season in France as an 18 year-old playing against professionals. He likely won't be picked in June where he would've been picked in October — but somewhere in the top 20 remains a possibility.

Jackson had a terrific seven-game stretch from late December to mid-January in which he averaged 19.9 points while North Carolina went 6-1. The 6-4 guard hasn't shown much playmaking ability, but he's an obvious scorer off the bounce or from beyond the 3-point line, where he's making 37.6% of his 4.6 attempts per contest.

It's been an up and down season for Richardson, the son of former top-five pick Jason Richardson, who helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA Tournament. But big performances here and there (like his 20-point outing at Rutgers against Bailey and Harper), and a 3-point percentage of 42.9, should get him picked in the first round.

Philon isn't Alabama's best player — but he is the Crimson Tide's best prospect, averaging 10.5 points for a Final Four contender. His creativity with the ball and effectiveness on defense are the reasons he's a one-and-done prospect, but his bad 3-point percentage (27.8%) and small frame (175 pounds) are areas of concern.

Fland is likely done as a college player after suffering a thumb injury last month — and that's unfortunate. But before he was sidelined he showed enough as a shotmaker and playmaker to convince scouts he's worthy of a first-round pick even if he's on the smaller size.

Essengue just turned 18 in December and has shown promising flashes as a native of France playing professionally in Germany. He's a switchable wing with a good motor who just makes positive things happen and has plenty of room to grow as one of the youngest prospects available.

Queen isn't a stretch-5, that's for sure. But a 6-10, 246-pound center averaging 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds as a freshman should be considered in this range, even if he comes with questions connected to whether he'll be able to adequately handle ball-screens at the next level.

Broome's age will work against him with some front offices — but, in my opinion, he's worth a pick in the 20s. Perhaps he doesn't have the same kind of perceived upside that younger prospects might possess, but Broome should be a plug-and-play option for any franchise in win-now mode and in need of rotation players on small contracts.

Murray-Boyles is a productive offensive player and plus-defender who should go in the first round somewhere — either in the teens or 20s — but that will probably be determined by whether executives believe he can develop a perimeter shot. Right now, he doesn't have one, evidence being how he takes less than one 3-pointer per game and has only made five through his first 50 appearances at South Carolina.

Penda possesses good defensive instincts and is strong and versatile enough to guard multiple positions. His 3-point shot remains the swing-skill, but it has appeared improved this season in France's top professional league.

Gonzales doesn't project as a member of any All-Rookie teams, as he's more of an 18-year-old project than a teenager ready to flourish in an NBA rotation. But there are enough interesting things that the Real Madrid wing brings to the table — passing, intensity, etc., — to make him a first-round option.

A rough shooting stretch from Byrd has lowered his 3-point percentage to 36.3. But a wing who has made at least three 3-pointers eight different times through 19 games is the type of prospect all franchises are trying to add at some point in any draft.

Clifford is an older prospect like Broome whose age makes it more likely he'll go outside of the top 20 than inside of the top 15. But the wing is averaging 17.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists, and his versatility and shooting potential give him a chance to stick at the next level.

Karaban, with an expanded role, is statistically a similar player to what he was last season when he helped UConn win a second straight national title. Karaban has proven to be a reliable 3-point shooter with defensive toughness and intangibles that impact winning, and that's among the reasons he'll be the fifth starter from the 2024 Huskies to eventually play in the NBA.