2025 NBA Draft Big Board, vol. I
The start of the college basketball season has been a blast, and the 2025 NBA Draft looks more and more appealing by the day. Below are my top-30 rankings through the first month of hoops.
Whenever I make a big board public in the midst of the season, especially this early on, I feel the need to note that there is still so much scouting to be done, none of these evaluations are set in stone, and if you don’t see your favorite prospect, it’s possible that I just haven’t gotten around to watching them play yet this season. I’m limiting myself to 30 names for this board, and right now there are a probably more than 30 guys that look like they have a shot to go first round, so there will be a lot of “what about this guy” guys to go around. With all that said, enjoy reading my current top 30 based on everything I’ve seen so far, and shout at me on Twitter/X (@ZachDraft) to let me know what prospects I’m sleeping on.
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Forward | 6’9” | 205 lbs | Freshman | From: Newport, ME
This should come as no surprise to anyone; if you follow basketball in the slightest you’re probably familiar with Cooper Flagg. Nicknamed “The Maine Event,” a play on his home state that has bred few NBA players before him, the nickname is fitting for Flagg who steals the show in almost every game he plays. I will say, in some ways Flagg doesn’t look like your usual number one pick — as prominent as he is in the Duke offense and as much as they rely on him at times, he’s only led the team in scoring in two out of their seven games so far. He has plenty of ways he can score, but he’s not a “give me the ball and get out of the way” guy. He’s not someone who’s gonna force bad shots in the name of being the top high school prospect and consensus first overall pick. He could be quicker to pass out of double teams, which has been detrimental for Duke in some big matchups lately, but overall, Flagg hasn’t let his status take him away from playing team basketball. He’s always looking to make the right play.
What makes Cooper Flagg such a special prospect is his work on the defensive side of the ball. His blend of competitiveness and timing/attention to detail is something that can’t be taught, and when you combine that with his size and athleticism, you have a scary defensive prospect. Cooper is listed at 205 lbs, but he looks like he could be bigger than that and his frame looks like it’s ready to take on more muscle. He’s already impactful defensively, and once he really grows into his frame he could simply be a nightmare to match up against. He’s still figuring some things out offensively, the handle and the jumper aren’t the most consistent, but he has other ways to be impactful on that end with his strength and athleticism, and he’s a decent passer. Any nit you could pick is awfully small in comparison to the multitude of ways Cooper Flagg is able to impact the game at just 17 years old.
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Guard | 6’6” | 215 lbs | Freshman | From: Franklin Lakes, NJ
This draft looks to be littered with offensively versatile guards, and so far my favorite has been Dylan Harper. Rutgers is an interesting story in college hoops right now, as they have one of if not the most exciting freshman duos in Harper and Ace Bailey. It’s not a program that typically lands prospects of their caliber, so they’ll certainly be trying to make the most of this season while they have this level of talent in the building. They haven’t defeated a truly intimidating opponent yet, but the steady play of Dylan Harper has really made a difference for the Scarlet Knights.
Harper is a microwave scorer than can hit shots from almost anywhere on the court, and he has the size of a true wing while essentially playing a lead guard role. He’s a huge threat in transition as both a scorer and playmaker, two skills he utilizes just as well in the half-court. Harper is a lethal pick and roll ball handler, able to split the pick and roll with his slick handle and get into the lane or find his screener free for a bucket after drawing the defensive gravity. I knew he was talented as a scorer and could create his own shots with ease from the limited tape I watched of him in high school, but his court vision and willingness as a passer is at a level I didn’t expect it to be, and the same can be said for his defensive ability. His foot speed and spatial awareness on defense has impressed me, and his size is super impactful on that end. Harper can just impact the game in so many ways and is so good at playing off of his teammates, and I think he’s proving to be a lot more NBA-ready than I personally anticipated in the pre-season.
3. Egor Demin, BYU
Guard | 6’9” | 190 lbs | Freshman | From: Moscow, Russia
Egor Demin’s hot start to the season for Kevin Young’s new-look BYU Cougars has the draft community buzzing. I first saw him play over the summer in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, and I immediately fell in love with his game. I’m using measurements from team websites, so I’m not sure that Demin is actually 6’9”, but I’m fairly sure he’s in that ballpark which is downright scary for a player of his skillset. Demin is the epitome of the term “jumbo-playmaker.”
Demin’s feel for the game is beyond his years and among the best of any prospect in this class. He has such an advanced understanding of how to run the offense and seems to always know where his teammates are and where they should be. He can pull off some ridiculously tough passes, and he has incredibly soft touch on his passes. Demin’s not a lights-out shooter, but a capable one with a nice shot form and a high release point. His size, ball handling, playmaking and ability to score from multiple levels make him a potential offensive weapon. Defensively he’s alright, he has good reaction time and gets in the passing lanes well, averaging 2.4 steals per game so far. I’d like to see him be more disruptive on the ball, especially given his size advantage over opposing guards, but I trust guys that see the floor as well as Demin to become serviceable team defenders even if they aren’t the best individual defenders, and Demin already looks to be improving in those areas.
4. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Wing/Forward | 6’10” | 200 lbs | Freshman | From: Chattanooga, TN
Ace Bailey has essentially been the consensus #2 projected prospect in this class so far, and when you turn on the tape it doesn’t take long to see why. Bailey is a super advanced shot-maker at 6’10”. I rarely throw out NBA comparisons, especially lofty comparisons to all-time greats, but some have pointed out that Bailey’s ability to hit tough shots at his height is reminiscent of Kevin Durant. I’m not saying Ace Bailey is that caliber of player; he’d be at the top of my board if I thought he was gonna be KD 2.0. But with his mobility, size and shot making, it’s not hard to see why evaluators are falling in love with Bailey’s potential. Aside from his scoring prowess, Bailey brings springy athleticism in a great frame, and he has scary length that pops off the screen when he blocks shots in transition or as a help defender. Overall, he may have the highest upside of any prospect in this class. So, why do I have a bit lower than you’ll see him on most other boards and mocks?
There are some very minor things about Ace Bailey’s game that I wanted to see him improve on as a freshman, and there’s still plenty of time for that to play out. So far though, the results have been mixed. To start, he doesn’t have the cleanest handle. This is a small nit to pick, but it’s a massive swing skill for him because if his handle improves it would unlock so much of his offensive weaponry, and his shooting ability becomes that much more dangerous because he’d be able to punish hard closeouts better. Additionally, I’d really like for him to cut back on the contested fade-away jumpers in the middle of the shot clock. It’s really hard to complain about shot selection when the shots are falling as they have been, but it’s not necessarily a sustainable offensive approach. I know his role projects as a scorer and not as a playmaker, but he’s at a mere 4.2 assist percentage. Bailey needs to get more used to keeping the ball moving so he’s not so predictable for defenses.
These are just some minor aspects of Bailey’s game I’d like to see iron out, but it doesn’t mean I dislike him as a prospect. Although I said a lot about what he needs to improve on, I’m super encouraged by what he is able to do on the court, and he could easily be higher on the second edition of my board. I’m just taking a slower approach with him in the early stages.
5. Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
Point Guard | 6’6” | 200 lbs | Freshman | From: Vilnius, Lithunia
If it’s not already obvious from my second and third ranked prospects, I have a thing for playmaking guards with good size, and Kasparas Jakučionis fits that bill. Jakučionis is a quick decision maker whose presence on the court seems to make his teammates better, averaging 6 assists and posting an 8.8 box plus/minus so far in the young season. The accuracy and placement on his passes is very impressive. He also offers great size in the backcourt, and can really score in his own right. So far this season, Jakučionis is shooting it well at the rim and his jump shot looks to be improving game by game. I’d still like to see him find more consistency with that outside shot, especially since he’s not really a guy that’s gonna rely on athleticism and may not be getting to the rim as easily in the NBA. But so far, Jakučionis has checked a lot of boxes for me.
6. Tre Johnson, Texas
Combo Guard | 6’6” | 185 lbs | Freshman | From: Dallas, TX
Tre Johnson made a statement by scoring 29 points in his debut game against Ohio State, and he’s kept up the high level of play so far. Johnson has been scoring it in buckets on high efficiency, proving himself as one of the premier shooters and scorers of the 2025 class. So far, he’s averaging 21.2 points per game on 47/42/85 shooting splits, completely lighting up the early competition. At 6’6” with the ability to play on or off the ball, Tre Johnson has potential to be a really versatile backcourt piece that several teams should be intrigued by.
7. Nolan Traoré, Saint-Quentin
Point Guard | 6’3” | 175 lbs | From: Paris, France
Nolan Traoré is one of the premier international prospects in the 2025 Draft class, and although he’s given some inconsistent play over the course of the LNB regular season, I’m still high on his potential. A wizard with the ball in his hands, Traoré is one of the best playmakers in this class with multiple ways of creating offense for himself and for others. He gets in the lane with ease using his quickness and burst, slick handle, and change of speed and direction, making him a nightmare for defenders at the point of attack. Traoré is also a potentially elite passer that’s able to make tough reads, and often contorts his body mid-air to pull off a jaw-dropping pass in the lane. Shot selection, shooting efficiency and turnovers are areas he’ll need to work on to maintain, or even reclaim, his high draft stock.
8. V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
Guard/Wing | 6’5” | 180 lbs | Freshman | From: Bimini, Bahamas
When V.J. Edgecombe has it on, he’s one of the most fun players to watch in this class. His athleticism and two-way ability make him an intriguing top 5-10 level talent. At his most consistent, Edgecombe can score from all three levels and has blinding quickness and athleticism. He has a real knack for reading the ball coming off the rim, and loves flying in for emphatic put-back dunks. Defensively he has super quick feet guarding on the ball and he also uses his quickness to get into the passing lanes, averaging over 2 steals per game in his high school senior season, and has reached the same mark so far as a freshman. His start to the season hasn’t been fantastic, shooting 37% from the field, and I also worry a bit about his size matching up against bigger lineups. But there’s clear star potential with V.J. Edgecombe.
9. Asa Newell, Georgia
Forward | 6’10” | 215 lbs | Freshman | From: Athens, GA
Asa Newell might not be the flashiest player in this draft class, but he’s a super smart basketball player that’s gotten off to a hot start to his freshman season. His defensive impact and quick decision making have been impactful, and he has potential as a floor spacer although the volume and consistency isn’t all the way there yet. He also moves really well for a player his size and has great athleticism. Newell’s versatility on both ends makes him an easy lottery-level player, and a guy I would use a top-ten pick on based on my current evaluations.
10. Derik Queen, Maryland
Big | 6’10” | 245 lbs | Freshman | From: Baltimore, MD
Derik Queen might have an unconventional build and he’s a player that’s a bit more ground-bound than some other centers, but he’s a really high-feel big man that’s light on his feet and can step out on the perimeter on defense. He’s also a wildly impressive passer out of the post; he can make magic happen if you surround him with shooters and smart cutters. Queen’s soft touch underneath the rim is also quite impressive. He might not ultimately be drafted this high due to physicality questions, but Queen’s a unique player that’s been a joy for me to watch this season, and I feel comfortable placing him here on my personal rankings.
11. Boogie Fland, Arkansas
Combo Guard | 6’2” | 175 lbs | Freshman | From: Bronx, NY
Speaking of unique players, Boogie Fland is another one that’s become a favorite of mine. He’s been bright spot for John Calipari’s first Arkansas team, showing his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. I’m not sure if Fland will stay this high on my board throughout the course of the season, but he’s been one of my favorite players to watch so far. I like how he’s able to make big time plays on both ends. Offensively, he’s excellent at creating space for his shot and has great shooting touch and nice passing vision. On defense, he’s a pest at the point of attack, often able to overcome his size disadvantage with pure effort. Fland has been a really fun player, and hopefully he can keep up his hot start.
12. Khaman Maluach, Duke
Big | 7’2” | 250 lbs | Freshman | From: Rumbek, South Sudan
Maluach is intriguing just based on his physical profile alone, and once you see him on the court, you’re bound to come away impressed. His ability to move in his massive frame is downright scary, and he’s shown flashes of some advanced offensive capabilities. Right now, his game is pretty simplified; setting screens, catching lobs, hitting the glass, and those seem like the baseline skills he has to offer. But he has potential to do more with the ball in his hands than most 7’2” players, and his jumper looks clean in the limited flashes we’ve seen. For instance, in this Olympic Group Phase game over the summer when he was hitting shots over All-NBA big men.
13. Liam McNeeley, UConn
Wing | 6’7” | 210 lbs | Freshman | From: Richardson, TX
McNeeley is coming off a couple of tough shooting performances, but overall it’s been a solid start to the season for the UConn freshman despite the recent struggles for the Huskies as a team.. Even after the last two games, one of which he shot 0/9 from the field against Dayton, he’s still shooting 35% from three and has shown off the elite shooting profile that had him scouted as a five-star recruit. He’s capable of hitting a variety of tough shots on the move, and his off-ball relocation is pristine. It remains to be seen if there’s any more on-ball juice with him, but McNeeley is surely one of the most impressive shooting prospects in this class.
14. Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm
Guard/Wing | 6’6” | 200 lbs | From: Kiryat Ata, Israel
When you’re discussing the top playmakers of the class, it shouldn’t take long before mentioning Ben Saraf’s name. He’s a high-feel player in a wing frame with great decision making. He also has nice scoring touch and can score in a variety of ways. Defensively, he’s smart and impactful on the perimeter using his quick feet to keep up with opposing guards. Saraf isn’t a blow-by athlete, and his touch doesn’t always translate at the rim, often struggling to finish over bigger athletes. If he shows more consistency fighting through contact and finishing at the rim, he could be a riser on my future big boards.
15. Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm
Forward | 6’9” | 195 lbs | From: Orléans, France
As impressive as Ben Saraf has been, I’ve been just as interested in his teammate Noa Essengue, who has some real untapped potential that I’d be willing to bet on. Essengue’s fluidity handling the ball at his size is mighty impressive, especially for one of the youngest players in the class. He uses those skills to get to the rim with ease. He also has high potential as a defender with his size and mobility. He’s still raw and his jumper is a work in progress, but boy is he a fun player to watch.
16. Labaron Philon, Alabama
Combo Guard | 6’4” | 177 lbs | Freshman | From: Mobile, AL
Philon has been a pleasant surprise for the Alabama Crimson Tide in their 6-2 start, and has quickly become one of my favorite prospects. I was pretty high on Philon in the preseason, but it was tough to figure out how Alabama’s guard rotation would shake out. He’s quickly proved that he belongs in that rotation, showing an ability to score the ball from inside and out. He’s a good athlete in a solid frame at the guard spot, has a good handle and has shown some real playmaking chops. Overall, Philon is impacting the game in multiple ways for a winning team, and hopefully he can keep it up through the course of the season.
17. Kon Knueppel, Duke
Wing | 6’7” | 217 lbs | Freshman | From: Milwaukee, WI
Kon Knueppel has been solid as a running mate to Cooper Flagg, posting some high scoring outings in multiple games so far. His ability to knock down shots as a 6’7” wing is a valuable skill, and the primary reason he’s being projected in the top ten on some mocks. Knueppel has potential as a versatile scorer, he just has some athleticism and rim finishing deficiencies that he’ll need to overcome. But his spacing and scoring touch alone are enough for him to be a top-20 guy for me.
18. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Forward | 6’8” | 245 lbs | Sophomore | From: Columbia, SC
Murray-Boyles is a fantastic defensive prospect with great instincts and timing. Although a bit undersized, he can still be a matchup nightmare at 245 lbs with a 7’2” wingspan, and he’s disruptive as a help defender as well. Murray-Boyles also has enough passing vision that it’s easy to envision him as a connector on offense, and he’s certainly capable of scoring off cuts and as a play finisher. Shooting is a slow progression for Murray-Boyles, but he’s already shot more threes this season than he did as a freshman, and they’re dropping at a 33% rate.
19. Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Guard/Wing | 6’6” | 200 lbs | Senior | From: Colorado Springs, CO
Nique Clifford is the definition of a two-way wing that does all the little things at a high level. He doesn’t have the most flashy or exciting highlight tape, but he’s a poised and mature wing that projects well as a complementary piece in the NBA. He’s gonna be one of the older prospects in this class, but he’s a Swiss Army knife type of player that can dribble, pass, and shoot. He can fit well into a variety of schemes and lineups.
20. Will Riley, Illinois
Wing | 6’8” | 195 lbs | Freshman | From: Kitchener, ON
Will Riley is a bit of an awkward player that I’m not sure I’m all the way in on, but the talent is evident and the numbers have been bearing out well. Riley has deep range and tremendous shooting touch with a high release point on his jumper. He can also put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, and has a good way if balancing that ability with his floor spacing to keep defenders guessing. He also has some decent passing ability that he hasn't fully shown off yet at Illinois. Riley is super young and raw and has some areas of his game to clean up from a fundamental standpoint, but there’s no doubt that he’s an intriguing talent.
21. Kam Jones, Marquette
Guard | 6’5” | 200 lbs | Senior | From: Memphis, TN
Kam Jones’ potential National Player of the Year campaign has been the catalyst of Marquette’s hot start to the season, currently ranked 5th in the country. Kam is a do-it-all lefty guard that can score from all levels and play-make for others. He’s a microwave scorer with deep range and craft at the rim. He also has great size for a guard and rebounds the ball well. He’s having his most productive season as a senior and looks like he’s well on his way to hearing his name called in June, possibly in the first round.
22. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Guard | 6’4” | 182 lbs | Freshman | From: Joliet, IL
There’s been a remarkable number of freshmen contributing in real ways to winning programs this season, and Jeremiah Fears is certainly one of them. Fears is one of the youngest players in college basketball after reclassifying from the class of 2025, but he’s been scoring like a veteran and has been an offensive engine in recent games for the Sooners. He’s a good ball handler and quick decision maker with the ball in his hands. He turns the ball over too often, but he has the tools to iron out those mistakes through his development. I love what I’ve seen from Fears so far, and hope he can keep it up.
23. Rylan Griffen, Kansas
Wing | 6’6” | 190 lbs | Junior | From: Dallas, TX
Griffen is a player that I’ve always been a big fan of, and I think his NBA potential is underrated. The numbers aren’t going to wow you, but I think if he transferred to different program this past offseason and was surrounded by less talent than he is at Kansas he could be showing that he’s capable of more as a scorer. He’s a lights-out shooter with a decent handle, scores well at the rim, and he’s a serviceable defensive player as well. He might not end up this high on my final board once all my evaluations are done, but I do see Rylan Griffen as being worth a draft pick.
24. Carter Bryant, Arizona
Forward | 6’8” | 225 lbs | Freshman | From: Riverside, CA
It hasn’t been the most productive start for Carter Bryant’s freshman season, but there’s a lot of promise there. I loved what I saw from him in his high school film, and had him top-5 on my preseason board. He was able to show off his athleticism and smooth scoring ability in his strong frame. Playing on a team filled with veterans, it’s been tough for him to find his groove consistently, but the tools are there and he could be a riser later in the season.
25. Donnie Freeman, Syracuse
Forward | 6’9” | 205 lbs | Freshman | From: Washington, DC
Freeman is a modern stretch forward with great length and athleticism. His mobility and ability to hit shots on the move at his height and length is intriguing, and he’s a great rebounder with potential as a shot blocker. Another freshman that could be a riser on my next board if he keeps up the solid play.
26. Alex Karaban, UConn
Forward | 6’8” | 225 lbs | Junior | From: Northborough, MA
Despite UConn’s recent slump, Alex Karaban looks like he’s made a huge leap from last season. Karaban has taken on a more prominent offensive role for the Huskies following the departure of 4 of their top 5 scorers from last year’s championship roster, and he’s also made a jump as a defender and passer. He could’ve stayed in the draft and contended to be a first round pick last year, but he’s proving that he has more to show under higher usage than he’s had the opportunity for in the past.
27. Hugo González, Real Madrid
Wing | 6’6” | 205 lbs | From: Madrid, Spain
Hugo González has been a tough player to evaluate this season because the minutes have been scarce for him, and it’s hard enough to consistently find international film without a Synergy subscription. But he provides good athleticism as a 3&D wing that can get in the lane and finish at the rim. Hugo is also a solid perimeter defender with good lateral mobility.
28. K.J. Lewis, Arizona
Guard | 6’4” | 210 lbs | Sophomore | From: El Paso, TX
K.J. Lewis is a winning player with a high motor and high defensive IQ. He’s also progressing as an offensive talent, showing that he can play on or off the ball and get to the rim. He’s not a player that always pops on the box score, but when you watch him play his impact is evident, and he’s greatly improved since the beginning of his freshman season.
29. Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Guard | 6’4” | 190 lbs | Freshman | From: Bronx, NY
Hunter Sallis surprised some folks when he decided not to take advantage of what was viewed as a weak 2024 draft, and instead opted to try and improve his stock. I would’ve been comfortable with him in the first round last year, but his 2024-25 campaign has gotten off to an excellent start. Sallis is a reliable ball handler and shooter with good defensive instincts. He can shoot off the dribble or off the catch, and has the size and skill to play multiple positions.
30. Kanon Catchings, BYU
Forward | 6’8” | 190 lbs | Freshman | From: Brownsburg, IN
Catchings is raw, but offers floor spacing in a strong frame with good defensive potential as well. He may not be a one-and-done guy, and if he is it may take him a while to contribute at the next level, but drafting Catchings would be a high-upside play that I’d expect a team in this range to go for.
Honorable Mentions
Some players that are either right outside of my top 30, or I haven’t seen enough yet to comfortably rank. If you didn’t see one of your favorite prospects above, you may see them down here.
Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Jalil Bethea (Miami), Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana), Kwame Evans (Oregon), Derrion Reid (Alabama), Xaivian Lee (Princeton), Johni Broome (Auburn), Drake Powell (North Carolina), Michael Ruzic (Croatia), Noah Penda (France), Dink Pate (G-League), Payton Sandfort (Iowa), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton), JT Toppin (Texas Tech), Thomas Sorber (Georgetown), Miles Byrd (San Diego State) Zvonimir Ivišić (Arkansas), Tomislav Ivišić (Illinois)