For the 23rd consecutive year, I`ll be providing coverage of the NBA draft from the main desk at ESPN. Throughout these many drafts, I`ve seen players exceed expectations and others fall short. We`ve made correct calls and incorrect ones, but each year deepens my respect for the intricate evaluation process. Early on, after spending countless hours evaluating prospects, I likely felt I had a good handle on who would succeed in the league. I quickly came to understand that I didn`t – and honestly, no one truly knows.
Ultimately, it comes down to `belief.` Who among us projected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to become a future MVP when he was drafted 11th overall out of Kentucky? How many anticipated Jalen Brunson would emerge as an All-NBA talent and Clutch Player of the Year after his time at Villanova? Almost without fail, when we look back five years later, the player rankings are dramatically different from the order they were selected on draft night. While this phenomenon exists in other sports, it`s particularly pronounced in basketball, where crucial decisions are often based on the limited collegiate careers of 18- and 19-year-old athletes.
Yet, certain players distinguish themselves in every draft class. While guarantees are non-existent – although this year`s draft (scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday nights on ABC and ESPN) presents a prospect arguably as close to a sure thing as we`ve witnessed recently – some individuals possess qualities that simply compel you to believe in their potential. Here are a few players in this upcoming draft class that I find particularly compelling.
The Unquestionable Top Pick
This draft is largely defined by Cooper Flagg. If any of the 30 NBA franchises held the top selection in the 2025 draft lottery, every single one would undoubtedly choose Flagg without hesitation. He stands out as arguably the finest freshman ever to play for Duke and represents the most complete prospect available in this draft class.
While Flagg certainly has areas where he can continue to refine his game, no other prospect in this draft matches his overall profile and breadth of skills. Over my three decades of scouting, few players have demonstrated proficiency in as many facets of the game as Flagg does at his age. He possesses legitimate 6-8 size with an impressive 7-0 wingspan, combining athleticism, length, quick lateral movement, and good straight-line speed. Defensively, his awareness is outstanding; he excels at generating steals and blocks and is highly effective crashing the boards. Offensively, Flagg is an elite finisher and decision-maker in transition, a superb driver and finisher, and an excellent cutter off the ball.
Early concerns surrounding his shooting consistency were noted, specifically regarding his perimeter shot. However, during ACC play, Flagg connected on 44% of his three-pointers, finishing last season near 39%. Can he improve his ball-handling tightness? Certainly, but his shooting is far from a weakness; it`s simply not the most headline-grabbing part of his impressive game.
Flagg possesses genuine All-NBA potential, and I am highly confident he will achieve it. Provided he remains healthy, he is virtually guaranteed to succeed at the NBA level. He simply operates on a different level. Setting aside his impressive skills and physical measurements, Flagg is one of the most intensely competitive players I`ve observed at this age. Many prospects are competitive, but he belongs in the absolute highest tier. At only 18, Flagg demonstrates maturity well beyond his years, often surpassing that of prospects aged 22 or older in this draft class.
Flagg doesn`t play with the primary goal of accumulating personal statistics. Instead, his focus is consistently on making the right basketball play – and by relentlessly making the correct play over and over, he naturally compiles impressive statistics across the board.
Premier Sharpshooters
This draft class features several excellent shooters, with freshmen Tre Johnson from Texas and Kon Knueppel from Duke leading the way in this category.
Johnson offers superior shot creation ability and athleticism compared to Knueppel. Possessing a 6-10 wingspan, he led the SEC in scoring, averaging 19.9 points per game, and connected on 39.7% of his three-point attempts last season, successfully making 89 shots from deep. Despite his physical attributes and length, Johnson`s defensive presence wasn`t as impactful as some anticipated, though his speed and agility should certainly benefit him in the NBA.
Kon Knueppel, on the other hand, is widely regarded as the draft`s top pure catch-and-shoot guard. As a freshman at Duke in Durham, North Carolina, he made nearly 41% of his shots from deep, hitting 84 three-pointers. Last season, Knueppel was particularly lethal from the corners, converting 48% of those attempts, and was outstanding from the free-throw line, canning 91.4%. Questions do arise regarding Knueppel`s defense and physical tools. However, while he may not realistically earn an NBA All-Defensive team selection, he`s not a defensive liability and consistently competes hard for loose balls and positioning.
Intriguing `3-and-D` Specialists
Length is an incredibly valuable and highly sought-after trait in the NBA, and its importance cannot be overstated. A player who can effectively guard multiple positions, seamlessly switch defensively, disrupt offensive actions, and generate deflections, steals, and blocks is a valuable asset for any NBA team. Adding a reliable perimeter shot to that defensive profile makes them even more desirable in today`s game. This year, three players who fit the `3-and-D` mold are somewhat flying under the national radar but will be highly coveted by teams come draft night.
Among the most exciting prospects who fit this valuable `3-and-D` archetype are Carter Bryant of Arizona, Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joseph`s, and Cedric Coward from Washington State. Carter Bryant is generally expected to be the first player selected among this promising trio.
The 19-year-old Bryant is an exceptional athlete, showcasing his explosiveness by finishing in the top 5 at the NBA combine for both vertical leap and sprint time. He combines good size with impressive length and demonstrates the ability to consistently hit a standstill three-pointer. Nearly half of his scoring production last season came directly from made threes, and a significant 82% of his shot attempts were either catch-and-shoot threes or finishes directly at the rim, highlighting his role as a floor spacer and finisher.
Rasheer Fleming, aged 20, offers considerable versatility and boasts an eye-popping 7-5 wingspan. He projects as a defender capable of guarding multiple positions and a valuable floor spacer, having successfully made 62 three-pointers while shooting an efficient 39% from deep. He possesses good shot mechanics, transitions effectively up and down the court, and is an outstanding rebounder for his position.
Cedric Coward represents somewhat of a mystery prospect to many. He began his collegiate career playing in Division III before transferring to Eastern Washington and then ultimately to Washington State. He appeared in just six games for Washington State but managed to score 20 or more points in three of those appearances, including an impressive 30-point outburst against Northern Colorado. While not as tall as Fleming, Coward possesses a notable 7-2 wingspan, combined with speed, strength, and sharp instincts on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. He performed exceptionally well at the combine, ranking in the top 6 for the sprint, vertical leap, and standing vertical leap, further boosting his profile.
High-Potential Wild Cards
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey would likely be selected second and third overall if the draft order were determined purely based on talent and future upside potential. However, these two highly-rated prospects who follow Flagg played together at Rutgers, a team that finished the season with a losing record (15-17 overall, 8-12 in the competitive Big Ten conference). While questions might reasonably arise regarding their collective impact on the team`s success, especially for Harper as the primary ball-handler, I personally doubt the team`s win-loss record will significantly impact their individual draft positions at the top of the lottery.
Harper ranks as the second-best prospect in this draft class. He`s a long-armed scorer capable of hitting shots from all three levels on the court, a remarkably polished offensive talent with superb footwork, and an effective shot creator, particularly capable of generating his own looks. He excels in pick-and-roll situations and consistently makes intelligent reads to find open teammates or scoring opportunities. While his three-point shooting isn`t yet entirely consistent (connecting on 33% from deep), his shooting mechanics are sound and project well for improvement. He`s a dedicated worker but hasn`t yet developed into a truly impactful defensive presence despite possessing valuable physical tools and length.
Ace Bailey fits the profile of a high-risk, high-reward prospect with significant upside. Few players in the draft possess a higher potential ceiling, and few can match his scoring prowess, especially his ability to make difficult pull-up jumpers under duress. His notable scoring performances included outbursts of 39 points against Indiana and 38 points against Northwestern, showcasing his scoring capability when given opportunities. There have been some questions raised regarding Bailey`s maturity, but it`s crucial to remember he is just 18 years old. His immense talent, however, is undeniable and evident in his highlight performances. Considering Dylan Harper`s combination of talent and skillset, it`s highly unlikely any team passes on him at pick No. 2 – not even San Antonio, despite their well-documented need for shooting, which isn`t Harper`s current primary strength. Ace Bailey is expected to be drafted shortly after Harper, likely landing somewhere within the top 8 picks, potentially ranging from No. 3 to No. 8.
