My 2025 NBA Draft Unofficial Big Board

Every year, I have my Unofficial Big Board, and I decided to release the first round of it!  I also wrote a couple sentences about each player.  I do not do this full-time, which is why I had been resistant to release many of my past boards, but I thought it would be fun to discuss.  While I consider a combination of what they’ve shown, analytics, and how they play, the most important part of how I view players is how I project they will be in the NBA, which is what this is all about.  I also included descriptions of why I’m lower on 5 guys who I have being first round picks.

 

1:  Cooper Flagg

Duke, Fr, 18, SF/PF, 6’7.75, 221 lbs., 7’0 Wing

He has the highest floor and ceiling in this class.  If it works out, he will be a star in the league, though I still think he will develop into an amazing defender if his offense doesn’t translate to the NBA.

2:  Dylan Harper

Rutgers, Fr, PG/SG, 6’4.5, 213.2 lbs., 6’10.5 Wing

I’m a sucker for big playmakers, and while not quite as big as other guards I’ve fallen in love with, I love the combination of his playmaking, aggressiveness, and ability to be a solid catch-and-shoot shooter at his size.  I think he will need a year or two before he is a contributor to a competitive team.

3:  Ace Bailey

Rutgers, Fr, 18, SG/SF, 6’7.5, 202.8 lbs., 7’0.5 Wing

I know that there is the potential for Bailey to fall and that he is now a bit polarizing, but he is already a good shooter with nice size; I think there is some untapped potential to create his own shots, though there will be a lot of work in order to reach that point.

4:  Tre Johnson

Texas, Fr, 19, SG/SF, 6’4.75, 190.4 lbs., 6’10.25 Wing

Johnson has a high upside due to his scoring ability and self-creation, but even his worst-case scenario is a high-volume bench scorer, which has a role in the league.  Something to watch is that he also has shown some playmaking potential, which could separate him from someone like Cam Thomas.

5:  Khaman Maluach

Duke, Fr, 18, C, 7’0.75, 252.8 lbs., 7’6.75 Wing

Despite being raw, I think Maluach has starting level upside (like Alex Sarr last year, I think his skillset will be polished and develop into that ability).  Even if the jumper doesn’t develop, he could still be an excellent defender who is surprisingly versatile on switches.

6:  VJ Edgecombe

Baylor, Fr, 19, PG/SG, 6’4, 193.2 lbs., 6’7.5 Wing

I have Edgecombe here due to his athleticism and defensive upside, but I think there are serious questions about what he can be as an offensive player.  He should still be a contributor if his offense isn’t good enough to star, but how bullish can we be that he will be a high-level scorer?

7:  Noa Essengue

Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), 18, SF/PF, 6’10, 203.9 lbs., 7’0.75 Wing

He is raw and cannot shoot, but I am intrigued by his athleticism, finishing ability, and upside as a defender and passer.  When there isn’t anyone I’m totally sold on, I eventually need to pass on a guys with lower floors to take someone with sky-high upside, even if I’m not sure he’ll reach it.

8:  Asa Newell

Georgia, Fr, 19, PF, 6’9, 223.8 lbs., 6’11.25 Wing

While many are worried about his size at the 5, I’m bullish on it due to his athletic ability and the glimpses he has shown as a shot blocker.  The bigger issue right now is that he is raw, though that isn’t shocking for rim running big men at his age.

9:  Jeremiah Fears

Oklahoma, Fr, 18, PG, 6’2.5, 179.6 lbs., 6’5.25 Wing

While I’m not totally sold on Fears, I think the shot is more legitimate that it was in college; I also think he has playmaking upside to compliment his scoring aggressiveness.  He won’t be a good defender, but if all works for him, there could be All-Star potential.

10:  Egor Demin

BYU, Fr, 19, PG/SG, 6’8.25, 199.2 lbs., 6’10.25 Wing

Demin is passive, a poor shooter, and isn’t a good defender at this time.  The reasons that I have him at 10^th are because he is big and is the player I consider to be one of the best playmakers in the class (Ryan Nembhard is the best competitor, though he is small and will be a second-round pick).

11:  Kon Knueppel

Duke, Fr, 19, SG/SF, 6’5, 219 lbs., 6’6.25 Wing

While he is a favorite with most, I have my concerns about his athleticism; when a player isn’t a great athlete, they need to be elite at several other aspects of their game to last (think Joe Ingles).  That said, he is one of the best catch-and-shoot 3-point shooters in the class, so I can’t let him fall too much.

12:  Thomas Sorber

Georgetown, Fr, 19, PF/C, 6’10, 250 lbs.

I don’t usually love drop-defenders or bigs who are limited outside the paint, but I think there is a clear path to success with Sorber.  Another bonus with him is that he is crafty in the paint and has a solid post game.

13:  Kasparas Jakucionis

Illinois, Fr, 19, PG/SG, 6’4.75, 205.2 lbs., 6’7.75 Wing

Jakucionis is polarizing due to his athleticism and turnovers, the later of which is a huge risk.  That said, even while I’m not sold on him and have serious concerns, he’s a good playmaker at that size, which could end up being of value.

14:  Derik Queen

Maryland, Fr, 20, C, 6’9.25, 247.8 lbs., 7’0.5 Wing

With his defensive limitations, skillset, and lack of athleticism, it will take the right team in order for him to succeed in the league.  That said, there is no denying that he is a skilled offensive talent who could develop into a great passer in the post.

15:  Hugo Gonzalez

Real Madrid (Spain), 19, SF, 6’65, 222.7 lbs., 6’10.75 Wing

Gonzales is lower on a lot of boards due to not playing at Real Madrid, but they’re also very deep and don’t play young players.  He has upside with almost every skill and dominated when playing against players his age, including several who will be drafted before him.

16:  Nolan Traore

Saint-Quentin (France), 19, PG, 6’3, 175 lbs., 6’8 Wing

While inconsistent at this point, Traore is an amazing athlete who is very fast.  On top of that, he has shown upside as a shooter, shot creator, and playmaker; the big question to me is how much effort he puts on defense.

17:  Tyrese Proctor

Duke, Jr, 21, PG, 6’4.25, 183.2 lbs., 6’7.25 Wing

While unlikely to be a star, I think Proctor projects to be a key contributor on a team due to his size, shooting, and playmaking ability.  He isn’t the best athlete, which could limit his defensive upside, but I think he’s an ideal combo guard in the league.

18:  Sion James

Duke, RS Sr, 22, SG, 6’4.5, 217.6 lbs., 6’6.5 Wing

While he’s a little more raw than I’d like to see for his age, I think he projects to be a good role player due to his defense, athleticism, and finishing upside.  The big swing skill will be how his shooting projects, as he is improving but isn’t a great one yet.

19:  Cedric Coward

Washington St., RS Jr, 21, SF, 6’5.25, 2013 lbs., 7’2.25 Wing

I was nervous to buy in, but I can’t deny the skillset (especially shooting and defense), athleticism, and IQ that Coward presents.  The big issue is that the most notable school he played at was Washington State, and he only played 6 games there, so there will be a big jump.

20:  Collin Murray-Boyles

South Carolina, So, 20, PF, 6’6.5, 239.2 lbs., 7’0.75 Wing

Murray-Boyles is an interesting player, as he is a great athlete and post-player who has a high IQ and interesting upside, but his playing style likely won’t translate at his height.  I don’t think Draymond Green is the right comp (nobody could be Green), but I think his path to success is to play like Aaron Gordon; the reason I have him lower than most is because I’m not optimistic that this will happen.

21:  Noah Penda

Le Mans Sarthe (France), 20, SG/SF, 6’7.25, 241.8 lbs., 6’11.5 Wing

Penda’s ceiling will likely be lower due to his lack of athleticism, but he is a great playmaker, has a high IQ, and is also a smart player off the ball.  The biggest question is how his shot will develop, as it is very inconsistent; the shot is the only reason I don’t have him higher.

22:  Ben Saraf

Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), 19, PG/SG, 6’6, 199 lbs., 6’8.75 Wing

I’m a sucker for big playmakers, and I think Saraf could be one of the best playmakers in the draft, as he is great in the pick-and-roll and has a high IQ.  The deciding factors of what he could be are his shooting (I’m not bullish on it) and defense (I think he’ll struggle with it at first).

23:  Bogoljub Markovic

Mega Basket (Serbia), 19, PF, 6’10.5, 213.2 lbs., 6’11.5 Wing

There are clear limitations with his game due to his athleticism, defense, and handle, but I think he can find a role due to his shooting and size.  He is also competitive, so I could see him being dedicated to improving his game as well.

24:  Dink Pate

Mexico City Capitanes (G-League), 19, SG, 6’6.25, 200.8 lbs., 6’9.75 Wing

I get why teams wouldn’t want to draft him due to just how raw he is at everything (especially as a shooter, which I don’t believe), but he’s an elite athlete who has so many tools.  In particular, I think he could be a great defender and good passer.

25:  Liam McNeely

UConn, Fr, 19, SF, 6’6.75, 214.6 lbs., 6’8.5 Wing

McNeely’s had a rough freshman year, which could impact his draft stock, but I think that mainly means that he likely can’t be a primary option.  That said, I think he will be a good catch-and-shoot forward who can have more success in better spacing.

26:  Nique Clifford

Colorado State, RS Sr, 23, SG, 6’5.25, 202 lbs., 6’8 Wing

Clifford is a skilled player who is really competitive and projects into a nice complimentary role given his shooting, size, and versatility.  That said, he is making a big jump from Colorado State, which is why I’m lower on him than many.

27:  Drake Powell

UNC, Fr, 19, SG, 6’5.25, 200.4 lbs., 7’0 Wing

He is raw at most aspects of the game, but he is an amazing athlete who could be a versatile defender with his size.  If he can develop any aspect of his game, especially shooting, he can be special.

28:  Maxime Raynaud

Stanford, Sr, 22, PF, 7’0.25, 236.8 lbs., 7’1.25 Wing

Raynaud is an interesting player due to his shooting and rebounding at his size.  I’m not sure if he is going to be a starter due to his jumping ability and traditional athleticism, but he is worth a selection due to what he does well.

29:  Jase Richardson

Michigan State, Fr, 19, PG, 6’0.5, 178.4 lbs., 6’6 Wing

A small, unathletic guard goes against everything I stand for when evaluating players, but he has one of the highest IQ’s in the draft and is also a good shooter.  I think he could find success as a backup guard.

30:  Will Riley

Illinois, Fr, 19, SF/PF, 6’8.25, 185.6 lbs., 6’8.75 Wing

While I’m torn about what Riley will be due to his shot right now and his defensive fundamentals, he is an athletic player who has upside.  While many are curious about the shooting upside, I am more curious about the playmaking glimpses he has shown.

 

I want to shout out Max Shulga, who I had 31^st and was torn between him, Richardson, and Riley for who would make it and who wouldn’t.

 

Projected First Round Picks I’m Low On

There are 5 picks who I think will go in the first round that I am low on.  I want to provide my reasoning for why, in order of where I have them on my board.

 

33:  Rasheer Fleming

While he has nice size, defense, and shooting upside, he can’t do anything on the ball.  He reminds me of Taylor Hendricks; are we holding Hendricks’ struggles in the NBA against him?

42:  Danny Wolf

While Wolf is a skilled player who is a good shooter and passer at his size, he is an underwhelming athlete who is reckless with the ball.  I also think he wouldn’t fit with most teams with his playing style.

43:  Joan Beringer

Sure, he has great size and athleticism, but he’s so raw, likely the epitome of being 2 years away from being 2 years away.  Are we sure that he isn’t rising because ESPN loved him?

53:  Carter Bryant

He could be a lottery pick due to being a potential 3-and-D player, but he’s really raw (I don’t fully buy the shot) and never takes shots.  What’s preventing him from being Cody Williams?

59:  Walter Clayton Jr.

Why is everyone so high on a 6’2 guy who isn’t a good enough playmaker or defender to get a lot of minutes?  Sure, he can shoot, but so could Kyle Guy, who flamed out immediately.

 

 

Who do you like in this draft?  Are there any players you disagree with me about?  Let me know in the comments!