With the faculty soccer season coming to its shut on Monday, faculty hoops is about to take heart stage. The second half of the season is shaping as much as be extraordinarily thrilling. This 12 months’s draft is starting to come back extra into focus with a greater really feel for the freshmen and upperclassmen, in addition to the worldwide gamers which might be taking part in themselves into first spherical draft consideration.
1. Washington Wizards Cooper Flagg 6-8 205 PF/SF Duke Fr.
If there have been any doubts about Flagg being the highest general decide at any level over the previous 12 months or two, these have been squashed by his latest dominant play. He’s not solely the most-impactful freshman, however by a large margin. He got here into the season with one main query mark: his exterior taking pictures consistency. He has greater than confirmed his functionality by flattening 12-25 three pointers in his previous six video games. In his signature, record-breaking sport he was the highest-scoring freshman in ACC historical past, with 42 factors. Scoring now not appears to be a significant concern projecting his sport to the following stage. The sport comes naturally to him and he exhibits the willingness to outwork all people and strives to be one of the best model of himself that he can. Probably the most profound facet of his season, to this point, has been his unbelievable enchancment, which has exceeded most expectations. The ‘”seize the Flagg” sweepstakes will solely ramp up heading into March and April, as Flagg makes an attempt to do what only a few have performed earlier than: lead a workforce to a nationwide Championship as a freshman. Flagg’s primary hurdle at this level is to proceed to advance his taking pictures, creating offense, and show himself dominant towards increased ranges of competitors because the season progresses. He clearly made an impression on one of the best gamers on this planet along with his efficiency within the USA Olympic practices.
NBA Comparability: Scottie Pippen
2. Toronto Raptors Ace Bailey 6-8 200 SF Rutgers Fr.
Bailey has been on a tear of late together with a 39 level efficiency towards Indiana. His offensive potential is extraordinarily intriguing. He had some rising pains early on within the faculty season and nonetheless lacks perfect consistency. However when he’s centered and taking part in to his skill, the expertise is simple. He possesses a uncommon mixture of size, athleticism and abilities. He not solely shoots the ball extraordinarily nicely from the perimeter, however exhibits promising imaginative and prescient and passing abilities. From a expertise and talent perspective, he’s the overall package deal. The place he wants probably the most growth is simply rising up and turning into the identical dependable participant daily. Having interviewed him, it’s not a problem with motivation or ardour for the sport, he’s most likely just a little misunderstood. He simply wants to shine a number of the tough edges, which his season at Rutgers needs to be immense in that division. The place Harper is the ground play, Bailey is the ceiling play. A workforce prepared to forego certainty and roll the cube on the 3-4 12 months upside participant, Ace Bailey is the man.
NBA Comparability: Paul George
3. New Orleans Pelicans Dylan Harper 6-6 215 PG/SG Rutgers Fr.
Harper is already taking part in at a particularly excessive stage as one of many nation’s high scorers. He reminds scouts of an even bigger Jalen Brunson because of his artful skill to make use of bully-ball techniques and leverage when pace doesn’t lower it. He’s a bodily lead guard with the power to make these gamers round him higher, in addition to to be a quantity scorer. He lacks the ceiling of teammate Ace Bailey however might in the end go in entrance of him within the draft. Because the son of a former NBA nice and the brother of an aspiring NBA participant, Ron Harper Jr, Dylan has a terrific community of information to attract glean from his speedy relations that the typical participant doesn’t have. He’s grown up across the sport, and there’s definitely a correlation between NBA lineage and success. Harper can present a tradition altering piece for a struggling workforce, a la Jalen Brunson or Cade Cunningham.
NBA Comparability: Cade Cunningham
4. Charlotte Hornets Tre Johnson 6-6 190 SG Texas Fr.
Johnson has exceeded expectations and confirmed to be one of the crucial impactful and able to play freshmen within the nation. He’s a scorer with excellent vary and taking pictures skill together with prototypical 2-guard dimension. Johnson’s scoring has dropped off some in latest weeks, however he’s nonetheless within the high 40 within the nation in scoring at 19 ppg. He possesses good size and the talents to create offense for himself. He developed a little bit of a repute in highschool as a participant that had bouts of inconsistency and would have video games the place he didn’t present up. He’s performed an excellent job of limiting that. He’ll have to proceed to maintain his effectivity excessive throughout convention play and never permit the inevitable freshman wall to derail him. His present taking pictures splits of 47 / 41 / 85 are intriguing for groups in search of a scoring guard to construct round.
NBA Comparability: Joe Johnson
5. Utah Jazz VJ Edgecombe 6-5 190 SG/PG Bsylor Fr.
Edgecombe had a little bit of a impolite awakening with regard to the soar in competitors and taking part in in entrance of giant crowds within the faculty setting. VJ has settled in nicely and improved as his freshman season has progressed. He’s extremely athletic with level guard potential. He lacks perfect dimension on the taking pictures guard place at 6-4 however the truth that he’s such a dynamic athlete and exhibits the power to create off the dribble and play some lead guard offers him quite a lot of intrigue.
NBA Comparability: Russell Westbrook
6. Portland Trailblazers Asa Newell 6-9 220 PF Georgia Fr.
Newell has been productive and proven a willingness to play extra bodily than he had in highschool. His taking pictures splits are first rate however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. The primary query marks surrounding Newell have been his bodily toughness and whether or not he has the scale to play within the paint on the NBA stage. Search for him so as to add the required power and toughness to turn out to be a stretch 4. He additionally has some untapped taking pictures skill that ought to develop on the subsequent stage.
NBA Comparability: David Lee
7. Brooklyn Nets Boogie Fland 6-2 180 PG Arkansas Fr.
Fland is a flashy and scrappy lead guard from the Bronx. He’s subsequent in line within the Coach Cal level guard manufacturing line. He’s nonetheless mastering the artwork of taking part in the place and balancing creating offense for himself and others. The dearth of physicality is one slight concern and an intriguing debate has emerged between Fland and fellow freshman level guard Jeremiah Fears. We nonetheless consider Fland is the higher long run prospect, because of his highschool physique of labor and general talent set and potential. However the truth that Fears has been so good defensively and shocked on offense has closed the hole. Fland has good size in his personal proper, and simply wants so as to add extra power to enhance upon his skill to play bodily.
NBA Comparability: Dejounte Murray
8. Philadelphia 76ers Ian Jackson 6-4 190 SG North Carolina Fr.
Jackson has actually excelled because the season as progressed, wrestling management of the scoring load from UNC’s gifted returning guard corps. Jackson is a dynamic athlete with nice pace off the dribble and may knock down pictures off the dribble from exterior in addition to get to the rim. he lacks perfect dimension on the 2 guard place at 6’4 however can overcome that along with his pace and quickness. After a gradual begin, Jackson is now averaging over 15 ppg on the season and flattening 42% of his pictures from three. Over his previous six video games, he’s been scorching the nets, averaging three made threes per sport and 23 ppg over that span. Jackson can play himself into being a lottery decide if he continues on his latest tear over the second half of the season.
NBA Comparability: Jaden Ivey
9. Chicago Bulls Egor Demin 6-8 200 SF BYU Fr.
After a scorching begin, Demin has actually struggled because the season has progressed. Whether or not it’s stage of competitors or simply battling a number of the daily cultural changes, Demin has not been as efficient for BYU. The expertise may be very engaging as he’s a 6’8 wing with the power to play level ahead and facilitate for others. He’s bought a easy taking pictures stroke and scoring skill. Whereas going as excessive as high 3 -5 is unlikely, as he was as soon as projected, it offers an concept of the expertise he possesses. Demin is of Russian first rate and spent three seasons in Spain taking part in for Actual Madrid, the place he progressed into the most effective prospects in his age group. He landed an enormous NIL deal to come back to BYU and is likely one of the excessive upside prospects for this 12 months’s draft. How he finishes the season will clearly be instrumental to his draft vary.
NBA Comparability: Toni Kukoc
10. San Antonio Spurs Liam McNeeley 6-7 210 SF UConn Fr.
McNeeley is in a terrific scenario, having crammed in for Cooper Flagg at UConn when he determined to go to Duke. Not a foul comfort prize for Connecticut, McNeeley has been the most effective freshman within the nation, displaying the power to be a constant performer and chief. He’s a excessive stage shooter with an excellent really feel for the sport. He’s additionally bought strong dimension as a wing for the following stage. The place he’s missing is his skill to get by opponents off the dribble and defend in house. He’s bought under common pace and athleticism by NBA requirements, that means his talent stage and taking pictures skill must be above common and NBA prepared with the intention to be helpful. McNeeley proved a capability to hit huge pictures in highschool and has confirmed to be a extremely aggressive and massive sport performer to this point at UConn.
NBA Comparability: Corey Kispert
11. Phoenix Suns Jeremiah Fears 6-3 190 PG Oklahoma Fr.
Fears is an absolute “goon” as one scout affectionately described him . His willingness to get his nostril soiled and make stops and play aggressively on the defensive finish is an uncommon trait. Fears might hit a wall within the second half of season, as many freshman do, so how he’s in a position to reply shall be key. He’s been forward of schedule on the offensive finish, main the Oklahoma workforce in scoring in strong effectivity and offering strong management and level guard abilities. he was not a high 30 prospect getting into the season, and is proving to be a little bit of a late bloomer after not displaying the identical stage of dominance at the highschool stage. One other key issue to think about is that Fears is listed at 6’4 at Oklahoma. He seems to be an inch or two shorter in highschool, so if he in actual fact measures nicely (within the 6’4 vary) it helps his case.
NBA Comparability: Doc Rivers
12. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta) (from Houston) Nolan Traore 6-4 185 PG Saint-Quentin 2006
Traore got here into the season using a wave of hype following a wonderful Nike Hoop Summit (April 2024) efficiency and summer time taking part in with the French junior nationwide workforce. He has struggled to hold that momentum and is now seen as a extra seemingly late lottery decide to mid first rounder. Whereas his season has not been as productive as anticipated, he’s taking part in on the senior stage and holding his personal. His play might be just a little stronger and extra constant as a excessive stage prospect, however he’s nicely favored for his dimension, management and toughness. How he finishes out the season shall be key in cementing a draft spot on this vary.
NBA Comparability: Jamal Murray
13. Golden State Warriors Thomas Sorber 6-10 230 C?PF Georgetown Fr.
Sorber continues to be a babe within the woods and can want time to develop as a bigman with a variety of bodily growth left in entrance of him. What he has proven is a good really feel for the sport with good put up abilities, scoring and taking pictures and a pure skill to seek out teammates along with his imaginative and prescient and passing. He’s a protracted, fluid athlete at 6’10 and it seems that he will not be performed rising. Whereas not probably the most NBA prepared prospect, he gives a variety of upside as a possible beginning heart that may even have an offensive run via him within the excessive put up because of his nice really feel for the sport and passing skill at a younger age.
NBA Comparability: Greg Monroe
14, Atlanta Hawks (through Sacramento) Kasparas Jakucionis 6-5 190 SG/PG Illinois Fr.
Jakucionas has been extraordinarily environment friendly and productive for the Preventing Illini. He’s confirmed to be one of the crucial prepared freshman, impacting video games commonly along with his scoring, taking pictures and playmaking. Whereas it may be optimistic to anticipate him to play level guard on the subsequent stage, the intrigue along with his versatility and potential offers him his inventory a lift. He’s a troublesome nosed, heady aggressive guard with a really easy taking pictures stroke. His lack of foot pace might make defending a problem towards NBA athletes, however he ought to be capable of use his nice anticipation and really feel for the sport to assist compensate. The Lithuanian combo guard has a terrific basis of abilities. Whereas his turnover price wants to come back down 3.6 per sport, his stats are extraordinarily spectacular at over 16ppg, 5 ast, 5 reb, and wonderful taking pictures splits (49 / 41 / 88%) . Though he’s missed a number of video games to harm lately, he figures to be within the combine as a possible late lottery decide for the 2025 NBA Draft.
NBA Comparability: Brandon Podziemski
15, Detroit Pistons Noa Essengue 6-10 200 SF/PF France 2006
The positives with Essange are his age as a December born 2006 participant making him one of many youngest prospects out there. He’s bought wonderful size and the ball dealing with to probably create offense off the dribble, in addition to the size to be disruptive as a rim runner and rebounder, ball deflector. The realm of his sport that have to be unlocked is his taking pictures. The shape and potential are there, it’s only a matter of gaining higher skill to transform in sport pace. He additionally should prolong his vary out additional with the intention to make defenses respect his taking pictures and stretch the ground. Essangue has began the New Yr nicely, contributing on the offensive finish and taking part in aggressive within the paint. He figures to be a stretch 4 with nice skill within the open flooring, and flexibility to defend a number of positions.
NBA Comparability: Donyell Marshall
16. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota) JT Toppin 6-9 220 PF Texas Tech So.
Toppin is a participant who impressed scouts on the NBA Mix and certain would have been a second spherical decide, however took the advise to return to varsity and enhance on his sport with the intention to enter the league extra able to contribute. He’s proven strong enchancment. A strong athlete, he’s bought large size and a bigtime motor, as he commonly outworks opponents on the boards and exhibits probably the most depth and willpower to get stops on the defensive finish. His taking pictures and offensive sport stay a piece in progress as he can add some arch and regulate his shot some, however he possess some very intriguing intangibles to turn out to be a terrific function participant on the subsequent stage. Toppin’s FT% has proven strong enchancment from his freshman season at New Mexico to this 12 months, going from to 57% to 69% His three level taking pictures however has dipped from 34% to 25%, however he’s nonetheless bought time to enhance on that over the second half of the season.
NBA Comparability: PJ Washington
17. Indiana Pacers Chaz Lanier 6-5 200 SG Tennessee Sr.
Lanier has turn out to be one of many nation’s breakout transfers, main an elite workforce in scoring with Tennessee holding onto the highest spot early and staying undefeated the longest of any workforce. Lanier is a late bloomer who after three seasons scoring simply 4 factors per sport, broke out with a 19 ppg season as a senior, and used his further COVID season to switch to Tennessee and turn out to be a high participant within the Energy Conferences. Lanier has just a little little bit of a low, unorthodox launch on his shot, however he’s turn out to be proficient at creating offense and flattening pictures. With good size, Lanier impressed on the 2024 NBA mix and presently initiatives as a probable first rounder. regardless of being 23 years of age.
NBA Comparability: Chris Duarte
18. LA Clippers Jaland Lowe 6-3 175 PG Pittsburgh So.
Lowe is likely one of the higher non freshman level guard prospects for this 12 months’s draft. He has elevated himself to Pitt’s go to scorer and lead guard. His 2-1 help to turnover ratio exhibits an excellent skill to run a workforce with out turning the ball over. Taking pictures simply 28% from three is a priority, nevertheless his 90% free throw proportion exhibits that he has excellent contact and accuracy and he simply must turn out to be higher at shot choice and increase his vary in sport. One of many extra polarizing prospects, scouts have a variety of opinion on him. Lowe has a strong throughout talent set with excellent playmaking skill for others and pure level guard intuition. He has stepped into the chief of the workforce, following final seasons departure of his backcourt mate Bub Carrington to the NBA.
NBA Comparability: Corey Joseph
19. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (from Miami) Labaron Philon 6-4 175 PG Alabama Fr.
Philon got here into the season as a high 40 recruit however was not considered as a probable one and performed candidate. He has performed extraordinarily nicely,l taking part in alongside senior Mark Sears and sharing level guard duties. His 4 assists per sport are strong, limiting his turnovers to only 1.5 a sport, and the Crimson Tide are having a terrific season at 14-2. His 12.1 ppg is sweet for third on the workforce and he’s proven the power to push the ball in transition with out getting uncontrolled and turning the ball over. Philon’s shot exhibits good type and potential and he simply wants time to enhance on effectivity. He presently is flattening simply 28% from 3 level and 68% from FT, so this would be the space of his sport that shall be scrutinized and most in want of enchancment.
NBA Comparability: Kira Lewis
20. Orlando Magic Joson Sanon 6-4 190 SG Arizona St. Fr.
Sanon is one other breakout freshman who began the season sturdy and has hit a tough patch of video games mid season. He’ll have to get again to his pre-conference play type and end sturdy with the intention to cement a spot on this vary of the draft. He’s bought arguably the quickest launch of anyone on this 12 months’s draft and is likely one of the higher shooters. Listed at 6’5 in some locations, his measurements shall be vital in figuring out his draft inventory because the draft approaches.
NBA Comparability: Eddie Home
21. New Orleans Pelicans (From LA Lakers) Rasheer Fleming 6-9 230 PF St. Joseph’s Jr.
The junior bigman out of Camden, New Jersey has blossomed in his junior season to the tune of 16 and 9 and flattening the three ball at a 41.5 price on a excessive quantity (2 per sport). Fleming is a protracted, athletic huge with excellent mobility and bounciness. Fleming figures to play the PF place and probably has the size and athleticism to defend facilities and play the 5 in small ball line ups. Enjoying at St. Joseph’s he can have his work lower out for him within the pre draft course of to show that he’s in a position to play towards excessive stage competitors and produce the identical work ethic and depth stage each day.
NBA Comparability: PJ Brown
22. New York (From Milwaukee) Derik Queen 6-10 260 C Maryland Fr.
Queen is a easy bigman with a protracted wingspan and good really feel for the sport. He’s had a strong season, to this point, averaging 16 and 10 and flattening 75% of his foul pictures. Whereas not probably the most explosive of athletes, he’ll have to develop higher mid vary and outdoors taking pictures skill, however the makings are there as a scorer. Whereas Queen lacks nice carry, his lengthy wingspan helps him as a rebounder and “disruptor”. There have been some maturity issues surrounding him in highschool, however he’s proven growth and clearly utilizing the 12 months at Maryland to his benefit each on and off the courtroom.
NBA Comparability: Brad Miller
23. Dallas Mavericks Baye Ndongo 6-8 225 PF Georgia Tech So.
The 21 12 months outdated sophomore qualifies as a freakish athlete on the 4 place. He’s bought a 7’2 wingspan and is each bouncy and highly effective. He’ll aggressively assault the rim, attempting to dunk all the things and attracts a variety of contact, leading to journeys to the FT line. His taking pictures type is promising as is his scoring skill. After placing his identify out of the 2024 NBA draft, Ndongo has not elevated his scoring common from his freshman season however continues to be a power on the boards and defensively.
NBA Comparability: Miles Bridges
24. Orlando Magic (From Denver) Jase Richardson 6-3 180 SG/PG Michigan State Fr.
Richardson has a faculty reference to a father (Jason) having starred at Michigan State, together with the NBA. Jase is a gifted playmaker with size and athleticism, who got here off a knee harm and seems to have recovered to close 100%. He’s been pretty much as good as marketed placing up almost 10 ppg on strong effectivity numbers. the second half of the season shall be instrumental in confirming a spot within the second spherical of the draft. It’s vital to grade on a curve on the subject of Michigan State freshmen.
NBA Comparability: Monte Morris
25. Memphis Grizzlies Khamen Maluach 7-2 260 C Duke Fr.
Maluach is a tantalizing prospect because of his nice dimension and mobility. His large wingspan makes him a shot blocker, ally oop extraordinaire. His best asset is his rim safety, however he nonetheless should acquire some really feel in not biting on fakes and in addition shifting his ft laterally in house. He’s bought a child face, so the inevitable questions on age that African gamers obtain will most likely not be too excessive. Maluach’s offense stays a thriller. Whereas his free throw taking pictures offers optimism about his contact and potential to realize some scoring skill. At this level he struggles to shoot inside sport pace and nearly all of his factors come off lobs and dunks, changing baskets on the rim and the road.
NBA Comparability: Ivica Zubac
26. New York Knicks Kon Knueppel 6-6 220 SF/SG Duke Fr.
Knueppel is a throwback. He seems to be extra just like the man that dominates your native rec league than an NBA prospect. However make no mistake, he’s an elite stage shooter with a terrific skill to maximise his talents. He’s a fierce competitor and understands the nuances of the sport past his years. Knueppel initiatives as a potential first spherical decide this 12 months, regardless of missing NBA pace and athleticism. He’s a troublesome nosed competitor and can knock down three level pictures if left open. He has struggled when going through extra athletic gamers, so with the intention to improve his draft inventory, he might want to present the power to play nicely towards athletic match ups.
NBA Comparability: Max Strus
27. Utah Jazz Dink Pate 6-8 210 SF Mexico Metropolis Capitanes (G League) 2006
Pate is taking part in for the Mexico Metropolis affiliate of the G League. Averaging 10 ppg and 40% from three, he’s having a strong season and figures to be drafted someplace in the-first spherical on potential. The extent of competitors might be higher and it leaves some doubts about his skill to carry out on the identical stage in a extra aggressive setting. He might want to look to chop down on his turnovers, presently averaging 1.5 assists to 2.1 turnovers per sport. Pate confirmed out within the NBA G-League Winter Showcase, with a lot of three pointers, dunks and main the break and throwing a lob cross for dunks to a teammate. His 26 level, 6 rebound, 4 help efficiency definitely helped his trigger with groups in search of upside on this 12 months’s draft.
NBA Comparability: Boris Diaw
28. Boston Celtics Hugo Gonzalez 6-6 200 SG Actual Madrid 2006
Gonzalez is a feisty competitor and a flashy finisher on the rim. He can rating from all three ranges and has proven actual polish in his sport with the power to create offense in isolation with step backs and drives. He lacks nice size and must get stronger, however he’s been one of many elite gamers inside his age group for a lot of years. Gonzalez doesn’t possess nice lateral pace, so protection shall be an space of focus for him to enhance upon. Gonzalea is caught in a numbers sport with Actual Madrid and it has meant restricted taking part in time this season.
NBA Comparability: Rudy Fernandez
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Oklahoma Metropolis) Nique Clifford 6-6 200 SG Colorado St. Sr.
Clifford impressed scouts on the 2024 NBA Mix and returned to Colorado State as a fifth 12 months senior to enhance his draft inventory. He continues to increase his function and impression on the workforce, elevating his factors per sport common to 17 and sustaining strong effectivity. Clifford is an above the rim athlete who has steadily improved as a scorer and throughout basketball participant. The mix and particularly pre-draft exercises shall be key to figuring out his first spherical standing.
NBA Comparability: Cody Martin
30. Utah Jazz (From Cleveland) Tahaad Pettiford 6-1 180 PG Auburn Fr.
Pettiford classifies as a roll of the cube prospect as a projected first rounder. He lacks perfect dimension for the NBA level guard place and is only a freshman. However the 6’1 level guard of of Jersey Metropolis has confirmed that he’s completely fearless in huge video games. He has been higher than marketed at taking pictures and creating pictures off the dribble, and actually thrives within the largest moments, the stage isn’t too huge for him.
NBA Comparability: Jeff Teague
