点击查看原文：2025 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 30 first-round picks
2025 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 30 first-round picks
The 2024-25 men’s college basketball season is underway and many of the top prospects are showcasing their skills and utilizing their platforms to state their cases ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
While the draft is seven months away, we’ve had our eyes on these players for quite some time. From Duke’s Cooper Flagg to Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe to the Rutgers freshman duo of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, there’s a lot to like and write about this deep and talented draft class.
Flagg will make his prime-time debut Tuesday when the Blue Devils take on Kentucky in the Champions Classic (9 p.m. ET, ESPN), making it one of the season’s top nonconference games to watch. It also happens to be the first marquee game for Wildcats coach Mark Pope, who stepped in to replace John Calipari (who moved over to Arkansas).
With the NBA roughly 10 games into its season, ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo lean on their own scouting and exclusive intel from league executives to inform and guide their latest mock draft, slotting prospects to teams. The first-round order was generated by ESPN’s BPI forecast, which predicts how well all 30 teams will perform during the rest of the season. The order, as updated through the morning of Nov. 11, reflects picks owed and owned via trades.
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Predictions: Early chances at No. 1\
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First round
1. Washington Wizards
**Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke\
Freshman**
The Wizards, in the midst of a “deconstruction phase,” would surely be thrilled to add a player like Flagg to a group of promising young prospects, who are benefiting from consistent minutes and are responding with impressive flashes of long-term ability.
Flagg will encounter his first test in the Champions Classic, but he has been as good as advertised against weaker competition to this point, filling up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks while providing intensity and explosiveness. He is showcasing his outstanding basketball instincts on both ends of the floor, too.
We’ll get a better read on the evolution of Flagg’s ballhandling and perimeter shooting as Duke’s schedule gets tougher in the coming weeks, including matchups against four Final Four contenders, but there hasn’t been much to nitpick early. – Givony
Pick protection: Minnesota owns this pick if it lands between 11 and 30.
MORE: Tiny town, legendary 1980s NBA team that built Cooper Flagg
2. Utah Jazz
**Airious “Ace” Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers\
Freshman**
With the NBA’s worst point differential, the Jazz appear to be leaning into rebuilding more than in years past, which is logical considering the status of their roster and the strength of the 2025 draft class. Drafting a wing with the upside of Bailey would be a step in the right direction.
Bailey has yet to make his regular-season debut after suffering a minor hip flexor injury in practice that is expected to keep him out approximately two weeks, sources tell ESPN. Rutgers won’t be seriously challenged until late November when it travels to Las Vegas for the Players Era Tournament, where it will face Notre Dame, Alabama and one other strong opponent depending on results.
Bailey’s combination of size, explosiveness, shotmaking prowess, defensive versatility and pure scoring instincts should keep him in the No. 1 pick conversation depending on how the season evolves, especially with his decision-making and feel for the game. – Givony
Pick protection: Oklahoma City owns this pick if it lands between 11 and 30.
3. Toronto Raptors
**Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers\
Freshman**
A slew of injuries has opened the door for Toronto’s young core to see significant action, which should benefit the Raptors in the long term and position them nicely at the top of the draft lottery – a place most expect to find them in May. Adding star power alongside Scottie Barnes will surely go a long way in their rebuilding effort.
Part of Harper’s appeal is his intrinsic versatility – he is a talented scorer and passer and has the size (6-foot-6) and strength to defend multiple positions at a high level. Harper was steady in his college debut and will draw plenty of eyeballs this season alongside Ace Bailey as scouts home in on Rutgers in the coming months.
NBA teams will want to garner a better understanding of Harper’s projection as a lead guard, his scoring in the paint and what caliber of shooter he is. (He was a career 34% shooter from 3 and 62% from the foul line in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.) He has a major platform to answer those questions at Rutgers. – Woo/Givony
4. Portland Trail Blazers
**VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor\
Freshman**
The Trail Blazers have been up and down early and will likely be picking in the top 10 again competing in the loaded Western Conference. We’ll learn more about their team needs as the season continues, but it is safe to assume Edgecombe will be selected near the top of June’s draft.
His explosiveness and upside will be appealing to teams, especially with the way he impacts the game with his passing, defense, rebounding and transition scoring. He didn’t have a great debut against Gonzaga, but he bounced back against Arkansas by showing his two-way versatility, activity and willingness to do the little things to help win games.
Edgecombe’s streaky shooting will be a major swing skill when projecting him for the long term, and his evolving skill level and fit playing small forward in Baylor’s oddly constructed roster might lead to some ups and downs, but there’s quite a bit to like about him. – Givony
Pick protection: Chicago owns this pick if it lands between 15 and 30.
5. Detroit Pistons
**Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin\
France**
Detroit is off to a much better start, comparatively speaking, than last year’s disastrous 14-win campaign, with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey playing well. However, this is still a franchise with a long view that shouldn’t preclude it from adding top perimeter talent, despite the current roster’s young guards and wings.
Traore has had ups and downs, as one would expect from an 18-year-old, but he has showcased his dynamic shot creation, outstanding court vision and shotmaking ability all season against high-level competition in the French first division and Champions League.
We’ll have to see which teams will be looking for a 6-5 point guard in this mold who can get anywhere he wants on the floor and has tremendous passing and scoring instincts. How the season progresses and Traore grows with his defense, decision-making and finishing ability will play a role in where he ends up as well. – Woo/Givony
Pick protection: New York owns this pick if it lands between 14 and 30.
6. San Antonio Spurs
**Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke\
Freshman**
The Spurs’ solid start to the season doesn’t appear to have impressed ESPN’s BPI projections, likely due to the youth of their roster and the gauntlet that’s in front of them competing in the loaded Western Conference. Surrounding Victor Wembanyama with additional shooting will be a major priority moving forward, and Knueppel clearly fits that bill as arguably the best shooter in this draft class.
Knueppel’s ability to shoot off screens, pull up off the dribble and spot up from deep vantage points with picture-perfect footwork and mechanics should keep him prominent in draft conversations, especially with the way he has contributed in other areas as well with his physicality, feel for the game and better-than-expected shot creation and defense.
Marquee matchups with Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas and Auburn will tell us a lot more about where he stands in the coming weeks – especially with how his physical tools translate against elite-level competition on both ends of the floor. – Givony
7. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
**Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU\
Freshman**
The Spurs own Atlanta’s first-round pick, unprotected, regardless of where it lands, and will be rooting hard for the Hawks to miss the playoffs. San Antonio could have as many as four first-rounders depending on whether the Charlotte Hornets make the playoffs and the Chicago Bulls’ pick lands 11th or lower.
Few freshmen have been more impressive than Demin, who is utilizing a tremendous platform at BYU to showcase his outstanding size, spectacular court vision, shotmaking prowess and all-around talent against, thus far, lower-level competition.
Demin has the NBA’s full attention and will be closely scrutinized once BYU’s season starts in earnest in late November and in early December with matchups against Ole Miss, Providence and others. Then we’ll learn more about his defense, toughness and ability to generate efficient offense against high-major opponents. – Givony
8. New Orleans Pelicans
**Khaman Maluach, C, Duke\
Freshman**
Beset by a cavalcade of injuries to key players, the Pelicans have been stuck in neutral to open the season, leaving a thin margin for error as far as their hopes of making the playoffs goes. Adding a top-shelf center prospect such as Maluach could make sense, with little frontcourt depth on the current roster.
Maluach has yet to see the type of size and length NBA teams would prefer to evaluate him against in Duke’s nonconference schedule, but he has acquainted himself well with his rebounding and rim protection. He has provided timely finishing, benefiting from the plethora of passers surrounding him.
We’re about to learn a lot more about Maluach as he faces some of the best centers in college basketball over the next three weeks with Duke matching up against Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas and Auburn. Staying out of foul trouble and showing he can hang with the speed of the game will go a long way in solidifying his candidacy as a top-10 pick. – Woo/Givony
9. Brooklyn Nets
**Tre Johnson, SG, Texas\
Freshman**
The Nets have gotten off to a stronger start than expected, but an upcoming difficult schedule should bring the team back down to earth as the franchise will hope to improve its lottery chances as the season moves on.
Johnson has been scorching to start the Longhorns’ season, hitting 10-of-18 3s and averaging an impressive 28.5 points per game, with one of his two outings coming against a good Ohio State team. Every NBA team is looking for 6-6, long-armed wings who can make shots dynamically from anywhere on the court, giving him a big runway to build his candidacy as a top draft prospect if he can continue this momentum into SEC play.
Scouts will want to see how his defense and decision-making evolve, but it has been difficult not to be impressed with the sheer scoring power and aggressiveness he offers. – Givony
10. Charlotte Hornets
**Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn\
Freshman**
The Hornets have been fairly competitive in the early going, making it hard to gauge precisely where their pick might land with the way LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are playing.
McNeeley supplies plus positional size (6-7), perimeter versatility and shooting, sharp feel for the game and a strong winning pedigree. Those traits have made him a natural fit at UConn right away – he’s ideal to work in the Huskies’ complex offense, but also has the chops to improvise and make plays when needed. On a team that doesn’t have much traditional playmaking, he’ll be called upon to generate offense.
McNeeley’s defense and lack of length might not be a selling point, but he’ll be pushed to make strides. He has the makings of a quality role player, and he looks like he should settle in at the college level, which could fast-track his draft prospects. – Woo
Pick protection: San Antonio owns this pick if it lands between 15 and 30.
11. San Antonio Spurs (via Chicago)
**Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina\
Freshman**
This will represent somewhat of a disaster scenario for Bulls fans: Missing the playoffs while also missing out on selecting a first-round player in one of the best drafts in years, as this pick conveys to San Antonio if it doesn’t land in the top 10.
NBA execs expect it’s likely only a matter of time before the Bulls turn the page on this season and transition into full-fledged rebuilding mode. Getting off the onerous contract of Zach LaVine will be the first step in that process, but that might be easier said than done.
For the Spurs, landing this pick would be a coup – and adding a quality two-way wing player in Powell for long-term depth could make sense.
Powell isn’t playing a featured role on a North Carolina team that is driven heavily by the guard trio of Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble and RJ Davis – Powell has just seven points in his first two games – but his role should remain significant enough to highlight his strengths. He’s an excellent perimeter defender with great agility and length who can score and make plays in transition. Scouts will want to see him find ways to chip in and carve out a niche without heavy touches, including taking the open 3s that are presented to him, which he has looked reluctant to do at this point.
Powell isn’t a dynamic shot creator or consistent perimeter shooter, and his ability to space the floor will be paramount in the long run. We’ll see what type of season he puts together on one of college basketball’s top teams and whether he can propel himself into the lottery. – Givony/Woo
Pick protection: San Antonio owns this pick if it lands between 11 and 30.
One of 6-foot-5 guard Drake Powell’s strengths for North Carolina is his versatility. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
**Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid\
Spain**
Currently holding the NBA’s best team according to point differential, the last thing rival teams want to see the Thunder acquire is another lottery pick, which is exactly what happens in this scenario if the LA Clippers miss the playoffs, with additional 2025 picks potentially coming the Thunder’s way via the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat depending on how their seasons play out.
Minutes haven’t been easy to come by for Gonzalez, who has already racked up five “did not play because of coach’s decision” (DNP-CDs) in Real Madrid’s first 15 games, but he might have more opportunity coming his way soon as his team is struggling with injuries and has been underperforming in the EuroLeague.
He hasn’t made a convincing case for additional playing time when he has been given opportunities, though, hitting 1-for-11 3s and looking a little mistake-prone on both ends of the floor. There’s a long season ahead, but this hasn’t been a great start for him, and he’ll have to play better to maintain or improve his draft standing. – Givony
Pick protection: Oklahoma City has the right to swap with the LA Clippers.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
**Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm\
Germany**
Losing a top-10 pick to San Antonio might not sting as much if the Hawks get a lottery selection from Sacramento, which will happen if the Kings miss the playoffs and will pick outside the top 12. The depth of the Western Conference could make this scenario realistic despite the Kings’ solid play to this point.
Saraf is in the midst of an outstanding season for an 18-year-old competing at the top levels of European basketball. He’s shouldering significant playmaking responsibility for Ratiopharm Ulm, allowing the 6-6 guard to showcase his outstanding court vision, feel for the game and scoring instincts.
How much he can continue to improve his shooting, defense and finishing will go a long way in determining just how high up the lottery he can climb, but it’s hard not to be impressed by what he’s shown to this point. He missed the past few games with a glute strain, but is back healthy again and will make his Israeli senior national team during the FIBA window – another impressive accomplishment for the teenage prodigy. – Givony
Pick protection: Atlanta owns this pick if it lands between 13 and 30.
14. Houston Rockets
**Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina\
Sophomore**
The Rockets would surely be disappointed to miss the playoffs, but with only eight Western Conference teams able to qualify, there will be clubs on the outside looking in when the play-in tournament dust settles.
Murray-Boyles, a popular breakout pick, remains on track to come off the board somewhere in the first round, in line for a highly productive season. He’s physical, has great touch around the basket and contributes positively on the glass and on the defensive end.
It’ll be interesting to see what type of season South Carolina has – an opening-night loss to North Florida was disappointing – but Murray-Boyles has plenty of fans around the NBA already, and a strong production profile that should keep his projection steady as a future league contributor. – Givony/Woo
15. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)
**Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona\
Freshman**
The Nets own this pick from the Bucks provided it doesn’t fall inside the top 4, in which case it will go to New Orleans. Despite a 2-8 start to the season, it still feels more likely Milwaukee turns it around in some capacity.
In the midst of a full rebuild, Brooklyn will be drafting with a long-term eye, which would make a player such as Bryant an interesting option. He has an excellent physical profile at forward and has flashed interesting versatility already, stepping into 3s with visible confidence, contributing defensively and showcasing his physical tools.
He has a huge opportunity in Arizona’s Nov. 22 game against Duke, and could work his way into being a lottery pick with a solid freshman season. – Woo
Pick protection: Brooklyn owns this pick if it lands between 5 and 30. If the pick falls between 1 and 4, it goes to New Orleans.
16. Indiana Pacers
**Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois\
Freshman**
The Pacers have been up and down to start the season in an Eastern Conference that has yet to sort itself out, making it tricky to peg exactly where this pick will land.
It’s clear already that Jakucionis is going to be on the short list of high-impact college freshmen. He has filled up the box score in early games against low-level competition and has a huge platform on an Illinois team that’s relying on him to make plays and create quality offense.
Jakucionis has a terrific all-around skill set, gifted as both a scorer and passer with an advanced feel for the game in all facets and good size (6-6) for a lead guard. The pieces are in place for him to work his way higher than this on draft boards, with league evaluators often placing a premium on playmakers in his mold. – Woo
17. Brooklyn Nets (via New York)
**Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm\
Germany**
The Nets own the Knicks’ pick regardless of where it lands from the Mikal Bridges trade and are likely watching gleefully at New York’s somewhat shaky early start.
Essengue, 17, will be the second-youngest player projected to be drafted (after Flagg) in 2025. He has been pretty effective in Germany regardless, filling up the box score in a variety of ways and living at the free throw line thanks to his intriguing combination of quickness, explosiveness and instincts, which help him on both ends of the floor.
Essengue’s streaky shooting will be a swing skill considering his lack of length and narrow frame, but he has been more productive than expected relative to the level of competition he’s playing at, and has a significant platform at his disposal to improve his standing as the season moves on. He’s on a Ratiopharm Ulm team that will showcase his skills extensively while winning games in the process. – Givony
18. Orlando Magic
**Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona\
Sophomore**
The Magic have been put in a difficult spot without Paolo Banchero, who tore his right oblique five games into the season, putting a damper on the team’s immediate expectations. When and how effectively he returns will determine Orlando’s playoff hopes, but selecting in the late teens portion of a strong draft wouldn’t be the worst consolation.
While it’s too early to say much about the Magic’s direction, they could consider adding frontcourt depth in Krivas. The Lithuanian center has played spot minutes early on in the Wildcats’ season coming off of an ankle injury, but Arizona will ramp him back up toward extended action as its schedule gets tougher.
Matchups against Wisconsin (Friday) and Duke (Nov. 22 on ESPN2) will tell us much more about where things stand, but Krivas has excellent size (7-2, 260 pounds) and a strong motor that could make him – once he gets back to full strength – one of the more productive bigs in college basketball. – Woo
19. Atlanta Hawks (via LA Lakers)
**Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois\
Freshman**
The Hawks have done well in upgrading their personnel around Trae Young, with Jalen Johnson emerging, 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher starting to get comfortable and trade acquisition Dyson Daniels enjoying a strong start to the season. A promising shooter such as Riley – who has made eight of 11 3-point attempts in his first two collegiate games – might be a good addition to Atlanta’s young core.
Riley has terrific scoring instincts and smooth shooting mechanics, has added some muscle to his slender frame and seems to be trending in a good direction early, with Illinois leaning on him for scoring punch off the bench.
There will be concerns from league evaluators about his long-term defensive projection, but he has enough size (6-8, 180) to compensate provided he makes enough shots. Considering he reclassified to get to college early, Riley seems to be on a solid trajectory at the moment. – Woo
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
**Asa Newell, PF, Georgia\
Freshman**
Miami will be conveying this pick to Oklahoma City if the Heat make the playoffs, adding to their incredible stockpile of assets.
Newell had an impressive debut for Georgia against an extremely undersized Tennessee Tech team, notching 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. His mobility, fluidity, explosiveness, body control and touch around the rim allowed him to dominate the interior while also making quite a few plays defensively.
NBA scouts will be watching closely to see how Newell’s game translates against bigger and more physical opponents as Georgia’s schedule becomes tougher in the coming weeks. Newell also has the green light to shoot 3-pointers, which is very interesting at 6-foot-11. – Givony
Pick protection: Oklahoma City owns this pick if it lands between 15 and 30.
21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
**Derrion Reid, SF/PF, Alabama\
Freshman**
Utah can keep betting on developmental talent here, and a versatile player such as Reid could be an interesting long-term bet.
Reid dealt with a series of injuries over the summer, but returned to start the season and has been a contributor for the Crimson Tide out of the gate. His terrific feel and motor give him a great base as a long-term role player. Reid is making contributions as a scorer and impactful defender, and if he can demonstrate consistent floor-spacing capacity, it’ll further enhance his one-and-done candidacy.
As expected, he looks like a strong fit for Alabama’s up-tempo style. – Woo
22. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia)
**Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut\
Spain**
Philadelphia has one of the NBA’s worst records, but ESPN BPI projects the 76ers will turn things around at some point once Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey step on the court at the same time. This pick is only top-six protected, so Thunder fans are already licking their chops at the possibility of adding another young talent to the NBA’s most stacked roster.
Ruzic’s season didn’t get off to the best start (27% from 3-point) prior to rupturing a tendon in his shooting thumb in mid-October, a major setback that could have a significant impact on his 2025 draft outlook. He is expected to miss at least three months of action, a source told ESPN.
One of the youngest prospects in this draft at 18 years old, Ruzic’s combination of perimeter shooting, feel for the game and defensive instincts are notable considering how well he played in the ACB and EuroCup last year. Every NBA team is looking for bigs who can stretch the floor, pass and hold their own defensively, and if Ruzic can get back on the floor, he’ll remind teams of his talent. – Givony
Pick protection: Oklahoma City owns this pick if it lands between 7 and 30.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
**Kanon Catchings, SF/PF, BYU\
Freshman**
The Grizzlies are flush with young talent and could be looking to add more wing depth to their roster, especially players who can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor for Ja Morant.
Catchings has significant long-term upside to tap into, at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan and a terrific frame, and has shown an ability early in the season in the form of blocks, dunks and 3s that could see him get picked much higher if he can translate them to Big 12 play, especially with his decision-making and ability to play mistake-free basketball on both ends of the floor. – Givony
24. Dallas Mavericks
**Derik Queen, C, Maryland\
Freshman**
Dallas is off to an up-and-down start at 5-5, but should wind up on the short list of top teams in the West. The Mavs are deep, but will have an opportunity to invest in a long-term project type of player late in the first round.
Queen has some intriguing qualities and a major showcase opportunity at Maryland. He opened his college career with a 22-point, 20-rebound performance against Manhattan, but followed it with eight points and one rebound against Mount St. Mary’s. There will be ups and downs as he adjusts to college basketball, but it’s clear the Terps will lean on him heavily.
Queen has an intriguing skill level and coordination that will have to compensate for his below-average frame and explosiveness in the long run, and he’ll need to develop consistent 3-point shooting. How he fares this season, particularly against physical Big Ten competition, will dictate how eager teams are to take a first-round chance on him. – Woo
Can Maryland center Derik Queen showcase his skills this season to prove he’s a first-round NBA draft pick? Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images
25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)
**Jalil Bethea, SG, Miami\
Freshman**
This pick will be conveyed by the Nuggets to Orlando barring it landing in the top 5, which is unlikely considering Nikola Jokic’s presence and Denver’s 7-3 start.
Adding a shooter such as Bethea might be appealing to the Magic, although they are flush with young talent and finding minutes for another might be challenging. Bethea logged just 12 minutes in his debut against Fairleigh Dickinson and 16 minutes Sunday against Binghamton. With several more experienced guards playing ahead of him, he should have an opportunity to grow his role as the season goes on.
A late-blooming prospect in high school, Bethea’s advanced shotmaking ability, scoring instincts and room to improve as a creator give him nice upside in the long run. Carving out more playing time, of course, is critical to solidifying his stock in a deep draft. – Woo
Pick protection: Orlando owns this pick if it lands between 6 and 30.
26. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix)
**Donnie Freeman, PF, Syracuse\
Freshman**
The Nets are in the process of rebuilding through the draft, and investing in a long-term project type of player later in the first round such as Freeman could make sense.
Freeman is still a ways from contributing at the NBA level, but has the type of length and size (6-9, 205) at forward that will pique interest from scouts. He has nice upside defensively and should make an impact on that end in college.
The primary questions center around his skill level and feel on the offensive end, but stepping into big minutes at Syracuse should benefit his development. Teams will track his growth over the course of the season, in what isn’t a clear-cut one-and-done situation. – Woo
27. Golden State Warriors
**Alex Karaban, PF, UConn\
Junior**
Golden State is off to a strong start and will be able to bolster its depth with this pick – landing a reliable player such as Karaban in the late first round makes sense in theory.
Karaban returns to lead another strong UConn team in a quest for a third straight NCAA title, and teams know exactly what to expect from him at this point – he’s a quality floor spacer and cutter, smart decision-maker and passer and solid team defender who projects neatly into winning contexts as a low-usage role player.
The Huskies are pushing him to further expand his game this season – after sending four players to the NBA, they will need to source offense creatively – and whatever new elements Karaban can flash from a skill perspective will further enhance his prospects. Regardless, the simple and effective pitch stems from his reliability, intangibles and winning history, making him a good fit almost anywhere. – Woo
28. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City)
**Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton\
Super Senior**
The Clippers could stand to source positional depth through the draft, particularly up front, where they don’t have much behind Ivica Zubac.
Kalkbrenner began his season with the best individual performance of his career (albeit against UT-Rio Grande Valley), racking up 49 points on 20-of-22 shooting with 11 rebounds and three blocks. Granted, there wasn’t much size on the floor to oppose him, but it was certainly notable from a player best known for his defensive prowess.
Also noteworthy: his ongoing improvement as a 3-point shooter, something that has been a focus for him and will be a major boon to his draft stock. If Kalkbrenner shows he can space the floor at a high level, his excellent rim protection and efficient finishing – as a true 7-footer – lays out a reasonable path to NBA success. – Woo
29. Utah Jazz (via Cleveland)
**Adou Thiero, SF/PF, Arkansas\
Junior**
A rebuilding team like Utah should be interested in taking a chance on Thiero’s long-term upside. After following coach John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas, the 20-year-old junior appears ticketed for his biggest role to date.
NBA scouts have been keen on his ability as a versatile defensive playmaker, with excellent instincts and timing racking up block and steals. His motor has always been a calling card.
Thiero’s defense could be impactful enough that finding a simple niche on offense could vault his draft stock. And he’s off to a good start, looking more comfortable reading the floor, getting jumpers up and using his physical gifts to his advantage. We’ll see in the coming months how real that growth is. – Woo
30. Boston Celtics
**Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane\
Australia**
The defending champions haven’t missed a beat from last season, with a 9-2 record and strong point differential suggesting they will be right back in the conversation for the NBA Finals, as ESPN BPI projects.
Zikarsky came into this season with significant expectations, but hasn’t made much of a jump to this point in the highly competitive Australian NBL, struggling to get on the floor (10 minutes per game) and not doing enough with his minutes to convince he should be playing more.
The 7-foot-3, 18-year-old is shooting 46% from 2 and has blocked 3 shots in 81 minutes, both figures down significantly from last season. With his Brisbane team trending toward the bottom of the standings, it will be interesting to see if he gets more opportunity as the season moves on and can capitalize with improved play, especially on the defensive end where he has been disappointing. – Givony
Remaining Big Board for the 2025 class
-
Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina, freshman\
-
Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)\
-
Caleb Foster, PG, Duke, sophomore\
-
Johann Grunloh, C, Rasta Vechta (Germany)\
-
Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior\
-
Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas, freshman\
-
Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)\
-
Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (Slovenia)\
-
Kwame Evans Jr., PF, Oregon, sophomore\
-
Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans (France)\
-
KJ Lewis, SG, Arizona, sophomore\
-
Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia (Spain)\
-
Milan Momcilovic, SF/PF, Iowa State, sophomore\
-
Zvonimir Ivisic, PF/C, Arkansas, sophomore\
-
Jarin Stevenson, PF, Alabama, sophomore\
-
Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS (Serbia)\
-
Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Xavier, sophomore\
-
Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior\
-
Michael Ajayi, SF/PF, Gonzaga, senior\
-
Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest, senior\
-
Sion James, SG/SF, Duke, graduate student\
-
Ben Henshall, PG/SG, Perth (Australia)\
-
Mackenzie Mgbako, SF/PF, Indiana, sophomore\
-
Izan Almansa, PF/C, Perth (Australia)\
-
Kobe Johnson, SG/SF, UCLA, senior\
-
Payton Sandfort, SF, Iowa, senior\
-
Koby Brea, SG, Kentucky, senior\
-
Ben Humrichous, PF, Illinois, senior\
-
Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Note: The New York Knicks forfeited its 2025 second-round pick.