The 2024-25 college basketball season is underway, and NBA scouts are already salivating over the incredible talent in this freshman class. With potential superstars like Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey leading the way, the 2025 NBA Draft could be one for the ages. As NBA teams jockey for lottery positioning, let’s peer into the crystal ball and project how the top 30 picks could unfold next June.
Cooper Flagg Leads Stacked Freshman Class
The Washington Wizards sit in pole position to land the ultimate prize – Duke phenom Cooper Flagg. The do-everything forward has been as advertised, stuffing the stat sheet with jaw-dropping versatility. His explosive athleticism and uncanny instincts on both ends have evoked comparisons to LeBron James. Flagg would be a franchise-altering addition for a rebuilding Wizards squad.
He’s a basketball savant. Flagg has a chance to be an absolute superstar in this league.
– Anonymous NBA executive
But Flagg isn’t the only freshman taking the NCAA by storm. Rutgers guard Ace Bailey has dazzled with his electric scoring and playmaking. Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe is a defensive menace with explosive leaping ability. And 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach has flashed unicorn potential as a rim-protecting, floor-spacing big man for Duke.
Dylan Harper Headlines Impressive Guard Crop
While this draft boasts elite talent at every position, the point guard crop is particularly intriguing. Dylan Harper, son of former NBA player Ron Harper, has been sensational orchestrating the offense alongside Bailey at Rutgers. His size, vision, and poise have drawn comparisons to Lonzo Ball.
French prodigy Nolan Traore is another big lead guard turning heads with his creativity and shot-making ability. Texas’ silky smooth Tre Johnson and Illinois’ heady floor general Kasparas Jakucionis add even more backcourt depth to this loaded class.
International Prospects Make Their Mark
As always, a number of international players are poised to crash the first round. Real Madrid guard Hugo Gonzalez has tantalizing potential as a big, skilled combo guard. And German prospect Ben Saraf has dazzled in early action with his advanced feel and craftiness.
Unfortunately, injuries have struck a couple of overseas players with lottery potential. Michael Ruzic, an enticing sharpshooting big man from Spain, will miss significant time with a thumb injury. And EuroLeague standout Egor Demin has been sidelined as well. Both prospects could slide as teams evaluate their long-term outlook.
Upperclassmen Aim to Raise Draft Stock
While NBA teams tend to prioritize youth and upside in the draft, a few experienced college stars are jockeying for first-round consideration. UConn junior Alex Karaban is a proven floor-spacer and glue guy on a title contender. Creighton’s dominant 7-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner could be an instant-impact rim protector.
South Carolina big man Collin Murray-Boyles is another upperclassman on the rise. After testing the draft waters last year, Murray-Boyles returned to school bigger and stronger. He’s been a physical force on the glass and the defensive end. With an expanding face-up game, the versatile forward has worked himself firmly into the first-round mix.
I think Murray-Boyles made a great decision to return to school. He’s going to help a lot of NBA teams with his motor, athleticism, and emerging skill level.
– College basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla
Lottery Teams Seek Saviors
For bottom-dwellers like the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers, the opportunity to add a transformative talent in the 2025 lottery could accelerate their rebuilding plans. The Jazz could target Flagg or Bailey to build around Keyonte George, while the Blazers may opt to pair a dynamic guard like Edgecombe with Scoot Henderson.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are also flush with draft capital after years of wheeling and dealing by savvy GM Sam Presti. The Thunder hold the rights to as many as four 2025 first rounders via prior trades. With a promising young core led by Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, OKC could expedite its return to contention with another blue-chip prospect or two.
Race to the Bottom for Wembanyama 2.0
Of course, the specter of tanking will loom over the 2024-25 NBA season as teams jockey for optimal draft positioning. The chance to land a player of Flagg’s ilk will tempt many organizations to put ping pong balls ahead of wins.
In the aftermath of the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, some have even begun to refer to Flagg as “Wemby 2.0.” That moniker may be premature, but there’s no denying Flagg’s jaw-dropping talent and sky-high potential. For one lucky franchise, the payoff for a season of suffering could be a decade of title contention.
Mock Draft Madness
Of course, projecting the draft order and prospect tiers this far out is an inexact science. Expect this 2025 mock draft to evolve drastically as the college season unfolds and NBA teams rise and fall in the standings.
Will breakout freshmen like Flagg, Bailey, and Harper solidify their lottery status? Can international risers like Gonzalez and Saraf maintain their early momentum? Might a dark horse upperclassman like Murray-Boyles crash the top 10?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: NBA scouts will be watching this freshman class with bated breath. The future looks bright for a league already overflowing with young talent. And on June 25, 2025, dreams will come true as one storied franchise lands a potential savior atop the draft board.
