We look at the best players per position in the NBA Draft, with Cooper Flagg topping the list.
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper Take Top Spots For NBA Draft Prospects
The 2025 NBA Draft will be held later this month, and plenty of players hope to realize their dreams of being selected by a team. A couple of names, like Flagg, are getting all the attention, but fans are curious about the best option by position. We’ll take a look at them below.
Big board update on ESPN: Major reset to our top 100 after an eventful month at the NBA draft combine and NCAA withdrawal deadline.
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Small Forward – Cooper Flagg, Duke
The presumptive number one draft pick out of Duke University is the overwhelming choice. He turned in an impressive single season, helping to power his team to the Final Four. The 6-foot-9, 221-pound Flagg can play both power forward and small forward, employing his sterling defensive abilities along with major improvements in his post-scoring.
The Dallas Mavericks, who own the first pick, are relishing playing him in the frontcourt with center Anthony Davis.
Point Guard – Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The 19-year-old Rutgers University star has grown in leaps and bounds in the eyes of draft experts, and he’s got an idea of what NBA teams would expect thanks to his father, NBA Champion and Chicago Bulls guard Ron Harper. Standing at 6-foot-6, he’s shown off keen scoring and playmaking in clutch situations.
It gets more interesting for him being seen as the next off the board after Flagg – while the San Antonio Spurs have the second pick, they also have DeAaron Fox and Stephon Castle. There have already been rumors that Harper could wind up in Milwaukee in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Boston in a deal for Jaylen Brown.
Shooting Guard – Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Harper’s backcourt mate, Bailey, is an intriguing dilemma for the NBA teams. The 6-foot-9 guard has a ton of upside, especially his knack for delivering tough shots, which has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant.
He’s also a prime defender. But some experts feel that he needed more time in his freshman season with the Scarlet Knights to develop more of the intangibles he has. The Philadelphia 76ers have the third pick, making it an intriguing situation if they choose to draft Bailey to aid Tyrese Maxey in a season where center Joel Embiid and forward Paul George are expected to miss significant time.
Center – Khaman Maluach, Duke
The South Sudanese sensation gave the Blue Devils a presence in the paint in his lone season. At 7-foot-2, draft experts have noted his ability to defend against pick-and-roll plays and not jump on pump fakes. His footwork for his size has been striking, as he can defend all positions on the court.
At Duke, he also turned in significant percentages—he shot 71.2% from the field, 25% from three, and 76.6% from the free-throw line. San Antonio is rumored to pick him to pair with Victor Wembanyama, potentially, but the Charlotte Hornets are also eyeing him, according to Sports Illustrated.
Power Forward – Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
The 18-year-old French forward took a significant leap up draft boards thanks to his play with his EuroLeague team. At 6-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Essengue is somewhat slight but has demonstrated great shooting ability without a fear of NBA competition.
KEEP READING: Ace Bailey vs. Liam McNeeley: Comparing the Rutgers and UConn 2025 NBA Draft Prospects
That last factor was on display in an exhibition game Ratiopharm Ulm played against the Portland Trailblazers last October, where he had a 20-point game, which included him going 3-6 from the three-point line. The Toronto Raptors have emerged as a potential destination.
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