The 2025 NBA Draft energy ahead class is headlined by Cooper Flagg, a generational prospect and the consensus high participant within the draft. Behind him, the group is strong and well-rounded, with 5 projected first rounders who all carry lottery upside. A number of extra energy forwards within the second spherical vary carry actual intrigue as developmental bets. This class affords a robust mixture of dimension, athleticism, and flexibility, with gamers who can defend a number of positions, stretch the ground, and match into fashionable NBA schemes. With Flagg headlining the group, the general depth on the place makes it one of many stronger positions within the draft.
1. Cooper Flagg
SF/PF Duke Fr.
Age: 18.5 | Peak (barefoot): 6′7.75″ | Wingspan: 7′0.00″ | Weight: 221.0 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′10.50″ | No-Step Vert: 29.0″ | Max Vert: 35.5″
2024–25 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 49.0% FG, 35.0% 3PT, 80.0% FT
Flagg enters the draft because the clear No. 1 prospect, a 6’9” Swiss-army ahead with a 7-foot wingspan, elite motor, and uncommon two-way playmaking. His recreation blends superior really feel with explosive, fluid athleticism. He initiates offense off the glass, punishes defenses as a roll man or cutter, and already reads the ground like a veteran with a 4.1 help to 2.6 turnover ratio. Defensively, he’s a sideline-to-sideline menace who switches, erases photographs on the rim, and jumps passing lanes whereas setting the tone with relentless competitiveness. The jumper at 35 % from three and 80 % from the free throw line suggests long-term vary, and he’s snug rising into mid-range pull-ups or popping for threes. Some debate whether or not he’s a real wing or a contemporary 4, however in right this moment’s positionless NBA these traces are blurred and Flagg’s versatility is a energy. Like Jayson Tatum, search for Flagg to evolve right into a modern-day 4 who can anchor each ends of the ground. Nonetheless simply 18 and having led Duke in each main class, he tasks as a franchise cornerstone with versatile scoring, high-level passing, and defensive influence that offers him authentic famous person upside. He might additionally inject new life right into a league the place a lot of its most marketable stars are coming into the twilight of their careers. In Dallas’s case, lucking into Flagg after a extremely questionable choice to maneuver Dončić serves as a reminder that typically it’s higher to be fortunate than good.
2. Noa Essengue
SF/PF France Worldwide
Age: 18.5 | Peak (barefoot): 6′9.00″ | Wingspan: 6′11.00″ | Weight: 198 lbs
Standing Attain: 9′3.25″ | Max Vert: 35.5″
2024–25 Stats (BBL): 9.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, ~45% FG, ~25% 3PT, ~62% FT
Essengue is a protracted, athletic ahead with defensive versatility, intriguing bodily instruments, and rising confidence for Ratiopharm Ulm. Nonetheless simply 18 years outdated, he’s held his personal in each EuroCup and German BBL play, flashing switchability, lively fingers, and the form of upside that interprets effectively to NBA defensive schemes. Offensively, he’s a straight-line driver, opportunistic cutter, and transition finisher with some gentle contact and glimpses of a creating face-up recreation. He’s additionally an intriguing ball handler for his dimension, exhibiting flashes of coordination and management in house. His shot stays the swing talent, however there have been indicators of actual enchancment towards the tip of the season beneath professional instruction. His standing attain (9′3+) permits him to play larger than his listed dimension, giving him defensive versatility throughout the frontcourt. That mentioned, his half-court offense stays restricted. The shot continues to be coming alongside and he’s not but a dependable creator. Nonetheless, Essengue tasks as a high-floor, vitality massive who can influence video games with protection, exercise, and good motion, with upside to develop if the jumper and talent stage proceed to develop.
3. Asa Newell
PF Georgia Fr.
Age: 19.7 | Peak (barefoot): 6′9.00″ | Wingspan: 6′11.25″ | Weight: 223.8 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′11.50″ | No-Step Vert: 29.5″ | Max Vert: 36.5″
2024–25 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 BPG, 49.0% FG, 29.0% 3PT, 74.8% FT
Newell is a springy left-handed 4 who pairs high-end run-jump athleticism with an more and more polished offensive talent set. A product of powerhouse Montverde Academy, he flashed stretch-four potential at Georgia, hitting 26 threes and exhibiting clean mechanics on pick-and-pop jumpers whereas additionally punishing the rim as a lob goal, transition finisher, and second-jump tip-dunker. His face-up quickness and gentle contact yielded 15.4 PPG within the rugged SEC, highlighted by back-to-back 20-point efforts versus Oklahoma and Gonzaga to shut the yr. Defensively he covers floor, slides on switches, and piles up blocks and steals along with his 6′11″ size and timing, hinting at multi-positional upside. The swing components are energy and consistency: he nonetheless shies from contact inside, is a below-average defensive rebounder for his dimension, and his 29 % three-point clip underscores the work left on his jumper. That mentioned, his taking pictures may be higher than marketed, as his mechanics are fluid and he exhibits confidence pulling up, which suggests actual room for development. Including muscle and refining pick-and-roll reads will probably be key to unlocking a contemporary stretch-big ceiling, however Newell’s mixture of motor, raise, and budding taking pictures contact offers him late-lottery to mid-first intrigue as a high-energy, versatile ahead with room to develop.
4. Rasheer Fleming
PF/C St. Joseph’s Jr.
Age: 20.9 | Peak (barefoot): 6′8.25″ | Wingspan: 7′5.25″ | Weight: 232.4 lbs
Standing Attain: 9′1.00″ | No-Step Vert: 27.0″ | Max Vert: 32.5″
2024–25 Stats: 13.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 47.5% FG, 39.0% 3PT, 70.2% FT
Fleming is among the largest risers within the 2025 class because of his elite bodily profile, defensive exercise, and a significant leap as a floor-spacing ahead. With a 7′5″ wingspan and agile body, he excels as a high-motor rebounder, rim protector, and versatile defender who can swap, contest, and disrupt throughout positions. Offensively, he remodeled from a uncooked athlete into top-of-the-line stretch bigs within the nation, pulling down 62 threes at a 39 % clip and flashing actual consolation popping off screens or trailing in transition. He brings uncommon two-way versatility as a contemporary 4 or small-ball 5, combining shot-blocking, perimeter taking pictures, and high-level effort. Nonetheless, his offensive recreation nonetheless leans closely on others to create for him. He’s restricted off the bounce, can drift off-ball, and sometimes forces robust passes or photographs. His taking pictures development and uncommon size are plain instruments, however the mixture of mid main competitors and inconsistency make him extra of a growth or bust swing. Nonetheless, Fleming’s defensive versatility and improved jumper give him sturdy rotational worth, and if he continues trending upward, he might carve out a long-term position as an vitality massive with each spacing and shot-altering means. Placing Fleming over CMB goes out on a limb, however we’re tremendous with rolling the cube right here. State of affairs would be the key.
5. Collin Murray-Boyles
PF/C South Carolina So.
Age: 20.0 | Peak (barefoot): 6′6.50″ | Wingspan: 7′0.75″ | Weight: 239.2 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′10.00″ | No-Step Vert: 29.5″ | Max Vert: 34.5″
2024–25 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 55.2% FG, 26.5% 3PT, 70.7% FT
Murray-Boyles is a troublesome, undersized massive with an old-school recreation, spectacular manufacturing, and an intriguing mix of energy, really feel, and flexibility. He performs with an edge, keen to scrap inside, defend a number of positions, and blend it up on each ends. Although simply 6’6.5″ barefoot, he offsets his tweener dimension with a close to 7’1″ wingspan, huge fingers that permit him management the ball like a seven-footer, wonderful anticipation, and notable energy. He was extremely productive as a freshman and brings sturdy perception in himself together with clear dedication. He’s additionally leveraged frequent Draymond Inexperienced comparisons right into a lofty draft projection. Offensively he thrives within the mid-post and quick roll, utilizing contact, footwork, and imaginative and prescient to attain or discover cutters, and is snug driving from the perimeter, ending effectively on the rim the place most of his makes an attempt come. One of many extra inventive passing forwards within the class, he brings a high-motor, profitable mentality. Issues about NBA translation stay: he lacks vertical pop, lateral quickness, and outdoors taking pictures contact. His jumper is a piece in progress at 26.5 % from three, and he turns into turnover-prone when compelled into heavy creation. Whereas his statistical output and toughness are plain, his long-term position hinges on bettering his taking pictures effectivity and defending in opposition to NBA pace. He at present tasks as a utility ahead or small-ball massive whose area of interest might increase if his general talent set continues to develop.
6. Bogoljub Markovic
PF Serbia (Mega MIS Belgrade)
Age: 19.9 | Peak (barefoot): 6′11″ | Wingspan: 7′0″ | Weight: 212 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′11.75″ | No-Step Vert: N/A | Max Vert: N/A
2024–25 ABA Stats: 13.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 BPG, 53.8% FG, 37.0% 3PT, 61.2% FT
Marković is a talented 6-11 stretch-four who pairs clean taking pictures mechanics with uncommon grab-and-go polish for an adolescent, incomes ABA League High Prospect honors whereas anchoring Mega MIS’s frontcourt. Offensively, he thrives in pick-and-pop and path conditions, knocks down 37 % of his threes with a clear excessive launch, and flashes superior imaginative and prescient (2.7 APG) to search out cutters out of the put up. He runs the ground fluidly, exhibits finesse on face-ups and floaters, and makes use of his 8′11¾″ attain to complete with contact across the rim. A light-weight-hearted character off the courtroom, Marković brings a aggressive edge in video games, and his constant taking pictures mechanics replicate the hours he’s invested in talent growth. Defensively, his size and timing supply weak-side shot-blocking upside, however a lean 212-pound body and common lateral burst go away him susceptible to bodily put up scorers and fast switches. Power, rebounding toughness, and foul self-discipline stay swing areas, as he’s susceptible to being got rid of his spots (3.0 FPG) and might coast when his utilization dips. If the physique fills out and the discharge hurries up, Marković tasks as a contemporary floor-spacing 4/5 who can cross, stretch, and defend in house—an attractive mid-to-late-first upside play for groups betting on long-term growth.
7. Johni Broome
PF/C Auburn Sr.
Age: 22.9 | Peak (barefoot): 6′9.25″ | Wingspan: 7′0.25″ | Weight: 249.4 lbs
Standing Attain: 9′0.50″ | No-Step Vert: 24.5″ | Max Vert: 28.0″
2024–25 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 BPG, 51.0% FG, 27.8% 3PT, 58.7% FT
Broome is a productive, high-IQ inside anchor whose energy, contact, and timing allowed him to dominate SEC play, however questions linger about how his below-the-rim fashion interprets to right this moment’s NBA. A dependable put up scorer with artful footwork and diversified hooks, he additionally punished the glass for 3.7 offensive boards an evening and guarded the rim with disciplined positioning and a pair of+ blocks in every of his 5 school seasons. He’s flashed short-roll reads and the occasional face-up drive, but his sluggish taking pictures mechanics (28% from three, 59% FT) and restricted raise cap his spacing worth and ending upside in opposition to NBA size. Lateral quickness is one other swing issue: he excels in drop protection however could battle on switches. At almost 23, Broome tasks as a plug-and-play reserve massive whose ground comes from rebounding, put up offense, and paint protection. Unlocking a stretch ingredient or faster ft would decide whether or not he’s greater than a sturdy second-unit middle. Might hear his title within the first third of the second spherical.
8. Adou Thiero
SF/PF Arkansas Jr.
Age: 21.1 | Peak (barefoot): 6′6.25″ | Wingspan: 7′0.00″ | Weight: 218.4 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′8.50″ | No-Step Vert: N/A | Max Vert: N/A
2024–25 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 54.5% FG, 25.6% 3PT, 68.6% FT
Thiero is an athletic hybrid ahead who brings vitality, defensive instruments, and straight-line slashing worth with room to develop as a task participant. He impressed at Arkansas along with his exercise and toughness, averaging 15.1 factors and 1.6 steals per recreation whereas constantly outclassing lesser athletes along with his pace and physicality. Measured with a 7-foot wingspan and robust 218-pound body, Thiero excels at overlaying floor defensively, producing deflections, and changing in transition. He’s a bodily cutter and slasher who makes probably the most of his athletic instruments, and whereas he’s a bit small for a standard 4, his explosiveness and motor assist bridge the hole. There’s some combo ahead intrigue if his playmaking continues to develop, however the taking pictures stays a transparent space of want. His regression from deep (25.6% from three, 68.6% FT) and restricted ball expertise increase actual questions on his long-term offensive match. Whereas he doesn’t profile as a ground spacer or halfcourt creator, he performs with function and edge, traits that give him a pathway to stay within the NBA as a low-usage defender and vitality wing if the shot comes round.
9. Eric Dixon
PF Villanova Senior
Age: 24.4 | Peak (barefoot): 6′7.50″ | Wingspan: 6′11.50″ | Weight: 258.6 lbs
Standing Attain: 8′8.00″ | No-Step Vert: 28.0″ | Max Vert: 32.5″
2024–25 Stats: 23.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 45.1% FG, 40.7% 3PT, 81.3% FT
Dixon is a productive, bodily sturdy stretch ahead who led the nation in scoring, made all of the extra spectacular by doing so in a high-major convention, and put collectively one of the crucial spectacular offensive seasons in school basketball. A fifth-year senior at Villanova, he averaged 23.3 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures over 40% from three on 253 makes an attempt, showcasing authentic floor-spacing means at 260 kilos. His thick body permits him to soak up contact and rating within the paint, however he’s equally snug working as a face-up scorer or pick-and-pop weapon. Sensible, skilled, and hard, Dixon has the offensive IQ to thrive in structured programs and the motor to compete on the boards and draw fouls. That mentioned, he’s one of many oldest prospects within the draft and lacks very best athleticism, with restricted lateral quickness, below-the-rim ending, and minimal defensive versatility. He tasks extra as a plug-and-play stretch 4 than a developmental piece, with clear limitations guarding in house or switching onto faster wings. Nonetheless, for groups in want of frontcourt taking pictures, energy, and maturity, Dixon might carve out a beneficial rotational position early in his profession.
10. Mohamed Diawara 6-9 223 SF/PF France 2005
Age: 20.3 | Peak (barefoot): 6′8.0″* | Wingspan: 7′3.75″ | Weight: 223 lbs
Standing Attain: 9′2.25″ | No-Step Vert: — | Max Vert: —
2024–25 Stats (Cholet, LNB Élite): 5.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 31.0% 3PT, 48.8% FT
An enormous-time athlete with a prototype modern-forward body, Diawara flashes the size, mobility, and leaping means NBA groups covet on the wing. He covers floor effortlessly, switches throughout a number of positions, and disrupts passing lanes along with his wingspan and anticipation. Offensively, he’s nonetheless studying the nuances of the sport, however his instruments are starting to indicate flashes, notably as a slasher and lob finisher. He’s additionally a great passer for his place. His taking pictures stays inconsistent, although he’s proven development as a catch-and-shoot choice from the corners. The free-throw line stays a pink flag, nevertheless, as he transformed simply 48.8% of his makes an attempt in the course of the season. Diawara’s deal with and processing pace want refinement, and he can battle to make fast reads beneath strain. Nonetheless, his time with Cholet in France’s high league gave him beneficial reps in opposition to professionals, averaging 5.8 factors and three.1 rebounds in beneath 20 minutes per recreation. Together with his defensive versatility, excessive motor, passing flashes, and long-term bodily instruments, he stays an intriguing late-second-round swing or precedence UDFA. If the basics proceed to enhance, he has the framework to grow to be a switchable, vitality wing with two-way influence potential.
