2025 NBA Draft: Breaking Down The Top Prospects

Although the 2024 NBA Draft has yet to even happen, it’s not too early to dive into next year’s draft class. Who are the top prospects in the draft?

When doing a deep evaluation of the players set to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, it looks a lot more top-heavy with superstar caliber players that the 2024 NBA Draft lacks. The biggest name that most will be familiar with is Cooper Flagg, but next year’s draft has other potential No. 1 pick candidates. Let’s dive into the top five prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Cooper Flagg | Duke

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Flagg is the early favorite to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft due to his two-way superstar potential. The 6-foot-9 forward is an elite rim protector as he possesses great timing, defensive instincts and awareness. He has a rare ability to change the outcome of games due to his elite defensive versatility. Flagg is much more than a special defensive prospect as he’s quite versatile on the offensive end as well.

The Maine native can serve as a secondary playmaker given he has really good vision and a great feel for the game. Flagg is at his best when slashing to the rim as he’s one of the best finishers in this draft class. He has been rapidly developing as a scorer and shooter. Flagg can pass, score, slash and shoot. He will have all the eyes on him at Duke and will be counted on to make an immediate impact.

Ace Bailey | Rutgers

Rok Baller/Special to The News-Press-USA TODAY NETWORK

Bailey is an electric scoring wing who is in the No. 1 pick conversation next to Flagg. The 6-foot-9 wing is one of the best scorers in the 2025 NBA Draft as he possesses three-level scoring upside with elite athleticism and size. His tough shot-making ability from the perimeter combined with his size will draw some comparisons to Paul George.

Bailey has a very smooth game and has clear superstar potential. He’s one of the best athletes in the draft and can be relentless as a slasher. The future Rutgers star has the potential to be a very good defender due to his physical tools and how high of a motor he plays with. The playmaking gets better every single time you watch him. There’s a valid argument to be had that Bailey has the highest ceiling in next year’s draft.

Khaman Maluach | Duke

Jan 20, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke recruit Khaman Maluach leaves the court after watching a game between the Duke Blue Devils and Pittsburgh Panthers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Panthers won 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Maluach recently made his commitment to the Duke Blue Devils as he will be sharing the frontcourt with potential number one overall pick, Flagg. The 7-foot-2 center projects to be the next unicorn big man in line to be a top pick in the draft. The NBA already added Evan Mobley in 2021, Chet Holmgren in 2022, Victor Wembanyam in 2023. The league will also add Alexandre Sarr in 2024 and next up is Maluach in 2025. The Sudanese prospect is an elite rim protector due to his great size, feel and defensive instincts.

He can absolutely anchor a defense and is way more vocal than given credit for, which is important for your center. Offensively he’s quite skilled as he has stretch big potential due to his solid shot mechanics and awesome touch. Maluach can really finish at the rim and is a lob threat at all times. He can pass it a little due to his good feel for the game. The future Duke center will be looking to give himself an opportunity to compete with Flagg to be the number one overall pick.

Hugo Gonzalez | Real Madrid

FIBA.com

Gonzalez is a 6-foot-6 Spanish wing who plays for Real Madrid. He’s an elite defensive prospect as he has the ability to take over games on that end of the floor. He plays with an extremely high motor and does a lot of the little plays that impact winning in a positive way. Gonzalez is an elite athlete as it shows on both ends of the floor. He’s a great finisher around the rim due to his explosiveness, touch and body control.

The potential star can really put a ton on the rim due to his speed, acceleration and strength. In the FIBA U19’s this past summer he showcased some secondary playmaking ability. Gonzalez is a very unselfish player that consistently plays with a high motor and has a great feel for the game. Players with those kinds of attributes tend to have much higher floors than the majority of other prospects in the draft.

VJ Edgecombe | Baylor

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Edgecombe will arguably be one of the best athletes in the entire 2025 NBA Draft. He possesses elite explosiveness, burst and quickness which allows him to do things many other prospects can't. The 6-foot-5 wing is a very good slasher as he has been able to dominate at the high school level with his athletic tools and skill. Edgecombe has two-way star potential given can really defend and has the tools to be a special wing defender at the next level.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Edgecombe ends up making a couple of All-Defense teams in the NBA. The future Baylor star is a good scoring wing who has been improving as a shot-maker and shooter over the last year. He can score it effectively at all three levels and even showcases some solid court vision as well. Edgecombe has a very high ceiling and could end up as a top-three pick in next summer's draft.

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