The 2025 NBA draft has now wrapped up, and there were surprises and things that many had anticipated that happened over Wednesday and Thursday. With names like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper getting drafted, there are also excellent standout players who were not drafted at all.
In college, or even abroad, they were considered some of the best players, but they just did not impress many of the teams enough to use their draft picks on them. While some eventually got picked up as undrafted free agents, others are still awaiting that call.
5 of the Biggest Snubs From the 2025 NBA Draft
Grant Nelson, Alabama, signed by the Brooklyn Nets
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Grant Nelson was central to the Alabama Crimson Tide’s deep run into the NCAA National championship and was especially standout during the Sweet 16 win over the BYU Cougars. However, he remained unselected during the NBA draft but was picked up by the Brooklyn Nets. He will now have to compete for a two-way spot on the Nets’ roster.
Caleb Love, Arizona, signed by the Portland Trailblazers
Caleb Love is largely seen as a versatile shooter who can also be a good passer. He would not be playing point guard with the Trailblazers, and he would still have to compete for a two-way spot on the roster after Portland picked him up. This means he still has to prove he can play in the NBA, which is easier said than done.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, signed by the LA Lakers
Villanova power forward Eric Dixon was a scoring machine in his final year with the school, and he was so good that he ended the season as the NCAA’s top scorer. However, this was not enough to get himself drafted, with many teams seeing him as a low-ceiling player. He was eventually picked up by the LA Lakers for a two-way contract in what many consider a steal, especially as the Lakers are in need of a good big man.
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga, signed by the Dallas Mavericks
Gonzaga star Ryan Nembhard may not have been picked during the NBA draft, but the versatile guard’s NBA dreams are still alive after getting picked up by Dallas for a two-way contract. While he still has to prove he belongs on a roster, the Mavs have a use for a good playmaker, especially a pass-first point guard to lob to Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg, or an open Kyrie Irving.
Chucky Hepburn, Louisville, signed by the Toronto Raptors
Hepburn is the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and while he was undrafted, he remains one of the best defensive options for this year’s draft class. The Toronto Raptors did not pass him up and signed him for a two-way contract.
Related: 3 College Basketball Standouts Who Could Go Undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft
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