2025 NBA Draft Big Board
Happy NBA Draft day! Below you'll find my COMPLETE AND FINAL 2025 NBA Draft Big Board with blurbs for all 70 players. Thank you for reading and enjoy!
Note: Players’ height is measured without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine. Since they play in shoes, I’ve worked that into my listed heights, adding roughly an inch to an inch and a half to the measured heights without shoes at the Combine.
Also: You can read my finalized NBA Mock Draft here!
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Forward | 6’9” | 220 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 18.5 | Freshman
What more is there to say about Cooper Flagg that hasn’t already been said? Cooper is not only a fantastic basketball player, but he’s a competitive freak. His competitiveness and will to win, although unquantifiable, are his most intriguing traits as a prospect. He offers a high floor while also possessing star potential, making him a complete home run as a #1 prospect. Flagg’s defense is lockdown, and his size and athleticism provide him with an edge when guarding wings. Offensively, he shot the ball so much better than scouts expected him to coming into the season. He also showed enough passing ability for a coach to be comfortable with him making decisions on the floor and acting as a connective piece. In transition, Flagg is essentially an automatic two points. The variety of ways he can affect the game is intoxicating.
There are varying levels of confidence among draft evaluators when it comes to Flagg’s star potential. Admittedly. I’ve been a bit lower on that scale, yet he’s still far and away the top prospect for me. That’s because, even if you don’t get the ‘star’ you hope to land when drafting #1, at the very least you’re gonna get a plus defender with great athleticism and a competitive edge. That’s what makes him ‘safe,’ while also offering top-tier upside.
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Guard | 6’6” | 215 lbs | 6’10.5” wingspan | age: 19.2 | Freshman
Dylan Harper is widely accepted as the consensus #2 prospect in this class, and for good reason. Despite an underachieving season as a whole for Rutgers, Harper was excellent in all but a few games as a freshman, showing an array of offensive skills while also holding his own as a point of attack defender. To me, Harper’s game screams “All-NBA guard.” He’s a smooth lefty scorer that plays with a lot of confidence and poise. Harper is dynamic as an offensive engine in that he can take over a game with his scoring, can control the pace with his ball handling, and he’s underrated as a creator for his teammates. If Rutgers had more power-5 level players around Harper and Ace Bailey, not only would they have won more games but I think Harper would’ve averaged more than 4 assists per game with the way he can find open teammates when he draws defensive gravity.
Not only is Dylan Harper a threat to score from anywhere on the floor, he also offers great size and smooth athleticism to your backcourt. He rebounds the ball well and gets out in transition in a blur. He hustles, he’s competitive, he gets to the line, and he’s solid as a defender both on and off the ball. His shooting efficiency and turnover rate need to improve, but that’s expected from a young guard tasked with as much of the offensive load as Harper was. All in all, he offers just about everything you’d want out of your franchise guard.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Forward | 6’9” | 200 lbs | 7’0.5” wingspan | age: 18.8 | Freshman
Ace Bailey arguably has the widest range of potential outcomes of any player in this class, and it seems his range of where he could get drafted is increasing by the day. Personally, I still think Bailey is going to be drafted at #3, because he’s the guy with the highest upside of anyone in this draft outside of maybe Cooper Flagg.
It’s not common to find a player of Bailey’s size and length that can not only shoot the ball as well as he can, but hit tough contested shots the way Ace Bailey does on a consistent basis. His combination of height and shooting touch gives him the ability to get his shot off over virtually any wing defender. He has a solid mid range game and he can jump out of the gym, which is electric to see from a player his size. Bailey is able to block a lot of shots by timing his help defense well, and he’s always good for an exciting chase-down block in transition due to the aforementioned combination of length and athleticism.
This isn’t to say that Ace Bailey is a no-doubt home run of a prospect; there are reasons he could fall further than we once thought. Aside from the growing maturity concerns, which already seemed to exist on a lesser scale but has been accentuated by how he and his camp have chosen to handle the pre-draft process, there are on-court concerns as well. Yes, Bailey can make tough shots, but he takes tough shots too early in the shot clock far too often. There’s a fine line between being able to hit the tough ones when you’re trapped and have no other option, and putting up unnecessary contested shots just because you’re capable of making them. There are also questions about his feel, decision making, and handle. It really feels like Ace Bailey is destined for either star or bust outcome with little room in between.
4. Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
Guard | 6’6” | 205 lbs | 6’8” wingspan | age: 19.1 | Freshman
The line between Bailey and Kasparas Jakučionis as far as my personal evaluations go is extremely thin. I’m having a tough time understanding why Jakučionis isn’t a projected top-5 pick. I understand why a power 5 freshman dropping off in terms of scoring and shooting efficiency in conference play is a red flag, but I’d also contend that nobody seems to take Jakučionis’s mid-season hand injury into account when referencing efficiency. He showed both early on for Illinois and also pre-Illinois that he’s capable of hitting a wide variety of shots. The numbers might not bear out, but throw on the tape and you’ll see Jaku hitting some really tough ones. (Yes, I’m coining the Jaku nickname.) I’m willing to take a process-over-result approach for a freshman guard that was playing through injury in a tough conference, especially if that guard can run my offense.
5. Tre Johnson, Texas
Guard | 6’6” | 190 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 19.2 | Freshman
The ceiling for Tre Johnson as a scorer in the NBA is incredibly high. His shotmaking on the move and deep shooting range is what he hangs his hat on, but he also has an alluring shiftiness with the ball in his hands and shot an encouraging 60% at the rim. On 42/40/87 shooting splits, Tre displayed efficient offense against the grueling SEC defenses. He showed flashes of passing feel as well, although his 2.7 assists per game show he has room for improvement in that department. Johnson isn’t a lockdown point of attack defender, but he isn’t a traffic cone and he has good enough size to not consistently be picked on.
6. Khaman Maluach, Duke
Big | 7’2” | 250 lbs | 7’7” wingspan | age: 18.7 | Freshman
Khaman Maluach is a beast of a man at over 7 feet tall with powerful athleticism and freakishly long arms. The South Sudanese big man stars in his role as a rim runner and shot eraser, and by all accounts he was a beloved teammate in his time at Duke. If you throw on the highlight tape, you’ll see Maluach throw down some ferocious dunks, but he also showed soft touch underneath the rim at times. In the post, he’s a smart passer and has a nice turnaround jumper. Jump shooting is another area where he’s shown flashes, most notably before arriving at Duke. He only hit 4 of his 16 attempts as a freshman, but the fact that he has the ability to space the floor paired with his interior dominance is scary.
There are concerns over his physicality coming and going, and his underwhelming rebounding ability at times, which is fair considering his size and strength. I think that at worst, Maluach can be a play finisher and shot deterrent, an archetype that always is of use to a team’s rotation. I see him as a rare ‘high ceiling AND high floor’ prospect.
7. Egor Demin, BYU
Guard | 6’9” | 200 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 19.2 | Freshman
Egor Demin has had the NBA Draft community divided since very early on in the cycle. Some have been enamored with his court vision and passing ability as a 6’9” point guard, and some are alarmed by his passive nature on offense. I fall in the former camp. Not only is he an elite playmaker with elite size, but he has off-ball ability as well with his timely cutting and ability to hit the occasional jumper. His 27% from deep isn’t what you want to see, but he isn’t a hopeless shooter. When he catches it in stride and puts it up with comfortable mechanics, it looks good. He just seemingly needs to shake off the hesitancy.
I’ve seen Egor Demin as low as late 20’s on some boards, but I personally can’t see why a team wouldn’t take a swing on him high in the draft. His passing feel is tantalizing and might be one of the most outlier skills of any prospect in this class. I think some of his passiveness boils down to him genuinely wanting the offense to get the most efficient shot possible, and he puts more thought into that than he does his own scoring output. If Demin gains confidence in his ability to score, he could end up as an offensive weapon.
8. V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
Guard/Wing | 6’5” | 193 lbs | 6’7.5” wingspan | age: 19.9 | Freshman
V.J. Edgecombe seems to be a lock to go in the top 4 picks on draft night after a successful freshman season at Baylor. Edgecombe has scouts captivated by his athleticism and two-way ability. The energy he brings when he steps on the court is intoxicating for a fan or scout, and draining for opposing defenses. Edgecombe uses his burst and quickness to get downhill with ease, and he can shift gears in an instant. He’s also a solid shooter, primarily off the catch. Defensively, V.J. has quick feet, makes smart rotations, and gets in the passing lanes, averaging over 2 steals per contest.
Admittedly, I have Edgecombe a bit lower than you’ll see him on most big boards, and certainly lower than he’s expected to go. I’ve written about the reasons why in my previous big board and mock draft from earlier in the season, but to recap, I feel that he’s a bit undersized to consistently and reliably play the role he did in college on a greater scale. His handle and shot creation isn’t where you want it to be as a top-4 pick. Lastly, his below the rim finishing isn’t great, only converting 47% of his non-dunk attempts at the rim. I don’t add this section to pick him apart, only to add context to my evaluation and ranking. I still like V.J. Edgecombe a lot as a player and consider him a clear-cut top-10 level player.
9. Carter Bryant, Arizona
Wing | 6’8” | 215 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 19.6 | Freshman
Carter Bryant’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he made the most of limited opportunity as a freshman at Arizona. He has high upside as a 3&D wing with potentially more to unlock on the offensive end. I wrote about this in my mock draft, but Bryant was the main option offensively in high school at Corona Centennial, where he showed much more offensively than he was tasked with at Arizona. As a freshman, he keyed in on the defensive end. He turned himself into one of the top perimeter defenders in the class. Despite playing under 20 minutes a game and averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds, Bryant has great potential.
10. Derik Queen, Maryland
Big | 6’10” | 245 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 20.5 | Freshman
Derik Queen is one of the more polarizing prospects in the class; some love how unique his skillset is for a player of his frame, while others are frightened by his defensive ability, or lack thereof. I had Queen as high as 5 at one point during the season, but the red flags admittedly got to me a bit. For me, Queen is a new member of my “if they hit, I don’t want to be wrong” club. He’s an extremely fun player to watch offensively with his soft touch under the rim, and his feel and passing ability at the center position, and I like players that are fun to watch (maybe sometimes to a fault.)
11. Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Guard/Wing | 6’6” | 200 lbs | 6’8” wingspan | age: 23.3 | 5th Yr. Senior
I don’t think I was alone in questioning Nique Clifford’s decision to use his final year of eligibility when he had a chance to go in the first round in a weaker 2024 draft, but he now projects as a top-20 pick. Returning to school definitely paid off. Clifford may be an older prospect, but he’s a do-it-all wing that can stuff the stat sheet. He provides value as a scorer and facilitator. He should be a plug-and-play option for a team looking for immediate impact.
12. Kon Knueppel, Duke
Wing | 6’6” | 220 lbs | 6’6” wingspan | age: 19.9 | Freshman
Kon Knueppel really turned heads throughout Duke’s dominant season and Final Four run as he played high IQ basketball and hit some big shots along the way. Knueppel has a claim as the best shooter in the class, and he has great defensive instincts on top of that. He plays at a a nice pace with the ball in his hands using his strength and footwork, and his off-ball instincts are pristine, making timely cuts and freeing himself up for open threes. Knueppel is definitely lacking a bit as an athlete, didn’t measure too well at the Combine, and he doesn’t offer a ton of self-creation on the ball, but Knueppel is really good at the things he’s good at and he offers a very safe floor as a prospect.
13. Noa Essengue, France
Forward | 6’9” | 195 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 18.5 | ratiopharm Ulm
Don’t be surprised if Noa Essengue goes higher than some of the mock drafts say, including my own. Essengue is one of the youngest players in the draft, and projects as a plus defender with good length that could grow offensively in time. He’s very mobile and agile and has good vertical athleticism. He’s still very raw and very much a project offensively, but there’s enough there along with his defensive impact for a team in the lottery to be intrigued.
14. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Guard | 6’4” | 180 lbs | 6’5” wingspan | age: 18.7 | Freshman
Fears is most likely going much higher than this, and this ranking is by no means an indictment on him as a player, there are just other guys I’d rather roll the dice on. Fears is a young guard that plays with tons of confidence on the offensive end, creating shots for himself and others at a high level. He needs to improve his 3PT efficiency, but his free throw percentage is an encouraging for the development of his jumper. Fears also shows flashes of high-level playmaking, showing he can be a lead initiator. Defensively, Fears might get picked on a bit, but if he’s able to add strength he should be able to hold his own against opposing guards.
15. Asa Newell, Georgia
Forward/Big | 6’10” | 225 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 19.7 | Freshman
Asa Newell is flying too far under the radar; I feel like even I have him lower than I probably should. Newell isn’t a flashy prospect, but he’s a perfect fit as a forward in the modern NBA. He has enough size and length to be a plus defender from the get-go. He has quick enough feet to guard on the perimeter when needed. Newell also has potential as a floor spacer, but even if his jumper never fully reaches a reliable level, he can contribute offensively by making quick decisions when the ball finds him, finishing plays, and putting back misses. He’s a decent rebounder as well with good hands and anticipation.
16. Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
Big | 6’10” | 250 lbs | 7’6” wingspan | age: 19.5 | Freshman
Thomas Sorber’s season was unfortunately cut short by a left foot injury, but he impressed enough in 24 games for NBA teams to be interested in the middle of the first round. Sorber is an athletic, high energy big man that brings physicality in a huge frame. He’s a good decision maker with a great combination of strength and footwork. He profiles as a pick-and-roll weapon with his hard screens, ability to finish with power or finesse, and his growing ability to hit mid-range jumpers. He also offers some playmaking out of the post. Defensively, Sorber blocks shots at a high level (2 per game) and he’s a tough guy for opposing bigs to back down in the post due to his strength and his large frame.
17. Cedric Coward, Washington State
Wing | 6’6” | 213 lbs | 7’2” wingspan | age: 21.7 | Senior
Cedric Coward has shot up draft boards late in the process, and for good reason. He has a great frame with broad shoulders, and his freakish length paired with an ability to shoot from deep has scouts drooling. Coward offers high upside as a perimeter defender as well due to his long arms and athleticism. and he scores it well at the rim (83% as a sophomore at Eastern Washington, 72% as a junior, 74% in 6 games for Washington State.) He’s also a threat to score in transition.
Coward’s background is unique; starting his collegiate career at the D3 level before transferring to Eastern Washington, where he averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds across two seasons. He transferred up to Washington State, and was on fire for 6 games before suffering an injury. He entered the transfer portal and committed to Duke, but decided to stay in the draft process. It’s been a long and strange road for Coward to get to this point. He’s pretty young for a senior prospect and still offers plenty of upside.
18. Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
Forward | 6’9” | 230 lbs | 7’5” wingspan | age: 20.9 | Junior
The broadly-built junior from Saint Joseph’s turned himself into a legitimate first round prospect after experiencing a massive lift in his 3PT production. Fleming made a 10% leap in 3PT efficiency from his freshman to junior seasons. At worst, the team that drafts Rasheer Fleming is getting a versatile defensive playmaker with quick feet, active hands, high energy level and an unreal 7’5” wingspan.
19. Nolan Traoré, France
Guard | 6’3” | 175 lbs | 6’8” wingspan | age: 19.1 | Saint-Quentin
Once a projected top-5 pick in the preseason, Nolan Troaré’s stock took a dip after a slow start to the season. Traoré fell, and then quietly improved as the season progressed, becoming a bit of an undervalued upside swing in the 2025 class. He wasn't projected so highly without reason; Traoré initially turned heads due to his ability to get into the paint and attack the collapsing defense with his passing ability, which he maintained throughout the season. However, his inefficiency from deep along with his subpar size and limited defensive ceiling has caused him to slip a little bit. I still think of Traoré as one of the best value plays in the draft considering the offensive potential he brings to the table.
20. Liam McNeeley, UConn
Wing | 6’8” | 215 lbs | 6’8.5” wingspan | age: 19.7 | Freshman
Liam McNeeley is one of the four projected first round picks from the notorious 2023-24 Montverde Academy roster. He’s one of the top projected shooters in this class, although his shooting efficiency and versatility didn’t match what draft evaluators hoped for coming into the season. McNeeley was better shooting off the catch than on the move in his freshman season. I think McNeeley has enough juice on the ball to attack closeouts, but he’ll need to improve his at-rim finishing. He’s a smart player that doesn’t force anything offensively and has a lot of potential as a shooter, but he’ll need to refine some aspects of his game.
21. Joan Beringer, France
Big | 7’0” | 235 lbs | 7’4” wingspan | age: 18.6 | Olimpija
Joan Beringer’s rise has been so significant that I feel like I’m low on him despite moving him up to a near top-20 player on my board. I think it’s possible that a team will roll the dice on Beringer higher than anyone expects. His size and length measurements are completely unreal when paired with his jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism. Beringer serves well as a shot blocker and vertical spacer, showing two-way impact on the interior. A former soccer player, Beringer is extremely light on his feet and glides up the court in transition — a rare sight for a player of his stature.
22. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Forward | 6’7” | 240 lbs | 7’1” wingspan | age: 20 | Sophomore
Having Collin Murray-Boyles this low on my board is less of an indictment on his game and more of a statement of how deep this year’s first round is. Murray-Boyles is one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2025 Draft, using his 7ft wingspan to disrupt opposing drivers. He provides good help defense as well. There’s no doubt that Murray-Boyles is a talented player, but there are questions of how well his game will translate with his lack of size for his position and his unwillingness to shoot from distance. The range is wide for Collin Murray-Boyles, but he’s likely to be selected in the top-20.
23. Danny Wolf, Michigan
Big | 7’0” | 252 lbs | 7’2” wingspan | age: 21.1 | Junior
Danny Wolf was an interesting prospect when he was playing at Yale, and he was able to maintain his production in a tougher conference as a junior for Michigan. Wolf possesses the rare ability to initiate offense as a 7-footer, and he also has a solid handle for a player his size. Wolf thrives in double big lineups, often serving as a pick-and-roll ball handler with the extra big screening for him. It’s unclear how well his game will translate, but Danny Wolf brings a unique skillset to the table.
24. Ben Saraf, Israel
Guard | 6’6” | 200 lbs | 6’7.5” wingspan | age: 19.2 | ratiopharm Ulm
Ben Saraf is one of the top playmaking prospects in the 2025 Draft class while also bringing some juice on the ball defensively. Saraf can get to the rim using his change of pace and advanced footwork, and he’s fairly efficient there. But his lack of athleticism, shot creation and shooting touch definitely limits his ceiling a bit.
25. Kam Jones, Marquette
Guard | 6’4” | 202 lbs | 6’6” wingspan | age: 23.3 | Senior
The steady rise in Kam Jones’s game over his four seasons at Marquette has been fun to watch, and it culminated in his best scoring season to date as a senior, averaging 19.2 points per game. His ability to get to the rim at will and score there efficiently while also taking a massive playmaking leap is encouraging to see, but what isn’t encouraging is his shooting percentages dropping across the board. Still, I see Kam Jones as a guy that’s worthy of a first round selection, and I’m a bit surprised that he’s projected to fall into the second round.
26. Drake Powell, North Carolina
Wing | 6’6” | 200 lbs | 7'0” wingspan | age: 19.7 | Freshman
Drake Powell’s production at UNC didn’t match what you’d expect from a 5-star prospect, but it’s hard not to see a potential NBA rotation player when you watch him play. Powell has explosive athleticism and good defensive instincts. He can attack the rim with ferocity and finishes there at a 69% rate. He also shot the ball efficiently on low volume, proving value was a spot-up threat.
27. Walter Clayton Jr, Florida
Guard | 6’3” | 199 lbs | 6’4” wingspan | age: 22.2 | Senior
Walter Clayton Jr. became a March Madness legend after Florida’s run to the National Championship, hitting big shot after big shot to keep the Gators alive throughout the tournament. His shot creation and deep shooting range have helped him vault his way into the late first round.
28. Sion James, Duke
Guard/Wing | 6’6” | 220 lbs | 6’6.5” wingspan | age: 22.5 | 5th Yr. Senior
This may be higher than you’ll see Sion James on most boards, but I just can’t stop bumping him up each time I look at my board. Going into the NBA Playoffs, I made a point to try and visualize how certain NBA Draft prospects would look in that type of setting. The guy that I couldn’t stop thinking about as I watched playoff hoops was Sion James. James brings toughness and energy to the perimeter and can impact the game in many ways. He has the size and physicality to play and guard multiple positions, he’s a great connective passer, he shoots the ball efficiently, doesn't force the issue, and he’s a nightmare to deal with in transition. On top of all of that, he’s a good athlete that’s built like a freight train. Watching the Finals and seeing guys like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso— guys who were so undervalued that they went undrafted — make such an impact, it makes me want to move a prospect like Sion James up.
29. Koby Brea, Kentucky
Guard/Wing | 6’7” | 200 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 22.6 | 5th Yr. Senior
Koby Brea might have the best shooting profile of any prospect in the draft, which is what has him as a first rounder on my board ahead of what I see as an underwhelming pool of second round prospects. At 6’7” with a decent frame, Brea shot 43% from deep over four seasons at Dayton, and kept up the same production in an historically great SEC in 2024-25. He’s great at coming off screens, sets his feet quickly and has great shot mechanics. He’s also a solid passer. Brea brings an elite skill to the table even if he has a limited ceiling.
30. Hugo González, Spain
Wing | 6’7” | 223 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 19.3 | Real Madrid
Hugo González is a classic example of an international player whose numbers are underwhelming compared to where they’re projected to be drafted. That’s usually due to the young player getting limited opportunity on a team full of veteran professionals, such as on a team like Real Madrid. For Hugo, it’s more important to track his film from prior to the 2024-25 season than it is for any other prospect in the class. Hugo was an important player for Real Madrid’s U18 team in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. In a higher usage role, Hugo can be an explosive scorer with solid shooting and great off-ball cutting.
31. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Big | 7’2” | 257 lbs | 7’6” wingspan | age: 23.4 | 5th Yr. Senior
Ryan Kalkbrenner has become a pretty well known name for even the casual college basketball fan over the years as he’s led some solid Creighton teams. It almost feels wrong ranking Kalkbrenner as a second rounder because his game feels so safe. At 7’2” with a plus wingspan, Kalkbrenner brings value as a clean-up big and shot blocker, but he has shown he can be much more than just that. Kalkbrenner has good mobility for his size and has grown into a respectable floor spacer on limited attempts.
32. Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Guard | 6’1” | 180 lbs | 6’6” wingspan | age: 19.7 | Freshman
Jase Richardson is a probable first rounder, with some mocks even having him close to the lottery. That’s a bit rich for me for a small guard that doesn’t create for others very well, but Richardson brings nice scoring versatility to the table with a good feel for the game. He’s an awesome scorer from the mid-range and plays with a high energy level. Jase Richardson is the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson.
33. Noah Penda, France
Forward | 6’7” | 225 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 20.4 | Le Mans
Noah Penda is a bit of an under the radar prospect in a draft with minimal buzz around the international scene in general. Wing/forward defenders with good length normally stick around in the NBA, especially if they can bring another key skillset to the table. In Penda’s case, he’s a magnificent playmaker with nice court vision and a knack for fitting passes into tight windows. Penda isn’t a great athlete or shot creator and struggles to shoot it consistently, so there are obstacles for him to overcome. But he has a solid enough skillset to carve out a role in the NBA.
34. Adou Thiero, Arkansas
Wing | 6’6” | 218 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 21.7 | Junior
Adou Thiero is tantalizing as an athlete and defender, and offensively he can get downhill and attack the rim relentlessly. Off the ball, he’s a smart and timely cutter. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and plays within the flow of the offense. The big question mark for Thiero is his jumper. His 3PT percentage dropped from an already measly 31.8% as a sophomore at Kentucky to 25% as a junior at Arkansas. Three pointers aren’t a huge part of his shot diet at this stage of his development, but he’ll most likely have to get used to putting up more of them serving in an off-ball role in the NBA.
35. Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
Big | 7’1” | 237 lbs | 7’1” wingspan | age: 22.2 | Senior
The stretch big archetype isn’t prominent in this particular draft class, but if that’s your cup of tea, then Maxime Raynaud is your guy. Raynaud grew into that role over the course of his time at Stanford, finishing his senior season averaging a smooth 20 points and 10 rebounds on 34% from deep. Raynaud can also handle the ball well for a 7-footer and provides decent interior defense.
36. Will Riley, Illinois
Wing | 6’9” | 185 lbs | 6’9” wingspan | age: 19.3 | Freshman
I’ve been a bit lower on Will Riley than most throughout this draft cycle, but there’s no doubt the potential is there. Riley is comfortable shooting from anywhere on the floor, with mixed results so far. He’s very raw, but he’s constantly moving off the ball and has some playmaking upside. He struggles with physicality defensively, but he has good size and if he can pack on some weight he should be able to withstand more of the physicality.
37. Alijah Martin, Florida
Guard | 6’2” | 210 lbs | 6’7.5” wingspan | age: 23.5 | 5th Yr. Senior
Alijah Martin was once best known for his play during Florida Atlantic’s run to the Final Four in 2023, but I think he usurped that moment when he cut down the nets as a National Champion with the Florida Gators last season. Simply put, Martin is a winning basketball player. He’s an energetic and efficient guard with a stocky frame and solid athleticism. He’s a good shooter that can hit shots on the move. There are questions about whether a 6’2” guard that doesn’t project as an initiator can stick in the NBA, but Martin is definitely still worth a second round flier.
38. Javon Small, West Virginia
Guard | 6’2” | 190 lbs | 6’5” wingspan | age: 22.5 | Senior
Javon Small is a quick and bursty guard with good athleticism. I love guards that can play with or without the ball in their hands, and that’s Javon Small. He has a good handle and can control the pace with his ability to shift gears. He’s a good shooter off the catch and has deep range, hitting multiple threes from NBA range in his senior season. He doesn’t have great size and will need to cut back on turnovers, plus his off-ball defense can be spotty, but Small is a fairly versatile guard that should expect to hear his name called.
39. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Guard | 6’5” | 205 lbs | 6’9” wingspan | age: 23.5 | 5th Yr. Senior
There were questions coming into the season around how much of the scoring load Chaz Lanier would be able to take over for Tennessee after they lost Dalton Knecht to the NBA, and he answered the call, dropping 18 points per game on decent efficiency. Lanier is a dynamic scorer and shot maker that can come off movements and serve as an off-ball threat. You’re not drafting Lanier for him to be a playmaker or lockdown defender, but he could easily turn into a nice spark plug scorer off the bench.
40. Bogoljub Marković, Serbia
Forward | 6’11” | 190 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 19.9 | KK Mega Basket
Bogoljub Marković is another intriguing upside play this deep down the board, and it’s likely that he’ll be picked higher than this. Marković is a good floor spacer at almost 7 feet tall, and he can both score and pass out of the post. Marković has good lateral quickness as well, so there could be potential on the defensive end. He’s another guy that needs to add on strength.
41. Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Guard | 6’5” | 175 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 22.2 | Senior
Sallis is an experienced guard with good positional size and length. He’s smooth with the ball in his hands with his slick handle, and he makes long strides. He’s able to create space for his jumper at a pretty high level and he’s an unselfish player. Defensively, he’s attentive on the ball and has good footwork. His 3PT% dropped from 40% as a junior to 28% as a senior, which was disappointing to see. But he’s shown he can be an efficient shooter when he’s in a groove.
42. Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Guard | 6’5” | 183 lbs | 6’7” wingspan | age: 21.2 | Junior
Proctor turned himself into a consistent shooter in his junior season, which made him much more intriguing as a draft prospect. He’s also a good passer and connective playmaker, and offers solid perimeter defense. He’s contributed to winning at Duke each season, playing with three very different rosters. Where Proctor is lacking is in athleticism and at-rim finishing, but you can always find value in a high IQ guard.
43. Rocco Zikarsky, Australia
Big | 7’4” | 260 lbs | 7’5” wingspan | age: 18.9 | Brisbane Bullets
The measurements on Rocco Zikarsky are absolutely comical. At 7’4”, Zikarsky is a solid athlete with decent mobility for his size. He’s an interior threat on both ends, serving as a lob threat offensively and blocking shots at a decent rate. He’s also a good rebounding presence. Zikarsky doesn’t really provide offense outside of the paint and struggles with physicality at times, but he’s very raw as one of the youngest prospects in the class.
44. Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
Guard | 6’6” | 230 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 23.2 | Senior
This may be a bit rich for Barnhizer in comparison to other boards (the ones he’s actually on, at least,) but he’s a guy that I can’t quit. Barnhizer is a steady ball handler with great size. He plays competitive, scrappy defense and he hustles like no other. He had also taken a leap as a playmaker in his senior campaign before a broken foot cut his season short. His size and strength helps him to get downhill, and he loves to back down smaller guards.
45. Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Guard | 6’0” | 176 lbs | 6’2” wingspan | age: 22.2 | Senior
Ryan Nembhard is another player that I have a bit higher than other boards, but the way I see it, getting a guy that brings an elite skill to the table in the second round would be a smooth move for a team. Nembhard led the nation in assists as a senior at 9.8 per game. He may be undersized, but Nembhard can orchestrate an offense and he scores at the rim pretty well for a small guard.
46. Johni Broome, Auburn
Big | 6’10” | 250 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 23.9 | 5th Yr. Senior
Johni Broome had a brilliant season in 2024-25, averaging a double-double and finishing as the runner-up for the National College Player of the Year award. Broome is a hard-nosed defensive payer that has a strong frame and plays with infectious energy. He’s a tremendous rebounder that’s capable of getting his team second chance points. He’s limited as an athlete and as a floor spacer, but he should be serviceable as a screener in the pick and roll and will provide rim protection on the other end.
47. Hansen Yang, China
Big | 7’2” | 250 lbs | 7’3” wingspan | age: 20 | Qingdao Eagles
Talk about upside swings — Hansen Yang might be the biggest one in this whole class. Yang is a giant of a man, yet instead of the big bruiser type you’d expect in his frame, he’s actually very skilled and has soft touch. Yang has smooth footwork in the post and can fool defenders easily. Where he initially turned heads was with his passing, which is also pristine for a player of his stature. I’m a definitely intrigued to see how the increase in physicality from the CBA to the NBA affects him, which I assume will be negative early in his career.
48. Samson Johnson, UConn
Big | 6’10” | 225 lbs | 7’5” wingspan | age: 22.9 | Senior
I don’t think I’ve seen Samson Johnson on any other boards this year, but this is a player that I’ve loved watching for a while. He was been far from being one of the stars of the show in UConn’s back-to-back title run, but his junior season was when he became a regular rotation player en route to their second championship, and his energy was intoxicating. He’s a splashy athlete in a solid frame and serves well as a rim runner in the pick and roll.
49. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
Big | 7’0” | 242 lbs | 7’3” wingspan | age: 22.2 | Junior
Yanic Konan Niederhauser was a late riser in this draft cycle. His size and athleticism stand out, and he can attack off the dribble pretty well for a 7-footer. He’s an effective lob threat and a high level shot blocker, sending back 2.3 opponent shots per game. He’s also shown flashes of shooting, converting on 29% on very limited volume as a sophomore at Northern Illinois.
50. Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Wing | 6’8” | 215 lbs | 6’8” wingspan | age: 22.9 | Senior
With Payton Sandfort, you get a high level shooter that makes good decisions on the ball at all times and can make defenses pay if they leave him open. He’s not a great creator off the dribble, but he could thrive if he ends up on a team with good ball movement where he can come off actions for open shots. His defense may not be where it needs to be for him to play consistent NBA minutes early on.
51. Alex Toohey, Australia
Wing | 6’9” | 220 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 21.1 | Sydney Kings
Toohey was a name that floated around during the 2024 Draft cycle, but he ultimately decided to remain in the NBL for one more year. He hasn't generated a lot of buzz this season, but Toohey’s numbers did improve on increased usage. He has really good size and feel for the game, and he’s *classic white boy phrase* sneaky athletic. Toohey is a versatile defender and solid playmaker on offense.
52. Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Big | 6’6” | 215 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 23.9
Jamir Watkins is a player that I certainly believe will go higher than where I have him ranked due to his length and defensive potential. I definitely see that vision, however I have him a bit lower due to his ball security, shot selection and tough shooting efficiency through four seasons. I think it’s possible that Watkins has untapped potential though, and I can see why he’s ranked higher on other boards.
53. John Tonje, Wisconsin
Guard | 6’6” | 212 lbs | 6’9” wingspan | age: 24.2 | 5th Yr. Senior
John Tonje played 4 years as a mostly unknown player for Colorado State before transferring to Missouri for what was supposed to be his final year of eligibility However, a foot injury cut that season short 8 games in and he was granted a waiver for the 2024-25 season, in which he played for Wisconsin. While in Madison, Tonje turned himself into a prolific scorer. He’s a stout guard with good size and shooting ability, and he’s constantly moving when away from the ball.
54. Eric Dixon, Villanova
Forward/Big | 6’8” | 260 lbs | 6’11.5” wingspan | age: 24.4 | 5th Yr. Senior
Eric Dixon was one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball last season, averaging 23 points per game while shooting 40% from deep on 7 attempts per game. He showed that he can be a productive floor spacer in his massive frame. Dixon can attack closeouts well and can score from all over the floor. Dixon is the oldest player ranked on my board.
55. Michael Ružić, Croatia
Forward | 7’0” | 220 lbs | 7’1” wingspan | age: 18.7 | Joventut
Michael Ružić is a complete project, but one that’s worth swinging on at a certain point in the second round. Ružić has great shooting touch as a legitimate 7-footer in shoes, and he has a super quick release on his jumper. At such a young age, he has a pretty good feel for the game. I was super impressed with his defensive rotations in particular. If he grows more into his frame, he could be a very impactful defender. Unfortunately, the reps have been extremely limited to this point in his playing career.
56. Viktor Lakhin, Clemson
Big | 6’11” | 230 lbs | 7’1” wingspan | age: 23.9 | Senior
Viktor Lakhin is an older prospect, but he offers versatility as a floor spacer and connective passer. Lakhin scores well as a play finisher and he’s a decent shot deterrent, averaging a block and a half per game. He does have a minor history of foot injuries, which is always a bit concerning for larger players.
57. Max Shulga, VCU
Guard/Wing | 6’5” | 206 lbs | 6’6” wingspan | age: 23 | 5th Yr. Senior
For a team that’s needy of shooting, Max Shulga could be an immediate impact guy with his off-ball movement and lighting quick release on his jumper. Shulga has nice scoring touch, which translates to runners and turnaround jumpers on the interior. He also moves the ball well and has improved as a playmaker. If his off-the-dribble shooting was a bit more consistent he’d be ranked higher in the second round.
58. Kobe Sanders, Nevada
Guard | 6’8” | 203 lbs | 6’8” wingspan | age: 23.1 | 5th Yr. Senior
Kobe Sanders is a tall guard with great mid range scoring ability and a knack for finishing at the rim. In his lone season at Nevada he displayed sweet jump shot mechanics and a smooth turnaround jumper. Sanders has good feet defensively and provides nice help defense. The concern is that the highest level of competition he played against in. five years was in the Mountain West, and he doesn’t have great athleticism by NBA standards.
59. Grant Nelson, Alabama
Forward/Big | 6’11” | 230 lbs | 7’0” wingspan | age: 23.2 | 5th Yr. Senior
Grant Nelson was a solid glue guy for Alabama for a couple of seasons after becoming the top scoring option at North Dakota State, where he held a near-30% usage rate as a junior. I like that Nelson has played different roles in different contexts and starred in each. He’s a tremendous rebounder and athlete, frequently throwing down tenacious putback dunks. He serves well as a cutter and play finisher. He’s never been an efficient shooter from deep and he has a sort of funky release, but he is capable of hitting threes when left open.
60. Amari Williams, Kentucky
Big | 7’0” | 255 lbs | 7’6” wingspan | age: 23.4 | 5th Yr. Senior
After a few productive years at Drexel, Amari Williams transferred up to play his final year of eligibility at Kentucky. Williams is serviceable as a screener and rim runner, and he’s a great athlete and rebounder with super long arms. Williams is an effective scorer and passer out of the post, displaying very nice feel.
61. Will Richard, Florida
Guard | 6’4” | 206 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 22.5
Will Richard is a solid shooter that can hit a wide variety of shots. He’s able to attack closeouts with his ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot off the bounce. Richard is good at moving the ball within the flow of the offense, making the extra pass, and cutting off the ball. He’s already used to playing a complimentary role off of primary ball handlers, which is similar to how he’ll be used if he ever cracks an NBA rotation.
62. Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
Big | 7’1” | 255 lbs | 7’5” wingspan | age: 24.1 | 5th Yr. Senior
Another former member of the Florida Atlantic Owls that made the 2023 Final Four, Vlad Goldin joined former FAU coach Dusty May at Michigan, where they kept on rolling. Goldin had his most productive collegiate season in the BIG-10, with improved numbers almost all the way across the board. With Vlad Goldin’s shear size and length and ability to finish plays as a dump off man, it wouldn’t surprise me if he eventually found his way onto an NBA floor.
63. Mark Sears, Alabama
Guard | 6’0” | 183 lbs | 6’2” wingspan | age: 23.3 | 5th Yr. Senior
It seemed from the outside like Mark Sears was going to get drafted in 2024, but he opted to return to Alabama for his final year of eligibility. Unfortunately, he had some quiet scoring nights where he looked very passive, and his numbers dropped significantly. Part of that was due to the arrival of freshman Labaron Philon and transfer Aden Holloway, but Sears wasn’t on the same heater that he was in 2023-24 and looks less likely to be drafted now than he did last year. Sears is a steady ball handler with crafty scoring ability. He can finish with finesse at the rim despite his lack of size. He’s also able to create separation at a high level.
64. Dink Pate, NBA G-League
Wing | 6’7” | 200 lbs | 6’10” wingspan | age: 19.2 | Mexico City Capitanes
Dink Pate is a highly athletic wing with loads of potential. He has confidence in his scoring ability, but the efficiency and production are a long ways away. Pate is a project, but I expect him to get drafted towards the end of the second round.
65. Izan Almansa, Spain
Forward/Big | 6’10” | 220 lbs | 7’1” wingspan | age: 20 | Perth Wildcats
Almansa has been a well-known prospect among draft evaluators for a while. He gained prominence during his days at Overtime Elite, from where he transitioned to the NBA G-League to play for the Ignite program. After the Ignite was shut down following last season, Almansa traveled to Australia to play in the NBL. He didn’t play as heavy of minutes, but his per 36 numbers slightly increased, as did his shooting efficiency. He isn’t as dynamic of a prospect as he was once thought of, but he still has potential as a mid range scorer and playmaker out of the post.
66. Clifford Omoruyi, Alabama
Big | 6’10” | 240 lbs | 7’6” wingspan | age: 23.7 | 5th Yr. Senior
Clifford Omoruyi is another big that can be had later in the draft, that can make an immediate impact as a lob threat and rim protector. Nearly 70% of his made baskets last season were dunks. His athleticism and freakish length are his main draws as a prospect, measuring in with a 7’6” wingspan.
67. Micah Peavy, Georgetown
Wing | 6’7” | 212 lbs | 6’7” wingspan | age: 23.9 | 5th Yr. Senior
Peavy had a breakout year in his final collegiate season, taking on more offensive responsibilities that he was asked to at TCU prior to 2024-25. Peavy did a good job of using his strength to attack the rim where he converted a respectable 58% on his attempts. He can provide solid mid-range scoring and off-ball shooting. His shot mechanics are smooth and repeatable.
68. Lachlan Olbrich, Australia
Forward | 6’9” | 230 lbs | 6’11” wingspan | age: 21.5 | Illawarra Hawks
Lachlan Olbrich is another name from the NBL that had some buzz last season before ultimately ended up forgoing the draft. He’s a big-bodied forward that passes the ball well and thrives in transition as a scorer and playmaker. The ball moves so well with Olbrich on the floor. He plays with his head up and makes quick reads. Off the ball, he’s a very good cutter. Olbrich is a fun player to watch but his ceiling is limited due to his lack of athleticism and shooting, plus his susceptibility to be backed down by stronger forwards.
69. Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State
Guard | 6’4” | 200 lbs | age: 21.9 | Senior
Keshon Gilbert is a shifty ball handler with a good change of pace and confident scoring ability. He has good size, athleticism, and physicality for a guard. He was able to get into the paint at will in the BIG-12 and has crafty finishing at the rim. Gilbert gets to the line at a solid rate as well. Defensively, he’s tough and gritty on the ball.
70. RJ Luis, St. John’s
Guard | 6’6” | 210 lbs | 6’10.5” wingspan | age: 22.6 | Junior
RJ Luis improved his game greatly during his time in college, especially from a scoring standpoint. After starting his career at UMass as a freshman, Luis spent the last two seasons playing for Rick Pitino at St. John’s, where he turned into the Big East Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Luis is a solid ball handler that measures well and brings defensive versatility. His shot does have a tendency to disappear on him, which made their offense look rough at times with Luis as the go-to option. Ultimately, he ranks low due to his limited ceiling and rough offensive stretches.
Thanks for reading! I’ll be back for more fun in the 2026 Draft cycle!