2025 NBA Draft: Top 10 Shooting Guards

The 2025 NBA Draft shooting guard class stands out as one of the deepest positional groups in this year’s field. Led by explosive top-tier talents like VJ Edgecombe and [Player Tre Johnson], this group combines athleticism, scoring ability, defensive tools, and versatility across multiple backcourt roles. What truly sets it apart is its overall depth—there could be as many as 8–10 shooting guards selected in the first round. The class features a wide range of skill sets, from physical downhill slashers to smooth shot-makers and secondary creators, with varying levels of immediate readiness and long-term upside. It’s a strong year to invest in the wing.

Edgecombe is one of the most electric athletes and high-upside prospects in the 2025 draft class—a dynamic two-way wing with explosive leaping ability, elite defensive tools, and a rapidly evolving offensive game. With a chiseled frame, 6’7.5″ wingspan, and a 38.5″ max vertical, he physically overwhelms opponents on both ends. He brings relentless energy, big-time defensive versatility, and elite anticipation—averaging over 2 steals per game, impacting with both his on- and off-ball defense. Offensively, he’s an aggressive downhill attacker who uses his strength, speed, and body control to pressure the rim and finish through contact. He thrives in transition, plays well off the ball, and draws fouls consistently while showing flashes as a shooter (34% 3PT, 78% FT). Though still raw as a creator and passer, he’s made real strides and had breakout moments, including a 30-point game vs. Kansas State. Edgecombe was a late bloomer who came to basketball later than many peers, which raises questions about how quickly he’ll adjust to the NBA jump—but it also adds intrigue regarding his untapped potential. Dating back to high school, he’s shown occasional flashes of combo-guard vision, and with NBA development, there’s a chance he emerges as one of the top players in the entire draft.

One of the most polished three-level scorers in the 2025 draft class, Johnson delivered a standout freshman campaign at Texas, leading the SEC in scoring at 19.9 PPG on efficient shooting splits. At 6’6” with a 6’10” wingspan and elite balance as a shot-maker, he consistently creates separation with polished footwork, tight handles, and an impressive arsenal of jumpers—off the bounce, the catch, or in movement. Johnson plays with pace and poise, and his methodical, fluid approach allows him to dictate tempo and attack defenses with precision. While primarily a scorer, he’s shown improved vision and feel as a passer, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. Though not a true facilitator, his 2.5 assists per game reflect added value as a secondary playmaker. Defensively, Johnson has the length and frame to be impactful, but his consistency and effort waver—he’ll need to buy in more on that end to maximize his two-way potential. Still, his natural scoring instincts, high-level touch, and excellent efficiency—nearly 40% from three and over 87% from the line—make him a highly effective offensive weapon. While there were some maturity questions entering his freshman year, Johnson impressed scouts with his work ethic, reportedly waking up daily at 6 a.m. for shooting and gym sessions. Finishing 21st nationally in scoring as a freshman, he validated the hype and now projects as a likely top-5-8 pick with long-term lead-scorer potential.

3. Nique Clifford6-6 200 SG/SF Colorado State Sr.Age: 23.4 | Height (barefoot): 6′5.00″ | Wingspan: 6′8.00″ | Weight: 198.6 lbsStanding Reach: 8′6.00″ | No-Step Vert: 30.0″ | Max Vert: 37.0″2024–25 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 49.6% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 75.3% FT

A long, athletic wing with a mature frame and well-rounded skill set, Clifford emerged as one of the top senior risers in the 2025 class after a breakout season at Colorado State. Measuring 6’6” with a reported 6’8” wingspan, he offers excellent positional rebounding (9.6 RPG), strong defensive instincts, and growing offensive polish. He took on a much larger offensive role as a senior, averaging 18.9 points and 4.4 assists per game while showcasing smart decision-making and pick-and-roll feel. Clifford is particularly effective attacking closeouts, finishing in transition, and using his length and control to create efficient looks. Though not a natural shooter, he showed marked improvement as a floor spacer—hitting 37.7% from three—and flashed some mid-range shot-making. Defensively, he moves well laterally, competes across multiple positions, and contributes as a help defender with timely rotations. While he may not project as a primary creator or high-ceiling scorer, his toughness, motor, and steady two-way production give him real appeal. Clifford still needs to tighten his handle and develop greater consistency on catch-and-shoot attempts, but his versatility and mature game make him a strong late lottery to early-20s pick with plug-and-play potential on the wing.

4. Kasparas Jakucionis6-6 205 SG/PG Illinois Fr.Age: 19.1 | Height (barefoot): 6′4.75″ | Wingspan: 6′7.75″ | Weight: 205.2 lbsStanding Reach: 8′3.5″ | No-Step Vert: 28.5″ | Max Vert: 35.0″2024–25 Stats: 13.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.7 TOPG, 1.0 SPG, 31.8% 3PT, 84.5% FT

Jakucionis is a poised, versatile Lithuanian guard who adjusted quickly to the college game after arriving from FC Barcelona and became one of the most productive freshmen in the Big Ten. At 6’6” and 205 pounds, he blends size, strength, and feel with a patient, deliberate style that fits well in half-court settings. He ranked sixth in the conference in assists and averaged 5.7 rebounds, showing value as a secondary playmaker and ball-mover. Jakucionis excels in pick-and-rolls, where he uses his body, angles, and timing to manipulate defenders and make smart reads, though he can be overly reliant on ball screens to gain separation. While some see long-term point guard potential, it’s likely he settles into more of a combo role—capable of handling lead duties in stretches but not a full-time floor general. Defensively, he uses positioning and IQ to stay effective but lacks lateral speed and can struggle to contain quicker guards. While his three-point percentage dipped to 31.8%, he’s a better shooter than the numbers suggest—hitting 84.5% from the line—and just needs to improve at creating clean looks from range. Turnovers were also an issue (3.7 per game), often due to upright drives or forcing passes under pressure. Still, Jakucionis’ toughness, vision, and international polish give him late lottery to mid-first round appeal as a smart, well-rounded backcourt piece.

5. Will Riley6-9 185 SG/SF Illinois Fr.Age: 19.4 | Height (barefoot): 6′8.25″ | Wingspan: 6′8.75″ | Weight: 185.6 lbsStanding Reach: 8′8.00″ | No-Step Vert: 27.5″ | Max Vert: 32.0″2024–25 Stats: 12.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 43.2% FG, 32.6% 3PT, 72.4% FT

Riley is a smooth, long wing with intriguing shot-making ability, secondary playmaking flashes, and room to grow physically and skill-wise. A former five-star recruit from Canada, he earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors as a freshman at Illinois and punctuated his year with an eye-opening first-round NCAA tournament performance against Xavier that highlighted his talent and composure on a big stage. He owns a quick, natural release and buried 47 threes, operating comfortably off the bounce—especially pulling up going right. Despite a wiry frame and lacking elite athleticism, he’s aggressive attacking the rim, absorbing contact and finishing through bumps. Lack of explosiveness is a mild concern, but his 6-9 size and length help him rise over defenders for clean looks, and he’s added roughly 10 pounds this past year. Defensively he shows tools yet still plays too upright, losing track off the ball, and he can struggle finishing over length. Uneven pre-draft workouts have cooled some early buzz and may slide him toward the late first round, yet his long strides, natural feel, and offensive upside keep him firmly in the conversation as one of the draft’s more compelling long-term projects. A team will likely need to be patient with his development, but the long-term payoff could be significant.

6. Hugo Gonzalez6-6 223 SG/SF Real Madrid (Spain)Age: 19.4 | Height (barefoot): 6′6.25″ | Wingspan: 6′10.75″ | Weight: 222.7 lbsStanding Reach: 8′5.5″2024–25 Stats (Liga ACB): 5.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 44.4% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 77.3% FT

González is a smooth, physically gifted wing with long-term upside who has long been considered one of the top talents in his age group in Spain. Playing for powerhouse Real Madrid, he got caught in a numbers game on a veteran-laden roster, which limited his minutes and overall production during the 2024–25 season. Still, he managed 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in Liga ACB play while flashing intriguing shot-making, physical tools, and straight-line driving ability. González measured well at the NBA Draft Combine and boasts a strong frame, long arms, and fluid movement that give him considerable appeal as a long-term development project. His three-point shot (27.1%) remains inconsistent, and he’s still learning how to impact games consistently in the half court, but his combination of size, coordination, and pedigree make him a legitimate mid-to-late first-round candidate for teams betting on physical traits and long-term potential.

7. Jase Richardson6-2 180 PG/SG Michigan State Fr.Age: 19.7 | Height (barefoot): 6′0.5″ | Wingspan: 6′6.00″ | Weight: 178.4 lbsStanding Reach: 8′2.5″ | No-Step Vert: 30.5″ | Max Vert: 38.0″2024–25 Stats: 11.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 TOPG, 1.1 SPG, 38.9% 3PT, 86.0% FT

An explosive scoring guard with strong basketball instincts and NBA pedigree, Richardson impressed as a freshman at Michigan State, showing maturity, shot-making, and poise beyond his years. Though slightly undersized at 6’2”, he plays fast, controlled, and efficient—getting to his spots with a sharp first step and tight handle, and knocking down shots at a high rate from all three levels (38.9% 3PT, 86% FT) while rarely forcing the action. His mechanics are smooth and repeatable, and he’s just as comfortable off the ball as on, darting through handoffs and screens to find clean looks. Defensively, he competes with intensity, using quick lateral movement and a 6’6″ wingspan to pressure the ball and jump passing lanes. While not a natural facilitator or lead guard, he limits mistakes and makes smart reads out of ball screens and in transition. After missing a full year, Richardson has bounced back well from a high school knee injury, and that no longer appears to be a big concern for teams. With his efficient scoring, defensive tenacity, and feel, he offers real two-way value as a late-first to early-second round option.

Bates is one of the most efficient and underrated senior wings in the 2025 draft, offering elite shooting touch, length, and maturity after a breakout season at Missouri. A lefty with smooth mechanics and polished footwork, he shot 50.8% from the field, 39.7% from three, and an elite 94.6% from the free-throw line—ranking among the best pure shooters in the class. Though he has a wiry, thin frame and is unlikely to ever be a physical presence, his 6’10” wingspan and strong feel allow him to make timely rotations and disrupt passing lanes defensively. Offensively, he plays a disciplined, team-first style and thrives in catch-and-shoot and mid-range pull-up situations. Becoming more assertive will be key to unlocking more of his scoring potential, but his ability to space the floor and make sound decisions should translate well to a complementary NBA role. Bates has quietly risen during the pre-draft process, impressing in workouts and interviews, and could sneak into the late first round as a plug-and-play shooter with long-term value.

Chaz Lanier broke out as one of the most efficient scoring guards in college basketball during his super-senior season, emerging as a go-to option capable of carrying a top-tier program. A strong, compact 6’5” wing with a 6’9” wingspan, Lanier shot 44.3% from three and 87.2% from the line, showcasing elite shooting touch and confidence both off the catch and off movement. He plays with maturity, toughness, and poise, making smart reads and finishing with angles rather than burst. While his age (23.5) and perceived limited upside take away some of the intrigue, recent drafts have shown that teams are more willing to value immediate contributors in their 22nd and 23rd years—former Vol Dalton Knecht being a prime example, even if he fell further than expected. Lanier’s strong positional tools and confirmed athleticism (39” vertical at the Combine) give him plug-and-play appeal, especially for playoff-caliber teams looking for efficient, low-maintenance wing depth.

10. Kam Jones6-4 200 SG/PG Marquette Sr.Age: 23.3 | Height (barefoot): 6′3.25″ | Wingspan: 6′6.00″ | Weight: 202.4 lbsStanding Reach: 8′4.5″ | No-Step Vert: 24.5″ | Max Vert: 31.5″2024–25 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 48.3% FG, 31.1% 3PT, 64.8% FT

Jones is a crafty shot creator and left-handed scoring guard who emerged as one of the Big East’s top offensive threats as a senior, averaging nearly 20 points and six assists per game for Marquette. A four-year contributor, he plays with a playground-like flair, using slick handles, hesitations, and changes of pace to break defenders down in isolation and operate effectively in ball screens. He’s a wizard with the ball—able to create space despite a slower first step—and owns a polished floater game and deep bag of mid-range counters. While not an explosive athlete, Jones plays with control and feel, showing improved playmaking vision and toughness on both ends. Defensively, he competes and uses his strong frame and 6’6” wingspan to hold his own, though NBA length may bother him. Shooting remains a swing area—he hit just 31.1% from three and 64.8% from the line as a senior—and he can be turnover-prone when forced into difficult looks. Still, his creativity, isolation scoring ability, and veteran poise give him second-round or two-way appeal as a reserve shot-maker and pick-and-roll guard.