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March Madness is the most exciting time of the year for scouts and talent evaluators because it shows which players perform the best on a big stage.
Florida, Auburn, Houston, and Duke all made it to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament but plenty of players have proven why they are potential first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft during March Madness.
For this exercise, to determine our draft order, we referenced the current pre-lottery order based on Tankathon. Meanwhile, we also included trades based on what picks are owed around the league. Ages are based on how old someone is on the night of the draft, not currently.
Expect more changes based on who actually decides to declare for the draft and who returns to college, who performs well during the pre-draft process, and plenty of other evolving factors and data points.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
Despite reclassifying up to forgo his senior year of high school, Duke’s Cooper Flagg has had one of the most impactful freshman campaigns we have ever seen from a collegiate freshman. As arguably the best NCAA men’s player this season, Flagg is a near certain lock to hear his name called as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
TEAM: Rutgers
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Among players who did not make the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Rutgers freshman star Dylan Harper is the most intriguing. Perhaps the most exciting offensive prospect in this class, the lead guard has a unique ability to create his own shot near the basket and should bring that skill set with him to the pros after earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
Not only is he a strong defensive playmaker but Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe has also shown promise as a scorer as well. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year joined Flagg as the only first-year collegiate players with at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers recorded this season, per Bart Torvik.
TEAM: Maryland
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
After recording perhaps the biggest moment of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, as noted by my colleague Mike Sykes, Maryland freshman Derik Queen skyrocketed his draft status. He trailed only Flagg in Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP) among freshmen this season, per CBB Analytics. Queen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and consistently proved his versatility and skill as a big man.
More: Derik Queen's game-winner just cemented his NBA Draft status
TEAM: Rutgers
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 18.9
It is easy to imagine why a front office may fall in love with Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, who hits difficult shots as a 6-foot-10 scorer. While his box plus-minus was lower than one would typically see from a top-5 pick and he is perhaps overly reliant on the midrange shot, the upside of his development is a worthy gamble for the Big Ten All-Freshman forward.
TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Texas wing Tre Johnson was named SEC Freshman of the Year because he is such a natural scorer whose passing is better than his assist stats might suggest. He is very difficult to stop in the open-court and led all freshmen in 3-pointers made in transition (21) and above the break (65) this season, per CBB Analytics.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7-2
DRAFT AGE: 18.8
South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach enjoyed an excellent, efficient campaign and earned ACC All-Freshman honors for Duke. As a lob threat, per CBB Analytics, he has the second-most alley-oops completed (38) among all players in college basketball. He is raw but has a strong defensive presence as opponents are shooting just 41.3 percent on 2-pointers with Maluach on the floor, which ranks fourth-best among players with at least 800 minutes logged.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
Duke’s Kon Knueppel earned ACC All-Freshman honors and won ACC tournament MVP. He can make plays on spot-up possessions and when using off-ball screens and led all freshmen in corner 3-pointers made. Knueppel plays winning basketball as the Blue Devils have outscored opponents by 622 points when Knueppel is on the court this season, per CBB Analytics, which is the highest plus-minus among all men’s college basketball players.
TEAM: Oklahoma
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 18.7
Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears gave fans some amazing highlights as he climbed up draft boards this season. Fears earned SEC All-Freshman honors, can score at multiple levels from the floor, and he is a fantastic playmaker on both offense and defense as well. He is the second-youngest NCAA prospect we have projected in the first round behind only Flagg and was one of the best overall performers in March Madness.
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
Lithuania’s Kasparas Jakucionis was briefly one of the hottest names in draft circles and he eventually earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors. He has an effective pull-up jumper and led all high-major freshmen in unassisted 3-pointers, per CBB Analytics. As a distributor, he also led all freshmen in assists finished at the rim (76) this season.
TEAM: ratiopharm ulm (Germany)
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
France’s Noa Essengue ranks seventh-best among all players in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among those with at least seven games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. He ranks thirteenth-best in Player Efficiency Rating (22.8) among qualified players in the Eurocup, via RealGM. Essengue is also the second-youngest player in the draft.
TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Alabama freshman Labaron Philon was named SEC All-Freshman and he is an excellent decision-maker with one of the most effective floaters in college basketball. As a playmaker, per CBB Analytics, he ranked third among freshmen in 3-pointers assisted (76) this season. His jump shot could still use some work, though it did improve a bit as the season progressed.
TEAM: Saint-Quentin (France)
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
Based on his priors before this season, some team is likely to take a flier on Nolan Traore in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. While the young French guard did not play very well to start off the season, his past two months have looked a lot better as a lead guard who can potentially become a floor general of the future in the NBA.
TEAM: Michigan St.
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
Jase Richardson averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.0 percent on 3-pointers after moving into the starting lineup for Michigan State. Richardson earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors and ranked 99th percentile in advanced metrics like Win Shares per 40 Minutes and RAPM, per CBB Analytics.
TEAM: Georgia
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
Georgia’s Asa Newell, who was named SEC All-Freshman, is a classic rim-running big man who does not make the game too complicated for himself. He had the second-most layups and dunks combined this season among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. He trailed only Flagg among all freshmen in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) as well.
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
UConn freshman Liam McNeeley won Big East Freshman of the Year and showed flashes during his freshman campaign, like when he had 26 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists against Gonzaga on Dec. 14. He ranked in the 97th percentile among all NCAA players in the catch-all metric RAPM, per CBB Analytics.
TEAM: South Carolina
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 20.1
South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles is perhaps the most enticing collegiate player who was not a one-and-done prospect. He is a versatile forward who is averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, as well as 1.3 blocks per game this season. He is ready to contribute in many ways at the next level.
TEAM: Colorado St.
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 23.4
Colorado State senior Nique Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round. But he is an upperclassman that should turn some heads based on his output. He led an upset over Memphis in the first round of the NCAA tournament and averaged 18.9 points. 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game during his final collegiate campaign.
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Arizona freshman Carter Bryant is a former McDonald’s All-American forward who had a strong collegiate debut despite a relatively limited role. He is the only underclassman with at least three dunks and 3-pointers during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, per Bart Torvik. Bryant is a solid defensive playmaker, too.
TEAM: Georgetown
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19.5
Georgetown freshman big Thomas Sorber was an analytics darling before he suffered a season-ending foot injury. Georgetown outscored opponents by 15.6 points per 40 minutes with Sober on the court but they were outscored by 11.2 points per 40 when he was off, per CBB Analytics. Sorber also ranked fourth-best in Defensive BPR this season, via Evan Miya.
TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Russia’s Egor Demin was initially having one of the strongest freshman campaigns of anyone in the nation for BYU. But his relatively poor overall performance and shooting against top-100 competition causes some room for concern. His size and playmaking still makes him intriguing, though.
TEAM: Saint Joseph's
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 21.0
One of the most surprising prospects in this class is Saint Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming, who combined athleticism with shooting feel and a reported 7-foot-5 wingspan. He was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc, per Bart Torvik.
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7-0
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
Michigan’s Danny Wolf is a do-it-all big man who has averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. Wolf had the most assists (132) of any college player who is 6-foot-10 or taller, per CBB Analytics. The big man is an incredibly gifted and skilled playmaker considering his height.
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Canada’s Will Riley had multiple big performances during his freshman campaign for Illinois, including a debut in which he had 31 points while shooting 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. He also had 21 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists during a win over Iowa in the Big Ten tournament and had another great game against Xavier shooting 3-of-4 on 3-pointers during March Madness. Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20.4
North Carolina freshman Ian Jackson started just 12 of his 36 games played this season. But he averaged 15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in those appearances. He led all freshmen in fastbreak points scored per 40 minutes (5.2) and field goals made (53) in transition, per CBB Analytics. Jackson was named ACC All-Freshman.
TEAM: Le Mans Sarthe (France)
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
One of the top international prospects in this class is France’s Noah Penda. The forward is shooting well on his catch-and-shoot opportunities. He also has the highest Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among all players who have played more than one game in the French Betclic Elite LNB Pro A this season, per Cerebro Sports.
TEAM: ratipharm ulm (Germany)
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19.2
Israel’s Ben Saraf ranks twelth-best among all players in Floor General Skills (FGS) among those with at least ten games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. He has had his hand on 31.6 percent of buckets as a scorer or distributor, via RealGM, which ranks ninth-best among all players in the Eurocup.
TEAM: Sydney (Australia)
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
Australia’s Alex Toohey is a fascinating prospect who contributes well on both sides of the floor. He is a legitimately strong wing defender whose Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) ranks as the best among those who have played more than one game in Australia’s NBL this season, per Cerebro Sports.
TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-2
DRAFT AGE: 19.0
Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland is an interesting guard who is an undeniably productive floor general. But he is a bit undersized and struggles to finish at the rim and eventually missed some time with a torn UCL injury during his first collegiate campaign.
TEAM: Auburn
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 23.0
Auburn’s Johni Broome is a productive big man who gave Flagg a solid run for his money as the best overall player in college basketball this season. The SEC Player of the Year finished with the second-most Wins Above Replacement Player (11.5) per CBB Analytics. He also ranked second-best in BPR, via Evan Miya.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Predicting the first round during March Madness
Continue reading...
Florida, Auburn, Houston, and Duke all made it to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament but plenty of players have proven why they are potential first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft during March Madness.
For this exercise, to determine our draft order, we referenced the current pre-lottery order based on Tankathon. Meanwhile, we also included trades based on what picks are owed around the league. Ages are based on how old someone is on the night of the draft, not currently.
Expect more changes based on who actually decides to declare for the draft and who returns to college, who performs well during the pre-draft process, and plenty of other evolving factors and data points.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
1. Utah Jazz: Cooper Flagg
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TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
Despite reclassifying up to forgo his senior year of high school, Duke’s Cooper Flagg has had one of the most impactful freshman campaigns we have ever seen from a collegiate freshman. As arguably the best NCAA men’s player this season, Flagg is a near certain lock to hear his name called as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
2. Washington Wizards: Dylan Harper
TEAM: Rutgers
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Among players who did not make the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Rutgers freshman star Dylan Harper is the most intriguing. Perhaps the most exciting offensive prospect in this class, the lead guard has a unique ability to create his own shot near the basket and should bring that skill set with him to the pros after earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney
3. Charlotte Hornets: V.J. Edgecombe
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
Not only is he a strong defensive playmaker but Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe has also shown promise as a scorer as well. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year joined Flagg as the only first-year collegiate players with at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers recorded this season, per Bart Torvik.
4. New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen
TEAM: Maryland
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
After recording perhaps the biggest moment of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, as noted by my colleague Mike Sykes, Maryland freshman Derik Queen skyrocketed his draft status. He trailed only Flagg in Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP) among freshmen this season, per CBB Analytics. Queen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and consistently proved his versatility and skill as a big man.
More: Derik Queen's game-winner just cemented his NBA Draft status
5. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey
TEAM: Rutgers
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 18.9
It is easy to imagine why a front office may fall in love with Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, who hits difficult shots as a 6-foot-10 scorer. While his box plus-minus was lower than one would typically see from a top-5 pick and he is perhaps overly reliant on the midrange shot, the upside of his development is a worthy gamble for the Big Ten All-Freshman forward.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Tre Johnson
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TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Texas wing Tre Johnson was named SEC Freshman of the Year because he is such a natural scorer whose passing is better than his assist stats might suggest. He is very difficult to stop in the open-court and led all freshmen in 3-pointers made in transition (21) and above the break (65) this season, per CBB Analytics.
7. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7-2
DRAFT AGE: 18.8
South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach enjoyed an excellent, efficient campaign and earned ACC All-Freshman honors for Duke. As a lob threat, per CBB Analytics, he has the second-most alley-oops completed (38) among all players in college basketball. He is raw but has a strong defensive presence as opponents are shooting just 41.3 percent on 2-pointers with Maluach on the floor, which ranks fourth-best among players with at least 800 minutes logged.
8. San Antonio Spurs: Kon Knueppel
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
Duke’s Kon Knueppel earned ACC All-Freshman honors and won ACC tournament MVP. He can make plays on spot-up possessions and when using off-ball screens and led all freshmen in corner 3-pointers made. Knueppel plays winning basketball as the Blue Devils have outscored opponents by 622 points when Knueppel is on the court this season, per CBB Analytics, which is the highest plus-minus among all men’s college basketball players.
9. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremiah Fears
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TEAM: Oklahoma
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 18.7
Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears gave fans some amazing highlights as he climbed up draft boards this season. Fears earned SEC All-Freshman honors, can score at multiple levels from the floor, and he is a fantastic playmaker on both offense and defense as well. He is the second-youngest NCAA prospect we have projected in the first round behind only Flagg and was one of the best overall performers in March Madness.
10. Chicago Bulls: Kasparas Jakučionis
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
Lithuania’s Kasparas Jakucionis was briefly one of the hottest names in draft circles and he eventually earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors. He has an effective pull-up jumper and led all high-major freshmen in unassisted 3-pointers, per CBB Analytics. As a distributor, he also led all freshmen in assists finished at the rim (76) this season.
11. Houston Rockets (via PHX): Noa Essengue
TEAM: ratiopharm ulm (Germany)
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
France’s Noa Essengue ranks seventh-best among all players in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among those with at least seven games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. He ranks thirteenth-best in Player Efficiency Rating (22.8) among qualified players in the Eurocup, via RealGM. Essengue is also the second-youngest player in the draft.
12. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon
TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Alabama freshman Labaron Philon was named SEC All-Freshman and he is an excellent decision-maker with one of the most effective floaters in college basketball. As a playmaker, per CBB Analytics, he ranked third among freshmen in 3-pointers assisted (76) this season. His jump shot could still use some work, though it did improve a bit as the season progressed.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC): Nolan Traore
TEAM: Saint-Quentin (France)
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
Based on his priors before this season, some team is likely to take a flier on Nolan Traore in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. While the young French guard did not play very well to start off the season, his past two months have looked a lot better as a lead guard who can potentially become a floor general of the future in the NBA.
14. Dallas Mavericks: Jase Richardson
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TEAM: Michigan St.
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
Jase Richardson averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.0 percent on 3-pointers after moving into the starting lineup for Michigan State. Richardson earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors and ranked 99th percentile in advanced metrics like Win Shares per 40 Minutes and RAPM, per CBB Analytics.
15. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Asa Newell
TEAM: Georgia
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
Georgia’s Asa Newell, who was named SEC All-Freshman, is a classic rim-running big man who does not make the game too complicated for himself. He had the second-most layups and dunks combined this season among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. He trailed only Flagg among all freshmen in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) as well.
16. Orlando Magic: Liam McNeeley
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
UConn freshman Liam McNeeley won Big East Freshman of the Year and showed flashes during his freshman campaign, like when he had 26 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists against Gonzaga on Dec. 14. He ranked in the 97th percentile among all NCAA players in the catch-all metric RAPM, per CBB Analytics.
17. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): Collin Murray-Boyles
TEAM: South Carolina
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 20.1
South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles is perhaps the most enticing collegiate player who was not a one-and-done prospect. He is a versatile forward who is averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, as well as 1.3 blocks per game this season. He is ready to contribute in many ways at the next level.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Nique Clifford
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TEAM: Colorado St.
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 23.4
Colorado State senior Nique Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round. But he is an upperclassman that should turn some heads based on his output. He led an upset over Memphis in the first round of the NCAA tournament and averaged 18.9 points. 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game during his final collegiate campaign.
19. Washington Wizards (via MEM): Carter Bryant
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Arizona freshman Carter Bryant is a former McDonald’s All-American forward who had a strong collegiate debut despite a relatively limited role. He is the only underclassman with at least three dunks and 3-pointers during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, per Bart Torvik. Bryant is a solid defensive playmaker, too.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Thomas Sorber
TEAM: Georgetown
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19.5
Georgetown freshman big Thomas Sorber was an analytics darling before he suffered a season-ending foot injury. Georgetown outscored opponents by 15.6 points per 40 minutes with Sober on the court but they were outscored by 11.2 points per 40 when he was off, per CBB Analytics. Sorber also ranked fourth-best in Defensive BPR this season, via Evan Miya.
21. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Egor Demin
TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Russia’s Egor Demin was initially having one of the strongest freshman campaigns of anyone in the nation for BYU. But his relatively poor overall performance and shooting against top-100 competition causes some room for concern. His size and playmaking still makes him intriguing, though.
22. Miami Heat (via GSW): Rasheer Fleming
TEAM: Saint Joseph's
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 21.0
One of the most surprising prospects in this class is Saint Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming, who combined athleticism with shooting feel and a reported 7-foot-5 wingspan. He was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc, per Bart Torvik.
23. Indiana Pacers: Danny Wolf
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TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7-0
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
Michigan’s Danny Wolf is a do-it-all big man who has averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. Wolf had the most assists (132) of any college player who is 6-foot-10 or taller, per CBB Analytics. The big man is an incredibly gifted and skilled playmaker considering his height.
24. Orlando Magic (via DEN): Will Riley
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
Canada’s Will Riley had multiple big performances during his freshman campaign for Illinois, including a debut in which he had 31 points while shooting 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. He also had 21 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists during a win over Iowa in the Big Ten tournament and had another great game against Xavier shooting 3-of-4 on 3-pointers during March Madness. Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
25. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL): Ian Jackson
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20.4
North Carolina freshman Ian Jackson started just 12 of his 36 games played this season. But he averaged 15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in those appearances. He led all freshmen in fastbreak points scored per 40 minutes (5.2) and field goals made (53) in transition, per CBB Analytics. Jackson was named ACC All-Freshman.
26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): Noah Penda
TEAM: Le Mans Sarthe (France)
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
One of the top international prospects in this class is France’s Noah Penda. The forward is shooting well on his catch-and-shoot opportunities. He also has the highest Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among all players who have played more than one game in the French Betclic Elite LNB Pro A this season, per Cerebro Sports.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU): Ben Saraf
TEAM: ratipharm ulm (Germany)
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19.2
Israel’s Ben Saraf ranks twelth-best among all players in Floor General Skills (FGS) among those with at least ten games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. He has had his hand on 31.6 percent of buckets as a scorer or distributor, via RealGM, which ranks ninth-best among all players in the Eurocup.
28. Boston Celtics: Alex Toohey
TEAM: Sydney (Australia)
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6-7
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
Australia’s Alex Toohey is a fascinating prospect who contributes well on both sides of the floor. He is a legitimately strong wing defender whose Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) ranks as the best among those who have played more than one game in Australia’s NBL this season, per Cerebro Sports.
29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Boogie Fland
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TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-2
DRAFT AGE: 19.0
Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland is an interesting guard who is an undeniably productive floor general. But he is a bit undersized and struggles to finish at the rim and eventually missed some time with a torn UCL injury during his first collegiate campaign.
30. L.A. Clippers (via OKC): Johni Broome
TEAM: Auburn
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 23.0
Auburn’s Johni Broome is a productive big man who gave Flagg a solid run for his money as the best overall player in college basketball this season. The SEC Player of the Year finished with the second-most Wins Above Replacement Player (11.5) per CBB Analytics. He also ranked second-best in BPR, via Evan Miya.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Predicting the first round during March Madness
Continue reading...
