Our annual breakdown of the draft’s most intriguing traits is back. From the fastest end-to-end burners to the top leapers, high-risk/high-reward swings, and purest scorers, we spotlight the five best prospects in each defining category. Here’s a look at which 2025 NBA Draft hopefuls stand out by superlatives across a number of attributes including athleticism, skill, and upside.
SPEED
1. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears is the fastest player in the 2025 draft class, both by the eye test and in measurable terms. He ranked third overall among all prospects in the 3/4 court sprint at the NBA Draft Combine with a blazing 3.05-second time, confirming what shows up on film. He’s nearly impossible to contain in the open floor, consistently blowing by defenders and getting to his spots with ease. Fears puts constant pressure on defenses in transition, and his quickness gives him a dynamic edge as a lead ball-handler. He’s a difficult assignment with game-changing speed at the point of attack.
2. Nolan Traore, France
Nolan Traore received strong consideration for the title of fastest player in the class, but he comes in just behind Jeremiah Fears. While Traore didn’t post elite combine numbers—finishing just outside the top 10 in the shuttle run—his game speed paints a different picture. In live action at the Nike Hoop Summit and in European pro leagues, he routinely blew by defenders with a Tony Parker-like burst. His first step is explosive, and he changes pace with ease. Though his combine numbers may have dropped him slightly in this category, Traore’s in-game quickness is among the very best in the draft.
3. Drake Powell, North Carolina4. Walter Clayton, Florida5. Yanic Konan Neiderhauser, Penn State
ATHLETICISM (backcourt)
1. Drake Powell, North Carolina
Powell posted the best vertical numbers at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine with a 37.5″ standing vertical and a 43.0″ max vertical. Combined with his 7-foot wingspan, his explosiveness is truly exceptional. That mix of length and leaping ability is rare and pushes his athletic profile into elite territory. Powell showed his vertical pop in spurts throughout the year, finishing lobs with ease and altering shots at the rim. His ability to elevate quickly in traffic, especially off two feet, gives him major potential as a disruptive presence on both ends of the court.
2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor3. Nique Clifford, Colorado State4. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma5. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
ATHLETICISM (frontcourt)
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Flagg may not have posted jaw-dropping vertical numbers at the combine (29.0″ standing, 35.5″ max), but his in-game athleticism far surpasses those measurements. He’s the most athletic frontcourt player in the 2025 Draft when considering his fluidity, coordination, and relentless rim attacks. Flagg’s ability to change pace, control his body in the air, and improvise when plays break down shows a different level of athleticism that numbers can’t fully capture. His 7-foot wingspan enhances his physical impact, allowing him to contest shots, rebound in traffic, and finish through contact with explosive functional athleticism rarely seen in his position.
2. Player: Yanic Konan Neiderhauser], Penn State3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers4. Joan Beringer, France5. Asa Newell, Georgia
STRENGTH
1. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Murray Boyles gets the nod as the strongest player in the 2025 NBA Draft, consistently imposing his will in the paint. With bull-in-a-china-shop power, he creates space in the post, finishes through contact, and dominates physically on both ends. What makes his strength even more impressive is his age—having just turned 20, he still has plenty of room to grow. His broad frame, core strength, and ability to absorb and deliver contact give him a major advantage. Few prospects can match his physical presence, and he’s only scratching the surface of how dominant he could become as his body matures.
2.. Derik Queen, Maryland3. Vladislav Goldin, Michigan4.- Eric Dixon, Villanova5 .Johni Broome, Auburn
SHOOTING
Kon Knueppel Duke
With Cooper Flagg commanding most of the attention as Duke’s headline prospect, it’s easy to overlook just how elite a shooter Kon Knueppel is. In his lone season at Duke, Knueppel played a pivotal role in the team’s Final Four run, shooting an impressive 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from three. His smooth, compact stroke translates across all levels, and he reinforced his reputation at the NBA Draft Combine with standout marks in spot-up drills and free throws. Knueppel’s combination of efficiency, touch, and poise makes him the top pure shooter in the 2025 draft class.
2. Tamar Bates, Missouri3. Mark Sears, Alabama4. Tre Johnson, Texas5. Walter Clayton, Florida
PASSING
1. Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Ryan Nembhard is our top passer in the 2025 draft class. The younger brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, he led all of college basketball with 9.8 assists per game while committing just 2.5 turnovers, resulting in an elite assist-to-turnover ratio near 4-to-1. His court vision, timing, and ability to manipulate defenses set him apart as a true floor general. At 6’0″ and 175 pounds, there are questions about how his size will hold up at the next level, but his IQ and command of the game give him every chance to thrive as a lead guard in the NBA.
2. Egor Demin, BYU3. Dylan Harper, Rutgers4. Kasparas Jakucionis, /> 5. [Player: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
PERIMETER DEFENDER
Micah Peavy, Georgetown
Micah Peavy makes a strong case as the top perimeter defender in the 2025 NBA Draft, edging out fellow standouts like VJ Edgecombe and Draft Powell. His elite combination of size, strength, and lateral quickness allows him to smother ball handlers and switch effectively across multiple positions. At Georgetown, he averaged a career-high 2.3 steals per game, including a six-steal performance that highlighted his defensive instincts. Peavy further cemented his status at the NBA Draft Combine, where he stood out in both athletic testing and scrimmages. His defensive IQ, versatility, and toughness give him the edge as the premier perimeter defender in this class.
2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor3. Drake Powell, North Carolina4. Dylan Harper, Rutgers5. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
POST DEFENDER
Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg is the top post defender in the 2025 class thanks to his rare defensive versatility and relentless motor. While not a traditional rim protector, he makes plays all over the floor—jumping passing lanes, blocking shots in transition, and rotating instinctively. At 6’9″ with a 7-foot wingspan, Flagg can switch across multiple positions and gives maximum effort defensively. His anticipation, footwork, and timing make him a disruptive force in the paint despite lacking ideal bulk. As he adds strength, Flagg could evolve into a dominant interior presence. If he fills out physically, his all-around skill set evokes shades of a young Chris Webber.
2. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton3. Joan Beringer, France4. Khaman Maluach, Duke5. Yanic Konan Neiderhauser, Penn State
FIRST ROUND SLEEPER
1. Nolan Traore, France
Nolan Traore is our top first-round sleeper in the 2025 class. Once viewed as a top-five prospect, his early-season shooting struggles caused him to fall from consensus top-10 status into the mid-first-round range, with some projecting a slide into the late teens. While Jeremiah Fears is likely to be selected several spots ahead of him, Traore’s elite speed, creativity, and upside as a lead guard give him a real chance to outperform his draft position. If he refines his jumper and tightens his decision-making, the French floor general could prove to be one of the true steals of this year’s class.
2. Asa Newell, Georgia3. Thomas Sorber, Georgetown4. Rasheer Fleming, St. Joe’s5. Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
SECOND ROUND SLEEPER
1. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
With age comes maturity, and Lanier used that to his advantage during a breakout season in the SEC. He was a key piece in making Tennessee one of the top teams in the country, showcasing efficient scoring and smart decision-making. Lanier also impressed at the NBA Draft Combine with strong athleticism testing numbers. Despite his productivity and physical tools, being 23 years old may cause him to slip into the second round. If that happens, he could be one of the draft’s best value picks—ready to contribute immediately with a polished, well-rounded offensive game.
2. [Player: Tamar Bates, Missouri3. Hansen Yang, China4. Noah Penda, France5. Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky
LOW RISK
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Flagg is as close to a “can’t miss” prospect as the NBA Draft has seen in years. While there hasn’t been a ton of noise around him in the lead-up, that’s only because there’s so little to question. Flagg does it all—defends, passes, scores, and competes with elite instincts and toughness. He’s polished, mature, and should adjust quickly to the pro game. Even as a rookie, he’ll impact winning from day one. With the league preparing for the arrival of the “Maine Event,” Flagg stands out as the safest bet in the 2025 class.
2. Dylan Harper, Duke3. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor4. Asa Newell, Georgia5. Nique Clifford, Colorado St.
HIGH RISK/HIGH REWARD
1. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Bailey is a consensus top 3–5 talent with enormous upside, but many scouts still view him as a high risk/high reward prospect. His maturity has been questioned at times, particularly in terms of body language and overall demeanor. Some players simply mature at different rates, and there are plenty of examples across sports of late bloomers turning into stars. Bailey’s decisions to skip certain high-profile events at the high school level should be noted, but so should the strides he’s made in sharpening his game. He thrives with the ball in his hands and could be a major steal if he slips on draft night.
2. Khaman Maluach, Duke3.[ Player: Noa Essengue], France4. Cedric Coward, Washington State5. Carter Bryant, Arizona
FRONTCOURT LENGTH
1. Khaman Maluach[, Duke
Maluach owns the most dominant measurements in the 2025 draft class, headlined by a towering 9’6″ standing reach, one of the highest ever recorded for a prospect. That kind of reach allows him to impact the game defensively without needing elite leaping ability. He consistently altered far more shots than he officially blocked, providing massive rim protection just by being present. At 7’0.75” barefoot with a 7’6.75” wingspan, Maluach’s sheer size and length make him a natural paint anchor. At only 18, he offers rare physical tools and long-term upside as a defensive />
2. [Player: Mohamed Diawara, France
Worth noting based on plus length: Diawara is a physical specimen with truly elite measurements, checking in at 6’7” without shoes and an astounding 7’4” wingspan, a plus-nine inch difference (topping Maluach by 3 inches) . He also posted a 9’2” standing reach, giving him the kind of physical profile that makes life difficult for opponents on both ends. While his efficiency numbers were modest, his combination of length, athleticism, and defensive tools keeps him firmly on the draft radar. Despite flying under the radar for much of the season, Diawara has the upside to carve out a role quickly and could hear his name called on draft night.
3. Thomas Sorber, /> 4. [Player: Joan Beringer5. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
BACKCOURT LENGTH
1. [Player: Cedric Coward, Washington State
Cedric Coward possesses eye-popping length for a wing, with a 7’2” wingspan that stretches a whopping nine inches beyond his 6’5” height without shoes. That elite frame gives him major defensive upside and positional versatility, and it’s part of what’s driving his rapid rise up draft boards. More mysterious than many international prospects, Coward declined to participate in the combine scrimmages. Cowardly or calculated? Depends who you ask. But with his efficient scoring, size, and tools, if he lands near the lottery, the decision looks wise. Coward’s length is truly rare, and the intrigue surrounding his upside has surely helped him.
2. Drake Powell, North Carolina3. Nique Clifford, Colorado State4. Player: Adou Thiero], Arkansas5. Egor Demin, BYU
**Adam Pietrzak contributed to this report.
