The Utah Jazz haven’t had much to look forward to in terms of the 2024-25 NBA season. Let’s be honest with ourselves; as currently constructed, Utah’s roster would have been fortunate to reach the last spot in the play-in tournament.
In other words, this team wasn’t going anywhere.
So we shot our gaze over the horizon, fantasizing about a brighter future. A future that likely begins with a foundational superstar acquired through the NBA Draft.
Ah, the draft. A lottery system that enables any franchise to bottom out and produce the worst possible on-floor product with the goal of piling losses and optimizing one’s chances of acquiring the number-one overall pick.
Utah has never obtained this coveted honor of a top selection in its franchise’s history. Their odds of landing the top pick — currently tied at 14% with the likes of Washington and Charlotte — are Utah’s last glimmer of hope. A final glimpse at a better reality. The only likely reason people still follow the Utah Jazz in any capacity.
But when the draft inevitably becomes a distant memory, the draft order won’t be remembered nearly as much as the names tied to every selection. Future stars, MVP hopefuls, and playoff performers await, so let’s get to know the characters that will populate your hooping daydreams.
We here at SLC Dunk are collaborating to bring you our NBA Draft Big Board. Highlighting the top 30 prospects in the class, we’ll introduce the names and faces that will dominate the NBA news stream in the coming months and break down what makes each player so fascinating from a draft perspective.
SLC Dunk’s 2025 NBA Draft Big Board v. 1.0
1 - Cooper Flagg | F | Duke
Baylor v Duke Cooper Flagg
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Measurables: 6’9” 205 lbs
2024-25 stats: 18.7 pts | 7.5 reb | 4.2 ast | 59.5% TS
Cooper Flagg is more than just the best prospect in the 2025 draft class. Cooper is the best American prospect since Zion Williamson. Cooper blends size with athleticism, high basketball IQ, and a relentless motor. It’s important to note that Cooper reclassified to enter school one year earlier than expected; he just turned 18 last December.
Despite his age, Cooper Flagg is the best player in college basketball. Every night, he showcases an array of high-flying dunks, elite playmaking, and also happens to be the best defender I’ve seen since Kawhi Leonard. The scary part about Cooper is how much better he’s already gotten; he’s gone from a really good prospect to a potential all-time great in the last 5 months.
Very little evaluation still needs to be done; Cooper is an elite talent who will be taken 1st overall. He has the potential to be a 20, 7, and 5 guy while also being the team’s best defender. While trying to remain grounded, it’s easy to see Cooper playing a massive part in the next 15 years of NBA basketball. — Lake Hale
2 - Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers
NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament First Round-Rutgers vs USC Dylan Harper attacks the basket against a helpless USC Trojan defender.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’6” 215 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.4 pts | 4 ast | 4.6 reb | 58.7% TS
Dylan Harper arrived on the scene with Rutgers alongside fellow freshman phenom Ace Bailey, but quickly designated himself as the baron of buckets, head of hoops, and obvious standout talent with the Scarlet Knights. With an excellent 6’6” frame for a point guard, Harper enters the playing area much like an adolescent bully enters a playground — like it or not, you’re playing by his rules or you’ll pay dearly.
With his seemingly infinite bandwidth for creativity with his handle, Harper keeps the ball on a string while simultaneously throwing his weight around. His sturdy build allows Harper to utilize his torso as a shield as he penetrates the defense and casually enters the paint at his own leisure. He pursues the rim like it’s giving away free samples at Costco, and is excellent at tracking it down. He’s a gifted finisher at the rim, and a capable three-point shooter with room to grow (and thankfully a strong enough starting point to be a factor from day one in the NBA).
Though he holds the tools to be a good defender, Dylan often dogs it a smidge without the ball. This could simply be attributed to his team’s lack of winning, but could be something to watch out for. Beyond that, Harper has NBA size and strength, and a feel for the game that could make him an MVP candidate if he continues his ascent. — Calvin Barrett
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Dylan Harper
3 - Ace Bailey | F | Rutgers
NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament First Round-Rutgers vs USC Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’10” 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.6 pts | 7.2 reb | 1.3 ast | 54.0% TS
Ace Bailey might be the most boom-or-bust prospect in the entire draft. With his combination of size (6’10” with a 7’0” wingspan), shotmaking, and athleticism, it’s impossible not to have him at the top of the draft.
When you first see Bailey play, you’ll be wowed by some impressive shotmaking. Bailey is a pull-up artist who can get his shot up in almost any situation. It’s easy to see him being a great scorer in the NBA, even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling. The other element of Bailey’s game is the defensive potential. He’s shown some real promise as a weak-side shot blocker and has the athleticism and frame to dominate defensive matchups if he wants to.
The two biggest worries for Bailey are a shaky handle and some abysmal passing to start the season at Rutgers. Over time, that passing did improve. If the Jazz are drafting Bailey, they will have to work hard to have him work within the system. If they can develop his passing and handle, they have a real star on their hands. — James Hansen
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Ace Bailey
4 - VJ Edgecombe | G | Baylor
NCAA Basketball: Houston at Baylor Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’5” 180 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.6 reb | 3.2 ast | 34.0% 3pt
VJ Edgecombe is the latest Baylor guard to come onto the scene and get Waco bouncing! I say bouncing because Edgecomb has eye-popping athleticism in his 6’5 frame. He uses that athleticism to aggressively defend the perimeter, get to the basket, and posterize innocent defenders. His scoring ability is impressive and has a lot of potential to get even better, but Edgecombe hangs his hat on his defense. He is a player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player, and he will do so aggressively. His aggressive defense and intensity remind me of Russell Westbrook, while his athleticism reminds me of Ja Morant.
There is a lot to love about Edgecomb’s game. An area for improvement is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 34% from three in his freshman season, but he helped ease that concern by improving from the outside as the season progressed. It needs to keep improving, but there is some potential there. Despite his athleticism, he does struggle to finish at times around bigger defenders. That said, adding some strength to his frame at the NBA level could help him improve in that area. -Jeff Thomas
Click here for our long-form breakdown of VJ Edgecombe
5 - Derik Queen | C | Maryland
Maryland v Colorado Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Measurables: 6’10” 245 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.2 pts | 9.1 rbs | 2.2 stocks | 59% TS
Derik Queen is a unique prospect who combines size, playmaking, and interior scoring with a refined feel for the game. He stands out for his ability to facilitate offense as a big man, showing impressive vision and creativity in the post. He also displays an impressive touch around the basket and a high basketball IQ. Queen’s flashes of mid-range shooting and his knack for finding open teammates add to his appeal as a well-rounded, multi-dimensional big.
While there are some concerns about his athleticism, Queen’s strengths outweigh those questions. He may not be an explosive leaper, but his court awareness and quick hands allow him to make key defensive plays, particularly in one-on-one situations. In college, his three-point shooting has been atrocious, but he has touch from the mid-range and shot 75.5% from the free-throw line. — Calvin Chappell
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Derik Queen.
6 - Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois
Syndication: Journal Sentinel Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’6” 205 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.7 reb | 4.7 ast | 67.4% TS
Kasparas Jakucionis is one of those guys who doesn’t seem to mind the big stage. Though his March Madness run was cut short in a loss against Kentucky, the highlight of his season was turning from a fringe-draft pick into a projected top-10 selection. It’s incredibly rare to get a guard prospect who can pass, dribble, and shoot at a high level while having a 6’6” frame.
He uses ball screens to get to all areas with crafty finishes, fluid shots from midrange, and threes off-dribble. A well-rounded guard from Lithuania, he’s one of the better floor generals in college and is exceptional at cutting and dishing. Jakucionis possesses the skills necessary to be a complete guard at the next level, whether he’s directing the offense, distributing the ball, or finishing at the rim.
His athleticism is going to be the biggest area of improvement heading into the draft. He lacks the ideal speed off the dribble for a guard and isn’t very explosive around the rim. Though his jumper has excellent form, he isn’t a consistent enough shooter as of yet — logging in 31.8% from deep in his freshman year. It will be interesting to see how Jakučionis reacts to screens. He never seemed completely lost on defense, which I think is important for guards. But he did get blown by a couple of times. He had a hard time handling the active ball pressure from elite defensive guards when they sent double teams. Jakučionis’ game is fundamentally sound, who gets the game and makes all the non-flashy plays for his team. Tyrese Haliburton has been one of his most popular comparisons — Kato Parina
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Kasparas Jakucionis
7 - Jeremiah Fears | G | Oklahoma
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament - First Round - Raleigh Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Measureables: 6’4” 182 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.1 pts | 4.1 ast | 4.1 reb | 28.1% 3pt
The 6’4” guard just wrapped up his freshman season with the Sooners, posting 17/4/4 averages. He would have been a senior in high school this year had he not reclassified. Fears is an electric 3-level scorer with great handles while making a quick adjustment to the collegiate level.
The concern with Fears is efficiency. It’s not unexpected for a freshman scorer to struggle in that department; that said, he shot only 43% from the field and a measly 28% from three. His shot selection needs to improve, but he has the potential to be an effective scorer with NBA spacing. A player comp would be Jamal Murray or Keyonte George (with more potential on the defensive side of the ball). — Jeff Thomas
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Jeremiah Fears.
8 - Tre Johnson | F | Texas
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Four-Texas at Xavier Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’6” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.9 pts | 3.1 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.7% 3pt
The SEC’s leading scorer, Tre Johnson, left us with a lot to love as we head into the end of the draft cycle. An electric scorer who can perform in clutch time situations and has a great feel for the game on the offensive side of the ball and will be a hot name to consider for many teams come this June. There is no spot on the floor where Tre can’t shoot it, which will make him a scary weapon with a lot of gravity at the next level. Not only is Tre a bucket, but he is an underrated passer, making quick reads out of the pick and roll, throwing a skip pass, or just making the extra pass to the open man, Tre Johnson will share the rock.
The concerns with Tre stem from the other side of the floor. Tre Johnson is not the best defender by any means, but luckily, he has the size and length to be in the passing lanes and be an extra body on helping from the weak side. The rebounding isn’t the best at his height, but you’re not putting Tre on the court to rebound; he’s out there to be a dynamic scorer. There are questions about his frame and lack of bulk because with what he does, Tre will have to deal with tough defenses night in and night out, and that can get pretty difficult as a scoring option. Even though he is one of the best scorers in the draft, he doesn’t get to the line often, which is another sign of lacking in strength and not playing through physicality.
With that being said, Tre Johnson has a super high motor — like he’s borderline insane. Think of his work ethic like you do Collin Sexton’s and Isaiah Collier’s, a straight-up dawg that doesn’t care who he is going up against or who is guarding him; he’s going in with intentions to kill. — Dray Mottishaw
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Tre Johnson.
9 - Khaman Maluach | C | Duke
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Mount St. Mary’s at Duke Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Measureables: 7’2” 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 8.5 pts | 6.7 reb | 1.3 blk | 70.9% FG
Khamam Maluach didn’t start playing basketball until age 14, but he quickly developed once he touched the hardwood. He studied at the NBA Academy Africa, was the youngest player in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and played in the 2024 Olympics at just 17 years old.
Maluachan is an explosive lob finisher with quick first and second jumps and smooth, fluid athleticism. He’s shown flashes of playmaking chops and has solid court awareness. Solid free-throw shooting (76% as a freshman) and soft touch around the rim are positive indicators of shooting success at the NBA level.
He’s still raw and his game needs some fine-tuning, but his upside is tantalizing. Maluach is currently mocked to be drafted in the 6-14 range. — Jordan Cummings
10 - Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Cleveland Photo by Jason Miller/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Measurables: 6’3” 185 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 11.9 pts | 3.2 reb | 2.0 ast | 40% 3pt | 84% FT
Jase Richardson, son of Jason Richardson, is one of the more offensively gifted players in the draft. He’s an exceptional shooter from all over the court, hitting over 40% from three, scoring creatively in the mid-range, and finishing efficiently at the rim. His footwork and touch around the basket are impressive, and even though he’s not the most explosive athlete, he finds ways to finish through contact. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll guard, which should let him make an impact in the NBA right away.
Richardson is a tough on-ball defender who’s always active with his hands and never takes a play off. He’s a high basketball IQ player who rarely makes mistakes. His size and lack of individual playmaking may limit his ceiling, but his off-ball skills and intangibles raise his floor. — Calvin Chappell
11 - Collin Murray-Boyles | F | South Carolina
Texas A&M v South Carolina Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Measureables: 6’7” 231 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.8 pts | 8.3 reb | 1.3 blk | 63% TS
The 6’7 forward is a tank at 245 pounds. Don’t let his height fool you; despite being a smaller PF, he gobbles up rebounds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Coming off his freshman season with 17-8-2 plus nearly a block and a half a game, he is looking to make the NBA leap. His greatest selling point is his absurd versatility on defense. He plays with instinct, foot and hand speed, and uses his thick frame and long wingspan (over 7 feet) to stifle whoever he’s guarding. He can also kick the ball out and is a very effective playmaker out of the block.
The biggest thing keeping Murray-Boyles from becoming an NBA star is his lack of a jumper, with no signs that it is going to improve. He didn’t shoot well in high school or college, but he does shoot 70% from the free-throw line, so that could be worse. Despite using his strong frame and long wingspan, you also can’t discount that he is a 6’7 player who will primarily be in the paint. A player comp would be Draymond Green. His defensive potential is special. — Jeff Thomas
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Collin Murray-Boyles
12 - Kon Knueppel | G | Duke
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Baylor at Duke Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’7” 217 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.2 pts | 3.9 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.9% 3pt
Kon Knueppel is a barrel-chested scoring guard who can torch a defense from anywhere on the floor and in a variety of defense-melting methods. Sure, his last name is sure to draw a few chuckles from the more infantile among us, but this man strikes certifiable fear into the heart of his adversaries. Pull-up 3-balls, drives that plow through the defender's chest and finish with a velvety brush through the net, and aerobatics beneath the rim capable of piercing the hearts and claiming souls. Like Larry Bird, Kon bears the countenance of a farmer’s eldest son, but his true passion derives from filling it up on the court.
Not many will remember this, but when the top prospect, Cooper Flagg, stumbled initially out of the gate with the Blue Devils, it was his teammate, Knueppel, who stole the show in Durham. Outmatched defenses constantly lost track of Kon as he relocated to the soft spots and plunged sure-thing long-balls through the heart of the opposition.
Though not nearly as gifted on the defensive end nor in creating offense for his teammates, Kon has an all-world taste for buckets, and a crippling addiction to competition. He was a valuable addition to one of the best Duke teams we’ve ever seen, and an absolute gift of a player to any late-lottery team that selects him. — Calvin Barrett
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Kon Knueppel.
13 - Egor Demin | G | BYU
BYU v Wisconsin Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Measureables: 6’9” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.5 pts | 5.5 ast | 3.9 reb | 28.1% 3pt
Egor Demin is one of the more truly gifted passing prospects we’ve ever seen at his age — it’s no wonder his assist totals were second-most among freshmen this season, despite playing in the challenging Big 12 Conference. A spindly, 6’9” point guard from Moscow entered his freshman season shrouded in mystery, and finished his year at BYU as one of the most divisive prospects in his class.
Egor’s story followed a similar narrative to that of his team, where a slow start was gradually and carefully built moment upon moment. His feel for the game is extraordinary, and his size gives him parascopic vision to see over defensive coverage with an eye in the sky. On regular occasions, he proved capable of launching cross-court rockets through the flailing arms of the opposition that somehow hit their targets in the shooting pocket with a gentle touch.
His scoring troubles have turned many away, however, and his inability to find a consistent 3-point shot for the majority of the year was a concern. His lack of upper-body strength would force him to take awkward fallaways at the rim and ill-advised bombs from 3-point land when he couldn’t get to the paint off the dribble. His confidence matured with the season, though, and he displayed moments of inspiration in attacking the rim with confidence, knocking down the occasional long-range release, and (of course) helping after helping of stunning dimes.
He still has plenty of questions remaining unanswered, but he proved to be capable and willing to develop his weaknesses. One of the more fascinating wild cards in this year’s draft. — Calvin Barrett
14 - Asa Newell | F | Georgia
NCAA Basketball: Vanderbilt at Georgia Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’11” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.4 pts | 6.9 reb | 2.0 stocks | 54.3% FG
The Bulldog prospect has the chance to become an NBA hybrid. Though his body is still developing, he’s extremely quick and fluid for someone who’s 6’11”. He was never really a highly productive scorer in high school — finishing his senior year averaging 11.4 points at Montverde. That all changed after committing to Georgia and leaping into a 15.3-point-per-game scorer as a two-way play finisher.
Offensively, his strengths and improvements are pretty straightforward — Newell thrives as a finisher around the rim, using his strength and mobility to attack as a face-up scorer. His frame also makes him one of the best offensive rebounders of his team, averaging 3.1 offensive boards and generating second-chance opportunities. His physical tools make him more of an intriguing defensive prospect. With a 7’0” wingspan, he’s able to switch in space and defend wings, as well as check guards. He’s a pretty comfortable help defender when he gets the chance.
The 19-year-old still has improvement and discipline to make before he can jump into that lottery spot. He offers little self-creation at the next level and makes minimal passing efforts. While he can hit spot-up from deep, he shoots 29% from the three-point line.
Newell’s defensive tools and lateral quickness can make him a pretty safe prospect from the lottery to the mid-first round if the Jazz decide to take a chance with their Minnesota pick. — Kato Parina
Click here for our long-form breakdown of Asa Newell
15 - Liam McNeeley | G | UConn
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Connecticut at Florida Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’7” 210 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 6.0 reb | 2.3 ast | 54.6% TS
Liam McNeeley went to UConn with the expectation that he’d be a sharpshooter who could take UConn far, much like Jordan Hawksins did. It didn’t happen like people expected with McNeeley’s shooting not being where it had been at Montverde Academy next to Cooper Flagg.
That said, there were enough flashes from McNeeley to still make him a potential late lottery pick. McNeeley looks the part of an off-ball shooter with a 6’7” frame and a sweet-looking stroke. The question for teams picking McNeeley will be, do they get the player from Montverde who lit up the scoreboard, or the one who fizzled at the end of the UConn season? — James Hansen
16 - Nolan Traore | G | France
Basketball: LNB Leaders Cup - Le Mans vs St Quentin Presse Sports via Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’3” 175 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.8 pts | 5.0 ast | 2.4 TO | 49.1% TS
Nolan Traore is a 6’3” combo guard out of France. Nolan is in the middle of a slide down the 1st round of the draft. Nolan entered the season in the top 5 of many big boards; he is now projected to go in the middle of the 1st round. Part of his slide is due to not taking the leap forward most scouts thought he was poised to take. His stats are almost identical to last season's and, in some cases, worse.
Negatives aside, I can’t quit Nolan Traore. Nolan can defend and pass, two of the most important things you have to do to play in the NBA. He has to become a better shooter if he wants to reach the heights some scouts think he can. When watching Nolan’s tape, his speed jumps off the page. He reminds me a lot of Dante Exum because of his size, speed, and lack of shooting (for now). — Lake Hale
17 - Noa Essengue | F | France
Ratiopharm ulm v Tel Aviv - EuroCup Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Measureables: 6’9” 194 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.4 pts | 5.3 reb | 1.4 stl | 64.6% TS
The best word I can use to describe Essengue is slippery. And I mean that as a compliment. Using his string cheese build, this Euro-League forward squirts between closing out defenders like a wet bar of soap between a tightly-gripped hand. The more the defense attacks, the further he flies.
Essengue’s movements send him hovering over the court and to the rim almost like a ghost. A surprisingly tight handle, but he doesn’t boast the most diverse dribbling package. The building blocks for a great NBA career are present, specifically with very apparent athleticism and a fearless hunger for the rim. Far from a long-range threat, and still very raw, the key to unlocking Essengue’s potential will be leaning on his strong defense first, and patiently bringing along his still hypothetical jump shot (a hypothetical that is becoming more of a likelihood rapidly with every year).
Many fans hate the word “project” when snagging a player in the first round, as those types so rarely pan out as originally hoped, but you’re working with a great hand if you take a chance on this French prospect. — Calvin Barrett
18 - Carter Bryant | F | Arizona
Arizona v Duke Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’8” 225 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 6.5 pts | 4.1 reb | 1.9 stocks | 55.2% TS
As a true freshman at Arizona, Carter Bryant struggled at the line (54%) and from 3 (34%) through 19 games. Despite his early shooting struggles, Bryant’s hounding defense and tenacious rebounding earned him more playing time. After his relatively slow start, Bryant finished the season strong, increasing his scoring, rebounding, and defensive impact, while shooting an impressive percentage at the line (81%) and from 3 (39%) on increased volume.
Bryant has great court awareness, frequently repositioning into open space as a shooter or cutting backdoor when his defender loses sight of him. He’s shown promising flashes of shooting and scoring off the dribble, both from mid-range and beyond the arc. These are promising markers that he could develop his game well beyond the 3-and-D role player archetype.
Despite playing just 20 minutes per game, Bryant ranks 2nd on the team in blocks, 4th in defensive rebounding, and 4th in steals. At 6’8” and 220 pounds, Carter Bryant has prototypical size for a modern NBA wing.
He’s currently projected as a mid to late first-round pick. — Jordan Cummings
19 - Thomas Sorber | F | Georgetown
NCAA Basketball: Seton Hall at Georgetown Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’10” 255 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 8.5 reb | 2.4 ast | 58.0% TS
The Hoyas’ big man is a 6’10” F/C who filled the stat sheet as a freshman with 15/8/3 plus a steal and two blocks per game. As his stats indicate, Sorber is a well-rounded player. He is light on his feet, which enables him to be an instinctive defender who can stay between his man and the basket and contest shots without fouling. He is a great passer, particularly from the high-post, and he dominates in the post, consistently scoring in the paint.
His jump shot needs work, but he has shown the confidence to step out and take threes. The consistency isn’t there yet, but flashes of shooting potential are there. If he can add that to his game, he could have a long career in the league. The big concern is a season-ending foot injury he suffered. It has left his participation in the combine and pre-draft workouts up in the air. A pro comp if he reaches his full potential is Bam Adebayo— Jeff Thomas
20 - Labaron Philon | G | Alabama
BYU v Alabama Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’4” 177 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.4 pts | 3.3 reb | 3.8 ast | 1.3 stl
Labaron Philon is a 6’4” combo guard out of Alabama. What Labaron lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in effort and passion. Despite his size, Labaron constantly took on the opposing team’s best guard on defense. He also spent the season playing out of position next to Alabama’s ball-dominant point guard Mark Sears.
I’m no coach, but I’d assume Labaron is primarily a point guard at the NBA level. His handle, speed, and energy make him a tough cover in space. His quick hands, toughness, and long arms make him a menace on the defensive end.
Labaron reminds me a lot of Tyrese Maxey coming out of college—not current Tyrese Maxey, but Kentucky Maxey. They both played out of position due to being in a rotation with more traditional point guards. They both didn’t shoot great from 3, and they both are first-round draft picks because of their hustle and potential. — Lake Hale
21 - Ben Saraf | F | Israel
Ratiopharm ulm v Tel Aviv - EuroCup Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Measurements: 6’6” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.8 pts | 2.2 reb | 4.6 ast | 1.3 stl
Ben Saraf has been an offensive leader of Ratiopharm Ulm, a Euroleague basketball club in Germany. Saraf plays alongside projected first-rounder Noa Essengue. He’s the type of prospect whose efficiency metrics deserve a more optimistic view than what the eye test gives you.
At 18 years old, Saraf has been an offensive hub who can create for himself and make sure his teammates are involved too at the size of a wing. He can finish well with both hands around the rim as well as the mid-range. That’s to go along with his exceptional ability to handle traps and aggressive defenses, leveraging a tight handle and poise. It’s not far-fetched that Saraf could one day average 18 points and 8 assists a game in the NBA.
Where I’d raise my eyebrows is his efficiency from the floor, which makes him more of a meshed-out Egor Demin. Emerging as an offensive threat off-ball will be key to his development to play more of a complementary role. Despite his height, his wiry frame limits him against physically dominant defenders. His lapses give us a solid outlook on what his floor looks like defensively. More than likely, he’ll be middle-of-the-pack at the NBA level. Being able to play the 1 or 2 will only benefit him in the NBA and boost his appeal to NBA teams. — Kato Parina
22 - Hugo Gonzalez | F | Spain
Real Madrid v LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne - Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Photo by Sara Gordon/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Measurements: 6’6” 205 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 4.5 pts | 2.3 reb | 43.7% FG
It wasn’t long ago, before the college season began, that Hugo Gonzalez was slated in the top-5 of this draft. With his large frame, high motor, and defensive tools, there was a lot of excitement for the Spanish wing.
But the difference between playing college and overseas is playtime. On Real Madrid, Gonzalez has struggled for any sort of play time. In the short time he's played, he’s played a slashing style of offense but has struggled to find consistency with his shooting and handle. If he can develop those aspects of his game, he could be one of those late first-round picks that turn into something nice for whoever drafts him. — James Hansen
23 - Noah Penda | F | France
Monaco player #4 Jaron Blossomgame and Le Mans player #93... Photo by Laurent Coust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Measurements: 6’8” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 9.8 pts | 5.2 reb | 1.9 stocks | 53.9% TS
A freight train built to embrace physicality and plow through guys, Noah Penda has been one of the hot names when it comes to overseas prospects this year. Noah has been a great passer for Le Mans Sarthe (French team) on both ends of the court, having the best year of his early career shooting the ball at a 30.6% clip from deep and 72% from the FT line. Not only has he been shooting it well this year for his standards, but he has also been a great connective passer with an assist-to-turnover ratio (A:TO) of 1.8 — that is great for a player his age (20) and for the position he plays. Looking ahead at the NBA Draft, Noah Penda could end up being drafted anywhere from pick 20 to the mid/late-2nd round — one of the widest ranges among prospects.
His athleticism is a bit of a question when it comes to quick burst and twitch, but he is a solid defender who can guard multiple positions when needed. His brute strength allows him not only to get to the rack but also gives him an advantage to go up strong and grab rebounds in traffic. Teams will look at him as a rotation player who can be a Swiss army knife that impacts the game in a variety of ways and hopefully develops into something more later on. There is a world where Noah Penda ends up being a top 15 player in the 2025 NBA Draft, he really could be a hidden gem. — Dray Mottishaw
24 - Nique Clifford | G | Colorado State
Colorado State v Maryland Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’6” | 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 18.9 pts | 9.6 reb | 4.4 ast | 46.9% FG
After breaking out last season, Nique Clifford decided to return to Colorado State for his 5th season of college basketball in an attempt to make a deep tournament run — they ended up getting sent home by Maryland in the Sweet 16 off of a walk-off game winner from projected top 10 pick Derik Queen. Nique Clifford has been referred to as the Paul George of mid-major basketball with his ability to do everything on the basketball court. A wiry wing with defensive versatility, the coordination and IQ to handle and pass the rock, and the scoring prowess where he can attack the basket and create his own shot off the dribble. He possesses everything teams look for in a wing and has drawn the attention of multiple scouts across the association.
Unfortunately, Nique will be an older prospect, entering the draft at the age of 23 years old, but teams can still find value in what he can bring. It’s unlikely that he will become a star due to his age, but there is no doubt in my mind that Nique can contribute in every facet of the game. He does everything well, including shooting the ball (37% from 3 this season), and any team that drafts Nique will be/should be happy with that selection. — Dray Mottishaw
25 - Will Riley | F | Illinois
Purdue v Illinois Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’8” | 180 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.6 pts | 4.1 reb | 2.2 ast | 43.2% FG
Will Riley came in as one of the hot names among freshmen. A 6’8 scrawny wing that can score at all three levels. He has showcased a display of shot-making that doesn’t come around often at his size and age. He had an up-and-down year with Illinois but started the season off with a crazy stat line in his first game against Eastern Illinois, where he dropped 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists — those high-scoring games don’t come easy for a freshman and especially not in their first game.
Despite having a high motor, Will Riley soon found it hard to impact games in a way that led to wins. He struggled to be consistent on the field, handle the ball, and play within the team’s style. He is still developing physically, which should help him become more efficient around the rim and as a dynamic scorer, and he will probably be developing for another year in college basketball; I would be shocked if he declared for the draft this year. — Dray Mottishaw
26 - Isaiah Evans | G | Duke
Alabama v Duke Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’7” | 175 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 7 pts | 1.2 reb | 0.5 ast | 43.2% FG | 41.6% 3pt
Isaiah Evans is not talked about as much because his teammates Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach steal a lot of the attention, but he is an important part of Duke’s success because of his flamethrower-style shooting. The 6’7 SG/SF is the definition of a sharpshooter. During his freshman season, he has shot 41.6% from three on 4.3 threes per game. He has seemingly unlimited range, and Duke loves to run his off screens to get him open, so he is comfortable shooting from different ranges, angles, and off balance.
The biggest concern is his size. 6’7 is a respectable height; however, he weighs just 175 pounds. His frame is extremely lean, and at the collegiate level, he only takes about 14% of his shots in the paint. He will need to add a lot of strength to be more than a one-trick pony at the NBA level. He plays hard on defense, but again, his lean frame will make defense at an NBA level difficult. A fair NBA comparison is Malik Beasley. -Jeff Thomas
27 - Rasheer Fleming | F | St. Joseph’s
Saint Joseph v La Salle Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’9” | 240 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.7 pts | 8.5 reb | 1.3 ast | 53.1% FG | 39% 3pt
Fleming is lesser known to the public eye because he plays for St. Joseph’s, but he has some exciting potential. The 6’9 junior weighs 240 pounds. He has the potential to play center or forward in the league, largely due to his impressive 7’5 wingspan. He is a bouncy athlete who is a monster to deal with in the rebounding department. Despite being slightly undersized for a center, he swats away 1.5 shots per game. One thing that is extremely intriguing about Fleming is his perimeter shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 29.7% from three on 2.4 threes per game. His sophomore year, that improved to 32.4% on 3 threes per game. This year, as a junior, that trend continued in eye-popping fashion as he improved to 39% on 4.5 shots per game. His form and quick release indicate that success can translate to the pro level. Combine that with his ridiculous wingspan, defensive versatility, and athleticism, and you have yourself an enticing prospect.
The biggest concern with Fleming is that he plays for a small school. The talent he is going against night to night isn’t going to be anywhere near the NBA level. So, the question is, how will his game translate when those around him are bigger, more athletic, and on a bigger stage? It’s a question that is impossible to answer right now, but I’m surprised he isn’t talked about more as a prospect. A pro comp for him would be Aaron Gordon. -Jeff Thomas
28 - Danny Wolf | C | Michigan
UC San Diego v Michigan Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Measurements: 7’0” | 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 13.2 pts | 9.7 reb | 3.6 ast | 1.4 blk | 49.7% FG
A Junior who stands 7 feet tall, Danny Wolf moves like a wing and passes like a guard. Wolf is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft because of his gifted abilities at his size: his handle and passing, being able to run a pick and roll as a ball handler, protecting the rim, and spacing the floor from time to time, Danny Wolf has given teams problems this whole year. His translatability should come with ease as he can do many things on the court, but there are a few things that draft evaluators have become skeptical about.
Though he is a savvy passer, Danny Wolf turns the ball over a lot more than you would like as he is averaging 3.2 turnovers a game — that’s quite a bit for a big man. He forces passes way too often and sometimes gets a little too fancy with the ball, but he makes it work most of the time. His floor spacing is streaky and a little questionable, and with his FT% being so low, averaging a career worst 59.4%, I begin to wonder how much touch he really has. Throughout his 3-year career, he has less than 15 total dunks as a 7-footer, which raises a huge red flag to me. While these flaws can be considered major, Danny Wolf remains a highly regarded upperclassman who can help teams in a variety of ways. — Dray Mottishaw
29 - Yaxel Lendeborg | F | UAB
NCAA Basketball: American Athletic Conference Tournament Championship-Memphis vs UAB Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Measureables: 6’9” 230 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.1 pts | 10.5 reb | 4.1 ast | 1.8 blk | 61.3% TS
Despite being such a late projection in the draft, Lendeborg is one of the more sure-thing prospects in the entire class. A habitual scorer, desperate rebounder, and especially capable defender on the wing, Lendeborg is the travel plug adapter of the 2025 batch. Plug him into your system — or any system — and you can rest assured that he’ll get the job done.
Especially on the glass and defensive end of the floor, Lendeborg haunts the opposition, as he won his league DPOY honors not once, but twice in his two collegiate seasons. The only major knocks on his pro potential come down to his level of competition in the American Conference slate. Though Yaxel was 2x All-Conference, All-defense, and the tournament MVP, the best players in D-1 play in power conferences nearly exclusively these days. Lendeborg boasts legit NBA size and a competitive overdrive that projects to offer him a long and solid career.
The flashiest pick? No, but a low-risk selection at this point in the draft? You bet. — Calvin Barrett
30 - JT Toppin | F | Texas Tech
Drake v Texas Tech Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Measurements: 6’7” 210 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 18.2 pts | 9.4 reb | 2.3 stocks | 55.4% FG
JT Toppin is a fantastic college player, posting an absurd Offensive Box Plus/Minus of 8.8 (4th best in college ball). Despite his success at the college level, his size, athleticism, and skill set may not translate to the pros. He’s listed at 210 pounds, and at last year’s combine he measured 6’7”. He’s not an explosive athlete and primarily scores with a throwback post game.
At the college level he’s an efficient scorer, but at the pro level he’s unlikely to get post touches as an undersized 4. He’s not much of a shooter (33% from 3, 68% from the line) or playmaker (1.2 assists per game), and he’ll struggle defensively due to his size and athleticism.
With his disadvantages, it’s difficult to see a path to success in the NBA. — Jordan Cummings