As the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season unfolds, NBA scouts are closely monitoring the rising stars and sleeper prospects who are shaking up the 2025 draft landscape. With several standout performances in the early going, the race for the top pick is heating up, while under-the-radar talents are forcing their way into the conversation.
Cooper Flagg Leads Pack, But Challengers Emerge
Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg remains the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick, but he’s facing stiff competition from a pair of Rutgers standouts. Shooting guard Ace Bailey and point guard Dylan Harper have been electric for the Scarlet Knights, showcasing elite scoring ability and court vision, respectively.
Bailey’s silky-smooth jumper and ability to create his own shot have drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, Harper’s command of the offense and knack for making the right play have scouts salivating over his potential as a franchise floor general.
“Nobody can stay in front of Harper right now,” one anonymous NBA scout told ESPN. “He’s big, strong, and knows how to use it to his advantage.”
Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is another freshman making noise, impressing with his poise, court vision, and ability to make plays in the clutch. His performance in a win over Arkansas turned plenty of heads.
Defensive Stalwarts and Offensive Enigmas
On the defensive end, Houston’s Joseph Tugler is establishing himself as an elite stopper. The 6’7″ forward with a 7’6″ wingspan is a menace in the passing lanes and at the rim, drawing comparisons to versatile NBA defenders like Draymond Green and Bam Adebayo.
Offensively, Texas wing Tre Johnson has shown flashes of brilliance with his silky shooting stroke, but his efficiency and decision-making have been inconsistent. Scouts are eager to see if he can put it all together against top competition.
Sleeper Prospects Making Waves
Several under-the-radar prospects are using the early season to boost their draft stock. Saint Joseph’s junior forward Rasheer Fleming is turning heads with his motor, defensive versatility, and improving jump shot. Villanova’s Eric Dixon has transformed from role player to go-to scorer, punishing defenses inside and out with his strength and touch.
“There’s always going to be an NBA market for big men who can stretch the floor,” an Eastern Conference executive said of Dixon. “He’s showing he can do more than just spot up.”
Key Questions Remain
As the season progresses, scouts will be watching closely to see how these prospects adapt and develop. Can Bailey and Harper sustain their torrid starts against stiffer competition? Will Tugler’s offensive game catch up to his defensive prowess? How will Johnson respond to the bright lights and tougher defenses of the Big 12?
The answers to these questions and more will shape the 2025 NBA Draft picture in the months to come. With the potential for a generational talent like Flagg at the top and a deep pool of intriguing prospects behind him, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating draft class to monitor.
Bailey’s silky-smooth jumper and ability to create his own shot have drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, Harper’s command of the offense and knack for making the right play have scouts salivating over his potential as a franchise floor general.
“Nobody can stay in front of Harper right now,” one anonymous NBA scout told ESPN. “He’s big, strong, and knows how to use it to his advantage.”
Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is another freshman making noise, impressing with his poise, court vision, and ability to make plays in the clutch. His performance in a win over Arkansas turned plenty of heads.
Defensive Stalwarts and Offensive Enigmas
On the defensive end, Houston’s Joseph Tugler is establishing himself as an elite stopper. The 6’7″ forward with a 7’6″ wingspan is a menace in the passing lanes and at the rim, drawing comparisons to versatile NBA defenders like Draymond Green and Bam Adebayo.
Offensively, Texas wing Tre Johnson has shown flashes of brilliance with his silky shooting stroke, but his efficiency and decision-making have been inconsistent. Scouts are eager to see if he can put it all together against top competition.
Sleeper Prospects Making Waves
Several under-the-radar prospects are using the early season to boost their draft stock. Saint Joseph’s junior forward Rasheer Fleming is turning heads with his motor, defensive versatility, and improving jump shot. Villanova’s Eric Dixon has transformed from role player to go-to scorer, punishing defenses inside and out with his strength and touch.
“There’s always going to be an NBA market for big men who can stretch the floor,” an Eastern Conference executive said of Dixon. “He’s showing he can do more than just spot up.”
Key Questions Remain
As the season progresses, scouts will be watching closely to see how these prospects adapt and develop. Can Bailey and Harper sustain their torrid starts against stiffer competition? Will Tugler’s offensive game catch up to his defensive prowess? How will Johnson respond to the bright lights and tougher defenses of the Big 12?
The answers to these questions and more will shape the 2025 NBA Draft picture in the months to come. With the potential for a generational talent like Flagg at the top and a deep pool of intriguing prospects behind him, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating draft class to monitor.
