The numbers don’t lie when it comes to finding the most athletic prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft.
After crunching the NBA Combine data with a weighted scoring system – max vertical leap (30%), speed (25%), standing vertical (25%), shuttle run (15%), and lane agility (5%), these five prospects separated themselves from the pack with jaw dropping performances that translate to future NBA impact.
2025 NBA Draft’s Top 5 Most Athletic Players
Drake Powell (North Carolina)
Powell delivered the most dominant athletic performance in combine history with a record-breaking 43-inch max vertical leap. His 37.5-inch standing vertical also ranked first among all participants, while his 3.07-second three-quarter sprint showed elite speed for his size.
Standing 6’5″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, Powell’s 2.79-second shuttle run demonstrated remarkable lateral quickness that projects perfectly to NBA switching schemes. His combination of explosive power and smooth movement earned him the highest overall athletic score among all prospects tested.
Javon Small (West Virginia)
Small proved that elite athleticism comes in all sizes by posting a spectacular 40.5-inch max vertical leap despite standing just 6’1″. His 33-inch standing vertical and lightning-fast 2.87-second shuttle run showcased the explosive burst that made him a standout performer throughout college basketball.
The point guard’s 3.07-second sprint time matched much larger prospects, while his compact 190-pound frame allows for incredible acceleration and change of direction. Small’s athletic testing numbers rival some of the most explosive guards in recent NBA Draft history.
Sion James (Duke)
James dominated the speed testing with a blazing 2.97-second three-quarter sprint that was the fastest time recorded at the entire combine. His 39.5-inch max vertical leap and 32-inch standing vertical demonstrated the explosive finishing ability that makes him a unique prospect.
At 6’4.5″ with a 217.6-pound frame, James combines rare power with elite speed, creating a physical profile that translates perfectly to modern NBA basketball. His 2.93-second shuttle run showed the lateral quickness needed to defend multiple positions at the professional level.
Chaz Lanier (North Florida)
Lanier emerged as one of the combine’s biggest surprises with elite testing across multiple categories, including a 39-inch max vertical leap and a 33-inch standing vertical. His 2.96-second shuttle run and 10.53-second lane agility time demonstrated exceptional movement skills for a shooting guard.
Standing 6’3.75″ with an impressive 6’9″ wingspan, Lanier possesses the length and athleticism that NBA teams covet in perimeter defenders. His combination of explosive leaping ability and lateral quickness projects him as a versatile two-way player capable of impacting winning immediately.
Cedric Coward (Eastern Washington)
Coward rounded out the top five with an impressive 38.5-inch max vertical leap and exceptional 3.06-second sprint time that showcased his rare combination of size and speed. At 6’5.25″ with a massive 7’2.25″ wingspan, he possesses the physical tools that define modern NBA versatility.
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His 3.02-second shuttle run demonstrated the lateral movement necessary to switch across positions, while his overall athletic profile compares favorably to successful NBA wings. Coward’s length and explosiveness make him an intriguing developmental prospect with significant upside potential.
Keep an eye on Walter Clayton Jr., Jalon Moore, Tahaad Pettiford, Liam McNeeley, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser; they all put up serious numbers and were just behind our top five. Their NBA Combine performances suggest the future NBA will feature even more dynamic switchable defenders, capable of impacting games through pure athleticism.
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