The NCAA Tournament is in full swing as the NBA season continues to round into form. As March Madness ensues, it’s only natural to wonder which teams vying for the National Championship are set to place their top talents into the NBA next season.
This 2025 NBA Mock Draft looks at just that, starting at the top with Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
1) Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Utah Jazz
It’s important to note here that we used the most up-to-date and current 2025 NBA Draft odds to indicate who gets the first overall pick. The Utah Jazz have won just a single game in the month of March and have plummeted into the lead for the projected No. 1 overall pick.
It’s also important to note here that no matter who picks first (Utah or Washington), it’s almost certainly going to be Cooper Flagg. The talented Duke freshman has set records and precedents for his unheralded success in his first season and pushed Duke into the Sweet 16 with relative ease.
Flagg was seen as a one-and-done and likely No. 1 pick before stepping foot on campus but his ability to exceed those expectations and improve his overall game in every facet has been awe-inspiring. Utah makes the no-brainer in selecting Flagg here after investing heavily in their back court the past few drafts.
2) Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Washington Wizards
The consensus No. 1 option at guard, Dylan Harper, excelled this season with Rutgers. A big-bodied, left-handed guard, Harper comes fully equipped with a terrific arsenal for the Wizards to deploy.
Harper also has NBA bloodlines as the son of Ron Harper. This season, he averaged 4.0 assists per game to go with his top-35 scoring average of 19.4 points per game. If he can continue to hone in on his shooting from behind the arc, Harper looks more and more like an All-Star by Year 1 than anything else.
3) VJ Edgecombe, SG/SF, Baylor
Charlotte Hornets
This is when the draft gets quite interesting. After going chalk with the top two picks in Flagg and Harper, it’s down to V.J. Edgecombe and Ace Bailey here for the Hornets. But for Charlotte, the pick is Edgecombe.
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Shot creation may be a sore spot early on in his career, but Edgecombe’s athleticism and playmaking ability came on strong as he got more and more comfortable with the speed of the game. If that continues, expect him to slide into a nice role with Charlotte as a dominant spot shooter who can rely on his dual-court prowess to become an instant fan favorite.
4) Ace Bailey, SF, Rutgers
New Orleans Pelicans
The second Rutgers player off the board in the top four picks, Ace Bailey joins Harper in the one-and-done crew from Steve Pikiell’s crew. Bailey’s overall game is a unique blend of incredible talent and frustrating inconsistencies.
Still, when he’s on his game, Bailey may have the highest ceiling outside of the top two prospects off the board. Bailey can spot from three with ease, and catch-and-shoot opportunities are no match for him.
Like Edgecombe, he may struggle with creating shots, but putting him on the court with Zion Williamson becomes one of the most lethal young offensive duos in the game.
5) Derik Queen, PF/C, Maryland
Philadelphia 76ers
The Maryland Terrapins made the Sweet 16 thanks to Derik Queen’s bucket, but his legend had been cemented well before that game-winning shot against Colorado State. In fact, Queen becomes the first true big off the board in this 2025 NBA Mock Draft, landing with the 76ers to be deployed as an offensive-minded, score-first asset.
Queen averaged 16.2 points per game this season for Maryland, bringing down 9.1 rebounds per contest as well. His ball-handling skills stand out for a man his size, and his play through the postseason has done wonders for his spot in the draft.
6) Kasparas Jakucionis, SG, Illinois
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets could use a pure shot-scorer like Jakucionis as the talented Lithuanian blossomed as a dual-faceted player for the Illini this season. All season long, Jakucionis displayed his ability to dish out highlight-reel passes while finding open lanes for assists or easy buckets himself.
He’s a creative shooter with a great touch for what opposing defenses are attempting to throw at him. Though his final game against Kentucky may have left some sour on his ball-handling, the fact of the matter is that Jakucionis is one of the best pure shooters in this class with a documented ability to dive to the rim and distribute from all over the court.
7) Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
Toronto Raptors
Leading the SEC in scoring this season, Tre Johnson’s 19.9 points per game on 42.7% shooting is as enticing an option for any team needing a scorer at the two spot. Johnson’s lone knock is his lack of presence around the rim, thus limiting his potential ceiling and knocking him down to just No. 7 here.
Johnson has the ability to score at will, knocking home 39.7% of his threes this season, but his defensive presence didn’t follow suit either. Still, pairing him in the backcourt and making him the featured catch-and-shoot option is too enticing for the Raptors to pass up.
8) Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
Miami Heat
The Heat jump at the opportunity to land Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma, perhaps the best potential pure point guard at the top of the class, and certainly the top player at a position of need for the franchise. Tyler Herro has lived up to his initial hype and developed into a great combo guard, but needs that specific distributor next to him to continue to expand the Heat’s success.
Fears is that guy and then some for Miami. He enters the fray having averaged 17.1 points per game while dishing out 4.1 assists per contest and heavily contributing on defense. When Herro commands the defense’s attention, Fears can still creatively attack the rim and vice versa.
9) Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina
San Antonio Spurs
Defensive help is on the way for the Spurs in this 2025 NBA Mock Draft, as Collin Murray-Boyles is arguably in contention for the top defending big in this class. As a true sophomore, Murray-Boyles returned to South Carolina to improve his draft stock and did just that in 2024-25.
He improved his offensive and defensive abilities in Year 2 in Columbia, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, where he averaged a whopping 6.0 defensive rebounds per game. Murray-Boyles adds a versatile 3 or 4 to Victor Wembanyama and Co.
10) Kon Knueppel, SF, Duke
Portland Trailblazers
This pick is essentially perfect for both parties as Kon Knueppel heads to Portland to round out the top 10. Knueppel has a high basketball IQ and has been shown to be a vital component of Flagg’s all-around skill set at Duke.
Sliding into the Trailblazers’ relatively stacked but sometimes limited roster, Knueppel’s skill set plays well off fellow creators Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, and Donovan Clingan. At this point of the draft, Knueppel is unrivaled with his catch-and-shoot ability, and he fills a void as a vital component to Portland’s top-end depth.
11) Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Chicago Bulls
Center is a need for the Bulls, even with two under contract through the next season. For Khaman Maluach, that time with two centers under contract through 2026 buys him some time to continue to fill out his frame and become more than just a defensive protector.
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With his raw talent still needing time to be crafted, the landing spot with two vital, veteran leaders already at the position is too good. Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins can pave the way for Maluach to develop into one of the top big men in the league if the South Sudan native can improve his offensive game.
12) Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks once again hit the international market with Noa Essengue, hailing from France but still needing some time to develop. It’s apparent that Essengue has a high basketball IQ and has quickly grasped how to maximize every opportunity, but he’s still a bit limited with his shot selection.
Essengue has a great package of defense and rim-finishing abilities, and finding the right system will be key for his development.
13) Nique Clifford, SG/SF, Colorado State
Houston Rockets (via Phoenix)
A veteran at this point of his career, Nique Clifford’s play in the NCAA Tournament not only cemented his NBA Draft stock, but it also improved it nearly ten-fold. While the biggest knock on his game was playing against inferior competition during his time at Colorado State, Clifford stepped his game up against Maryland, specifically, nearly knocking off the No. 4 seeded Terrapins.
Clifford is truly a do-it-all guard with a full onslaught of tools at his disposal. With his ability to find the open man, drive the paint himself, and score from everywhere, the Rockets’ ability to find a splash player who can contribute right away is the perfect fit here.
14) Nolan Traoré, G, Saint-Quentin
Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
The Hawks need a guard; that much is clear. There is upside in this class, and then there’s Nolan Traoré. With Traoré, the Hawks get a speedy, shifty, and enigmatic scorer to deploy at point guard with the right development.
Traoré has a bit of a risk factor involved here, as do most international draft picks, but his floor seems relatively high. He’s talented and big enough to play right away while continuing his development in the Hawks’ system.
15) Jase Richardson, SG, Michigan State
Orlando Magic
The Magic have the foundation of a potential contender, if they can improve one specific aspect: their shooting. As such, Jase Richardson is the ideal pick and could actually be someone the Magic become tied to through the whole draft process, potentially even eyeing a trade up if they think he’ll be off the board before 15.
Richardson is a spot shooter with a great combo game to his guard skills. It’s safe to say the NBA bloodline carried through as the son of Jason Richardson, even if he didn’t get his dad’s ability at the rim.
In an ideal world, Richardson doesn’t have to worry about his rim presence in the NBA, and playing next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner would do just that. Imagine the two stars for the Magic drawing defenses inside while Richardson uses his three-point shooting ability at will. That’s dangerous.
16) Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
At 6’8″ and 220 pounds, Carter Bryant has flashed some serious talent with his frame. He has great size for the role that he can eventually morph into while also possessing an unrefined ability from behind the arc.
With his size and terrific defensive ability, the Spurs bank on their own ability to develop talent as Bryant has perhaps the highest ceiling among prospects in the back half of the first round. He can be a disruptive defender immediately while he continues to hone in on his offensive playmaking abilities.
17) Liam McNeeley, SF, UConn
Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)
The proverbial ‘slide’ for Liam McNeeley stops here as the Nets use one of their three first-round picks on the catch-and-shoot star. McNeeley showed he was a great component to the UConn offense with his quick release and accuracy off screens.
He also understands the opposing defense well and has a knack for finding open drives or open shooting lanes. McNeeley may be a slower-to-develop all-around prospect, but what he already does well, he does very well.
18) Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
There is a lot to like about Isaiah Evans’ game. As the Blue Devils advanced to the Sweet 16, Evans’ platform continued to rise. Despite averaging less than 15 minutes per game for the Blue Devils, the rigors of playing for Duke and with such talent has paid dividends for his game it appears.
Sure, it’d be nice to have seen him in a featured role elsewhere, but as a complimentary piece to the Jazz’s roster, Evans can fit in nicely as he continues to fill out his frame. He’s a great offensive generator and can be a versatile chess piece as a ball handler or spot shooter in time.
19) Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm
Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)
The biggest thing for Ben Saraf’s draft placement is how teams view his abilities with their needs. Is Saraf the most impressive all-around player? No, but he certainly has shown his moments at times, especially since the turn of the year.
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He’s shown to have great distribution ability and plenty of skill with his pace-changing craft. Saraf has good basketball IQ stemming from his ability to dish the rock, but his finishing and shooting abilities will be in question. Minnesota has a need at point guard, and if Saraf can harness his distribution abilities, he could be a double-digit assist guy in no time.
20) Will Riley, F, Illinois
Miami Heat (via Golden State)
There are picks that just fit and Will Riley landing with the Heat is one of them. He’s a large wing with a frame to grow in to as he stands 6’8″ but only 180 pounds. The Canadian showcased incredible touch this past season with the Illini and shot 32.6% from three this year.
Though likely a longer-term prospect, Riley’s ability to shoot from distance is too enticing to miss here for Miami.
21) Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)
There’s a realm in which Asa Newell is gone long before Oklahoma City picks here. But there’s also a realm where Newell slides into Round 2. Where he lands likely factors the amount of actual entrants into this year’s draft and, obviously, how teams value him and how they think other teams value him the same.
Newell, as a prospect, is an intriguing player with his incredible length and ability to maximize every opportunity. He’s a solid defender, and though his offensive prowess took a step back this year at Georgia, his high school tape is littered with dominance on the offensive side of the ball.
22) Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers need some help in the front court and Noah Penda’s production is too much to overlook here. Though he isn’t an All Star on offense, his two-way abilities are not in question.
He’ll provide a potential playmaker with his passing ability while continuing to dominate at the rim on defense.
23) Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s
Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)
The Hawks have addressed guard already in this draft and now need to hit the front court. Rasheer Fleming, at 6’9″ and 240 pounds, shot 39.0% from three-point range this year, all while grabbing 8.5 boards per game.
That kind of two-way play is something to bank hope on as the Hawks as it’s clear how St. Joseph’s ran through and fed off Fleming’s energy. A sparkplug with incredible shooting ability is a solid addition after drafting Traoré earlier.
24) Maxime Raynaud, F, Stanford
Washington Wizards (via Memphis)
The Wizards head to the bigs for their second first-round pick, calling upon the ACC with Maxime Raynaud’s selection here. Raynaud, one of the top NIL earners in college basketball, is a three-point-shooting big man with a confidence few have.
For a 7’1″ big, Raynaud’s spot-shooting game is inspiring, as is his ability with his ball-handling skills. He’ll get out-boarded at times, however, and his defensive abilities need some help as he continues to strengthen his point of attack.
25) Thomas Sorber, PF/C, Georgetown
Orlando Magic (via Denver)
If Thomas Sorber declares for the draft, he’ll be a unique and interesting case to watch unfold in front of our eyes. Sorber missed the last portion of the season due to foot surgery, and if he’s available for the predraft process following that, he could cement himself as a first-round lock.
Sorber was a dominant shooter for his size, knocking down 53.2% of his shots from the field. However, his three-pointers took a shot compared to his high school tape. Still, Sorber stands 6’10” and 255 as a freshman, allowing him to bulk up and build strength to his confident shooting abilities as time goes on in Orlando.
26) Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Brooklyn Nets (via New York)
The run on bigs continues as the Nets land Ryan Kalkbrenner with the second of their three first-round selections. Kalkbrenner, a longtime college basketball star, improved in nearly every facet in 2024-25, as you would expect from the fifth-year player.
He averaged 19.2 points per game to go with 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.5 assists per game, all career-highs. His post game is what gets him drafted here, as the Nets can afford to bank on him developing his outside shooting game to go with the rest of his two-way skills.
27) Hugo Gonzalez, SF, Real Madrid
Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)
Now the Nets come out swinging, literally, by grabbing swing guard/guard Hugo Gonzalez from Spain. If the Nets are confident in his U18 tape, Gonzalez is a developmental project to unleash in a year or two if he can find his opportunities to find the court.
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Gonzalez isn’t averaging anything to write home about during his time in the Euroleague, but his tape and production during his time in the U18 and in FIBA was enough to put him on the radar years ago, and he’s done nothing but impress when given time to shine and grow confident.
28) Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette
Boston Celtics
Boston needs some help in the backcourt, and a combo guard like Kam Jones makes a ton of sense here. Jones averaged 19.2 points and 5.9 assists per game this season, setting career-highs in nearly every facet for Marquette.
He’s as experienced as they come for combo guard prospects, but what makes Jones the pick here is his 2024-25 season’s success as the playmaker for Marquette. He shared the spotlight to start his career and, as the featured man, exploded onto the scene this season, lifting his proverbial ceiling in the NBA.
29) Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)
Not the last big of the first round, but certainly one of the biggest, Danny Wolf lands with the Suns’ pick at No. 29. Wolf is a bit of an enigma when it comes to his NBA abilities. Is he a shot-making forward, or is he an interior big whose biggest asset is his defensive ability?
While the rest of the NBA figures that out, it’s Phoenix who jumps at the chance to hone the craft of the 7’0″, 250-pounder. His feel around the rim is solid, as are his defensive playmaking abilities, so adding to his shooting abilities will be key to his game with the Suns.
30) Johni Broome, PF/C, Auburn
Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City)
The first round of this 2025 NBA Mock Draft bookends with the ‘other’ National Player of the Year in Johni Broome. The only real knock on Broome at this point in time will be his age, and we’ll hear enough about that as Auburn advances through the NCAA Tournament and into the predraft process.
But when you boil down Broome’s game, the picture becomes more and more clear. He’s a dynamic athlete who averaged a double-double this year for the No. 1 team in the country. And if his age does one thing for him, it raises his proverbial floor as he’ll be NBA-ready in Year 1.
Broome earned his right to be called one of the best two college basketball players this season, and he should have also earned the right to be called a first-round pick when it’s all said and done.
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