2025 NBA Draft Big Board
2025 NBA Big Board
Measurements: H: Height (without shoes) - WS: Wingspan - SR: Standing Reach
Tier 1:
1. Cooper Flagg, F, DukeAge: 18 - Measurements: H 6’7.75” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’10.5” / 221 LBS
Cooper Flagg is one of the most surefire #1 overall picks of the past few decades. He appears to do everything well on the basketball court with few weaknesses. He’s a strong driver who can create lanes & overpower smaller defenders at the rim, he defends at a very high level with the potential to be a help-side menace, and he has the playmaking feel / handle of someone who can one day be a Point-Forward. Not to mention, he’s a good shooter who will stretch defenses and open lanes for himself and others. I fear that expectations may be too great since Flagg stands out so much among the rest in this class, but he has the potential to be a Hall of Fame player at the end of his career. Oh, and he should be entering his freshman season in college and won’t be 19 until December.
He’s a surefire bet to land with Dallas where he’ll fit in well alongside AD and Lively / Gafford as a combo SF / PF. His defensive fit with those players is something a GM can only dream of (Nico doesn’t deserve this gift) as he’s athletic enough to stay in front of wings and has an elite ability to roam on the help side to provide additional rim protection next to the rest of the Mav’s shot blockers. He might be asked to do too much offensively this season with the Mavs not having a PG due to Kyrie’s injury, but he has an early chance to showcase his potential to be a Point-Forward which will be very intriguing to watch.
Comparison: Jayson Tatum / Andrei Kirilenko (defensively)
Tier 2:
2. Dylan Harper, G, RutgersAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.5” / WS 6’10.5” / SR 8’6” / 213.2 LBS
Harper is the best guard driver / finisher in this class & does so at an already-elite level. He shot around 70% at the rim in college, which is insane as those are good numbers for a big man & Harper had no spacing on his Rutgers squad. He’s elite in the pick and roll & will be a fantastic partner with Wemby in those actions. He has good vision & projects as a well above-average facilitator and playmaker. The one area offensively where Harper needs to develop is from 3 – he wasn’t awful in college, hitting 33% on 5.2 attempts per game, but he’d take a major leap if he can shoot closer to league average or better. He has good mechanics, so it’s not a bad bet that he’ll figure it out. Developing a consistent shot will prohibit defenses from going under screens & will open the lane for Harper’s elite finishing ability.
Defensively, Harper has good length with his 6’10” wingspan and is big enough at 213 pounds to defend bigger guards. He shows good anticipation on drives & shouldn’t be a liability on that end of the court. He’s never going to be a lock down defender, largely due to his taxing responsibilities on offense, but he has the profile to hold his own.
Comparison: James Harden / Ron Harper
Tier 3
3. Derik Queen, F/C, MarylandAge: 20 - Measurements: H 6’9.25” / WS 7’0.5” / SR 9’1.5” / 247.8 LBS
Queen is one of the more polarizing players in the draft, which makes him incredibly fun to evaluate. I’m higher on Queen than most due to his offensive prowess, which really shines due to his handle & passing ability. Queen isn’t the most athletic guy- in fact his agility numbers at the combine are some of the worst we’ve seen, which has caused more skepticism amongst critics- but he handles the ball like a big guard and uses that skill to get to the rim against slower & undersized defenders alike. He’s great at finishing around the basket as he shot 70% from the rim in college with a soft touch. Queen can facilitate an offense from the high post or top of the key, eerily similar to Alperen Sengun and Domantas Sabonis. He finds the right passes & provides a dimension to an offense that a lot of teams crave. He’s a good rebounder by using his size and positioning to offset his lack of vertical ability.
He has ample questions defensively & will be targeted in pick and rolls. That said, he uses his size to his advantage to keep guys in front and has good hands to knock balls loose from guys with sloppy handles. I love the idea of pairing Queen with a rim protecting big man & long wings who can hide his deficiencies on that end of the court. We saw this down the stretch last year with the Rockets, pairing Sengun with Adams which resulted in historic offensive rebounding numbers & was a huge net positive for Houston. That does cause spacing concerns on offense, but there’s a way to make it work with the Center in the dunkers spot and Queen running the offense from the high post- using drives and kick outs to create open shots. He’s solid from mid-range, and his shooting form + FT% in college indicate a possible expansion out to the three-point line in the pros, which would really open the offense up with another big on the court.
Comparison: Alperen Sengun / Domantas Sabonis
4. VJ Edgecomb, G, BaylorAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4” / WS 6’7.5” / SR 8’5.5” / 193.2 LBS
VJ’s upside is tantalizing. He’s a strong, incredibly athletic off-ball guard with a blend of speed, strength, and explosiveness that front offices yearn for. The only question for Edgecomb at the next level is whether he can marry that athleticism with poise & a consistent jump shot. If he does, we’re looking at a perennial All-Star caliber player. He uses his athletic prowess to get downhill & create shots at the rim or kick out to his teammates. At times he gets a bit out of control, showing a loose handle that can’t keep up with how quickly he’s moving. I’d really like to see VJ not get over his skis as much & work on making the right play at the second level of a defense. As a shooter, he showed promise in college, hitting 34% of threes on 4.6 attempts per game. He doesn’t currently have much shot-creation at the three-point line- he’s not going to be hitting step back threes in isolation- but he does show catch & shoot promise which, when combined with his ability to get downhill, is enough to work with.
Defensively is where VJ shines. He’s going to have a high floor on that end of the court due to his instincts and athleticism. He stays in front of offensive players well in isolation & thrives in off-ball scenarios where he jumps passing lanes & can provide help-side rim protection. His defensive upside is that of a big, strong guard who can match up with wings & hold his own- think Alex Caruso or KCP but with better athleticism.
For someone considered a “safe” pick due to his athletic floor, the range of outcomes for VJ is quite wide. If he puts it all together & is consistent offensively, he’ll be one of the best SGs in the game & could ascend to the second or third-best player in this draft. If he struggles offensively, I could see him morphing into a Kris Dunn-esque player who is a net negative offensively but provides great defensive versatility. I think VJ lands somewhere in the middle- a good but not great offensive player who adds most of his value defensively.
Comparison: Victor Oladipo / Kris Dunn
5. Kon Knueppel, G, DukeAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5” / WS 6’6.25” / SR 8’5.5” / 219 LBS
Kon is a smart, mature sharpshooter who is sneakily good as an all-around player. His calling card is his shooting, as he shot over 40% from 3 at Duke on 5.3 attempts per game. He doesn’t have a great handle, but he flashed ability to get downhill off closeouts & in straight line drives where he’s a surprisingly good finisher at the rim. His playmaking also showed at Duke, averaging nearly 3 assists per game while consistently making the right reads. He projects as a lethal shooter who can offer a bit more in other areas, which is an ideal skill set for an off-ball guard.
Defensively, his lack of top end athleticism will always hurt him, but he’s a smart defender who rotates well & shows good instincts. He’s a true hustle player who does a decent job of staying in front of ball handlers despite his lack of lateral quickness or burst. He shouldn’t hurt teams too much on this end of the court, even if he’s never a top end defensive guy.
Kon has one of the safest floors in the draft & will provide immediate value to whoever he ends up with. His ceiling is higher than people give him credit for as he’s underrated in his ability to drive, pass, and defend at average to above-average levels.
Comparison: Desmond Bane / Luke Kennard
6. Tre Johnson, G, TexasAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.75” / WS 6’10.25” / SR 8’5” / 190.4 LBS
Tre is one of the best shooters in the class & has an elite ability to create his own shot, which is a skill that front offices adore. He gets to his spot & can hit pull-ups, step-backs, and even shows ability to get to the rim and finish inside. He’s a very fun offensive player that should have no problem scoring at the next level. I’d love to see his decision making & playmaking skills develop, but at a minimum he’ll be a microwave scorer with upside to lead an offense.
He'll never be a plus defender, but he has good length to at least be disruptive on that end of the floor. He’d need to add weight to guard any position other than guards and will operate most effectively on a team with strong defenders around him.
Comparison: Cam Thomas
7. Cedric Coward, Wing, Washington StateAge: 21 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 7’2.25” / SR 8’10” / 213 LBS
This might be my favorite player in the draft. Coward is shooting up draft boards due to his elite measurements (7’2.25” wingspan), athleticism (38.5 max vert), and shooting skills that he showed off at the NBA combine. Coward is a player that appears to do everything well & has scary upside if it all comes together. He’s a good shooter (39% from three in college) and has shown some self-creation ability with drives as well as a low-post game against smaller defenders. He’s athletic & big enough to play the 2 or 3 at the next level & shows real promise as a secondary playmaker / creator.
His length annoys opponents defensively & he projects as a plus defender. His lateral quickness can be disappointing at times, but he tends to make up for it with good instincts and his crazy wingspan. The only real drawbacks with Cedric are that he only played 6 games last year due to a shoulder injury, and before that he started at the D3 level before spending two years at Eastern Washington, where he wasn’t playing the best competition. Despite this, he’s worked tirelessly to get his game to where it is now & I think a team will pounce on him in the top half of the first round. The upside is really appealing if he can clean up his handle a bit & be a consistent offensive option. Either way, he provides a safe floor as a strong, mature player with good instincts.
Comparison: Jalen Williams
8. Ace Bailey, F, RutgersAge: 18 - Measurements: H 6’7.5” / WS 7’0.5” / SR 8’11” / 202.8 LBS
Bailey is one of the best pure shot-makers in the draft with the ability to hit consistently from all three levels. He’s a silky-smooth player who can get low on drives to create angles and get to the rim. He’s a threat to pull up at any time & consistently hits from mid-range. This all sounds great, why isn’t he ranked higher? My concerns with Bailey are 1) Handling Ability and 2) Decision Making. These concerns make him prone to pressure, which is something opponents figured out in college & Ace had a tough time handling. He doesn’t have a good enough handle to work his way out of pressure, which leads to errant passes and bad decisions. At this point, teams can scheme the ball out of his hands & neutralize him on that end. He’ll need to work on tightening up his handle & making the right reads on drives, otherwise teams will play him off the three point line and live with his pull up jumpers.
Defensively, he has all the tools to be a plus defender & shows good effort. I think he’ll morph into an above-average wing defender, which is very valuable. He has the length to alter shots & shows good instincts on-ball. Off-ball he’s a disruptor and can provide value as a tertiary rim-protector given his 7-foot wingspan. I see a lot of Jaden McDaniels in him on the defensive side of the ball.
There’s a world where Bailey makes his critics eat their words & turns into an elite offensive player. He has the shot-making ability to do it. I think the most likely scenario is that he turns into an off-ball wing who never develops the handle or creation-ability necessary to be a first option, but has an elite shot that defenses must respect. I envision him as a Michael Porter Jr. type of offensive player, which is fine. If he does end up improving his handle & finishing ability, then we’re looking at a Brandon Ingram type of offensive upside. It’ll be exciting to watch his development and see which way he goes.
Comparison: Michael Porter Jr. / Jaden McDaniels
Tier 4:
9. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, IllinoisAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.75” / WS 6’7.75” / SR 8’3.5” / 205.2 LBS
Jakucionis is a big bodied, physical guard who uses his size and ball-handling to get downhill. He’s arguably the best playmaker in the draft, consistently making the right reads at the second level of the defense. Don’t be fooled by him only shooting 31.8% from three in college (5.2 attempts/game)- Jaku is a good shooter. The reason for his low % is that 1) that he attempts incredibly difficult shots like step-backs or movement threes off the dribble and 2) he injured his forearm last year but was shooting over 41% from three prior to the injury. He shows a ton of promise as a catch and shoot guy at the next level. While he’s never likely to average 20ppg, he projects as someone who can be the lead guard or secondary playmaker in an offense.
Jaku will need to work to become an average NBA defender, as he doesn’t have great length or athleticism. He has a solid frame & won’t get bullied, but he had a low steal rate (1.5%) in college suggesting he won’t be a threat to poke the ball away or force turnovers. He showed a decent ability to stay in front on the perimeter, utilizing instincts and size to stay in front. At his best, he’ll be a guy that doesn’t hurt the team defense, but there is a chance he becomes a liability on that end if he doesn’t improve.
Comparison: Brandin Podziemski / Austin Reaves
10. Jeremiah Fears, G, OklahomaAge: 18 - Measurements: H 6’2.5” / WS 6’5.25” / SR 8’2.5” / 179.6 LBS
The upside for Fears is a lead guard who makes a career out of snaking his way into the heart of the defense with his quickness & creating looks for himself & others – the downside is that he’s an undersized guard with an inconsistent shot & adds negative value defensively. This makes him tough to project, but there’s little doubt a team will swing on him in the top 10 of this draft due to his lead guard upside.
Fears has a lighting quick first step & has little trouble creating an advantage for the offense. He’ll get to the rim & also showed promise as a finisher with a diverse and ambidextrous layup package. The key to unlocking his offensive upside will be his jump shot- he showed flashes of promise & has good form but shot only 28.4% from three in college on 3.9 attempts per game. If he does figure out the shot, then there’s little question he’ll end up a well above-average point guard in the NBA.
His lack of size will continuously haunt him defensively. Even when he stays in front of guys he’s consistently bullied due to his lack of strength. He’ll do fine guarding other small opponents, but he’ll be targeted in the pick and roll & is unlikely to add defensive value. A player of his archetype can still morph into a long-term starter, it just hinges on how well he can develop his shot & be a consistent offensive threat.
Comparison: Jeff Teague / Jordan Poole
11. Carter Bryant, F, ArizonaAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.5” / WS 6’11.75” / SR 8’10” / 214.8 LBS
You might not be impressed with Bryant’s stat line from his lone season at Arizona, but keep in mind that he only played 19.3 minutes a game on a veteran squad. Plus, many people think he should have been playing a lot more than he did, as his moments on the court were impressive. Defense is Bryant’s calling card- he’s a long, fluid, and explosive defender with enough size to defend big wings at the next level. He has a rare combination of size, quickness, and burst that allows him to be a disruptive presence. He has quick hands & will jump passing lanes for steals, and projects as a secondary rim protector, consistently erasing shots from smaller guards in the lane.
Bryant didn’t have many opportunities in college to showcase any self-creation abilities. In the rare cases he did, he tends to stand a bit upright on his drives, causing concern that he’ll never be much of threat with the ball in his hands as that uprightness prohibits him from turning the corner on defenders. Despite those concerns, he has an offensive floor of a good shooter as he shot 37% from three on 2.8 attempts a game. Most of these were catch & shoot, but he did showcase some off-the-dribble shooting capabilities as well. His worst-case offensive projection is a catch-and-shoot merchant who doesn’t provide much value elsewhere, but his high defensive floor gives him a steady projection as a prototypical 3-and-D player. Given his age (he won’t turn 20 until November) he has untapped potential to grow offensively, which could make Bryant a steal wherever he ends up.
Comparison: Trevor Ariza / Danny Green
12. Thomas Sorber, C, GeorgetownAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’9.25” / WS 7’6” / SR 9’1” / 262.8 LBS
Sorber is a bit of an old-school center in the sense that he utilizes post-ups for the majority of his offensive value. He has excellent footwork, a robust finishing package, and soft touch around the rim. He’s a good rebounder, utilizing his length and leaping ability to sky for rebounds. He’ll need to work on being a better roll-man in the NBA, as he wasn’t particularly good in the pick and roll at the collegiate level. He hasn’t shown the ability to shoot, from three-point range or from the midrange- and adding that skill would open up the floor for others & make him more of an offensive threat.
He’ll add defensive value immediately, showing the ability to be a rim protector at the next level & also cause steal with his quick hands. He’s not very quick laterally, which makes him a liability when switched onto the perimeter. Sorber is still young, so any development on either side of the ball will raise his ceiling, but his floor as a scoring big man who adds defensive value is likely to get him picked in the lottery to a team needing Center depth.
Comparison: Jonas Valanciunas / Wendell Carter Jr
13. Khaman Maluach, C, DukeAge: 18 - Measurements: H 7’0.75” / WS 7’6.75” / SR 9’6.75” / 252.8 LBS
Maluach is your proto-typical giant Center with huge defensive upside but limited offensive impact. His insane length & overall athleticism allows him to disrupt shots at the rim & on the perimeter at an elite level. His block numbers weren’t great at Duke, but he altered a lot of shots not only at the rim but also in space. He needs some polish defensively as he can overestimate his athleticism or reach at times, but he shows all the makings of a potential All-Defensive player at his peak.
Offensively, he’s not going to offer much outside of rim-running, being a pick and roll lob threat, and gobbling down offensive rebounds. His low post game is unpolished & he’s unlikely to ever establish that skill. He showed some three-point making ability at Duke, but only shot 16 attempts and made 4. If he does extend out to the three-point line then he’ll add a nice wrinkle, but I wouldn’t bank it. Despite his limited offensive capabilities, he can still add value on that end of the court in the right system & should more than make up for it on the defensive side of the ball.
Comparison: Rudy Gobert
Tier 5:
14. Egor Demin, G, BYUAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 6’10.25” / SR 8’9.5” / 199.2 LBS
Demin is hands down the best passer in the draft, which is crazy for someone who is nearly 6’10” in shoes. He has an amazing feel for the game, knowing where each player is on the court at all times. That vision combined with his height leads to some amazing cross-court passes that only he can make. I’d love to see him tighten up his handle & get downhill more consistently, as that is one area he struggled in college. His jump shot shows promise despite inconsistencies last year, shooting 27.3% on 4.7 attempts per game. An injury midway through the season may explain some of those woes, as his form looks good & he shot well at the combine.
He'll need to either add weight or improve his lateral agility if he wants to be a good defender at the next level. He’s in between right now, not strong enough to defend bigger wings, and not quick enough to stay with guards. His length does allow him to be disruptive off-ball, and he shows good instincts, but he’s not going to bolster a defense by any means. Ideally, I’d like to see him add 20 pounds & morph into a Deni Avdija type player who can run as a Point Forward on offense and defend wings at a high level.
If Demin can put everything together by tightening up his handle, adding some strength, and developing a consistent jump shot, then you’re looking at an incredibly effective NBA player. That’s a lot of “if’s”, but the upside is tantalizing.
Comparison: Deni Avdija / Shaun Livingston
15. Nique Clifford, G, Colorado StateAge: 23 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 6’8” / SR 8’6.5” / 202 LBS
Clifford is as NBA ready as any player in this draft. The only reason he isn’t ranked higher is due to his age (turns 24 in February) & lack of elite ceiling, but there’s a good chance he’ll end up with a better NBA career than some of the prospects ranked higher. Clifford is an NBA ready defender, utilizing a combination of strength, quickness, and instincts to provide relentless on-ball and off-ball defensive value. He’s a disruptor who will pressure ball-handlers into mistakes & jump passing lanes for steals.
His greatest offensive contributions are in transition, where he gets down the floor quickly & finishes well at the rim. He combines that with an elite rebounding rate, especially for this size, which allows him to push the ball up the court off the rim. Nique is a high IQ player who adds value with his cutting & connective playmaking. He doesn’t have the best handle but will do just fine as an off-ball player given his combination of shooting, transition prowess, and cutting + finishing ability.
Comparison: Josh Hart / Derrick White
16. Collin Murray-Boyes, F, South CarolinaAge: 19 - Measurements: 6’6.5” / WS 7’0.75” / SR 8’10” / 239.2 LBS
Murray-Boyles has fluctuated on my board quite a bit. The main concern with him is figuring out where he projects in an NBA offense, as his lack of a jump shot & tweener size are big concerns. That said, his defensive upside is too high to ignore. While he doesn’t have ideal height to defend centers at the next level, he’s incredibly strong & doesn’t get bullied easily. He has the length to be disruptive and shows good enough lateral quickness to hold his own on the perimeter. He has some of the quickest hands in the class & should garner plenty of steals at the next level. He also has good vertical burst to erase shots at the rim against driving wings & guards. His defensive instincts are second to none in the class, suggesting a very high floor on that end despite his tweener size.
Offensively is where things get tough to project. He couldn’t shoot in college (26.5% on 1.1 attempts last year) and doesn’t have great form. He was terrible in shooting drills at the combine. Despite his shooting woes, he does show some promise as a playmaker. In college he would attack close outs & use an above-average handle for a big man to get in the paint and make the right read. I struggle to see him doing too much of that at the next level, however, as defenses won’t respect his shot & his turnover rate in college was incredibly high for a big man (2.4%). He’s likely best utilized as the roll-man at the next level, where he can roll hard and be a connective passer. He’ll add value as a rebounder, and he showed some low-post skills in college, but that will be tough to replicate at the next level. He’ll need to be put in the right system & find his offensive fit to be a long-term NBA starter, otherwise he’ll cap out as a defensive specialist.
Comparison: Paul Millsap / Draymond Green
17. Noa Essengue, F, FranceAge: 18 - Measurements: H 6’10” / WS 7’0.75” / SR 9’1.75” / 203.9 LBS
Noa Essengue is a mystery box of a prospect. He measured great at the combine, as he’s 6’10” without shoes and has the lateral agility and quickness to play the wing. He’s one of the youngest players eligible this year & held his own in a German professional league, so I would not be surprised if we see a team jump on him in the top 10 this year. His strengths are that he’s an elite play finisher, getting most of his buckets on cuts, put backs, and in transition. He’s shown more self-creation ability over the last few months of his season, which would add a layer to his game that he’ll need to be an effective offensive weapon at the next level. His shooting is a work in progress, hitting about 27% of his attempts from three last year. He has decent form but has some wild misses from time to time that suggest a lack of true feel from outside. If he ends up bringing it all together with improved shooting & self-creation, his ceiling is sky high.
Defensively, he has great length & contests shots well while also playing the passing lane. He’s a good athlete with solid lateral quickness but is too stiff and upright to defend quick perimeter players at the next level. Unless he adds some weight, he’ll be too small to defend bigs as well. He’s a bit of a tweener defensively, which concerns me. He doesn’t have great vertical ability to ever project as a rim-protecting big man. In order to stick I think he’ll need to add 20 or so pounds to be able to hang with bigs down low, otherwise he might be left as an off-ball defender, which is fine but not an elite impact projection.
Comparison: Al-Farouq Aminu
18. Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph'sAge: 20 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 7’5.25” / SR 9’1” / 232.4 LBS
Defensive Versatility, Play Finishing, & Shooting – that’s what you’ll get out of Rasheer Fleming. He utilizes his elite length to provide immense off-ball defensive value as someone who rotates well to contest shots at the rim & plays the passing lanes to create steals and deflections. He uses good lateral mobility to stay in front during on-ball situations and has the length to make up for it if he does get beat off the dribble. There are times when he’ll appear to lose focus or miss an assignment defensively, but the upside on that end of the court is clear.
Offensively, he’s great at finishing around the rim – cuts, put backs, transition buckets alike. He can stretch the defense with his shot, shooting 39% on 4.9 attempts a game last year. That combination of play finishing & shooting makes him an ideal pick & roll partner, as he can either pop to the 3pt line or roll to the rim and finish inside. He doesn’t have much ball-handling ability & likely won’t ever be able to create for himself, but if he does work on that skill then he’ll have unlocked an even higher offensive ceiling.
Comparison: Aaron Gordon / Robert Covington
19. Jase Richardson, G, Michigan StateAge: 19 - Measurements: 6’0.5” / WS 6’6” / SR 8’2.5” / 178.4 LBS
Jase is one of the best shot-makers in the class, showcasing an ability to create his own shot at all three levels. The main holdup in evaluating Jase is his size. He has a ton of talent as an offensive playmaker with a lethal shot & ability to finish at the rim, but there are questions on how his finishing ability will translate to bigger, more physical competition. He should still project as a serviceable secondary playmaker, but his lack of height or strength will be his biggest deterrence. He’s a smart defender but will be targeted due to his lack of physicality. The best-case for Jase is that he develops as a primary ballhandler so he can play the PG spot, but that part of his game is still a work in progress.
Comparison: Jared McCain / Gabe Vincent
20. Walter Clayton, G, FloridaAge: 22 - Measurements: H 6’2” / WS 6’4” / SR 8’1.5” / 199 LBS
Clayton is a rock-solid guard who would go much higher if not for his age & size concerns. He’s a great ball handler and playmaker who is also a knockdown shooter. He’s likely to have a long NBA career as a steady guard option who limits turnovers, can run the offense, and hit clutch three like we saw in Florida’s NCAA championship run. Clayton shot 39% from deep on 7.8 attempts a game last year, offering versatility as an off-ball guard as well. He’ll likely struggle a bit defensively due to his size & lack of length, but he is quick & shows ability to stay in front on the perimeter.
Comparison: CJ McCollum / Cam Payne
21. Asa Newell, F/C, GeorgiaAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’9” / WS 6’11.25” / SR 8’11.5” / 223.8 LBS
Newell is an athletic, physical big man who excels on the glass and as a finisher. His offensive role projects as a lob threat & put back artist who would benefit from a more consistent three-point shot. He shot 29% in college but has the general look and feel of a guy who could become a reliable shooter, backed up by his 75% free throw percentage. Defensively, he has great vertical burst and projects as a solid rim-protector and off-ball defender. He’s not likely to blossom into an All-Star caliber player but should be a reliable rotation big & has room to grow at only 19 years old.
Comparison: Brandon Clarke
Tier 5:
22. Nolan Traore, G, FranceAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’3.75” / WS 6’8” / SR 6’6.25” / 184 LBS
Traore is a developmental guard with a high ceiling, but he’s raw on both ends of the court & could also flame out if his development halts. He’s incredibly quick with a great first step that he uses to create advantages for the offense by penetrating the paint. He’ll need to improve at finishing, but he’s a great passer & should have no problem creating looks for his teammates. His shooting is a big question mark, hovering around 30% from three for the season, but he shot it well the last few months of his season where he was around 40%. If the shot comes around, you’re looking at a guy that could be a lethal offensive guard weapon.
He’s undersized defensively & struggled to guard on the ball, which is an area he’ll need to improve to hang at the next level. His wingspan & quickness give him the tools to be a competent defender, we’ll just have to see if this is an area he’s able to add any value, which could take some time. Overall, he’s a toolsy guard that should be targeted by a young team ready to hand the keys to a developmental project. If he hits his ceiling, he’ll be a very good NBA player- you’ll just have to take the risk that he's the next Killian Hayes.
Comparison: Jeff Teague / Rajon Rondo
23. Joan Beringer, C, FranceAge: 18 - Measurements: H 6’11” / WS 7’4.5” / SR 9’3”/ 234.8 LBS
Beringer is a large, athletic, inexperienced big man with a ton of potential. He’s been shooting up draft boards due to his great measurements at the international combine, standing 6’11” barefoot with a 7’4.5 wingspan and 9’3” standing reach at 235 pounds. That’s legitimate Center size, and Beringer also brings verticality and athleticism that teams desire for their modern centers. He projects to be a rim-running big man offensively with solid rim protection & rebounding ability. He’s not going to space the floor or offer much offensively outside of rebounds & lobs around the rim, but he projects as a solid play finisher with stout defense & room to grow his game elsewhere.
Comparison: Clint Capela / Yves Missi
24. Maxime Reynaud, C, StanfordAge: 22 - Measurements: H 7’0.25” / WS 7’1.25” / SR 9’2” / 236.8 LBS
Raynaud is an intriguing big man prospect who can shoot threes at a high level, make the right pass, and attack the rim from the perimeter. Couple that with his elite rebounding rate in college, and you’re looking at a big man prospect that should seamlessly slide into an NBA rotation next year. He won’t offer a ton of rim deterrence defensively due to lack of vertical burst / strength, but he’s an incredibly intriguing offensive & rebounding prospect that should be a solid role-player at the next level.
Comparison: Brook Lopez / Kelly Olynyk
25. Danny Wolf, F/C, MichiganAge: 21 - Measurements: H 6’10.5” / WS 7’2.25” / SR 9’1” / 251.8 LBS
Wolf is one of the more intriguing bigs in the class due to his ability to dribble, pass and shoot. He brings an intriguing offensive skillset as a big that can stretch the floor & be utilized as a connective passer, averaging over 3 assists a game at Michigan. He doesn’t offer the rim-protection you typically expect from a Center but is agile enough that he can likely play the stretch 4 position in the league. He’s someone you’ll need to pair with a rim-protector so that you aren’t liable defensively, but the offensive upside is high enough that he’ll likely stick in the NBA as a solid role player
Comparison: Kelly Olynyk / Maxi Kleber
26. Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.75” / WS 6’8.5” / SR 8’3.5” / 214.6 LBS
It’s a bit misleading that McNeeley only shot 32% from three and 38% from the field in college. He was miscast as the pick and roll ball handler when his true value is as an off ball forward who can catch and shoot & cut to the rim. His shot looks smooth & he shot 87% from the free throw line, so he projects as an above-average NBA shooter as was expected when he was coming out of high school, despite his numbers last year. He doesn’t offer much self-creation or defensive upside, lacking the ball-handling and lateral quickness to excel at either, respectively. Still, he projects as a solid offensive contributor who can fit into a team defense despite not being much of a playmaker on either end.
Comparison: Corey Kispert / Sam Hauser
27. Ben Saraf, G, IsraelAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5” / WS 6’7.5” / SR 8’6” / 200 LBS
Saraf is a guard prospect with a good feel for the game & has solid potential as a future NBA caliber playmaker. He’s good at getting downhill & uses a variety of passes to find the open man while also showing the ability to finish at the rim. He projects as a solid defensive prospect with good size, but will need to be a more consistent shooter to be a lead guard.
Comparison: Goran Dragic / Tomas Satoransky
28. Adou Thiero, F, ArkansasAge: 21 - Measurements: H 6’6.25” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’8.5” / 218.4 LBS
Thiero is one of the most athletic players in the draft, offering impressive defensive playmaking with the ability to guard multiple positions at a high level. He’s a swiss army knife on defense who should project as someone who can shadow the other team’s main perimeter threat. He has good length to disrupt the passing lanes & offers value as an off-ball rim protector. Offensively, he’s not a good shooter and will need to add value by attacking the rim & using cuts to get inside. He’s a good rebounder & should stick in a rotation given his athletic and defensive upside.
Comparison: Nassir Little / Jae Crowder 29. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, CreightonAge: 23 - Measurements: H 7’1” / WS 7’6” / SR 9’4” / 257.4 LBS
Kalkbrenner is a giant human who projects as a solid rim-protector at the next level & has shown the ability to stretch the floor, which could add a unique dimension to his skillset. He should transition to a backup big immediately his rookie season as someone who can anchor a defense, finish plays around the rim, and add floor spacing. He’ll need to add strength in order to become a starting caliber center, but at his floor he’ll be a rotation big who adds value defensively.
Comparison: Walker Kessler / Luke Kornet
Tier 6:
30. Will Riley, Wing, SyracuseAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 6’8.75” / SR 8’8” / 185.6 LBS
Riley is a young, athletic wing with great height & obvious potential, but he’s still raw and has a long way to go to become a consistent NBA threat. He’s shown flashes of getting downhill & finishing at the rim, while also adding some playmaking ability off the dribble. At his peak he projects as an off-ball wing with secondary playmaking upside. He’ll need to become a more consistent shooter to really stick at the next level, but the upside is promising. He has a good motor defensively & good positional size to back it up. I’d love to see him bulk up over the years to be able to guard stronger wings / forwards, but he should end up as at least a solid NBA defender.
Comparison: Cam Reddish / Nikola Jovic
31. Noah Penda, F, FranceAge: 20 - Measurements: H 6’7.25” / WS 6’11.5” / SR 8’10.5” / 242 LBS
Penda brings a level of playmaking & defensive versatility that is sure to impress scouts given his size. He’s quick given his weight & can guard multiple positions as both a perimeter and post defender. His offense is a bit of a question mark, especially as a scorer, but he reads defenses well & seems to always find an open man. He should offer enough on both ends to stick at the next level.
Comparison: Boris Diaw / Naji Marshall
32. Drake Powell, Wing, North CarolinaAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’7” / 200.4 LBS
Similarly to Thiero, Powell is an athletic freak with incredible defensive upside but questions offensively. He’ll be a guy who can defend at a high level, create steals and turnover opportunities, and has enough vertical burst to erase shots at the rim. He’ll offer offensive value through getting to the rim but won’t offer much self-creation. He shot decently from deep in college at 38% but was a low volume shooter and struggled at the line (65%), suggesting he may struggle to be a consistent deep threat at the next level.
Comparison: Taurean Prince / Thabo Sefolosha
33. Hugo Gonzalez, G, SpainAge: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.25” / WS 6’10.75” / SR 8’5.5” / 222.7 LBS
Hugo is one of the tougher assessments this draft cycle due to his inconsistent playing time with Real Madrid the past few years. He’s incredibly raw, but has a nice combination of size & athleticism that a team is sure to take a swing on. He plays a high-energy brand of basketball & should be a good defender at the next level. Given his size, he’ll be able to guard both wings & guards while also holding his own against some forwards, which projects as immense defensive upside. Offensively, he won’t create his own shot at this stage in his development. Most of his scoring comes from slashing & cutting around the rim. He hasn’t shot well from three, but his FT% of 76% shows some promise there with more repetitions. He’ll need some seasoning in the G-League, but the upside is real as a defensive motivated, slashing wing.
Comparison: Josh Green
Tier 7:
34. Hansen Yang, C, ChinaAge: 20 - Measurements: H 7’1” / WS 7’2.75” / SR 9’3” / 252.6 LBS
Yang is a smooth player, showing soft touch around the rim & finesse passing ability that is sure to get NBA scouts attention. He’s raw, but he has the tools to be a unique NBA center. He offers good height & rim-deterrence defensively but will always be a drop coverage player as he lacks lateral quickness to stay in front of shifty players. He makes the right passes & will find cutters and open shooters when posted up down low, something a lot of big men lack. He won’t stretch the floor, but projects as a solid traditional center with some spice offensively.
Comparison: Nikola Vucevic / Jonas Valanciunas
35. Kam Jones, G, MarquetteAge: 23 - Measurements: H 6’3.25” / WS 6’6” / SR 8’4.5” / 202.4 LBS
Jones has a high floor & should be an NBA rotation player from day 1. He’s an experienced guard who can shoot from deep, create his own shot, and will make the right reads. He’s a good defender with enough size to defend both guard spots at the next level. He doesn’t offer tantalizing upside, but he takes care of the ball and can run the second unit as the lead ballhandler or play off-ball with his shooting and playmaking ability.
Comparison: Ajay Mitchell / Donte DiVencenzo
36. Koby Brea, G, KentuckyAge: 22 - Measurements: H 6’5.75” / WS 6’5.25” / SR 8’5.5” / 201.8 LBS
Brea is the best 3PT shooter in the draft, hands down. He doesn’t project as a plus defender at the next level, won’t create his own shots in the lane or create open looks for others, but he’ll shoot the heck out of the ball at volume. Brea made nearly 44% of threes last year on 5.9 attempts per game – over his college career he made 43% on 4.9 attempts per game. Shooting specialists are coveted bench guys, and Brea should have no problem filling that role at the next level.
Comparison: Sam Hauser / Matt Ryan
Tier 1:
1. Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 6’7.75” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’10.5” / 221 LBS
Cooper Flagg is one of the most surefire #1 overall picks of the past few decades. He appears to do everything well on the basketball court with few weaknesses. He’s a strong driver who can create lanes & overpower smaller defenders at the rim, he defends at a very high level with the potential to be a help-side menace, and he has the playmaking feel / handle of someone who can one day be a Point-Forward. Not to mention, he’s a good shooter who will stretch defenses and open lanes for himself and others. I fear that expectations may be too great since Flagg stands out so much among the rest in this class, but he has the potential to be a Hall of Fame player at the end of his career. Oh, and he should be entering his freshman season in college and won’t be 19 until December.
He’s a surefire bet to land with Dallas where he’ll fit in well alongside AD and Lively / Gafford as a combo SF / PF. His defensive fit with those players is something a GM can only dream of (Nico doesn’t deserve this gift) as he’s athletic enough to stay in front of wings and has an elite ability to roam on the help side to provide additional rim protection next to the rest of the Mav’s shot blockers. He might be asked to do too much offensively this season with the Mavs not having a PG due to Kyrie’s injury, but he has an early chance to showcase his potential to be a Point-Forward which will be very intriguing to watch.
Comparison: Jayson Tatum / Andrei Kirilenko (defensively)
Tier 2:
2. Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.5” / WS 6’10.5” / SR 8’6” / 213.2 LBS
Harper is the best guard driver / finisher in this class & does so at an already-elite level. He shot around 70% at the rim in college, which is insane as those are good numbers for a big man & Harper had no spacing on his Rutgers squad. He’s elite in the pick and roll & will be a fantastic partner with Wemby in those actions. He has good vision & projects as a well above-average facilitator and playmaker. The one area offensively where Harper needs to develop is from 3 – he wasn’t awful in college, hitting 33% on 5.2 attempts per game, but he’d take a major leap if he can shoot closer to league average or better. He has good mechanics, so it’s not a bad bet that he’ll figure it out. Developing a consistent shot will prohibit defenses from going under screens & will open the lane for Harper’s elite finishing ability.
Defensively, Harper has good length with his 6’10” wingspan and is big enough at 213 pounds to defend bigger guards. He shows good anticipation on drives & shouldn’t be a liability on that end of the court. He’s never going to be a lock down defender, largely due to his taxing responsibilities on offense, but he has the profile to hold his own.
Comparison: James Harden / Ron Harper
Tier 3
3. Derik Queen, F/C, Maryland
Age: 20 - Measurements: H 6’9.25” / WS 7’0.5” / SR 9’1.5” / 247.8 LBS
Queen is one of the more polarizing players in the draft, which makes him incredibly fun to evaluate. I’m higher on Queen than most due to his offensive prowess, which really shines due to his handle & passing ability. Queen isn’t the most athletic guy- in fact his agility numbers at the combine are some of the worst we’ve seen, which has caused more skepticism amongst critics- but he handles the ball like a big guard and uses that skill to get to the rim against slower & undersized defenders alike. He’s great at finishing around the basket as he shot 70% from the rim in college with a soft touch. Queen can facilitate an offense from the high post or top of the key, eerily similar to Alperen Sengun and Domantas Sabonis. He finds the right passes & provides a dimension to an offense that a lot of teams crave. He’s a good rebounder by using his size and positioning to offset his lack of vertical ability.
He has ample questions defensively & will be targeted in pick and rolls. That said, he uses his size to his advantage to keep guys in front and has good hands to knock balls loose from guys with sloppy handles. I love the idea of pairing Queen with a rim protecting big man & long wings who can hide his deficiencies on that end of the court. We saw this down the stretch last year with the Rockets, pairing Sengun with Adams which resulted in historic offensive rebounding numbers & was a huge net positive for Houston. That does cause spacing concerns on offense, but there’s a way to make it work with the Center in the dunkers spot and Queen running the offense from the high post- using drives and kick outs to create open shots. He’s solid from mid-range, and his shooting form + FT% in college indicate a possible expansion out to the three-point line in the pros, which would really open the offense up with another big on the court.
Comparison: Alperen Sengun / Domantas Sabonis
4. VJ Edgecomb, G, Baylor
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4” / WS 6’7.5” / SR 8’5.5” / 193.2 LBS
VJ’s upside is tantalizing. He’s a strong, incredibly athletic off-ball guard with a blend of speed, strength, and explosiveness that front offices yearn for. The only question for Edgecomb at the next level is whether he can marry that athleticism with poise & a consistent jump shot. If he does, we’re looking at a perennial All-Star caliber player. He uses his athletic prowess to get downhill & create shots at the rim or kick out to his teammates. At times he gets a bit out of control, showing a loose handle that can’t keep up with how quickly he’s moving. I’d really like to see VJ not get over his skis as much & work on making the right play at the second level of a defense. As a shooter, he showed promise in college, hitting 34% of threes on 4.6 attempts per game. He doesn’t currently have much shot-creation at the three-point line- he’s not going to be hitting step back threes in isolation- but he does show catch & shoot promise which, when combined with his ability to get downhill, is enough to work with.
Defensively is where VJ shines. He’s going to have a high floor on that end of the court due to his instincts and athleticism. He stays in front of offensive players well in isolation & thrives in off-ball scenarios where he jumps passing lanes & can provide help-side rim protection. His defensive upside is that of a big, strong guard who can match up with wings & hold his own- think Alex Caruso or KCP but with better athleticism.
For someone considered a “safe” pick due to his athletic floor, the range of outcomes for VJ is quite wide. If he puts it all together & is consistent offensively, he’ll be one of the best SGs in the game & could ascend to the second or third-best player in this draft. If he struggles offensively, I could see him morphing into a Kris Dunn-esque player who is a net negative offensively but provides great defensive versatility. I think VJ lands somewhere in the middle- a good but not great offensive player who adds most of his value defensively.
Comparison: Victor Oladipo / Kris Dunn
5. Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5” / WS 6’6.25” / SR 8’5.5” / 219 LBS
Kon is a smart, mature sharpshooter who is sneakily good as an all-around player. His calling card is his shooting, as he shot over 40% from 3 at Duke on 5.3 attempts per game. He doesn’t have a great handle, but he flashed ability to get downhill off closeouts & in straight line drives where he’s a surprisingly good finisher at the rim. His playmaking also showed at Duke, averaging nearly 3 assists per game while consistently making the right reads. He projects as a lethal shooter who can offer a bit more in other areas, which is an ideal skill set for an off-ball guard.
Defensively, his lack of top end athleticism will always hurt him, but he’s a smart defender who rotates well & shows good instincts. He’s a true hustle player who does a decent job of staying in front of ball handlers despite his lack of lateral quickness or burst. He shouldn’t hurt teams too much on this end of the court, even if he’s never a top end defensive guy.
Kon has one of the safest floors in the draft & will provide immediate value to whoever he ends up with. His ceiling is higher than people give him credit for as he’s underrated in his ability to drive, pass, and defend at average to above-average levels.
Comparison: Desmond Bane / Luke Kennard
6. Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.75” / WS 6’10.25” / SR 8’5” / 190.4 LBS
Tre is one of the best shooters in the class & has an elite ability to create his own shot, which is a skill that front offices adore. He gets to his spot & can hit pull-ups, step-backs, and even shows ability to get to the rim and finish inside. He’s a very fun offensive player that should have no problem scoring at the next level. I’d love to see his decision making & playmaking skills develop, but at a minimum he’ll be a microwave scorer with upside to lead an offense.
He'll never be a plus defender, but he has good length to at least be disruptive on that end of the floor. He’d need to add weight to guard any position other than guards and will operate most effectively on a team with strong defenders around him.
Comparison: Cam Thomas
7. Cedric Coward, Wing, Washington State
Age: 21 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 7’2.25” / SR 8’10” / 213 LBS
This might be my favorite player in the draft. Coward is shooting up draft boards due to his elite measurements (7’2.25” wingspan), athleticism (38.5 max vert), and shooting skills that he showed off at the NBA combine. Coward is a player that appears to do everything well & has scary upside if it all comes together. He’s a good shooter (39% from three in college) and has shown some self-creation ability with drives as well as a low-post game against smaller defenders. He’s athletic & big enough to play the 2 or 3 at the next level & shows real promise as a secondary playmaker / creator.
His length annoys opponents defensively & he projects as a plus defender. His lateral quickness can be disappointing at times, but he tends to make up for it with good instincts and his crazy wingspan. The only real drawbacks with Cedric are that he only played 6 games last year due to a shoulder injury, and before that he started at the D3 level before spending two years at Eastern Washington, where he wasn’t playing the best competition. Despite this, he’s worked tirelessly to get his game to where it is now & I think a team will pounce on him in the top half of the first round. The upside is really appealing if he can clean up his handle a bit & be a consistent offensive option. Either way, he provides a safe floor as a strong, mature player with good instincts.
Comparison: Jalen Williams
8. Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 6’7.5” / WS 7’0.5” / SR 8’11” / 202.8 LBS
Bailey is one of the best pure shot-makers in the draft with the ability to hit consistently from all three levels. He’s a silky-smooth player who can get low on drives to create angles and get to the rim. He’s a threat to pull up at any time & consistently hits from mid-range. This all sounds great, why isn’t he ranked higher? My concerns with Bailey are 1) Handling Ability and 2) Decision Making. These concerns make him prone to pressure, which is something opponents figured out in college & Ace had a tough time handling. He doesn’t have a good enough handle to work his way out of pressure, which leads to errant passes and bad decisions. At this point, teams can scheme the ball out of his hands & neutralize him on that end. He’ll need to work on tightening up his handle & making the right reads on drives, otherwise teams will play him off the three point line and live with his pull up jumpers.
Defensively, he has all the tools to be a plus defender & shows good effort. I think he’ll morph into an above-average wing defender, which is very valuable. He has the length to alter shots & shows good instincts on-ball. Off-ball he’s a disruptor and can provide value as a tertiary rim-protector given his 7-foot wingspan. I see a lot of Jaden McDaniels in him on the defensive side of the ball.
There’s a world where Bailey makes his critics eat their words & turns into an elite offensive player. He has the shot-making ability to do it. I think the most likely scenario is that he turns into an off-ball wing who never develops the handle or creation-ability necessary to be a first option, but has an elite shot that defenses must respect. I envision him as a Michael Porter Jr. type of offensive player, which is fine. If he does end up improving his handle & finishing ability, then we’re looking at a Brandon Ingram type of offensive upside. It’ll be exciting to watch his development and see which way he goes.
Comparison: Michael Porter Jr. / Jaden McDaniels
Tier 4:
9. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’4.75” / WS 6’7.75” / SR 8’3.5” / 205.2 LBS
Jakucionis is a big bodied, physical guard who uses his size and ball-handling to get downhill. He’s arguably the best playmaker in the draft, consistently making the right reads at the second level of the defense. Don’t be fooled by him only shooting 31.8% from three in college (5.2 attempts/game)- Jaku is a good shooter. The reason for his low % is that 1) that he attempts incredibly difficult shots like step-backs or movement threes off the dribble and 2) he injured his forearm last year but was shooting over 41% from three prior to the injury. He shows a ton of promise as a catch and shoot guy at the next level. While he’s never likely to average 20ppg, he projects as someone who can be the lead guard or secondary playmaker in an offense.
Jaku will need to work to become an average NBA defender, as he doesn’t have great length or athleticism. He has a solid frame & won’t get bullied, but he had a low steal rate (1.5%) in college suggesting he won’t be a threat to poke the ball away or force turnovers. He showed a decent ability to stay in front on the perimeter, utilizing instincts and size to stay in front. At his best, he’ll be a guy that doesn’t hurt the team defense, but there is a chance he becomes a liability on that end if he doesn’t improve.
Comparison: Brandin Podziemski / Austin Reaves
10. Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 6’2.5” / WS 6’5.25” / SR 8’2.5” / 179.6 LBS
The upside for Fears is a lead guard who makes a career out of snaking his way into the heart of the defense with his quickness & creating looks for himself & others – the downside is that he’s an undersized guard with an inconsistent shot & adds negative value defensively. This makes him tough to project, but there’s little doubt a team will swing on him in the top 10 of this draft due to his lead guard upside.
Fears has a lighting quick first step & has little trouble creating an advantage for the offense. He’ll get to the rim & also showed promise as a finisher with a diverse and ambidextrous layup package. The key to unlocking his offensive upside will be his jump shot- he showed flashes of promise & has good form but shot only 28.4% from three in college on 3.9 attempts per game. If he does figure out the shot, then there’s little question he’ll end up a well above-average point guard in the NBA.
His lack of size will continuously haunt him defensively. Even when he stays in front of guys he’s consistently bullied due to his lack of strength. He’ll do fine guarding other small opponents, but he’ll be targeted in the pick and roll & is unlikely to add defensive value. A player of his archetype can still morph into a long-term starter, it just hinges on how well he can develop his shot & be a consistent offensive threat.
Comparison: Jeff Teague / Jordan Poole
11. Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.5” / WS 6’11.75” / SR 8’10” / 214.8 LBS
You might not be impressed with Bryant’s stat line from his lone season at Arizona, but keep in mind that he only played 19.3 minutes a game on a veteran squad. Plus, many people think he should have been playing a lot more than he did, as his moments on the court were impressive. Defense is Bryant’s calling card- he’s a long, fluid, and explosive defender with enough size to defend big wings at the next level. He has a rare combination of size, quickness, and burst that allows him to be a disruptive presence. He has quick hands & will jump passing lanes for steals, and projects as a secondary rim protector, consistently erasing shots from smaller guards in the lane.
Bryant didn’t have many opportunities in college to showcase any self-creation abilities. In the rare cases he did, he tends to stand a bit upright on his drives, causing concern that he’ll never be much of threat with the ball in his hands as that uprightness prohibits him from turning the corner on defenders. Despite those concerns, he has an offensive floor of a good shooter as he shot 37% from three on 2.8 attempts a game. Most of these were catch & shoot, but he did showcase some off-the-dribble shooting capabilities as well. His worst-case offensive projection is a catch-and-shoot merchant who doesn’t provide much value elsewhere, but his high defensive floor gives him a steady projection as a prototypical 3-and-D player. Given his age (he won’t turn 20 until November) he has untapped potential to grow offensively, which could make Bryant a steal wherever he ends up.
Comparison: Trevor Ariza / Danny Green
12. Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’9.25” / WS 7’6” / SR 9’1” / 262.8 LBS
Sorber is a bit of an old-school center in the sense that he utilizes post-ups for the majority of his offensive value. He has excellent footwork, a robust finishing package, and soft touch around the rim. He’s a good rebounder, utilizing his length and leaping ability to sky for rebounds. He’ll need to work on being a better roll-man in the NBA, as he wasn’t particularly good in the pick and roll at the collegiate level. He hasn’t shown the ability to shoot, from three-point range or from the midrange- and adding that skill would open up the floor for others & make him more of an offensive threat.
He’ll add defensive value immediately, showing the ability to be a rim protector at the next level & also cause steal with his quick hands. He’s not very quick laterally, which makes him a liability when switched onto the perimeter. Sorber is still young, so any development on either side of the ball will raise his ceiling, but his floor as a scoring big man who adds defensive value is likely to get him picked in the lottery to a team needing Center depth.
Comparison: Jonas Valanciunas / Wendell Carter Jr
13. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 7’0.75” / WS 7’6.75” / SR 9’6.75” / 252.8 LBS
Maluach is your proto-typical giant Center with huge defensive upside but limited offensive impact. His insane length & overall athleticism allows him to disrupt shots at the rim & on the perimeter at an elite level. His block numbers weren’t great at Duke, but he altered a lot of shots not only at the rim but also in space. He needs some polish defensively as he can overestimate his athleticism or reach at times, but he shows all the makings of a potential All-Defensive player at his peak.
Offensively, he’s not going to offer much outside of rim-running, being a pick and roll lob threat, and gobbling down offensive rebounds. His low post game is unpolished & he’s unlikely to ever establish that skill. He showed some three-point making ability at Duke, but only shot 16 attempts and made 4. If he does extend out to the three-point line then he’ll add a nice wrinkle, but I wouldn’t bank it. Despite his limited offensive capabilities, he can still add value on that end of the court in the right system & should more than make up for it on the defensive side of the ball.
Comparison: Rudy Gobert
Tier 5:
14. Egor Demin, G, BYU
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 6’10.25” / SR 8’9.5” / 199.2 LBS
Demin is hands down the best passer in the draft, which is crazy for someone who is nearly 6’10” in shoes. He has an amazing feel for the game, knowing where each player is on the court at all times. That vision combined with his height leads to some amazing cross-court passes that only he can make. I’d love to see him tighten up his handle & get downhill more consistently, as that is one area he struggled in college. His jump shot shows promise despite inconsistencies last year, shooting 27.3% on 4.7 attempts per game. An injury midway through the season may explain some of those woes, as his form looks good & he shot well at the combine.
He'll need to either add weight or improve his lateral agility if he wants to be a good defender at the next level. He’s in between right now, not strong enough to defend bigger wings, and not quick enough to stay with guards. His length does allow him to be disruptive off-ball, and he shows good instincts, but he’s not going to bolster a defense by any means. Ideally, I’d like to see him add 20 pounds & morph into a Deni Avdija type player who can run as a Point Forward on offense and defend wings at a high level.
If Demin can put everything together by tightening up his handle, adding some strength, and developing a consistent jump shot, then you’re looking at an incredibly effective NBA player. That’s a lot of “if’s”, but the upside is tantalizing.
Comparison: Deni Avdija / Shaun Livingston
15. Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
Age: 23 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 6’8” / SR 8’6.5” / 202 LBS
Clifford is as NBA ready as any player in this draft. The only reason he isn’t ranked higher is due to his age (turns 24 in February) & lack of elite ceiling, but there’s a good chance he’ll end up with a better NBA career than some of the prospects ranked higher. Clifford is an NBA ready defender, utilizing a combination of strength, quickness, and instincts to provide relentless on-ball and off-ball defensive value. He’s a disruptor who will pressure ball-handlers into mistakes & jump passing lanes for steals.
His greatest offensive contributions are in transition, where he gets down the floor quickly & finishes well at the rim. He combines that with an elite rebounding rate, especially for this size, which allows him to push the ball up the court off the rim. Nique is a high IQ player who adds value with his cutting & connective playmaking. He doesn’t have the best handle but will do just fine as an off-ball player given his combination of shooting, transition prowess, and cutting + finishing ability.
Comparison: Josh Hart / Derrick White
16. Collin Murray-Boyes, F, South Carolina
Age: 19 - Measurements: 6’6.5” / WS 7’0.75” / SR 8’10” / 239.2 LBS
Murray-Boyles has fluctuated on my board quite a bit. The main concern with him is figuring out where he projects in an NBA offense, as his lack of a jump shot & tweener size are big concerns. That said, his defensive upside is too high to ignore. While he doesn’t have ideal height to defend centers at the next level, he’s incredibly strong & doesn’t get bullied easily. He has the length to be disruptive and shows good enough lateral quickness to hold his own on the perimeter. He has some of the quickest hands in the class & should garner plenty of steals at the next level. He also has good vertical burst to erase shots at the rim against driving wings & guards. His defensive instincts are second to none in the class, suggesting a very high floor on that end despite his tweener size.
Offensively is where things get tough to project. He couldn’t shoot in college (26.5% on 1.1 attempts last year) and doesn’t have great form. He was terrible in shooting drills at the combine. Despite his shooting woes, he does show some promise as a playmaker. In college he would attack close outs & use an above-average handle for a big man to get in the paint and make the right read. I struggle to see him doing too much of that at the next level, however, as defenses won’t respect his shot & his turnover rate in college was incredibly high for a big man (2.4%). He’s likely best utilized as the roll-man at the next level, where he can roll hard and be a connective passer. He’ll add value as a rebounder, and he showed some low-post skills in college, but that will be tough to replicate at the next level. He’ll need to be put in the right system & find his offensive fit to be a long-term NBA starter, otherwise he’ll cap out as a defensive specialist.
Comparison: Paul Millsap / Draymond Green
17. Noa Essengue, F, France
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 6’10” / WS 7’0.75” / SR 9’1.75” / 203.9 LBS
Noa Essengue is a mystery box of a prospect. He measured great at the combine, as he’s 6’10” without shoes and has the lateral agility and quickness to play the wing. He’s one of the youngest players eligible this year & held his own in a German professional league, so I would not be surprised if we see a team jump on him in the top 10 this year. His strengths are that he’s an elite play finisher, getting most of his buckets on cuts, put backs, and in transition. He’s shown more self-creation ability over the last few months of his season, which would add a layer to his game that he’ll need to be an effective offensive weapon at the next level. His shooting is a work in progress, hitting about 27% of his attempts from three last year. He has decent form but has some wild misses from time to time that suggest a lack of true feel from outside. If he ends up bringing it all together with improved shooting & self-creation, his ceiling is sky high.
Defensively, he has great length & contests shots well while also playing the passing lane. He’s a good athlete with solid lateral quickness but is too stiff and upright to defend quick perimeter players at the next level. Unless he adds some weight, he’ll be too small to defend bigs as well. He’s a bit of a tweener defensively, which concerns me. He doesn’t have great vertical ability to ever project as a rim-protecting big man. In order to stick I think he’ll need to add 20 or so pounds to be able to hang with bigs down low, otherwise he might be left as an off-ball defender, which is fine but not an elite impact projection.
Comparison: Al-Farouq Aminu
18. Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph's
Age: 20 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 7’5.25” / SR 9’1” / 232.4 LBS
Defensive Versatility, Play Finishing, & Shooting – that’s what you’ll get out of Rasheer Fleming. He utilizes his elite length to provide immense off-ball defensive value as someone who rotates well to contest shots at the rim & plays the passing lanes to create steals and deflections. He uses good lateral mobility to stay in front during on-ball situations and has the length to make up for it if he does get beat off the dribble. There are times when he’ll appear to lose focus or miss an assignment defensively, but the upside on that end of the court is clear.
Offensively, he’s great at finishing around the rim – cuts, put backs, transition buckets alike. He can stretch the defense with his shot, shooting 39% on 4.9 attempts a game last year. That combination of play finishing & shooting makes him an ideal pick & roll partner, as he can either pop to the 3pt line or roll to the rim and finish inside. He doesn’t have much ball-handling ability & likely won’t ever be able to create for himself, but if he does work on that skill then he’ll have unlocked an even higher offensive ceiling.
Comparison: Aaron Gordon / Robert Covington
19. Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Age: 19 - Measurements: 6’0.5” / WS 6’6” / SR 8’2.5” / 178.4 LBS
Jase is one of the best shot-makers in the class, showcasing an ability to create his own shot at all three levels. The main holdup in evaluating Jase is his size. He has a ton of talent as an offensive playmaker with a lethal shot & ability to finish at the rim, but there are questions on how his finishing ability will translate to bigger, more physical competition. He should still project as a serviceable secondary playmaker, but his lack of height or strength will be his biggest deterrence. He’s a smart defender but will be targeted due to his lack of physicality. The best-case for Jase is that he develops as a primary ballhandler so he can play the PG spot, but that part of his game is still a work in progress.
Comparison: Jared McCain / Gabe Vincent
20. Walter Clayton, G, Florida
Age: 22 - Measurements: H 6’2” / WS 6’4” / SR 8’1.5” / 199 LBS
Clayton is a rock-solid guard who would go much higher if not for his age & size concerns. He’s a great ball handler and playmaker who is also a knockdown shooter. He’s likely to have a long NBA career as a steady guard option who limits turnovers, can run the offense, and hit clutch three like we saw in Florida’s NCAA championship run. Clayton shot 39% from deep on 7.8 attempts a game last year, offering versatility as an off-ball guard as well. He’ll likely struggle a bit defensively due to his size & lack of length, but he is quick & shows ability to stay in front on the perimeter.
Comparison: CJ McCollum / Cam Payne
21. Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’9” / WS 6’11.25” / SR 8’11.5” / 223.8 LBS
Newell is an athletic, physical big man who excels on the glass and as a finisher. His offensive role projects as a lob threat & put back artist who would benefit from a more consistent three-point shot. He shot 29% in college but has the general look and feel of a guy who could become a reliable shooter, backed up by his 75% free throw percentage. Defensively, he has great vertical burst and projects as a solid rim-protector and off-ball defender. He’s not likely to blossom into an All-Star caliber player but should be a reliable rotation big & has room to grow at only 19 years old.
Comparison: Brandon Clarke
Tier 5:
22. Nolan Traore, G, France
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’3.75” / WS 6’8” / SR 6’6.25” / 184 LBS
Traore is a developmental guard with a high ceiling, but he’s raw on both ends of the court & could also flame out if his development halts. He’s incredibly quick with a great first step that he uses to create advantages for the offense by penetrating the paint. He’ll need to improve at finishing, but he’s a great passer & should have no problem creating looks for his teammates. His shooting is a big question mark, hovering around 30% from three for the season, but he shot it well the last few months of his season where he was around 40%. If the shot comes around, you’re looking at a guy that could be a lethal offensive guard weapon.
He’s undersized defensively & struggled to guard on the ball, which is an area he’ll need to improve to hang at the next level. His wingspan & quickness give him the tools to be a competent defender, we’ll just have to see if this is an area he’s able to add any value, which could take some time. Overall, he’s a toolsy guard that should be targeted by a young team ready to hand the keys to a developmental project. If he hits his ceiling, he’ll be a very good NBA player- you’ll just have to take the risk that he's the next Killian Hayes.
Comparison: Jeff Teague / Rajon Rondo
23. Joan Beringer, C, France
Age: 18 - Measurements: H 6’11” / WS 7’4.5” / SR 9’3”/ 234.8 LBS
Beringer is a large, athletic, inexperienced big man with a ton of potential. He’s been shooting up draft boards due to his great measurements at the international combine, standing 6’11” barefoot with a 7’4.5 wingspan and 9’3” standing reach at 235 pounds. That’s legitimate Center size, and Beringer also brings verticality and athleticism that teams desire for their modern centers. He projects to be a rim-running big man offensively with solid rim protection & rebounding ability. He’s not going to space the floor or offer much offensively outside of rebounds & lobs around the rim, but he projects as a solid play finisher with stout defense & room to grow his game elsewhere.
Comparison: Clint Capela / Yves Missi
24. Maxime Reynaud, C, Stanford
Age: 22 - Measurements: H 7’0.25” / WS 7’1.25” / SR 9’2” / 236.8 LBS
Raynaud is an intriguing big man prospect who can shoot threes at a high level, make the right pass, and attack the rim from the perimeter. Couple that with his elite rebounding rate in college, and you’re looking at a big man prospect that should seamlessly slide into an NBA rotation next year. He won’t offer a ton of rim deterrence defensively due to lack of vertical burst / strength, but he’s an incredibly intriguing offensive & rebounding prospect that should be a solid role-player at the next level.
Comparison: Brook Lopez / Kelly Olynyk
25. Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan
Age: 21 - Measurements: H 6’10.5” / WS 7’2.25” / SR 9’1” / 251.8 LBS
Wolf is one of the more intriguing bigs in the class due to his ability to dribble, pass and shoot. He brings an intriguing offensive skillset as a big that can stretch the floor & be utilized as a connective passer, averaging over 3 assists a game at Michigan. He doesn’t offer the rim-protection you typically expect from a Center but is agile enough that he can likely play the stretch 4 position in the league. He’s someone you’ll need to pair with a rim-protector so that you aren’t liable defensively, but the offensive upside is high enough that he’ll likely stick in the NBA as a solid role player
Comparison: Kelly Olynyk / Maxi Kleber
26. Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.75” / WS 6’8.5” / SR 8’3.5” / 214.6 LBS
It’s a bit misleading that McNeeley only shot 32% from three and 38% from the field in college. He was miscast as the pick and roll ball handler when his true value is as an off ball forward who can catch and shoot & cut to the rim. His shot looks smooth & he shot 87% from the free throw line, so he projects as an above-average NBA shooter as was expected when he was coming out of high school, despite his numbers last year. He doesn’t offer much self-creation or defensive upside, lacking the ball-handling and lateral quickness to excel at either, respectively. Still, he projects as a solid offensive contributor who can fit into a team defense despite not being much of a playmaker on either end.
Comparison: Corey Kispert / Sam Hauser
27. Ben Saraf, G, Israel
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5” / WS 6’7.5” / SR 8’6” / 200 LBS
Saraf is a guard prospect with a good feel for the game & has solid potential as a future NBA caliber playmaker. He’s good at getting downhill & uses a variety of passes to find the open man while also showing the ability to finish at the rim. He projects as a solid defensive prospect with good size, but will need to be a more consistent shooter to be a lead guard.
Comparison: Goran Dragic / Tomas Satoransky
28. Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
Age: 21 - Measurements: H 6’6.25” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’8.5” / 218.4 LBS
Thiero is one of the most athletic players in the draft, offering impressive defensive playmaking with the ability to guard multiple positions at a high level. He’s a swiss army knife on defense who should project as someone who can shadow the other team’s main perimeter threat. He has good length to disrupt the passing lanes & offers value as an off-ball rim protector. Offensively, he’s not a good shooter and will need to add value by attacking the rim & using cuts to get inside. He’s a good rebounder & should stick in a rotation given his athletic and defensive upside.
Comparison: Nassir Little / Jae Crowder
29. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Age: 23 - Measurements: H 7’1” / WS 7’6” / SR 9’4” / 257.4 LBS
Kalkbrenner is a giant human who projects as a solid rim-protector at the next level & has shown the ability to stretch the floor, which could add a unique dimension to his skillset. He should transition to a backup big immediately his rookie season as someone who can anchor a defense, finish plays around the rim, and add floor spacing. He’ll need to add strength in order to become a starting caliber center, but at his floor he’ll be a rotation big who adds value defensively.
Comparison: Walker Kessler / Luke Kornet
Tier 6:
30. Will Riley, Wing, Syracuse
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’8.25” / WS 6’8.75” / SR 8’8” / 185.6 LBS
Riley is a young, athletic wing with great height & obvious potential, but he’s still raw and has a long way to go to become a consistent NBA threat. He’s shown flashes of getting downhill & finishing at the rim, while also adding some playmaking ability off the dribble. At his peak he projects as an off-ball wing with secondary playmaking upside. He’ll need to become a more consistent shooter to really stick at the next level, but the upside is promising. He has a good motor defensively & good positional size to back it up. I’d love to see him bulk up over the years to be able to guard stronger wings / forwards, but he should end up as at least a solid NBA defender.
Comparison: Cam Reddish / Nikola Jovic
31. Noah Penda, F, France
Age: 20 - Measurements: H 6’7.25” / WS 6’11.5” / SR 8’10.5” / 242 LBS
Penda brings a level of playmaking & defensive versatility that is sure to impress scouts given his size. He’s quick given his weight & can guard multiple positions as both a perimeter and post defender. His offense is a bit of a question mark, especially as a scorer, but he reads defenses well & seems to always find an open man. He should offer enough on both ends to stick at the next level.
Comparison: Boris Diaw / Naji Marshall
32. Drake Powell, Wing, North Carolina
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’5.25” / WS 7’0” / SR 8’7” / 200.4 LBS
Similarly to Thiero, Powell is an athletic freak with incredible defensive upside but questions offensively. He’ll be a guy who can defend at a high level, create steals and turnover opportunities, and has enough vertical burst to erase shots at the rim. He’ll offer offensive value through getting to the rim but won’t offer much self-creation. He shot decently from deep in college at 38% but was a low volume shooter and struggled at the line (65%), suggesting he may struggle to be a consistent deep threat at the next level.
Comparison: Taurean Prince / Thabo Sefolosha
33. Hugo Gonzalez, G, Spain
Age: 19 - Measurements: H 6’6.25” / WS 6’10.75” / SR 8’5.5” / 222.7 LBS
Hugo is one of the tougher assessments this draft cycle due to his inconsistent playing time with Real Madrid the past few years. He’s incredibly raw, but has a nice combination of size & athleticism that a team is sure to take a swing on. He plays a high-energy brand of basketball & should be a good defender at the next level. Given his size, he’ll be able to guard both wings & guards while also holding his own against some forwards, which projects as immense defensive upside. Offensively, he won’t create his own shot at this stage in his development. Most of his scoring comes from slashing & cutting around the rim. He hasn’t shot well from three, but his FT% of 76% shows some promise there with more repetitions. He’ll need some seasoning in the G-League, but the upside is real as a defensive motivated, slashing wing.
Comparison: Josh Green
Tier 7:
34. Hansen Yang, C, China
Age: 20 - Measurements: H 7’1” / WS 7’2.75” / SR 9’3” / 252.6 LBS
Yang is a smooth player, showing soft touch around the rim & finesse passing ability that is sure to get NBA scouts attention. He’s raw, but he has the tools to be a unique NBA center. He offers good height & rim-deterrence defensively but will always be a drop coverage player as he lacks lateral quickness to stay in front of shifty players. He makes the right passes & will find cutters and open shooters when posted up down low, something a lot of big men lack. He won’t stretch the floor, but projects as a solid traditional center with some spice offensively.
Comparison: Nikola Vucevic / Jonas Valanciunas
35. Kam Jones, G, Marquette
Age: 23 - Measurements: H 6’3.25” / WS 6’6” / SR 8’4.5” / 202.4 LBS
Jones has a high floor & should be an NBA rotation player from day 1. He’s an experienced guard who can shoot from deep, create his own shot, and will make the right reads. He’s a good defender with enough size to defend both guard spots at the next level. He doesn’t offer tantalizing upside, but he takes care of the ball and can run the second unit as the lead ballhandler or play off-ball with his shooting and playmaking ability.
Comparison: Ajay Mitchell / Donte DiVencenzo
36. Koby Brea, G, Kentucky
Age: 22 - Measurements: H 6’5.75” / WS 6’5.25” / SR 8’5.5” / 201.8 LBS
Brea is the best 3PT shooter in the draft, hands down. He doesn’t project as a plus defender at the next level, won’t create his own shots in the lane or create open looks for others, but he’ll shoot the heck out of the ball at volume. Brea made nearly 44% of threes last year on 5.9 attempts per game – over his college career he made 43% on 4.9 attempts per game. Shooting specialists are coveted bench guys, and Brea should have no problem filling that role at the next level.
Comparison: Sam Hauser / Matt Ryan
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