By Hocine LOUKKAF on 9/23/2024
The 2025 class looks deep and talented as Flagg will have plenty of suitors to snatch that #1 position.
#1 Cooper Flagg, 6-9 SF, Duke 2006
NBA comparison : Kirilenko on defense/Tatum lite on offense
The clear favorite for the #1 pick boasts above average athleticism with a motor. He will need to prove that he can he can as efficient against college toughness while displaying ability to create his shot and score from outside to remain at the top of his class.
#2 VJ Edgecombe, 6-4 SG, Baylor 2005
NBA comparison : Anthony Edwards Lite
Edgecombe’s play during the Olympic qualifiers with the Bahamas makes him a potential star. He’s an electric player with incredible maturity whose shooting may be his only limitation right now.
#3 Nolan Traore, 6-4 PG, St Quentin 2006 (France)
NBA comparison : softer Deron Williams
Traore’s stock went high as he made the transition from losing with Pole France in French 3rd division to starting with St Quentin in French Pro A. He also performed well during the Hoop Summit and U18 Eurobasket. More consistency and toughness could propel him to the top pick.
#4 Ace Bailey, 6-9 SF, Rutgers 2006
NBA comparison : Brandon Miller
Length, athleticism, shooting, Bailey seems to have it all to become a star forward. He will be tested at the college level as he and his teammate Dylan Harper will try to take Rutgers as far as they can.
#5 Dylan Harper, 6-5 PG/SG, Rutgers 2006
NBA comparison : less athletic Kevin Porter Jr
Another Rutgers commit and son of former NBA player Ron, Harper will have to prove he’s a real floor leader and not just a HS scorer. His combination of size and skills make him an intriguing prospect.
#6 Karter Knox, 6-6 SF, Arkansas 2005
NBA comparison : Less athletic Cam Whitmore
An underrated prospect, Knox brings toughness, shooting and deceptive athleticism to the table. A cold-blooded scorer who should thrive in Calipari’s system.
#7 Rocco Zikarsky, 7-2 C, Brisbane 2006 (Australia)
NBA comparison : Walker Kessler
With Clingan and Edey both drafted in the top 10 in the last draft, big men seem to be in vogue lately. Zikarsky is a mobile rim-protector who should benefit from the NBL exposure to prove his game could translate to the NBA.
#8 Liam McNeeley, 6-8 SF, UConn 2005
NBA comparison : Harrison Barnes
Strong with deceptive athleticism, McNeeley is more than your traditional shooting forward. A potential glue guy, he can defend multiple positions and use his ability to shoot to create driving lanes to the basket.
#9 Asa Newell, 6-10 PF, Georgia 2005
NBA comparison : better defender Chris Bosh
One of the most intriguing prospects in this draft, Newell has thar rare shooting/blocking that could make him a top 10 draft pick. Using more his right hand and displaying shooting consistency will be the key for him if he wants to be a surefire lottery pick this year.
#10 Khaman Maluach, 7-2 C, Duke 2006 (South Sudan)
NBA comparison : Mo Bamba
Another intriguing big man, Maluach seems to have a lot of tools but needs to refine them and not lose himself trying to be a player he’s not. Duke will be a nice platform to see if he lives up to the hype and can be the rim-protector and potential stretch five he looks at times.
#11 Michael Ruzic, 6-9 PF, Badalona (Spain) 2006 (Croatia)
NBA comparison : better upside Matt Bonner
Despite his youth, Ruzic has been lucky enough to find some playing time in Eurocup with Badalona as he had multiple games with 20min or more. Shooting and toughness could land him in the lottery.
#12 Tre Johnson, 6-6 SG, Texas 2006
NBA comparison : taller Cam Thomas
A versatile scorer and nice shooter, Johnson has the tools to become more of a very good role player than a star. He’s also a high motor kid who is agressive on defense and tries to make the right plays to make his team win.
#13 Drake Powell, 6-6 SF/SG, North Carolina 2005
NBA comparison : Nassir Little
A bit like Bailey, albeit less tall, Powell has an intriguing package of size and athleticism but needs to refine his game and his shooting. He could need more than a year to be impactful in college.
#14 Egor Demin, 6-9 SF/SG, Brigham Young 2006 (Russia)
NBA comparison : Cam Johnson
Demin boast great size with versatility but has to put it all together against tougher opponents. He struggled shooting from outside in the ANGT Finals shooting 3/21 in four games despite shooting a better 33% 3pt with Real Madrid reserve team in Liga EBA, Spanish 4th division.
#15 Noa Essengue, 6-10 SF/PF, Ulm (Germany) 2006 (France)
NBA comparison : /
A lanky 6-10 combo forward, Essengue is at his best running the fast break, cutting to the basket or grabbing his offensive rebound. He’s very mobile and displays a nice wingspan but could be stuck between both forward spots. Improving his shooting could be the key to get picked higher.
#16 Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-8 PF, South Carolina
NBA comparison : smaller Jackson-Davis
Murray-Boyles skill set may be limited but he knows what he’s doing on the court. The throwback big man may not impress you with his vertical leap or shooting but he’s a machine inside and get the job done. Could be a very nice fit next to a stretch five or coming from the bench.
#17 Ben Saraf, 6-5 SG/PG, Ulm (Germany) 2006 (Israel)
NBA comparison : Ginobili lite
The MVP of last U18 Eurobasket may be as talented as any player in this draft. He may lack some elite athleticism and needs to gain more muscle but if he can get consistent playing time with Ulm, his stock could rise to the top 10.
#18 Noa Penda, 6-7 SF, Le Mans 2006 (France)
NBA comparison : Kawhi lite
Voted in U20 Eurobasket best team, Penda is a very underrated glue guy who can defend multiple positions and create for his teammates. He’s also displayed a better shooting this summer and will follow French U20 NT coach, Guillaume Vizade, who coached him last year in Vichy (Pro B), to Le Mans in Pro A.
#19 Hugo Gonzalez, 6-6 SG/SF, Real Madrid 2006 (Spain)
NBA comparison : Mario Hezonja
A polarizing prospect, Gonzalez combines elite strengths with “elite” weaknesses. A high-motor kid with impressive athleticism, He’s always struggled from 3pt in every youth competition (21% in last U18 Eurobasket) and posted negative a/to ratio. Will he find time in Madrid’s strong rotation to improve and get exposure is another question point.
#20 Dink Pate, 6-7 SG/PG, Mexico Capitanes 2006
NBA comparison : RJ Hampton
An oversized guard, Pate had the opportunity to play heavy minutes in the G-League at age 17 despite his team’s struggles. Playing for a more traditional team this year, he will have to display one or two strengths and not be a jack of all trade master of none.
#21 KJ Lewis, 6-4 SG, Arizona 2004
NBA comparison : DiVincenzo
A strong and athletic SG, Lewis will need to display consistency from outside to pair with his good defense.
#22 Will Riley, 6-8 SF/SG, Illinois 2006 (Canada)
NBA comparison : /
Riley could be one of the most talented shooters of his class. With Illinois having plenty of new recruits, we’ll see how he fits in there and if he can handle the physicality of the Big 10.
#23 Zaccharie Perrin, 6-10 PF, Nancy 2004 (France)
NBA comparison : lighter Domantas Sabonis
After a short stint at Illinois, the recent U20 Eurobasket MVP came back to France where he performed in pro B, probably the best 2nd division in Europe. He’s now in Pro A with Nancy where he will try to display more outside shooting to transition full time to the PF spot.
#24 Kasparas Jakucionis, 6-5 PG, Illinois 2006 (Lithuania)
NBA comparison : Theo Maledon
A big guard with a high IQ, Jakucionis chose the college way. He will be asked to lead a solid team of Illinois in the rugged Big 10 where his ability to score consistently and to defend more physical/athletic guards will be scrutinized.
#25 Alex Karaban, 6-8 SF/PF Uconn 2002
NBA comparison : Georges Niang
The junior to be has already won two NCAA championships and more will be expected from him. If he can somehow reach 50/40/90 shooting numbers and bring solid defense/rebounding, playoff contenders could be glad to bring him from the bench.
#26 Izan Almansa, 6-10 PF, Perth (Australia) 2005
NBA comparison : Alex Sarr lite
Despite his success in international youth competitions with Spain, Almansa is more of a very solid role player than a potential franchise player. Now in the NBL, his ability to produce against pros and expand his offensive game will be the keys to reach the lottery.
#27 Carey Booth, 6-9 PF, Illinois 2005
NBA comparison : Jerami Grant
A very intriguing prospect, Booth has not been particularly impressive last year. Yet, his potential has a stretch four who can rebound, shoot and block shots could land him in the first round. Another recruit in the stacked Illini roster.
#28 Hamad Musa, 6-8 SF, Dayton 2006 (Qatar)
NBA comparison : rawer Otto Porter Jr
Musa has used the international competitions to get exposure but will have a real test this year with Dayton. He’s a long and athletic forward who had displayed good bball IQ and could be a riser during the year.
#29 Johni Broome, 6-10 PF/C, Auburn 2002
NBA comparison : Greg Monroe/Bobby Portis
A known commodity in college basketball, Broome has used last year to expand his game. If he keeps dominating the paint while showing consistency from outside, he will gain interest from multiple NBA teams.
#30 Kwame Evans, 6-9 SF, Oregon 2004
NBA comparison : Anthony Randolph lite
Consistency from outside and getting stronger will be the keys for Evans whose profile as a versatile scorer/defender is appreciated.