Preseason 2025 NBA Draft Big Board
THAT’S GOTTA BE KANE (in my best Vince McMahon voice). Nope, just a preseason 2025 NBA draft Big Board. It’s that time of the year for everyone when the NBA season has begun, international prospects are in the middle of their league’s regular seasons, and college teams are getting ready to suit up, which means the 2025 NBA draft cycle has officially begun. This draft has been gassed up and talked about for some time now because the top can go head-to-head with some of the best draft classes, but we must not get too ahead of ourselves when projecting the top. This class is, of course, headlined by the Mainer, but it has a lot more to offer than just him. This will be a super fun draft cycle, so let me get you more excited and pumped for this class than you already are with my preseason top 100 big board. Yes, 100 players are ranked, but some context needs to be added. Not only were these players ranked based on film and stats but also on some projections of what their roles would look like on their respective teams. That means that some talented players will not be ranked because I dont know if they will receive a significant enough role or enough minutes to show off their talents and skills for this draft. Lastly, these rankings are not set in stone (in case you did not already know) and will constantly be updated once we get more film and ingredients for the dishes these players are trying to serve these GMs. 100 players ranked, so let’s dive into my rankings and quick thoughts on these players heading into the cycle and also why these players are ranked in certain spots.
1. Cooper Flagg| 6’9| Duke
The crystal skull of the 2025 NBA draft is the two-way kaiju Cooper Flagg. Cooper will be one of the youngest players in this draft. He is supposed to be a senior in high school right now, but understandably, he reclassed and entered Duke a year early. Cooper is number 1 entering the cycle because he is one of the best defensive prospects ever (not including bigs), has incredible physical tools, has an unbelievable IQ for his age, and has an evolving shot-creation skillset that could emerge during his freshman year. Cooper must prove that he is a positive offensive player to maintain this ranking once he arrives in Brooklyn, but he has the talent to do something that only Zion, KD, and Anthony Davis have done: to win National Player of the Year as a freshman.
2. Dylan Harper| 6’7| Rutgers
Dylan Harper is the son of NBA legend Ron Harper. He will follow in his brother Ron Harper Jr.’s footsteps by attending Rutgers. Dylan will have the keys immediately for the Scarlet Knights because he is a big guard who can initiate all kinds of actions, score at all three levels, make all kinds of live dribble passes and defend impressively on the perimeter. Dylan must consistently show off those passing and defensive skills to challenge Cooper for the number-one pick. NBA people and I love guards and lead ball handlers with positional size and terrific scoring tools who can lift offenses with their scoring and playmaking capabilities.
3. Ace Bailey| 6’10| Rutgers
When people discuss potential candidates to steal the number 1 pick from Cooper Flagg, everyone says Ace Bailey has the best chance. Ace is the most gifted shotmaker and scorer in this class because he has some incredible athleticism and physical tools paired with tremendous shot-making skills and shooting touch. The premium position in basketball currently is a wing, and Ace has the potential to be one of the best wings in the NBA. Why Ace isn't ranked 2nd to me is because of his issues with shot selection, rim pressure, and consistency on the defensive end. All will be questions that Ace will need to answer this season to become the 1st player ranked in the 2025 draft.
4. Nolan Traore| 6’5| Saint-Quentin
Here is our first international player in the rankings. Nolan Traore is a French point guard who plays with Saint-Quentin in the LNB, the best league in France. Nolan is the best international prospect in this class because he is the best pick-and-roll creator, has tremendous passing skills, and has an impressive high-level starting point guard upside. Many doubters of Nolan have pointed to his 3-point shooting being an issue, but right now, he is currently shooting 36.6% from deep on 5.9 attempts during his season. Nolan has incredible offensive talent and skillsets right now, and his feel and pick-and-roll skills could make general managers feel incredible after selecting him.
5. VJ Edgecombe| 6’5| Baylor
The best athlete in the 2025 draft is VJ Edgecombe, a freshman at Baylor. His vertical pop and burst are freakish, making him one of the best slashers and perimeter defenders in the class. VJ does have some questions about his role on the offensive end because he is small for an off-ball wing and needs to be better as a ball handler or passer to be a primary guard/ball handler. Those concerns will be monitored, but his ability to attack anyone off the drive, create havoc in passing lanes, make 3-pointers off the catch, and defend 1-3 make him an exceptional prospect heading into the 2025 draft cycle.
6. Kasparas Jakucionis| 6’6| Illinois
One trend in this draft class is that most international players will attend college instead of playing for a professional team in their home country or on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean. One such international player is the Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who chose to attend Illinois to prepare for the NBA. Kasparas is a terrific pick-and-roll creator with impressive positional size, can make shots off the catch and dribble, can play with or without the ball, and is a tremendous playmaker. It has been reported and shown that he will have the keys and be the leader of the Illinois offense, so his opportunity will be sky-high, and he will be allowed to show off his diverse offensive skillset. Efficiency from the 3-point line will be something to watch out for during the entire season because he has had an average or below-average percentage from 3 in whatever event he has played in. Kasparas will likely be one of the best players in the Big 10 and become one of the most fascinating guards in this class.
7. Donnie Freeman| 6’9| Syracuse
One of my guys for this draft will be Donnie Freeman, a Syracuse freshman who attended IMG Academy during his senior year of high school. I definitely am the highest on Donnie compared to anyone in the draft space because I love a 6’9 forward who has impressive physical tools, mid-range shooting skills, is a versatile multi-positional defender, can play on the perimeter and inside the arc, and has tons of potential to be a great 3-point shooter. That shot from deep will need to be efficient and useful for him to be considered a top-10 player in this draft, but his touch and mechanics give me confidence that he can extend his range. Donnie will have a lot of opportunities to show off some fantastic two-way skills at 6’9, and I am a massive fan of him entering this college basketball season.
8. Drake Powell| 6’6| North Carolina
The hoop state's very own Drake Powell decided to stay home and attend North Carolina. His potential as a disruptive defender and efficient complementary scorer makes him an easy one-and-done candidate entering this draft. Drake is already a tremendous defender who can guard 1-4, make tons of plays as an off-ball defender, and serve delightfully as a team defender who can make great rotations and cut several things off from an opposing offense. Drake will need to show how diverse and polished his offensive game is to be considered this high in this class. How good of a 3-point shooter is he, is he a viable driver and ball handler, and how smart is he without the ball in his hands? Drake has a ton of talent as a two-way wing, and Carolina needs his defense and length to be one of the top teams in the country.
9. Kon Knueppel| 6’7| Duke
Kon Knueppel’s buzz has become something you can not unsee. Kon deserves the buzz and hype because he was underrated during the recruiting process. His 3-point shooting and potential as a scorer on the ball make him an easy player to rank at the top of the class and be loved by NBA personnel. He not only makes 3-pointers off spot-ups, but he is also a great movement shooter from deep. His potential as an on-ball scorer is the X-factor that makes him so fascinating as a prospect. He led the EYBL in scoring in the summer of 2023 by being a solid mid-range shooter, fundamental driver, and capable scorer in the pick-and-roll. Kon will thrive around the talent of Duke and be one of the best 3-point shooters in the country this season.
10. Egor Demin| 6’9| BYU
Jumbo initiators are always coveted in the current basketball landscape, and the Russian guard Egor Demin has the size and feel necessary to be mentioned this high on the board. His potential as a big guard/wing who is a high-level pick-and-roll ball handler, mismatch nightmare, and scorer without the ball is very high. He is also an international player who decided to play in college as he came from playing with Real Madrid. Egor will need to prove his scoring skills against higher-level competition, but he will have many opportunities to be one of the best freshmen in college basketball this season with BYU.
11. Ben Saraf| 6’5| Ratiopharm Ulm
Ben Saref has given Kon a run for his money on the biggest risers during the preseason, except he played games as he won the MVP of the FIBA Eurobasket U18. He also has started his season with Ratiopharm in impressive fashion, with averages of 13.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Ben has become one of the most intriguing guards in this class because he has a tremendous handle, shot-making abilities, playmaking skills, and off-ball defensive anticipation. Saraf is an intriguing lefty guard from Israel. He has the potential to be a very solid lead ball handler on offense, given how well he creates in the pick-and-roll and attacks defenders in space. We still need to see how his jumper pans out because his efficiency goes up and down from game to game, and he is incredibly left-hand dominant right now. If you want to bet on a player in this class right now, Saraf might be the one because he continues to put up impressive numbers, show off some incredible moments, and produce for whatever team he plays for.
12. Asa Newell| 6’9| Georgia
Arguably, the best big in the 2025 NBA draft class is Asa Newell, who returned home with his commitment to Georgia. Asa is a talented big who can play the 5 and the 4 in certain lineups because of his 3-point shooting, shot blocking, and switchable defensive skills. Asa was an amazing defender during his time at Montverde, as he did a tremendous job showcasing the ability to defend ball screens in several different coverages and protect the rim as a weak side rim protector. His size will be concerning because he is an undersized big if he profiles best as one, but he could show off some excellent skills to be a 4 during his time at Georgia. Asa has a ton of upside on both ends and, to me, has proven to be the best big entering this 2025 NBA draft cycle.
13. Tre Johnson| 6’6| Texas
One of the most intriguing prospects in the SEC conference this year is Tre Johnson, who stayed in his home state after attending a year of high school outside of it. Tre is an interesting scoring wing who has the upside to be a lead ball handler for a good offense due to his shot-creation skills, ability to make pull-up jumpers, and ability to create in ball screens. Tre does need to show how efficient he actually is as a scorer, his reliability as a scorer around the basket, and his ability to defend. Tre has incredible upside as a scoring wing due to his jump shot off the catch and dribble and his ability to score in the pick-and-roll. I love Tre, and he definitely has some lottery upside entering the season.
14. Khaman Maluach| 7’2| Duke
Khaman is the most physically freakish prospect in the 2025 draft class. He has an absurd wingspan and a 7’2 height. Khaman is another international player heading to college before the draft, but he has the most upside out of any of them because of his skeleton skill set. We have seen moments of Khaman being a terrific stretch rim protector who can make 3-pointers off the pop, catch lobs, and protect the basket at a very high level, but consistency is his biggest issue right now. He clearly needs more time on the court. The talent is there, and it is definitely possible for him to grow rapidly as the season goes on, but we need to see more against good competition from Khaman.
15. Liam McNeeley| 6’7| UConn
Someone who could challenge Kon for the best 3-point shooter in this class is Liam McNeeley, the freshman from UConn. Liam is a perfect connector and low-maintenance player for any winning team. He is a great 3-point shooter off the catch, has the size to defend multiple positions, is a very smart off-ball cutter, a capable driver, and is a high-level team defender. Liam will need to prove it on a higher level to improve across draft boards, but he has a clear floor and set of skills that he will bring to any team on any level he plays on.
16. Carter Bryant| 6’8| Arizona
Carter Bryant is a 5-star incoming Arizona Wildcats freshman with a lot of compelling skills for a young wing. Throughout high school, he showed potential as a pull-up shooter, multi-positional defender, and slasher. His athletic tools, frame, and potential as an impactful two-way wing make me buy into him more than others heading into the season, but consistency has always been an issue for Carter and could make him dip in my rankings. It will be intriguing to see Carter's role on this Arizona team because they are a talented and deep team, but his talent will be hard to ignore when watching Arizona this season.
17. Hugo Gonzalez| 6’7| Real Madrid
One of the most well-known international prospects in this class is Hugo Gonzales, the Spanish wing who plays for Real Madrid. Hugo has a ton of talent as a wing. He is a tremendous athlete who attacks the basket well off the drive, a great off-ball mover, and a disruptive defender who can rack up steals and blocks. His jump shot is something to worry about currently because he has never been a consistent shooter from deep, and some of his percentages during certain events and seasons have been poor. Figuring out the jumper is the number 1 thing he needs to do to regain the lottery hype he once had. The defense, athleticism, and intangibles off the ball could make you buy in right now, but the jumper unlocks everything for him and makes him more dangerous as a ball handler.
18. Collin Murray-Boyles| 6’7| South Carolina
One of the most productive freshmen in the country last season was Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina. His feel for the game, ability to score inside the arc, and ability to cause chaos on the defensive end demanded attention from scouts last season. He is a multi-skilled forward who can make many different passing reads, score with or without the ball at the rim, and guard 1-5. Collin will need to improve his 3-point shot to maintain this ranking or rise on my board because he only shot 5 total 3-pointers last season and made none of them. Collin is an undersized forward, so becoming a viable shooter from deep will make it easier for him to gel with a variety of lineups. A non-spacing forward who is undersized is not the most attractive archetype in the NBA, so becoming a good shooter will make him more attractive as a prospect and open things for him as a driver and overall offensive player. Collin has a ton of feel and stats to excite you about him as a prospect, but he is a volatile one entering the season due to his major weakness.
19. Hunter Sallis| 6’5| Wake Forest
One of the top upperclassmen in this year's NBA draft will be Hunter Sallis. He intrigued me a lot during the last draft cycle because I was willing to rank him in my top 30 due to his qualifications as a high-level scorer, size, handle, pick and roll creation abilities, and previous showings as a defender. I assume scouts wanted him to return to prove his growth and show consistency as a player. I loved Hunter and still have some stock in him heading into this season because he is a terrific on-ball scorer with real athletic tools. I would love to see him transition into a full-time ball handler and point guard so his role can be more tangible heading into the NBA. Hunter will be one of the best players in college basketball this year and likely will become one of the 30 best prospects in this class when things are all said and done.
20. Kwame Evans Jr| 6’9| Oregon
Someone with the tools and stats to project as the best defender in this class (besides Cooper) is a sophomore forward, Kwame Evans. He has some tremendous tools and feel on the defensive side of the ball. He reads passing lanes well, guards multiple positions, can defend in multiple screen coverages, and is a tremendous secondary rim protector and weak-side defender. Kwame does need to improve his offensive skillset to maintain his top 20 spot on my board. Right now, he is not a good shooter from deep, lacks the handle to play the 4, and lacks some overall assertiveness and confidence on that end last year. Developing more on offense will be huge for Kwame as a prospect because those improvements could make him a fun two-way forward with length and ideal height at 6’9.
21. Ian Jackson| 6’4| North Carolina
If you wondered what the definition of a New York guard was, then you need to watch Ian Jackson, North Carolina’s incoming freshman. Ian is an athletic guard with an intriguing pull-up shot, downhill creation skills, and a willing and positive on-ball defender. His shot-making skills off the dribble will excite everyone, and his downhill creation skills will continue to add to that excitement because he can pressure the rim and create a lot of production off the drive. Ian will need to show efficiency with his overall game because he would have some poor shooting games in high school. An efficient Ian Jackson could be a lottery pick when the time comes.
22. Boogie Fland| 6’2| Arkansas
Boogie Fland, the point guard playing for Arkansas, is the best freshman ball handler in this class. Boogie is a creative, crafty, and quick guard who can easily create shots and generate separation. He is also a terrific pick-and-roll creator who can score against all coverages and make all kinds of reads in the pick-and-roll. Boogie will be one of the best scoring guards in the class this season, but his height will be a concern all year. It is tough for small guards to succeed in the NBA nowadays, but he has the handle, shooting abilities, and feel to succeed on the next level. The size will be a question all year, but he could make those concerns look stupid this season.
23. Noa Essengue| 6’9| Ratiopharm Ulm
Noa Essengue is a French forward who is one of the youngest players in the class but has some tantalizing tools and flashes that make him a highly regarded prospect in this class. The idea of Noa is someone with absurd length who can be used in all kinds of ways defensively and be a positive connector on offense. His season with Ulm has already begun, and through 13 games, he has been averaging 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks. The things I question about Noa right now are his ideal position, capabilities from 3, and feel for the game. His age lets me give him the benefit of the doubt on his feel, but the jumper is not the greatest right now, and his position outlook when projecting him in the NBA is not as straightforward as other prospects right now. I still love the tools and production he is putting up while playing for a team in the Euroleague. He is an intriguing prospect who could become a lottery-level prospect if things go his way.
24. Jaland Lowe|6’2| Pittsburgh
Last season, there was a freshman guard who quietly improved and started to heat up but was reasonably outshone by his teammate, who got selected in the lottery during this past draft. That teammate was Bub Carrington, and the player was Jaland Lowe from Pittsburgh, who averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during his final 11 games of the season. Jaland has a lot of talent as a diverse and skilled point guard, given how well he shoots from deep, breaks defenders down in space, plays without the ball, and creates in the pick-and-roll. This season, people will be looking to see how he does as the focal point of this offense because last season, he got the benefit of being the 2nd or 3rd guy on the scouting report by playing with Bub and Blake Hinson. Naturally, his size will also always be a question, but his shooting touch, handle, feel, and ball skills will make him a fascinating prospect all year long.
25. Jalil Bethea| 6’4| Miami
Another candidate to be named the best shooter in this draft class is Miami freshman Jalil Bethea. Jalil is an off-guard who is a tremendous scorer with or without the ball due to his shooting touch and shot-making skills. He had some explosive scoring games during his senior year of high school, and his skillset sits nearly identically to the typical combo guards that we see in the league who earn starting spots or are sixth men who get paid like starters. I really wonder and want to see how good of a driver and ball-handler he truly is at the college level. He showed little comfort in finishing at the rim or handling the ball against good defenders during high school. Bethea must prove that he can be a 3-level scorer in college and a capable ball handler to improve his stock. I love Bethea's shooting, athleticism, and talent, but like many prospects, I need more to buy in fully.
26. Jamir Watkins|6’6| Florida State
Another one of my guys entering the 2025 draft is Jamir Watkins from Florida State, who declared last season but returned to school. I loved Jamir during last year's draft because of his potential on the defensive end, connective playmaking feel, improved 3-point shot, and solid downhill abilities. Jamir has all the skills and intangibles to be a solid wing role player for any winning team but will need to prove that his improvements were real during his senior season. If he improves on last season, he should be a first-round pick for everything he does to affect winning on both ends of the floor.
27. JT Toppin| 6’9| Texas Tech
Every draft cycle, we see someone explode in popularity as a prospect after performing well in the last draft cycle’s Combine or pre-draft events and workouts. This year, that player could be JT Toppin, who will be a sophomore at Texas Tech. JT has amazing vertical pop and athletic tools that help him be an incredible defender and screen partner for guards. He catches all kinds of lobs, is a great roller, rim protector, and weakside defender, and has shown potential as a floor spacer. His size is a question currently because he is an undersized center at 6’9, but if he can continue to show adequacy as a rim protector on the high major level and develop his skills, then that size won't matter as much. JT has a ton of potential as a defender and could be one of the best in the Big 12 this season.
28. Alex Karaban| 6’8| UConn
Someone who was supposed to be one of the best 3-point shooters in last year's NBA draft was 2-time national champion Alex Karaban, but he shocked everyone and returned to school. Alex is a tremendous wing who can make all kinds of 3-pointers off the catch, whether stationary or on the move. He is also a very intelligent player who can make connective passing reads off the catch, make solid rotations defensively, and make timely cuts for easy points at the rim. Alex more than likely returned to school to improve his athletic deficiencies and on-ball defensive abilities. Alex has never been a positive athlete while in college, nor has he been a standout on-ball defender, as sometimes teams target him on that end. Proving his value as an on-ball defender will be key for him this season because he is already a solid team defender off the ball, and becoming a good on-ball defender could make him the best upperclassmen prospect in this class.
29. Mo Krivas| 7’2| Arizona
One of the most promising upperclassmen prospects on the Arizona roster this year is Mo Krivas, the large sophomore. Mo is a terrific defensive center who does a great job defending in a drop and using his size to protect the rim. He also has a terrific presence as a roller and lob threat. Becoming a better athlete will help him a ton as a prospect because it will allow him to be more mobile in space, make faster rotations, and be more dynamic on offense. He has amazing physical tools to be a terrific defensive anchor on higher levels and has the potential to be one of the best defensive centers in the country.
30. Alex Toohey| 6’7| Sydney Kings
One of the early risers in the draft cycle is the Australian wing, Alex Toohey, who plays for the Syndey Kings in the NBL. Currently, through 11 games, he is averaging 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks. In the NBL Blits, he averaged 25.0 points on 60% shooting from the field. Alex is a fun two-way wing with length and a good handle. He has improved his shot creation abilities and shown more consistency this year than last. Alex has the tools to be a big riser during this year's draft cycle and has already gained much steam to begin his season in Australia.
31. Dailyn Swain| 6’8| Xavier
Returning sophomore Dailyn Swain might be one of the most intriguing prospects in this class because of the flashes he showed during his freshman year. Swain has tantalizing physical tools paired with the potential to be a high-level versatile defender and offensive player. His defense showed the most during his freshman year because he defended opposing teams' best players on the ball, guarded ball handlers full court, and made tons of plays in passing lanes and as a weakside defender. Swain will again be a top defender in college basketball this year, but his offensive games will be monitored closely this season. He needs to show a capability to make open 3’s off the catch and handle the ball when needed in order to be a real prospect for this year's class. Flashes suggest that he will be a good offensive player, and Swain should get your attention heading into this draft cycle.
32. Nique Clifford| 6’5| Colorado State
Nique Clifford, the wing from Colorado State, was one of the most fun breakout players in the country last season because he took an absurd leap in all statistics. This past season was his first year with Colorado State after transferring from Colorado, and he averaged a career-high in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage, and 3-point attempts. Nique had a terrific season last year and emerged as one of the biggest sleepers, but some concerns led him to return to college for another year. Those concerns assumingly were his shot from deep and consistency as a player. Showcasing these growths for another year will likely make him more appealing to NBA people, and so will an increase in 3-point volume. He only attempted three 3-pointers a game last season, so attempting more could show his comfort more clearly when shooting from deep. Nique has all the makings to be a very complimentary 3 and D wing for any winning team.
33. KJ Lewis| 6’4| Arizona
One of the projected breakout players coming into this college basketball season is sophomore Arizona wing KJ Lewis. KJ is a talented on-ball defender with the talents and skills to make all kinds of ball handlers struggle when defending them. On offense, he is a good connector who can initiate second-side actions, score as a cutter, be an impactful screener and occasionally make an open jumper. Consistency and added usage on offense are things that need to improve for KJ so he can be optimal as a role player. He has the potential to be a very solid two-way wing, but just becoming an effective offensive player will be the key for him this season.
34. Will Riley| 6’9| Illinois
One of the more un-shocking things to happen this summer was Will Riley’s decision to reclass into the class of 2024 and skip his senior year of high school after performing well in the EYBL regular season and Basketball Without Boarders Camp. This decision was made more accessible, with him being also age-eligible for the 2025 draft. Will is a guard/wing with a ton of feel, positional size, and shooting touch. He can have explosive scoring games due to his pull-up shooting and ability to create shots without the ball. Will also has some intriguing passing skills off a live dribble that could be fleshed out in college. He is a very talented offensive player, but the shot diet and frame need to improve to be a one-and-done player this year.
35. Rocco Zikarsky| 7’3| Brisbane Bullets
Many people’s darling in this year's draft is the massive Australian center Rocco Zikarsky. People love him because of his presence as a shot blocker around the basket and his potential as a high-level rim protector. He fits the mold of a modern offensive big, with how well he thrives on the roll and as a play finisher after setting a screen. Rocco struggles to get on the floor due to his uncooked skillset, as he is currently averaging 9.9 minutes with his NBL team. Due to that lack of playing time, he might have to be a prospect in next year's draft, and that could help him develop more nuance to his overall game and athletic abilities. Also, try and develop more skill in his offensive game outside of catching lobs and scoring on open rolls.
36. Mackenzie Mgbako| 6’8| Indiana
One of my favorite 5 stars in last year's high school recruiting class was Mackenzie Mgbako, but because of some issues with consistency, perimeter defense, and shooting percentages, he returned for his sophomore year. Mgbako has the potential to be a nice offensive wing by making shots off the catch and creating shots off the dribble as a secondary scorer. Mgbako just needs to become more efficient in everything he does and become more viable on defense. If he doesn’t, he will get targeted often and be hard to keep on the court. The talent and tools are there for Mackenzie; he needs more refinement to become that intriguing scoring forward.
37. Johni Broome| 6’10| Auburn
Johni Broome is the advanced statistical darling in the college basketball world because he is such a versatile center who is a terrific defender and hub on the offensive end. He is a solid post scorer, screen partner for guards, scorer on the roll, rim protector, ball screen defender, passer, floor spacer, and rebounder. Broome is a super-productive player who can impact the game in all kinds of ways. He still needs to show how capable an athlete he is during this college basketball season because he is an undersized center who can struggle to defend in space and hang with more physically imposing bigs as a scorer around the basket. Growing as an athlete or finding ways to subside those athletic issues will be key for him this season.
38. Billy Richmond| 6’6| Arkansas
One of the favorite freshmen in this incoming class is Billy Richmond, a wing from New Jersey. He is an athletic wing who is a disruptive perimeter defender due to his anticipation and awareness as an off-ball defender. He is also a terrific transition and inside-the-arc scorer. Billy will need to show that his 3-point shot is adequate for spacing purposes to be a one-and-done player this year, but his tools are the most intriguing in the incoming freshman class, and I am willing to call him one of my guys entering this cycle because this will be the highest you see him on boards.
39. Joson Sanon| 6’5| Arizona State
Like Will Riley, Joson Sanon was a late reclass high schooler who decided to skip his senior year during the spring because he was age-eligible for this year's draft. He also has the talent to be a top one-and-done prospect in this class because he is an electric scorer. He is a high-volume 3-point shooter who can light teams up from deep off the catch or bounce, and he has all the tricks in his bag to make a wide variety of difficult shots in the halfcourt. Currently, he is only a scorer and difficult shot-maker as his game is not well-rounded or diverse. Him diversifying his overall game will make his floor as a prospect pretty high and appeal more to front offices because scorers who only impact the game with scoring are only the most appealing prospect if they have positional size and are truly special scorers. Sanon has a ton of potential and proof of concept for his talents, so his chances of becoming a one-and-done freshman are currently in his favor.
40. Dink Pate| 6’8| Mexico City Capitans
One of the players that I am much lower on than the consensus entering the cycle is Dink Pate, the point guard with impressive positional size. I will start with me concerns about Pate. I worry about his ability to score and create efficiently on offense because he is not a terrific playmaker; he is an inefficient shooter, and his handle is mediocre. Defensively, I have concerns about his ability to guard the ball as well. He still has the necessary flashes and performances to latch onto him as a prospect because jumbo initiators are valued in today's NBA, and he has put on some impressive performances while basically playing in the G-league as a senior in high school. Pate has an immense amount of talent to be higher on this board, but right now, he has to prove it to me while playing for the Mexico City Capitans.
41. Darlinstone Dubar| 6’8| Tennessee
Someone who I have been high on since he erupted for 24 points against Duke on the road is Darlinstone Dubar, who is an athletic forward with amazing shooting potential and downhill skills. Dubar is an upperclassman, so that might limit his ceiling to others, but to me, he has all the tools to be an impactful role player for a winning team. He has the size and length to hang around, the 3-point shooting to space the floor for his teammates and capitalize on passes, and the defensive versatility to defend 1-4 and elevate his team's defensive unit. Consistency will be key for Dubar while making the jump to high-major basketball because many people have half-baked ideas that he was the product of a one good year. Dubar has been on an upward trajectory throughout his time in college, and with Tennesee, he could add a ton of stock to his name while playing in the SEC and for a top-25 team.
42. Michael Ruzic| 6’10| Joventut
Ruzic is one of the more quietly intresting international prospects in this class because he is currently playing for Joventut, a team competing in the Euroleague, the second-best league in the world. He is a floor-spacing big who can make 3-pointers efficiently off the catch, be a versatile pick-and-roll partner, make smart connective passing reads, and use his size and feel to bring value on the defensive end. Right now, all of those positive characteristics of his game are ideas because he has not played much for his current team. He also has not shown much in the 16.9 minutes he has played during his team's season, which naturally raises some concern. I need to see him do more right now to buy into him fully as it stands right now, but his performances in FIBA events have me at least intrigued with him currently.
43. Milan Momcilovic| 6’8| Iowa State
A freshman who stole some spotlight from other freshmen in the college basketball season was Milan Momcilovic. Milan is a forward with good positional size and shooting versatility off the catch. He uses his size well to shoot over defenders and make shots coming off different off-ball actions. Milan will be a top shooter in this class but has to prove his defensive capabilities to be considered higher. Milan lacks the lateral quickness to defend well on the perimeter, but he could use his size to become a good on-ball defender this season. Milan is a fascinating shooting prospect because not many players are 6’8 and have his shooting touch and abilities.
44. Tucker DeVires| 6’7| West Virginia
Tucker DeVries is a fun upperclassmen prospect who I can never let go of because he is a great 3-point shooter overall, has nice size, and showed real growth as a playmaker and on-ball creator this past season. This season, he will make the jump to high-major college basketball, so this move will allow him to showcase his skills in the best conference in college basketball and prove he is athletic enough to compete in the NBA. His athleticism and defensive abilities have been questioned throughout his time in college, and now, with West Virginia, he will have the platform and competition to prove he is capable. Tucker is an older prospect, but his talent and feel for the game are high enough for me to buy in again for the 3rd straight draft.
45. Michael Ajayi| 6’7| Gonzaga
One of the biggest winners of the NBA draft combine last summer was Michael Ajayi, who showed out during the scrimmages and now will carry that momentum built with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Ajayi is a late-blooming forward with great physical tools and growing skills that could intrigue many teams. He led the WCC in scoring last season and also averaged a near-double-double. Ajayi needs to show that he can make 3-pointers efficiently with a higher volume and that he can be a consistent positive for a winning team. Becoming a more high-volume 3-point shooter and adding consistency to his game will make him more intriguing as an older prospect. With Gonzaga, we should see him have a productive season for one of the best teams in the country.
46. Baye Ndongo| 6’9| Georgia Tech
Last season, the top freshman big in the ACC was Baye Ndongo from Georgia Tech. He received feedback from scouts during this past summer's pre-draft cycle and impressed people. He is an undersized big with good athleticism, skills as a roller, potential as a floor spacer, rim protection abilities, and some more upside as a switch defender. Baye will be a terrific two-way big for Tech this coming season, and if he can build on some of the flashes that he showed last season, he might be a first-round pick. The size is definitely something I worry about because he is undersized at the center spot. The talent is there for Ndongo to make a big leap during his junior season and become one of the top bigs in this class.
47. Saint Thomas| 6’7| USC
One of the country's most productive mid-major players this past season was wing Saint Thomas, who will now play for USC after transferring from Northern Colorado. He is a do-it-all wing who is an efficient scorer inside the arc, a viable passer, and a switchable perimeter defender. Saint will need to prove that his production can scale up to the high major level during this season, and if it does, he will become a super valuable role player in this class.
48. Rasher Fleming| 6’9| Saint Josephs
Another one of the mid-major darling prospects in this draft will be Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joe's, who showed a ton of growth during his sophomore year last season. Rasher has been a very solid secondary rim protector, rebounder, and play-finisher at the forward spot. Continuing to improve as a 3-point shooter will be big for Rasher because he shot 32.4% last season. The potential for Rasher is high, and he could be someone who explodes into the next great mid-major prospect.
49. Miles Rubin| 6’10| Loyola Chicago
Once again, another mid-major darling in this draft will be Miles Rubim from Loyola Chicago, who will conveniently be at the same conference as Rasher Fleming. Rubin is a defensive-oriented center who is a tremendous shot-blocker with quick enough feet and hip flexibility to guard in space against guards and be scheme versatile against pick and rolls. Becoming more versatile on offense will be important for him because he strictly thrives on lobs and rolls right now. Developing passing skills and feel in the short roll will be something that could make him skyrocket up these rankings. Rubin will be a sophomore this season, so time is on his side, and he could become the next great mid-major first-round pick with some offensive refinement and continued success on defense.
50. RJ Luis- St. Johns
RJ Luis was a fascinating player, and I monitored him closely the summer before last year's draft when he was coming from UMass, but injuries delayed his draft potential until this year. RJ is a two-way wing who has terrific length and fundamentals on the defense end while also being a solid on-ball scorer. He has the handle and shot mechanics to be a solid creator next to a good one and not be limited to shots off the catch. Defensively, he is switchable and capable of using his length to force turnovers and deflections. He desperately needs to improve his 3-point shot. We have heard offseason rumors of him changing his form, so we might see a big jump from deep, but he needs to prove it before I buy into him fully.
51. Bogoljub Markovic| 6’11| Mega Mis
For people who don't follow international basketball, you might have never heard of the international prospect farm in Serbia, Mega Mis. Notable names from Mega are Nikola Jokic, Nikola Jovic, Nikola Topic, and Nikola Djurisic. Most top Serbian prospects play for Mega, and they constantly have prospects to monitor every draft. This year, that prospect is Bogoljub Markovic, a big, fluid wing who can score off the dribble, be an efficient shooter from 3, and create for others. Bogo has had a terrific start to the season with Mega, as he is averaging 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through 6 games. A big wing with a ton of feel, fluidity, and ball skills, sign me up right now. Of course, we will need to see more consistency and a larger sample size to buy into him fully, but I have been very impressed with what I have seen so far.
52. Paul McNeil| 6’5| NC State
The most underrated freshman coming into this season and draft cycle is Paul McNeil, who attends NC State. Paul is a terrific on-ball scorer who can make all kinds of difficult shots, score off the catch, and get a bucket when needed at all 3 levels of the court. He also has great positional size and potential as a playmaker to pair with those scoring abilities. I dont know how much Paul will play during his freshman year because of his frame and the outlook of this roster, but he could become one of the most surprising freshmen in this year's class due to his scoring tools and capabilities.
53. Karter Knox| 6’6| Arkansas
Karter Knox is another Arkansas freshman to make my top 60. He is the little brother of NBA veteran Kevin Knox and was a 5-star recruit in high school because of his 3-level scoring potential, frame, and athleticism. His frame and strength allow him to be a terrific driver and mismatch attacker on the perimeter, and his fluid handle helps him be a terrific shot-creator. Karter struggles with efficiency, creating separation, and settling for jumpers, so he must prove that he fixed those issues during the season. However, he is among the best scorers in the incoming freshman class. Karter has the talent, fundamentals, and potential to be a one-and-done freshman, but the question will be how refined are his IQ and skills really.
54. Kobe Johnson| 6’6| UCLA
One of the best wing defenders in college basketball has been Kobe Johnson, the younger brother of the Atlanta Hawk Jalen Johnson. Kobe is a special turnover generator. He uses his length tremendously to wreak havoc in passing lanes and always capitalizes on errors made by the opposing offense. He is also a switchable defender who can guard 1-4. Kobe is awesome defensively, but offensively, he is a question mark right now. During his sophomore year, he made solid connective passes, made open 3-pointers, was an awesome cutter, and did terrific things in transition. Last season, he struggled to score efficiently, not turnover the ball, and bring consistent impact on that end. Kobe with UCLA will need to revert back to his ways offensively to rise up the board, but right now, he has to prove that last season was only a down year for him right now for me to be any higher on him as a prospect.
55. Derik Queen| 6’10| Maryland
I will not lie to the readers: I was a little bit of a skeptic of Derik Queen’s NBA potential when watching him before his senior year, but his last year at Montverde, on the Under Amrmour Circut, and how the league's landscape is changing made me come around on Queen. I still have concerns about his ideal offensive role and ability to be positive on the defensive end, but his feel, court vision, and ability to score around the basket should be respected. He makes all kinds of awesome passes out of the post, has the adequate feel to be a viable offensive hub, and has terrific touch at the rim. Queen has the upside of being a first-round pick in this year's draft; we just need to see more from Queen when it pertains to his defense and offensive role clarity.
56. Sion James| 6’6|Duke
One of the more all-around players in college basketball has been Sion James, who is transferring to Duke from Tulane this season. Sion is a very all-around wing who can create offense for others as a secondary playmaker, make open 3-pointers off the catch, be a multipositional defender, and score around the basket. Swiss Army Knife players are very intriguing and fascinating, but how this Duke roster looks right now might only allow Sion to show off some of his skills to the maximum. Sion’s stock is a little lower to me than others simply because I don't know if his role will be big enough to demand a high spot on the board, especially as a 5th-year senior. We will see, though, because he could quickly rise on my board with some good stretches. I just need more clarity on what I'm getting from Sion as a prospect while being a member of one of the best teams in college basketball.
57. Clifford Omoruyi| 6’11| Alabama
Clifford was the hot commodity in this off-seasons transfer portal for college teams and has always had a fan in me as a prospect because he is one of the best defensive bigs in the country and has been for some time. His skills as a rim protector and size around the basket have helped him rank atop the country in all the block stats. He has been a tremendous defensive center for some time now, but the offense will be key for him in Alabama this season. Other than dunks and lobs, Clifford is not the most diverse offensive player because of his lack of passing feel, touch, and ball skills. Clifford needs to add some new tricks to his offensive game to finally make the leap to the league because his defense is amazing and something that easily could get him playing time for a team.
58. Silas Demary| 6’5| Georgia
One of the players who will have a big breakout this season due to the flashes we saw from him last season is Silas Demary, a sophomore from Georgia. Silas is an intriguing all-around guard who can be a high-level defender, rebound well for his position, make plays as a passer, and initiate a good offense as a primary ball handler. I like his potential as a two-way point guard, but he has some refinement and efficiency issues that he needs to improve and iron out of his overall game. He lacked a lot of production and positive stats as a starter last season, so improving those numbers and play on the court will be important for Silas to fully break out as a prospect in this year's draft.
59. Kameron Jones| 6’4| Marquette
A likely All-American player this college basketball season will be Kam Jones, a senior from Marquette, because he is an electric 3-point shooter with or without the ball and creates his shots very fluidly and quickly. His 3-point shooting and qualifications as a great scorer will make people pay attention to him all year. 3-point shooting is one of the most essential basketball skills, and he not only has that but can do it at a high level. It will be essential for Jones to show that he can run an offense as a primary ball handler and be a capable on-ball defender. This season, he will be the point guard for his team and might turn into one of the most productive point guard prospects in this year's draft.
60. Mark Sears| 6’1| Alabama
Closing out the top 60 will be the leader for the best team in college basketball and one the favorites to win the National Player of the Year award, Mark Sears. Sears is one of the best scorers in college basketball because he is a terrific creator in ball screens, can make all kinds of pull-ups from 3, is a strong finisher despite his size, and is efficient at scoring the ball. Scoring guards who have a high feel, make good decisions, can create in-ball screens, and make pull-up 3-pointers are ones that normally get drafted because it is super translatable to the league. The defense will always be a concern for Mark because his size makes him susceptible to getting targeted by an offense and talented creators. He should rise on my board if he can compete and show resilience against his matchup.
61. Donovan Dent- New Mexico
62. Myles Rice- Indiana
63. Xavian Lee- Princeton
64. Caleb Foster- Duke
65. Payton Sandfort- Iowa
66. Cedric Cowerd- Washington State
67. Adama Bal- Santa Clara
68. Noah Penda- Le Mans Sarthe Basket
69. Darrion Williams- Texas Tech
70. Koby Brea- Kentucky
71. Tyon Grant-Foster- Grand Canyon
72. Aziz Bandonga- Cincinnati
73. Cade Tyson- North Carolina
74. Tamin Lipsey- Iowa State
75. Tyrese Proctor- Duke
76. Zeke Mayo- Kansas
77. Erik Reynolds- Saint Joes
78. Jarin Stevenson- Alabama
79. Izan Almansa- Perth Wildcats
80. Aaron Bradshaw- Ohio State
81. Jackson Shealstead- Oregon
82. Colman Hawkins- Kansas State
83. Wesley Cardet- Providence
84. Jaxson Robinson- Kentucky
85. Matthew Murrell- Ole Miss
86. Keshon Gilbert- Iowa State
87. Max Shulga- VCU
88. Ryan Kalkbreener- Creighton
89. Sam Walters- Michigan
90. BaBa Miller- Florida Atlantic
91. Xzayvier Brown- Saint Joseph's
92. Malique Lewis- SE Melbourne Phoenix
93. Braden Smith- Purdue
94. Scotty Midleton- Seton Hall
95. Walter Clayton- Florida
96. Garwey Dual- Seton Hall
97. Malik Mack- Georgetown
98. Brandon Garrison- Kentucky
99. Ben Henshawl- Perth Wildcats
100. Dan Skillings Jr.- Cincinnati
