The 2025 NBA Draft, slated for June 25-26, 2025, in Brooklyn, NY, is just around the corner, and college basketball fans are in anticipation. This draft class is stacked with talent, featuring several players who have dominated the court and won over fans with their flair, grit, and personality.
Let’s examine the fan-favorite college prospects projected to make the top five.
Fan-Favorite Prospects Projected To Go Top 5 in the 2025 NBA Draft
1. Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg, a 6’9” forward from Duke, is the consensus No. 1 pick, projected to be selected by the Dallas Mavericks. His 2024/2025 freshman season was exceptional, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Flagg shot 48% from the field, 39% from three, and 84% from the free-throw line, per NBA.
His ability to guard all five positions and create shots off the dribble sets him apart. A standout moment came in Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston, where he dropped 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Fans love his relentless energy, high basketball IQ, and clutch performances.
2. Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper, a 6’6” combo guard from Rutgers, is projected as the No. 2 pick, likely headed to the San Antonio Spurs. In his freshman year, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, shooting 48% from the field and 33% from three.
He set a Rutgers freshman scoring record with 564 points, excelling at attacking the rim and setting up teammates. His crafty ball-handling and composure, traits reminiscent of his father, NBA veteran Ron Harper, have endeared him to Scarlet Knights fans.
2025 NBA Mock Draft 2.0
1. DAL – SF Cooper Flagg, Duke
2. SAS – PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers
3. PHI – SF Ace Bailey, Rutgers
4. CHA – SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
5. UTA – SG Tre Johnson, Texas
6. WAS – PG Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
7. NOP – C Khaman Maluach, Duke
8. BKN – SF Noa Essengue,…— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) June 4, 2025
Fans admire his ability to stay cool under pressure and his playmaking flair, making him a top prospect with massive upside.
3. Ace Bailey
Ace Bailey, a 6’10” forward from Rutgers, holds the No. 3 spot, projected to join the Philadelphia 76ers. His freshman season stats include 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, with 46% field goal and 35% three-point shooting.
His 7’0” wingspan and athleticism make him a highlight machine, thrilling fans with chase-down blocks and thunderous dunks.
He averaged 1.1 blocks per game, projecting defensive potential. While still raw offensively, his floor-spacing ability and length draw comparisons to Kevin Durant for his frame and shooting touch. Bailey’s combine performance in May 2025, where he climbed to No. 3 on seven of ten mock drafts, solidified his status.
4. VJ Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe, a 6’5” guard from Baylor, is projected as the No. 4 pick, expected to land with the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, shooting 44% from the field and 34% from three, while setting a Baylor freshman record with 68 steals. His explosive athleticism, seen in viral transition dunks, has fans buzzing.
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5. Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson, a 6’6” guard from Texas, rounds out the top five, projected to be picked by the Utah Jazz. He averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, shooting 43% from the field and 40% from three. His silky jumper and clutch scoring shone in the Big 12 Tournament, where he averaged 22 points per game.
His 60.2% actual shooting percentage and 80% spot-up three-point shooting at the combine highlight his NBA-ready scoring.
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