NBA Swing: 2025 Draft Prospect Preview

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With the 2024-25 season nearing its end, the true 2025 offseason is on the verge of beginning. Less than a week away, the first stop of the offseason, the 2025 NBA Draft, will take place on June 25th and 26th, with one night reserved for each round. As the draft grows closer, sports media outlets including ESPN, CBS Sports, and the NBA itself have created mock drafts to look at some of the prospects ahead of next week. Here’s a look at some of the players expected to go in the first round of the draft.

Cooper Flagg

The projected number one pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, is seen as a generational talent. In the 37 games he played at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG. Flagg would carry his team through the NCAA tournament, but the team would ultimately fall short in the Final Four. In his lone college season, Flagg received numerous honors, including National College Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, the Julius Erving Award, the Lute Olson Award, NABC Freshman of the Year, and the Wayman Tisdale Award. He has drawn comparisons to current and former NBA players, including Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Pippen, and Kevin Garnett.

Dylan Harper

The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan Harper has been around the game of basketball his entire life. Harper was rated one of the top players of the 2024 class and was a consensus five-star recruit before he committed to Rutgers, where his brother, Ron Harper Jr., played. In his single season with the Scarlet Knights, Harper would average 19.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.0 APG. He has been praised as an excellent creator with a high basketball IQ. He has drawn comparisons to Jalen Williams and Cade Cunningham.

Ace Bailey

Another top player from the 2024 class, a consensus five-star recruit and a teammate of Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey has been projected as the third pick in most NBA mock drafts. In his single season with Rutgers, Bailey would average 17.6 PPG and 7.2 RPG on splits of 46% from the field and 34.6% from three. He has been described as an elite movement shooter with elite length as a 6’10 forward. Some scouts have drawn comparisons to Denver’s Michael Porter JR. While there is concern about his size and ball handling, there is potential for him as a frontcourt player.

VJ Edgecombe

Projected as a top-five pick, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe has been described as an explosive athlete and versatile defender. In his single season at Baylor, Edgecombe averaged 15.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.2 APG While he has been criticized for his decision-making under pressure and his shot selection at times, he has high potential as a two-way player. He has drawn comparisons to guards including Boston’s Jaylen Brown, former Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo, and Malik Monk.

Tre Johnson

Another freshman guard with high potential, Texas’ Tre Johnson, is being projected as a top 10 draft pick. Johnson would be one of the top players in the 2024 class before committing to Texas. In Texas, Johnson would average 19.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 2.7 APG on splits of 42% from the field and 39% from three. He would be named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2025. He has been described as a shot maker with a good basketball IQ who can make tough shots from all three levels. He has been criticized at times for his playing, averaging low assists per game, but the hope is that he will develop at the NBA level. He has drawn comparisons to Alec Burks.

Jeremiah Fears

A consensus four-star recruit, combo guard Jeremiah Fears comes from a family of college basketball players. He would originally commit to Illinois before decommitting and committing to Oklahoma. In his single season at Oklahoma, Fears would average 17.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 4.1 APG. He’s been described as an excellent slasher and a confident finisher. Even though he’s been criticized for his three-point shooting (shooting just 28% at Oklahoma) and his decision-making at times, Fears has the potential to be a dependable scoring guard in the league. He’s drawn comparisons to Jamal Murray and Monte Ellis.

Kon Knueppel

Another Duke prospect many project to go top 10 in the 2025 draft, Kon Knueppel, is an oversized guard with great shooting ability. Knueppel would play one season with the Duke Blue Devils, averaging 14.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.7 APG on shooting splits of 47% from the field and 40% from three. Several scouts have named Knueppel as one of the most efficient offensive college players in the country, shooting over 90% from the line. While there are questions about his athleticism and defense at times, Knueppel’s shooting and IQ make him desirable to several top 10 teams. He has drawn comparisons to DeAndre Hunter.

Khaman Maluach

The third Duke Blue Devil likely to go top 10 in the draft, Khaman Malauach’s basketball journey started only a handful of years ago. He would attend a camp organized by former NBA player Loul Deng before joining the NBA Academy Africa. He would spend time in the Basketball Africa League before committing to Duke in 2024. In his single season at Duke, Maluach would average 8.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 1.3 BPG, shooting 71% from the field. A 7’2 center with quick mobility, he’s been praised for his shot blocking, rebounding, and interior shooting. While he has been criticized for his lack of playmaking and shooting range, he has drawn comparisons to veteran centers DeAndre Jordan and Rudy Gobert.

Kasparas Jakucionis

A combo guard out of Lithuania, Kasparas Jakucionis, spent time with the national basketball league in Lithuania and with FC Barcelona before committing to Illinois. In his one season at Illinois, Jakucionis would average 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG. He received praise as an efficient playmaker and decision maker, but has also received criticism for his three-point shooting (shooting just 31% at Illinois) and turnover rate. His comparisons to Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton show the potential he could have at the NBA level.

Collin Murray-Boyles

A four-star recruit out of South Carolina, Collin Murray-Boyles spent two years with the South Carolina Gamecocks. In his first season at South Carolina, Murray-Boyles would average 10.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, landing on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2024. In his second season at South Carolina, he would average 16.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 2.4 APG, shooting 58% from three. He would be named to the All-SEC second team in 2025. While he’s been praised for his rebounding, he’s been criticized for his three-point shooting (going 0-5 in 2024 and shooting just 26% in 2025). The 6/7 forward has drawn comparisons to Grant Williams.

Derik Queen

A consensus five-star recruit, Derik Queen has NBA potential, even as an undersized center. In his one season with Maryland, Queen would average 16.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.1 BPG, and 1.1 SPG. He would be named Big-Ten Freshman of the Year, also landing on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and first-team All-Big Ten. There are questions of whether he’ll be drafted top 10 or late in the lottery. He’s been praised for his offensive work in the post, but his been criticized for his below-average shooting. There are also worries about his conditioning. He has drawn comparisons to DeMarcus Cousins and Naz Reid.

Egor Demin

Born in Moscow, Russia, Egor Demin would train at the Moscow Basketball Academy before joining the Euroleague as a part of Real Madrid. He would join BYU after being named a five-star recruit via 247 Sports. In his lone season at BYU, the guard would average 10.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 3.9 RPG. He has been praised for his high basketball IQ and playmaking for his 6’9” height, but there are questions regarding his below-average shooting (shooting just 27% from three and under 70% from the line) and his slim frame. He’s drawn comparisons to current Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey.

Adou Thiero

A junior from Arkansas, Adou Thiero, has been seen as one of the best defensive playmakers in the 2025 NBA draft. Prior to his time at Arkansas, Thiero would spend two seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging under 8.0 PPG. Upon transferring to Arkansas, Thiero would average 15.1 PPG and 5.8 RPG. His length and speed have made him a disrupter on the defensive end, but like many bigger players, he’s been criticized for his three-point and free-throw shooting (shooting under 28% from three and under 60% from the free-throw line). There are also concerns for his long-term offense, with him relying heavily on his athleticism. He has drawn comparisons to Isaac Okoro and Jae Crowder.

Cedric Coward

A senior from Washington State, Cedric Coward, would spend time with the Eastern Washington Eagles. Coward would play 60+ games with Eastern Washington but would only play six games with Washington State. In those six games, he would average 17.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.7 BPG. He’s received praise for his size and wingspan (6’6”, 7’2.25”) and his efficiency (shooting over 50% from the field), but only playing six games at the D1 level raises questions about what his true potential is at the NBA level. He’s drawn comparisons to Mikal Bridges and Jalen Williams.

Nique Clifford

A 6’6” forward out of Colorado State, Nique Clifford has been described as a “do it all” wing. During his 2024-25 season at Colorado State, Clifford would average 18.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.2 SPG. At age 23, he is one of the oldest players in the 2025 draft, but has upside as a more refined player. His strengths include his rebounding and defensive versatility, but set to be 24 years old by the start of the NBA season, there are concerns about whether he’ll be successful right off the bat and if his skills will grow in the league or not. He has drawn comparisons to Josh Hart, Desmond Bane, and Khris Middleton.

Asa Newell

A 6’11” energetic freshman out of Georgia, Asa Newell, impressed in his single season playing for the Bulldogs. In Georgia, Newell would average 15.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.0 BPG, and 1.0 SPG on 54% shooting from the field. One of the biggest concerns for Newell is his shooting. While his overall field goal percentage is good, he made less than 30% of his jumpers in addition to shooting under 30% from three. With many big men in the NBA shooting threes, the hope is that Newell will develop a three-ball upon entering the league. He has been praised for his play at the rim on both ends of the court, having a high finish percentage at the rim and altering shots. He’s drawn comparisons to Brandon Clarke and Jonathan Isaac.

Joan Beringer

A big man coming out of France, there is limited information on Joan Beringer. Playing for the Slovenian team KK Cedevita Olimpija, the 18-year-old averaged 4.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 1.8 BPG across 51 games, shooting over 60% from the field. He’s been described as a versatile defender and a great rim finisher, but has been criticized for his shooting outside of five feet. He also does not have a shot from three, something that would make him an outlier amongst most big men in the league. He’s drawn comparisons to Yves Missi and Daniel Gafford.

Jase Richardson

The son of former NBA shooting guard Jason Richardson, Jase Richardson, is ready to carry on the family legacy in the league. He would spend one season with Michigan State, averaging 12.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.9 APG on splits of 49% from the field and 41% from three. Strengths include his efficient scoring at all three levels as well as his strong basketball background. Notable weaknesses include being undersized and whether he can be an initiator on the floor. He has drawn comparisons to Eric Gordon.

Walter Clayton Jr.

A key member of the 2025 Florida Gators NCAA Championship team, Walter Clayton Jr. had a strong senior year ahead of declaring for the draft. Clayton would average 18.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 1.2 SPG in 39 regular-season games. He would be named SEC Tournament MVP as well as NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Clayton has been praised for his reliability during Florida’s championship run and late-game situations. Concerns for Clayton heading into the draft include his age (will be 22 by the time of the draft) and defensive engagement at times. Notable comparisons include Patty Mills and Fred VanVleet.