Nets 2025 draft: 5 players to watch in NCAA men's final four

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The Brooklyn Nets still have a few games left in their 2024-25 NBA season so most of their attention is still focused on finishing this season strong. However, part of the reason that the Nets are where they are is due to the franchise rebuilding through the draft and as a result, some of the players of tomorrow are partaking in the NCAA Tournament in March.

At the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, there were more players for Nets fans to pay attention to, especially players that are most likely to be available after the first few picks where Brooklyn might end up selecting if the Lottery doesn't work in its favor. With that in mind, there are still plenty of players for the team to keep its eye on given that they will have at least four first-round picks heading into the 2025 NBA Draft.

As is the nature of the Draft, there will always be a player or two that stands out above the rest, but part of hitting on draft picks is finding the diamonds where no one is digging in terms of player evaluations. If the Nets were lucky to enough to earn the first overall pick, they can take Cooper Flagg and be done with it. Just in case that doesn't happen, here are some other players to look at during Saturday's Final Four, including Flagg:

Cooper Flagg, F, Duke​

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Flagg being included in this list is self-explanatory given how great he has been since the season began as it seems like he was more than worth the hype. Throughout the tournament, Flagg has shown that his ankle injury isn't keeping him from displaying his talent to everyone that's watching him and it seems like his game against Arizona solidifies his status as the best player in the draft.

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke​

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Maluach appears to be one of the players in the next tier of draft prospects after Flagg, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe. More to the point, Maluach seems to be jockeying with Maryland's Derik Queen for the honor of the best center in the draft. What Maluach has shown over the course of this season is his ability to be a pick-and-roll big man that can finish at the rim and block some shots as soon as he steps on the floor.

Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke​

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Knueppel is an interesting prospect given that he seems to project as a player who will be able to step on an NBA court next season and contribute due to his ability to shoot the ball. However, his athletic profile isn't particularly impressive, but thanks to his size, he looks like a guy who will be relegated to a 3-and-D role and his potential will be determined on whether he can add anything to his offensive bag outside of his shooting.

Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida​

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Clayton has been one of the best players in the country since the season began and he is starting to gain some first-round buzz due to how dominant he has been in the Tournament. His size (6'3", 195 pounds) and limited playmaking leaves something to be desired from a player that will have to play at the point guard, but if he can a consistent scorer like he has at the college level, teams will overlook those flaws.

Johni Broome, C, Auburn​

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Broome has been one of the best players in the nation, similar to Clayton, due to his experience combined with his maturation as a basketball player in every facet of his game. Broome has the size (6'10", 240 pounds) has the size to play in the NBA, but will his projection as more of a center that stretches the floor, he will have to work on his shot enough to get on the floor and show the rest of his offensive skill set.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets 2025 draft: 5 players to watch in NCAA men's final four

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