On the eve of the 2025 NBA Draft, let’s run down the top prospects in this year’s draft class with a final Big Board. You can also find this Big Board, plus a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect, in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
Flagg is a do-it-all forward who hustles, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, as the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 guy before winning five titles as a role player. Like his father, Harper has a high-floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. But the fate of his jumper will determine whether he’s an All-Star or just one of the NBA’s many solid guards.
Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter’s stroke, thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games, he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism.
Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point-guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense.
Edgecombe is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing, though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator.
Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.
Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside, thanks to his passing vision.
Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star.
Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball and inhales rebounds. He’s a special defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.
Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense.
Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. But beyond dunking lobs, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.
Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. If he translates his velvet touch to the perimeter he has offensive star upside, though his interior scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding give him tantalizing potential.
Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn’t, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor.
Jakučionis is a slick shot creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he’d follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that would derail the hype train.
Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.
Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he’s raw as a ball-handler, he’s a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimum, he has the baseline skills to be a great role player with the upside to someday be much more.
Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he’ll someday become a highly versatile defender.
Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside.
Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age (23).
Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw when he led Florida to the national championship. But his limitations as a defender hold him back from being an elite prospect.
McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep range. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense.
Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up.
Marković is a modern stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, he needs to add a ton of muscle.
Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed and shiftiness off the bounce. But he’s an inefficient scorer who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to prove he’s worth the big swing.
Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. But he’s also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing.
Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. But his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable since he’s so lean physically and lacks fundamentals.
Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player.
(Yahoo Sports Illustration)
Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which means he’s a raw project but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He’s a center but has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come.
Powell has a chiseled frame he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he’s on defense. He’s a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates, he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum.
Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside.
Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter. But he barely even played off the bench overseas.
Penda plays with a veteran’s mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. He’ll need to improve his jumper to stick long term, but his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation.
Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.
Watkins is a versatile player who can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. But the development of his jumper is stuck in quicksand, which raises questions about his ability to excel in a less prominent on-ball role.
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role-player skill set will translate.
Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four years at North Florida and immediately thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. But without great size or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-round prospect.
Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting and limited creation ability complicate his path to carve out a specialized role.
Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros.
Sallis is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection.
Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside.
Brea projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. But in order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he’ll need to make improvements to his athleticism.
Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. But his athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he’s more than just a backup.
Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league.
Konan Niederhauser is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click.
Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done but has taken until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. At this point, he’s sharpened his jumper and become an even better defender.
Dixon is a burly forward who brings a toughness and physicality to the game. As Villanova’s all-time leading scorer, he showed versatile scoring skills, but in the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a limit on the type of usage he can receive.
Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. But his shaky jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope.
James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he’s worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. He brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. But without the handle of a primary creator, it’s critical he sustains his newfound success as a shooter.
Nembhard is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year. But with his small stature, the younger brother of Andrew Nembhard has natural limitations that put a cap on his upside.
50. Micah Peavy, G/F, Georgetown
Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts and passing feel. If his improved jumper proves real, he’s a rotation-level player for a decade.
Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he’s not someone who generates many of his own shots.
52. Clifford Omoruyi, C, Alabama
Omoruyi is an explosive rim-runner with a 7-6 wingspan and a high motor. Though he lacks a perimeter game, he has the tools to carve out a long career as a vertical big.
53. Amari Williams, C, Kentucky
Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. But he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend the modern game.
Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn’t offer much else at this stage of his career, though, and hasn’t shown many signs that he will.
Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big.
56. Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson
Lakhin is a high-IQ big who makes smart passes, shows signs of floor spacing and has the potential to survive defending in space. But recurring injuries leave him a medical red flag.
Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He’s an older prospect at 24 but still belongs on the draft radar because of his sparkplug scoring skill set.
58. Chucky Hepburn, G, Louisville
Hepburn is a bulldog defender who sets a tone for his team. He brings good instincts and a feel for passing on offense, but needs to prove he can shoot to overcome his size limitations.
59. Max Shulga, G, VCU
Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he’s a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position.
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60. Lachlan Olbrich, C, Illawarra
High-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation.
61. Kobe Sanders, G/F, Nevada
Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel. He’s limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA.
62. Tamar Bates, G, Missouri
Bates is a 3-and-D style guard with a knockdown shooting stroke, though his lack of strength and playmaking put a cap on his ceiling as a low-usage specialist.
Almansa is an accomplished international big who projects as a versatile offensive hub and prolific rebounder, though sooner than later his production will need to start matching his flashes of upside.
64. Jaxson Robinson, G/F, Kentucky
Robinson is a smooth-shooting wing with NBA range and confidence. But his lack of burst and strength makes him more of a one-dimensional prospect who’ll need to nail the shooting role to stick.
Sandfort has a beautiful jumper and, off the catch, he’s capable of knocking down shots from anywhere. And though his numbers slipped last season, he was playing with a broken wrist and torn labrums to both of his shoulders.
66. Curtis Jones, G, Iowa St.
Jones provides instant offense with his 3-point shooting prowess, and he also has a feel for scoring inside the arc. But he is undersized and lacks great athleticism.
Luis is a rugged wing who sets a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. But on offense his shaky shooting and decision-making overshadow his downhill attacking style.
Sears is a clutch college star who rains shots from everywhere behind an advanced array of ball-handling moves. But he was a pint-sized leader, and so often those players get torched on defense at the next level, shrinking them to bit-player status.
69. Dink Pate, G/F, Mexico City
Pate looks the part of an athletic wing who can handle the ball, but he hasn’t produced effectively in two G League seasons. Any team that takes him is rolling the dice that he someday develops his skills.
70. Jalon Moore, G/F, Oklahoma
Moore looks the part of a 3-and-D wing with good size, smooth catch-and-shoot mechanics, and a willingness to defend. But his handle and passing vision could be limitations for carving out a spot in a rotation. Moore tore his Achilles during a pre-draft workout.
You can also find a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
