HoopsHype has up to date the place the highest prospects stand for the 2025 NBA Draft by compiling six mock drafts from ESPN, Yahoo Sports activities, CBS Sports activities, Sports activities Illustrated, SB Nation, and USA TODAY.
We spoke with an NBA govt and two scouts for his or her insights on the prospects for the primary version of the mixture 2025 NBA mock draft.
An evidence for HoopsHype’s Draft Predictor from colleague Alberto de Roa, who contributed analysis to this story, may be found here.
NOTE: These rankings mirror the composite rating to get a really feel for the general consensus, not our personal opinion. For instance, if a participant was the primary choose on a publication’s mock draft, he obtained 60 factors. If a participant was second, he obtained 59 factors, and so forth. We then tabulated the full variety of factors for every participant’s consensus rating.
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(Duke: Ahead, Freshman, 6-9)
Greatest rank: 1 / Worst rank: 1
Cooper Flagg enters the school season because the projected No. 1 choose, with NBA expertise evaluators conserving a detailed eye on how far he can carry Duke this season to see if he can ultimately turn out to be a franchise cornerstone.
After enjoying for Group USA’s Choose Group in Las Vegas, Flagg was in comparison with former All-Star Andrei Kirilenko by an NBA govt and two NBA scouts who spoke with HoopsHype.
“Flagg is like Kirilenko,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “He’s very impactful defensively, can guard a number of positions, and is a superb weak-side shot blocker. He makes performs for others within the halfcourt and transition. He’s an excellent transition finisher who’s an athletic wing participant. His halfcourt offense is a priority. He must shoot it higher. Creating his offense within the half court docket will likely be a query.”
“Flagg jogs my memory of Kirilenko,” one other NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Flagg has a fast first step and is an aggressive finisher across the basket. He doesn’t create a lot off the dribble offensively however creates extra offense along with his protection than anybody within the nation. His protection is method forward of his offense. He’s extra of a 4 than a 3 because of his supreme athletic nature. The consistency of his outdoors shot bettering will rely upon how a lot emphasis is put in permitting him to shoot it in actual video games and never simply apply.”
Flagg’s offensive improvement will decide if he’ll finally turn out to be an NBA workforce’s finest participant or its second or third-best participant. At this stage, whereas Flagg might go No. 1, he isn’t prepared to hold a franchise on his again but within the eyes of the three NBA expertise evaluators who spoke with HoopsHype.
“Many scouts have in contrast Flagg to Kirilenko, and I feel that’s a good evaluation,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I feel he’ll ultimately be an excellent second or third choice on a very good NBA workforce. His capturing stroke doesn’t look nice proper now, however he makes a ton and he’s not afraid to take them at his dimension. I feel he’s going to ultimately make extra photographs than individuals assume. His finest attribute proper now could be his protection. Total, he can play in so many alternative methods. He can come over and assistance on protection. He can guard greater and a few smaller gamers. He performs extraordinarily arduous and with power. That stuff issues. Along with his athleticism, he may be performed in pick-and-roll conditions with the ball or because the screener. He’s a flexible participant.”
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(Rutgers: Ahead, Freshman, 6-10)
Greatest rank: 2 / Worst rank: 2
Whereas Cooper Flagg enters the school season because the projected No. 1 choose, Rutgers incoming freshman Ace Bailey has an opportunity to alter that narrative within the eyes of some NBA expertise evaluators.
“I might see Bailey supplanting Flagg for No. 1,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I feel Bailey is extra gifted with the ball than Flagg at this level, however I feel Flagg is a greater general participant than Bailey now. Ace is extra of a scoring kind of participant. His general decision-making and shot choice has to get loads higher. He’s very wired to attain. Athletically, I feel there’s one other stage he can get to, however he’s nonetheless an excellent athlete. Taking pictures-wise, I feel he’s extra of a scorer than a pure shooter, which over time will likely be tremendous if he’s your No. 2 man. I believed the identical issues about Brandon Miller when he was in highschool. His legs don’t look nice when it comes to his power, however hopefully, he can proceed to place extra weight on and be extra bodily. There’s little doubt that he’s very gifted.”
One other NBA scout believes Bailey might turn out to be one of many prime two-way gamers within the league at some point if he’s prepared to harness his bodily instruments and be coachable on the defensive finish of the court docket.
“If Bailey hits his ceiling, he can turn out to be Paul George,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “He’s a flexible combo ahead whose robust senior season has many believing his ceiling is the very best within the class. Bailey is offensively superior, however his protection has a methods to go to rival his offensive instincts. How he and Dylan Harper deal with carrying the load at Rutgers subsequent season will communicate volumes to what may be anticipated of him as an NBA prospect.”
George was equally skinny when drafted by the Pacers and regularly added extra weight. George was additionally an excellent athlete who turned a significantly better athlete throughout his time within the NBA, which is why NBA expertise evaluators consider Bailey can have the same improvement arc.
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(Rutgers: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 3 / Worst rank: 6
Dylan Harper is the southpaw son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, the No. 8 choose of the 1986 draft, and a 15-year veteran within the league.
“Harper has was an enormous level guard who can navigate pick-and-rolls,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “He’s not probably the most athletic participant, so he’s received to proceed to enhance how shifty he’s and alter gears. Defensively, he’s received to take it critically as a result of his physique and athleticism have to enhance. His capturing goes to be an enormous query for him. He’s a man that performs numerous bully ball and will get downhill. He can get away with that at the highschool stage, however his habits have to enhance.”
Harper boasts a virtually 6-foot-10 wingspan and, as we’ve seen with Stephon Fortress, Anthony Black, and the Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar), greater guards have been taken excessive within the lottery not too long ago.
“Harper just isn’t going to be your finest participant or a prime three man on a roster that wins large,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I feel he understands the sport properly. He can rating and play off the ball, and he’s large. He ought to be capable to defend a number of positions from guard to wings. He has to need to try this stuff. He hasn’t been constant on that finish. I feel he has the physicality and instruments to do it. I feel you possibly can play him in several methods, like Jrue Vacation and Derrick White, if he learns the sport the correct method. His capturing may very well be higher. Proper now, he’s a median shooter. He can get on fast scorching streaks and make 5 in a row or miss 5. He’s streaky. He’s not afraid of the second. He performs arduous and thru contact.”
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(Saint-Quentin Basketball: Guard, Worldwide, 6-4)
Greatest rank: 3 / Worst rank: 7
Frenchman Nolan Traore is arguably the most effective level guard within the class, one who makes gamers round him higher and might run the offense.
“Traore is one in every of my favourite gamers within the class,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I feel he’s going to do properly. He performed extraordinarily properly at Hoop Summit and all the opposite stuff he’s performed in opposition to, the place he performs in opposition to older guys. In opposition to guys his age, he’s killed them. There are lots of various things he can do with and off the ball. He’s an honest athlete and never something spectacular. He’s a shooter who could make numerous photographs, particularly coming off ball screens and on the transfer. He’s received an excellent contact across the rim along with his floaters and mid-range within the paint. He can end on the rim and above the rim. I really like large guards, and massive on-ball guards will likely be essential trying forward within the NBA. Most groups will fall in love with him heading into the draft. I feel he has an excellent understanding of the sport at an early age. He’s been pretty gifted and overwhelmed up on some older guys his age.”
Traore, who not too long ago turned 18, has lively palms defensively and generates turnovers (1.62 steals). He isn’t a lot of a rebounder, might lower down on his turnovers a tad (3.2), and will enhance his three-point capturing (.300), however there’s loads to love about his recreation.
“I like the thought of Traore being like Jamal Murray, who can play in pick-and-rolls and play off the ball at occasions both as your level or capturing guard,” the manager added. “He can rating and actually shoot it from deep. He passes higher than individuals assume. He performs level-headed however with a hearth and depth.”
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(Duke: Heart, Freshman, 7-2)
Greatest rank: 3 / Worst rank: 19
The youngest player at the Olympics, Duke freshman heart Khaman Maluach doesn’t flip 18 till September.
Maluach’s huge dimension and powerful body make him troublesome to maneuver within the submit, the place he could make hook photographs and convert lobs. He’s a superb rim protector as a shot blocker and rebounder. Offensively, his faceup recreation and vary are rising and will turn out to be extra in keeping with time.
“Maluach can stretch the ground and shield the rim in that very same mildew of Myles Turner however he’s a bit extra cell,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I need to see him enjoying with Cooper Flagg within the frontcourt and the way he defends in area and strikes his toes. I feel these issues are going to be essential. He’s received to get extra power in his legs and his base to protect among the greater NBA guys. Should you play him in a drop, it’ll be arduous to attain on him.”
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(Baylor: Wing, Freshman, 6-5)
Greatest rank: 4 / Worst rank: 7
VJ Edgecombe impressed for the Bahamas throughout their Olympic qualifying video games this summer season regardless of failing to qualify. On a roster that includes NBA gamers Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon, the not too long ago turned 19-year-old was ceaselessly the most effective participant on the court docket.
Under are the scouting stories from the NBA govt and two scouts who spoke with HoopsHype.
NBA Scout 1: “Edgecombe is an athletic three-level scorer who can create his shot. He shoots it from three, mid-range, and might pull up. Edgecombe can actually get it and go in transition and, from the halfcourt, explode going downhill and attacking the basket relentlessly. He performs with some tunnel imaginative and prescient and wishes to purchase into protection. He’s considerably of an undersized two-guard. He has to proceed to make others higher.”
NBA Scout 2: “Once you perceive Edgecombe’s fluid motions, candy capturing stroke, and flexibility to play any place on the perimeter on either side of the ball, you perceive why he’s extremely revered. His dedication to Baylor appears to fall in keeping with the final two capturing guards. He’s the most effective athlete at his place, and an argument may very well be made that he’s the most effective athlete within the class.”
NBA Govt 1: “VJ remains to be engaged on his shot and is extra of a set shot kind of man. The athleticism is pretty comparable. I feel he’s received that canine mentality. Defensively is the place I feel he’s going to excel initially. Because the offense comes alongside, he’ll be a man you possibly can play off the ball as a spot-up man who’s a slasher and cutter who will get out in transition. He’s going to play bodily and is athletic. He’ll play the passing lanes. The talent stage has to enhance a good quantity to be an elite NBA participant. I feel he’ll be a task participant initially. For him to make that subsequent step into elite standing, he’s received to have the abilities come collectively. He performs loads off his competitiveness and hard-nosed basketball.”
The comparisons for Edgecombe from the NBA expertise evaluators included Zach LaVine, Will Barton, and Michael Dickerson.
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(Texas: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 5 / Worst rank: 8
Tre Johnson is taken into account one of many higher scorers on this class. Whereas he could make three-pointers off the dribble, he loves the mid-range space the place he takes pull-up jumpers and makes use of a step-back dribble to create area. In opposition to smaller defenders, he’ll often submit up along with his again to the basket.
“Johnson is a dynamic guard who’s efficient from both guard place,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “He does an excellent job of utilizing his dimension, talent, and size to reap the benefits of all opponents. He’s an underrated passer who can impression the sport with out scoring. He wants so as to add bulk and power for optimum effectiveness on the highest stage.”
Johnson is an efficient rebounder for his place however should commit extra general on the defensive facet of the ball.
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(UConn: Wing, Freshman, 6-7)
Greatest rank: 7 / Worst rank: NR
UConn may have a dynamic capturing ahead tandem with incoming freshman Liam McNeeley and two-time champion Alex Karaban returning.
“McNeeley has the ceiling of Wally Szczerbiak and the ground of Matt Harpring,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “He’s among the best shooters in his total class. He’s not blessed with blazing pace and athleticism however isn’t a snail. McNeeley has an elevated basketball IQ that permits him to play properly off the ball utilizing screens. The shortage of burst limits his isolation strengths, however he’s nonetheless efficient in pick-and-roll conditions. Finally, he ought to be utilized as a flooring spacer as a 3rd or fourth choice.”
Because the scout alluded to, McNeeley isn’t only a capturing specialist. He strikes off the ball properly as a shooter off curls and might often get downhill off dribble penetration whereas in search of open teammates.
“McNeeley is an expert shooter,” an NBA govt informed HoopsHype. “I feel he’s going to be fairly good. You may evaluate him to a smaller model of Sam Hauser, with a bit extra ball-handling and really feel to his recreation. He will get his photographs up rapidly, will play sensible, and gained’t be a catastrophe defensively.”
McNeeley isn’t lengthy or athletic, however he makes up for it defensively with a sturdy base and an excellent IQ to place himself by taking the correct angles on protection.
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(Actual Madrid: Wing, Worldwide, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 4 / Worst rank: NR
Hugo Gonzalez is an efficient athlete with a powerful body and excessive motor who handles the ball properly and is shifty whereas being a prepared passer as a secondary creator. The Spanish wing will look to enhance his three-point consistency.
Defensively, Gonzalez is disruptive and creates turnovers with lively palms whereas being an efficient communicator and help-side rotational defender on the perimeter. He’s additionally an lively shot blocker and rebounder for his place.
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(BYU: Guard, Freshman, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR
Egor Demin has the peak of a ahead however the slender body of a guard. He handles the ball properly for his dimension, can break down the protection, and makes performs for others along with his imaginative and prescient and passing means. Demin may create area utilizing fakes and jab steps.
Demin is an efficient rebounder for his place and confirmed lively palms whereas enjoying abroad final 12 months (2.12 steals per recreation). His three-point shot should enhance after capturing 18.6 % past the arc final season.
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(Miami: Guard, Freshman, 6-4)
Greatest rank: 11 / Worst rank: 15
Jalil Bethea is among the prime gamers in his highschool class following a McDonald’s All-American choice as a three-level scorer and is an efficient athlete with pace. Betha strikes laterally and reveals flashes of being an impactful defender.
“Bethea is understood for his means to attain from anyplace on the court docket,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Bethea’s a risk off catch-and-shoot, transferring with out the ball, and off the dribble from the perimeter, which places him in uncommon firm on this class. His dimension might restrict his effectiveness on the NBA stage in opposition to taller and extra bodily defenders. He may very well be like Malik Beasley.”
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(Joventut Badalona: Ahead, Worldwide, 6-10)
Greatest rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR
Michael Ruzic is a lanky ahead with good size who strikes fluidly for his dimension. Ruzic performs with a excessive IQ and might face up in opposition to his defender. His capturing from past the arc (.406) and foul line (.800) intrigue NBA executives.
Ruzic isn’t athletic vertically, however he’s been in a position to defend smaller wings and a few guards along with his quickness on the perimeter throughout switches. Defensively, Ruzic goes over screens and is an lively hedger when defending pick-and-rolls. His slender body makes it troublesome for Ruzic to field out and shield the rim.
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(Orange Academy Ratiopharm: Ahead, Worldwide, 6-10)
Greatest rank: 10 / Worst rank: NR
The Adidas Subsequent Era Match Most Beneficial Participant, Noa Essengue is a French ahead who strikes fluidly for his dimension, thrives at attending to the rim and ending strongly, and is a flexible defender. He’s an honest ball handler for his dimension who assaults when defenders attempt to shut out, however he might enhance his general decision-making as a playmaker for others. His three-point (.254) and foul capturing (.587) additionally want additional improvement.
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(North Carolina: Wing, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR
North Carolina freshman Drake Powell is coming off a McDonald’s All-American marketing campaign and rounds out the lottery within the first HoopsHype combination mock draft for 2025.
Powell’s ceiling was in comparison with three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive guard Eddie Jones by an NBA scout who spoke with HoopsHype.
“Powell is able to being efficient from all three perimeter positions and is snug as a facilitator,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Powell’s a bodily and gritty two-way participant whose recreation final spring and summer season rose amongst the highest of his class. Powell is gifted, however he’s a jack of all trades, grasp of none. He should proceed to work on his perimeter abilities and capturing as a result of his consistency will dictate the place he’ll be maximized in school and doubtlessly the NBA.”
As well as, Powell is an elite athlete with lengthy arms, a sturdy body, and might bounce out of the gymnasium. Defensively, Powell has nice lateral quickness and a excessive motor, which helps him compete successfully.
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(North Carolina: Guard, Freshman, 6-5)
Greatest rank: 9 / Worst rank: 28
North Carolina incoming freshman Ian Jackson is coming off a McDonald’s All-American marketing campaign.
Jackson thrives at placing strain on the ball on either side of the court docket whereas attacking the rim on offense within the open flooring and off-ball screens and as an on-ball defender. His capturing is inconsistent at occasions. Bodily, Jackson has a powerful, wiry body.
“In some methods, Jackson jogs my memory of Lonnie Walker,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Jackson is an aggressive wing scorer who scores in a number of methods off the bounce. He’s a sneaky athlete with a knack for attending to the foul line. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see his contrasting type intertwine with the Carolina system. Jackson should enhance doing extra with much less from his offensive arsenal with out pounding the basketball in small areas.”
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(South Carolina: Ahead, Sophomore, 6-7)
Greatest rank: 13 / Worst rank: NR
Collin Murray-Boyles is a rising sophomore to observe after incomes SEC All-Freshman Group honors as a freshman and not too long ago turning 19 years previous in June.
Murray-Boyles is a combo ahead who’s the scale of an NBA small ahead however primarily makes use of his power at 240 kilos greater than verticality and is simpler across the rim than spacing the ground.
Regardless of being undersized within the paint, he can get to the basket off the dribble and isn’t afraid of contact to crash the offensive boards and end within the paint.
If Murray-Boyles goes to turn out to be an efficient NBA participant, he’ll want to enhance his capturing past the mid-range space and free throw effectivity (.667).
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(Arizona: Ahead, Freshman, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 14 / Worst rank: NR
Carter Bryant is the nephew of former McDonald’s All-American, Missouri alum, and former NBA assistant coach Travon Bryant.
Bryant boasts a 7-foot wingspan and powerful body, runs the ground properly, and might bounce explosively with verticality.
Offensively, Bryant has contact on the foul line, which suggests he can turn out to be a simpler outdoors shooter over time. He thrives within the mid-range space, can deal with the ball properly for his dimension, and is a prepared passer.
Defensively, Bryant is extra of a 4 than three at this stage and is an efficient shot blocker.
“Bryant is a powerful, compact energy ahead who’s been making an attempt to turn out to be a small ahead,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Bryant finishes properly by means of contact and is aware of how you can be productive on the offensive facet. He can stretch the protection past the three-point line whereas nonetheless beating his man off the dribble. Nevertheless, he struggles along with his perimeter protection. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how he and Joson Sanon compete for a similar place subsequent season at Arizona.”
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(Brisbane: Heart, Worldwide, 7-3)
Greatest rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR
The youngest NBL Subsequent Star in league historical past, Rocco Zikarsky is a bodily heart who thrives as a rim protector and rebounder with the power to carry his personal on the block in opposition to opposing large males. Zikarsky has good instincts and is a succesful weakside shot blocker.
Offensively, Zikarsky primarily operates within the paint and might dunk in visitors. He’s additionally a lob finisher on pick-and-roll units because the rolling large man. Often, he can face up and assault off the bounce inside two dribbles.
On the NBA stage, the massive query will likely be whether or not he can guard in area in opposition to higher athletes and enhance his capturing vary.
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(Oregon: Ahead, Sophomore, 6-9)
Greatest rank: 8 / Worst rank: NR
Kwame Evans was one of many prime recruits of the Class of 2023 and has an opportunity to be one of many prime rising sophomores at Oregon.
Evans has good positional dimension and strikes fluidly as a disruptive defender. On the ball, Evans stayed in entrance of small gamers on the perimeter, confirmed fast palms to poke the ball unfastened with efficient timing to dam photographs, and the leaping means for an efficient second bounce.
Offensively, Evans is a prepared ball mover and predominantly targeted on spot-ups, performing as a rolling pick-and-roll ahead and scoring on putbacks. Evans should enhance his three-point shot consistency (.267), and that would be the swing talent that determines his draft inventory this season.
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(Duke: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR
Duke freshman Isaiah Evans has a protracted and lanky body however can mild up the scoreboard in a rush.
“Evans has the upside of Brandon Ingram with the ground of TJ Warren,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “His skinny body doesn’t cease him from scoring the ball at a extremely environment friendly fee. Evans operates at his finest from the wing and is among the many elite along with his size and scoring prowess. Evans can be a prepared passer and an underrated rebounder. Trying forward, Evans wants so as to add power (not essentially bulk) to his physique and pay extra consideration to defensive particulars.”
Evans can get his shot off excessive of defenders and primarily operates out of the mid-post space, however generally settles for contested jumpers, which might want to enhance along with his shot choice. As a shooter, Evans has a pleasant contact on his shot. With the ball in his palms, Evans strikes fluidly and creates off the dribble successfully with an unselfish means to search out his teammates as a passer.
As he grows bodily, he tasks as a stable defender because of his dimension, size, and lateral quickness.
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(Syracuse: Ahead, Freshman, 6-9)
Greatest rank: 15 / Worst rank: NR
Donnie Freeman has NBA-caliber dimension to play the ahead place with contact on his jumper and the mobility to turn out to be a flexible two-way participant if he realizes his potential.
Offensively, he can end on the rim, stretch the ground past the arc, and rise over contesting defenders within the mid-post and mid-range areas.
Freeman might want to add extra power to his lean body in his freshman season in order to not get knocked off his spot defensively and turn out to be a greater rebounder. He additionally must work on his creativity off the dribble on offense.
“Freeman confirmed early prominence within the WCAC Catholic League however actually went up one other stage as soon as he transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Freeman is blessed with robust bodily instruments and an athletic presence. He’ll be capable to play instantly in school. His progress mentally as a participant will likely be extra essential to his improvement.”
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(Illinois: Wing, Freshman, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 14 / Worst rank: NR
Illinois landed Canadian five-star ahead Will Riley, who was initially a part of the Class of 2025 however intends to re-classify and be part of the Combating Illini this season.
“He’s the consummate positionless basketball participant who has all of the instruments offensively,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood stated upon signing Riley. “Will has the power to attain it in any respect three ranges, and he provides us one other motion participant who could make performs for others and himself primarily based on matchups. He’s expert, has an incredible midrange and float recreation, and intensely excessive basketball IQ.”
Riley performed properly within the spring on the EYBL circuit and is the highest-ranked Illinois recruit since Dee Brown from the Class of 2002, who was No. 19 general. Riley was additionally MVP of the 2024 Basketball With out Borders International Camp throughout NBA All-Star Weekend and caught the eye of expertise evaluators there.
Riley has robust positional dimension and is efficient in isolations. He assaults the lane off the dribble and finishes properly, which is complemented by his outdoors shot and mechanics. Riley might want to proceed so as to add power to his body to stay equally efficient on the school and professional ranges.
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(Alabama: Wing, Freshman, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR
Derrion Reid, a McDonald’s All-American, thrives as a powerful finisher across the basket due to his power and contact on the rim. Reid has proven flashes of increasing his vary past the three-point arc, however not constantly. His outdoors shot will likely be a swing talent to observe throughout his freshman season.
Defensively, Reid has the scale, power, and lateral quickness to defend each ahead positions. His lively palms and toes ought to enable him to additionally guard on the perimeter if caught in a swap on protection. Reid can be a stable rebounder for his place.
“At finest, Reid may be Harrison Barnes, and at worst, he may very well be Derrick Williams,” an NBA scout informed HoopsHype. “Reid has a powerful and durable body for a highschool prospect. He thrives in transition conditions the place he performs off reads and reactions. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how he’s utilized in Nate Oats’ NBA-friendly system in school. He must proceed to strengthen his basketball abilities with out the ball whereas bettering his outdoors capturing.”
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(Duke: Wing, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 17 / Worst rank: NR
Kon Knueppel comes from a household of hoopers. His father, Kon, was a Corridor of Famer and scored over 2,000 profession factors at Wisconsin Lutheran School, whereas his mother, Chari, is the all-time main scorer in UW-Inexperienced Bay historical past with 1,964 factors.
Knueppel is understood for his environment friendly three-point capturing and is an efficient passer for his place. He lacks athleticism and will likely be attacked defensively by opposing scorers.
Knueppel might turn out to be a multi-year school participant, with Duke having a number of different gamers to feed on offense, giving him time to develop.
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(Iowa State: Ahead, Sophomore, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 15 / Worst rank: NR
As a freshman, Milan Momcilovic tied a college report for probably the most begins and appearances in a season (37) and earned Massive 12 All-Freshman Group honors.
Momcilovic can stretch the ground from both ahead spot on catch-and-shoot three-pointers or mid-range jumpers and posts up in opposition to smaller defenders.
Momcilovic makes up for an absence of athleticism with pump fakes and artful footwork on offense, however he’s a legal responsibility on protection and is a poor rebounder for his place.
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(Illinois: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)
Greatest rank: 18 / Worst rank: NR
Kasparas Jakucionis has excellent pure dimension and playmaking means as a degree guard who thrives in pick-and-roll motion and controlling the tempo offensively.
The Lithuanian guard lacked lateral pace and had issues defending quicker guards and recovering on closeouts abroad, however nonetheless managed to common 1.91 steals per recreation.
His capturing past the arc might enhance (.327) and is price monitoring intently for NBA executives, given his exceptionally excessive free throw share (.942).
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(Arizona: Heart, Sophomore, 7-2)
Greatest rank: 19 / Worst rank: NR
Motiejus Krivas was extremely efficient in restricted minutes as a freshman for Arizona, averaging 5.4 factors and 4.2 rebounds in solely 12.2 minutes per recreation. As a sophomore, he’s anticipated to thrive with extra enjoying time and be an impression contributor as an inside scorer and rebounder. Offensively, Krivas posts up properly with nice palms and has a mushy contact across the rim with respectable vary away from the basket and on the foul line (.778).
Defensively, he’ll be challenged in pick-and-roll motion on the perimeter and should show he is usually a sustainable rim protector. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan and almost 9-foot-2 standing attain, Krivas has the bodily instruments to be an imposing rim protector.
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(Mexico Metropolis Capitanes: Guard, G League, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 13 / Worst rank: NR
Dink Pate will be part of the Mexico Metropolis Capitanes of the G League subsequent season and will likely be an intriguing participant to observe. Pate has distinctive dimension as a degree guard who can provoke an offense, has good ball-handling abilities, and aggressively assaults the paint. His athleticism additionally stands out along with his physique management as he assaults the paint and off the dribble.
The 18-year-old guard should present NBA expertise evaluators that he can enhance his capturing after struggling from the sector (.348) and past the arc (.214). After capturing almost 73 % from the foul line, there’s a palpable upside that Pate can enhance as a shooter over time.
“Pate is a bodily imposing and explosive playmaker able to controlling the sport on each ends and from each guard positions,” former G League Ignite normal supervisor Anthony McClish informed HoopsHype. “He’ll be a becoming grand finale to the lineage of Ignite prospects courting again to the inaugural 2021 class.”
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(UConn: Ahead, Junior, 6-8)
Greatest rank: 20 / Worst rank: NR
UConn’s Alex Karaban was a projected second-round choose earlier than returning to high school to chase a three-peat with the Huskies this season.
Karaban tasks as a stretch ahead on the professional stage and led the NBA Draft Mix in two capturing classes: Off-dribble school break left (90 %) and on-the-move school non-stationary capturing (84 %) after capturing 38.9 % from downtown in back-to-back seasons at UConn.
In his junior season, Karaban will turn out to be an offensive point of interest but in addition desires to indicate he’s extra of a playmaker than only a shooter to NBA executives.
“It’s about screening, reducing, and whether or not that’s a lower I make or a display screen I give to another person,” Karaban stated on the mix. “It’s about creating photographs, distracting the protection, and transferring the protection a bit. These are issues that don’t essentially present up within the stats.”
More: Karaban among top prospects who withdrew from 2024 NBA draft
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Duke: Guard, Junior, 6-5)
Greatest rank: 28 / Worst rank: NR
After incomes ACC All-Freshman honors, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor marginally improved as a shooter from the sector (.381 to .423) and past the arc (.320 to .352) as a sophomore however didn’t make the big leap some anticipated. Defensively, the bodily instruments are there to be a stable on-ball defender.
As a junior, all eyes will likely be on the combo guard because the workforce’s flooring normal to deliver alongside a gifted however younger Duke workforce that includes a gifted freshman class, together with Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Darren Harris.
You may comply with Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
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