Duke’s Tyrese Proctor has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, foregoing his senior season after a breakout junior campaign.
The Australian-born guard made his announcement via Instagram on April 18, 2025, a decision quickly confirmed by Duke’s basketball program through their official social media channels.
After showing steady improvement throughout his college career, Proctor appears ready to test his skills at the professional level.
Top 5 Landing Spots for Tyrese Proctor
Proctor’s junior season statistics reveal why his stock remains fluid. The 6’5″ guard posted career-high numbers, averaging 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while demonstrating remarkable efficiency.
Mock drafts from ESPN, NBA.com, and Bleacher Report consistently place him around the 43rd pick, while others like The Ringer and Fox Sports project him as high as 26th and 30th, respectively.
This wide range underscores both his intriguing potential and lingering questions.
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Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz find themselves at a crossroads in their rebuilding process with emerging star Lauri Markkanen established as their offensive centerpiece and Keyonte George showing flashes in the backcourt.
What they lack is consistent guard play and reliable shooting from the perimeter positions, areas where Proctor could provide immediate value even as a second-round selection.
Proctor’s improved three-point shooting would address a critical need for the Jazz, who have struggled with floor spacing outside of Markkanen’s contributions.
His 6’5″ frame gives him positional versatility that Head Coach Will Hardy could utilize in multiple defensive schemes. While his playmaking numbers decreased slightly in his junior year, the Jazz system doesn’t necessarily require him to be a primary facilitator potentially allowing him to focus on his strengths as a spot-up shooter and secondary ball handler.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings’ decision to trade De’Aaron Fox signaled a significant shift in their backcourt construction creating potential opportunities for a player with Proctor’s skill set. The Kings have emphasized three-point shooting and ball movement in their offensive system, areas where Proctor demonstrated considerable growth during his final season at Duke.
Kings GM Monte McNair has shown a preference for players who bring specific translatable skills rather than raw potential. Proctor’s proven shooting ability and defensive fundamentals align with this philosophy.
Though he might not offer the same ceiling as some prospects still his 40.5% three-point shooting provides the kind of reliable skill that could earn him minutes in Sacramento’s rotation from day one particularly alongside Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis in lineups that prioritize spacing and basketball IQ.
LA Clippers
The championship-contending Clippers present an intriguing landing spot for Proctor at the end of the first round. With their veteran-heavy roster potentially facing significant changes after the 2024-25 season, the Clippers could view Proctor as both immediate depth and future insurance at the guard position.
Head coach Tyronn Lue has consistently favored intelligent players who understand defensive schemes and make quick decisions. Proctor’s basketball IQ and defensive awareness cultivated under Coach Scheyer at Duke align perfectly with these preferences.
His ability to process information quickly and adapt to different defensive assignments would allow him to contribute even while developing other aspects of his game. Playing alongside established stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would provide ideal mentorship during his transition to the professional level.
Brooklyn Nets
The rebuilding Brooklyn Nets find themselves in need of long-term solutions at the guard positions making Proctor an appealing target with their late first-round selection. Currently holding the 27th pick via Houston the Nets can afford to take a patient approach with Proctor’s development while immediately benefiting from his perimeter shooting.
Brooklyn’s developmental timeline aligns perfectly with Proctor’s trajectory as a prospect. While his playmaking needs refinement evidenced by his career low assist numbers in his junior season.
Brooklyn can afford to let him grow into a larger offensive role gradually. His already established shooting touch gives him a clear role while other aspects of his game develop, potentially following a similar trajectory to other combo guards who expanded their playmaking abilities at the professional level.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic’s most glaring weakness remains consistent outside shooting, particularly from their guard positions. This deficiency has limited the effectiveness of promising forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who regularly face crowded driving lanes due to opponents ignoring perimeter threats.
Proctor’s 40.5% shooting from beyond the arc would immediately address this nee,d providing valuable floor spacing that could unlock more efficient offensive possessions.
Despite questions about his ability to create for others at the NBA level, Proctor’s defensive versatility aligns with Orlando’s long-term vision. The Magic have prioritized length and switch ability across positions, and Proctor’s 6’5″ frame fits this mold.
His high basketball IQ and disciplined approach to team defense would complement Orlando’s existing defensive principles while giving them a much-needed shooting threat in their developmental pipeline.
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