2025 NBA Draft Combine Preview: Flagg and Players to Watch

The preparatory events for the 2025 NBA Draft are set to commence this Saturday in Chicago. Approximately 120 players, including notable prospects such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, and Walter Clayton Jr., are anticipated to attend the NBA draft combine, the G League Elite Camp, and various agency-hosted pro days.

Following the initial events, Monday evening will feature the NBA draft lottery reveal, which will finalize the selection order for the first round. The 2025 NBA Draft itself is scheduled to take place on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The team securing the top draft pick and the rights to select Cooper Flagg will likely be the main topic of discussion in the weeks after the lottery. Meanwhile, the remaining 29 teams will shift their focus to evaluating the diverse pool of other promising prospects.

Held at Wintrust Arena, the draft combine and Elite Camp agenda includes drills, official measurements, athletic performance testing, medical examinations, team interviews, and competitive 5-on-5 scrimmages.

The combine serves as a crucial opportunity for players to enhance their draft stock in front of hundreds of NBA team executives, coaches, owners, and agents. It`s often regarded as an unofficial starting point for free agency discussions, as teams begin exploring potential deals that could be announced after the official free agency period opens.

This important week in the NBA calendar holds several key questions. These include identifying which players will significantly improve their draft standing, who might opt to withdraw from the draft, and which prospects will become primary targets for teams as private team workouts commence immediately following the combine.

NBA draft analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo share their insights and expectations for the week, highlighting five prospects particularly worth monitoring.

Who is ready, or willing, to make a jump?

Each year, a select group of players leverages the combine to boost their profile, either solidifying a spot in the first round or, in retrospect, demonstrating they deserved to be drafted higher. Recent examples of players who improved their standing at the combine include Jalen Williams, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Nembhard, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Huerter, and Donte DiVincenzo. Earlier examples like Derrick White, Pascal Siakam, and Kyle Kuzma also showcased flashes of the impact players they would become.

However, combine performance is not always the definitive factor in evaluations. Jaylen Wells, for instance, was elevated from the G League Elite Camp to the main combine last year and had a poor scrimmage showing, yet finished third in Rookie of the Year voting after being a second-round pick. This serves as a reminder that talent can emerge regardless of a single combine performance.

Consequently, many prospects, fearing a negative performance could hurt their stock, choose not to participate in the 5-on-5 scrimmages. While all players must attend the combine for drills, measurements, interviews, and medicals, scrimmage participation is optional.

In recent years, numerous players projected as late second-rounders or undrafted prospects have declined scrimmages, causing frustration among attending NBA executives. This has created friction between teams, who invest time in Chicago for evaluations, and agents, who often believe less exposure is safer for their clients` weaknesses.

Previously, agents could strategically guide players to preferred teams by withholding medical information from others, a practice that is no longer permitted. Players who are “testing the waters” from college may have less flexibility and might need to compete in 5-on-5s, especially with the NCAA withdrawal deadline of May 28 looming.

The decisions of notable players considering whether to stay in the draft or return to college, such as Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Alex Condon (Florida), Drake Powell (North Carolina), Cedric Coward (Duke), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Boogie Fland (transfer portal), Labaron Philon (Alabama), Isaiah Evans (Duke), Darrion Williams (transfer portal), Miles Byrd (San Diego State), Karter Knox (Arkansas), PJ Haggerty (transfer portal), Jamir Watkins (transfer portal), and RJ Luis Jr. (transfer portal), will significantly shape the landscape of next year`s college basketball season. Some schools, like Duke, could look vastly different depending on which players testing the draft ultimately return. Other programs are eagerly awaiting decisions from highly sought-after transfer portal players. If these players don`t receive favorable feedback at the combine regarding their NBA prospects, substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities could await them if they withdraw and return to college. — Givony

Five players to watch at the combine

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB/Michigan

Ranked No. 26 in ESPN’s Top 100.

Lendeborg became a prominent name in the transfer portal after a strong season at UAB and has committed to Michigan. As one of several college players testing the draft, he has leverage to seek a favorable NBA fit, knowing he can return to college for significant compensation. His draft decision will heavily depend on the feedback he receives, particularly from his performance in scrimmages. Lendeborg’s physical attributes (6-foot-9, 240 pounds), developing skills, and overall production make him an interesting prospect for the combine. NBA teams are keen to see how he performs, while Michigan hopes he returns, contingent on his draft outlook. — Woo

Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas

Ranked No. 42 in ESPN’s Top 100.

After missing time with a thumb injury for Arkansas, Fland played a limited role in the NCAA tournament before entering the transfer portal, where he has multiple options. NBA teams are interested to see him perform in the 5-on-5 setting, which often benefits guards, allowing him to showcase his craftiness and scoring ability. Despite lacking ideal size (6-foot-2, 175 pounds), he is young (18) and has a strong reputation from his pre-college career. He will attract attention, especially in a combine class that might lack top-tier participation. Fland’s promising start to the season makes him intriguing, but like many players genuinely exploring draft options, he may need an exceptional showing to feel confident in his NBA prospects compared to college opportunities. Fland, his Arkansas teammate Karter Knox, and Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford are young players facing similar decisions. — Woo

Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech

Ranked No. 46 in ESPN’s Top 100.

Currently in the transfer portal and uncommitted, Williams has been participating in NBA workouts while considering his future. Strong performances in the NCAA tournament raised his profile as a prospect. There is high demand for him in college, including the option to return to Texas Tech. His performance at the combine could influence his potential draft range, with a guaranteed NBA contract likely needed for him to forgo college. Williams offers a versatile skill set and high basketball IQ, capable of playing forward and initiating offense. However, his athleticism, build (6-foot-6, 225 pounds), and defensive capabilities are areas NBA teams will scrutinize. Players like Georges Niang offer a potential model for his role. A solid combine showing could help his draft chances, but returning to college to improve physically and refine his jump shot (34% from 3) is also a realistic path to boosting his stock for the future. — Woo

Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)

Ranked No. 47 in ESPN’s Top 100.

After starting the year with first-round consideration, Zikarsky`s progress seemed to stall in his second NBL season, where his minutes increased but production decreased. At 7-foot-3 with a 7-4 wingspan, the Australian big man possesses significant physical tools and good coordination for his size, along with the ability to protect the rim. However, his difficulty keeping pace in faster games led NBA teams to adopt a cautious approach regarding his draft timeline. Still only 18, he has time to develop and adapt to his size. NBA front offices are intrigued by his height and unique background, stemming from a family of elite swimmers. Zikarsky, the tallest player invited to the combine, has an opportunity to remind teams of his potential as a developmental investment. Recent NBA playoffs highlighting the importance of size (e.g., Gobert, Adams) reinforce why teams value such players. With this draft class being relatively light on centers and many college players potentially returning to school, Zikarsky has a chance to significantly help his draft stock with a strong performance. — Woo

Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State

Ranked No. 51 in ESPN’s Top 100.

Byrd`s physical tools and defensive prowess made him an interesting sleeper prospect for NBA front offices during San Diego State`s season. As a young sophomore (turning 21 in September), he recorded impressive averages of 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks from the wing position. He has shown flashes of passing ability, but his offensive game is still developing. He will need to gain strength on his 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame. His trajectory as a late bloomer has earned him favor with some front offices. While he shot 30% from three last season, he attempted nearly six per game, and his historically solid free throw shooting offers hope for future improvement in his shot. The question remains how early a team is willing to draft him based on his potential development, especially with the option to return to San Diego State still available. A positive showing in scrimmages, where he must hold his own physically and demonstrate his defensive playmaking, could help him secure a guaranteed contract, which might be necessary for him to stay in the draft. — Woo

Agency pro days: Gauging waning interest

Following the two days of 5-on-5 scrimmages, player agents will take center stage on Thursday and Friday, showcasing their clients through structured workouts designed to emphasize strengths and downplay weaknesses.

Historically, teams would travel across the country to attend these workouts. However, recent rule changes have consolidated them in Chicago and also scheduled a separate session in Los Angeles. NBA teams have mixed views on these events. Some appreciate the opportunity to observe prospects, including many top-ranked players, up close, assessing their physical attributes, athleticism, and shooting form in a controlled environment.

Others perceive these workouts as a tactic by agents to prevent players from participating in competitive scrimmages, favoring instead staged drills solely for show. Among high-level decision-makers, attendance at these pro days has notably declined in recent years, as executives no longer feel compelled to attend out of fear of missing significant information.

Consequently, top prospects previously featured prominently in these workouts now participate less frequently. This also impacts other clients from major agencies who often relied on the presence of top-tier players to attract a large audience of NBA personnel to the gym.

It will be interesting to observe how teams approach agency pro days this year given their evolving role. While there is skepticism, it`s undeniable that some prospects in the past have successfully enhanced their draft stock simply by showcasing their physical talents and abilities before a significant NBA audience during these sessions. — Givony

Top prospects at the G League Elite Camp

The G League Elite Camp is set to begin this weekend, with approximately 45 players expected to attend the two-day event. The top performers from the scrimmages, typically five to eight players, can earn an invitation to the main NBA draft combine held later in the week. Several current NBA players, including Terance Mann (LA Clippers), Cody Martin (Charlotte Hornets) in 2019, and Aaron Wiggins (Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2021, followed this path from the Elite Camp to the combine and were subsequently drafted, carving out successful NBA careers.

Other notable G League Elite Camp alumni, such as Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Vince Williams Jr., and Jose Alvarado, did not receive the call-up to the main combine but still went on to become impactful players in the NBA.

Many participants of the G League Elite Camp, like Andrew Nembhard, Dillon Jones, and Marcus Sasser, chose to withdraw from the draft after the camp, using the feedback and experience gained in Chicago to develop further before becoming NBA draft picks in later years.

Among the prominent prospects expected to play in this year’s G League Elite Camp are Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne), Amari Williams (Kentucky), Caleb Love (Arizona), Caleb Grill (Missouri), and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State). — Givony