As the 2025 NBA Draft ended, Cooper Flagg stole every headline; his selection by the Mavericks was a true statement that we could have a new star arriving in the league. A truly generational two-way talent, Flagg’s arrival signals a new era in Dallas.
But while the No. 1 overall buzz may have captured the spotlight, this draft was rich with some steals from certain teams and off-court drama that demands a second look. Take Ace Bailey, the Rutgers wing who slid to No. 5 amid rumors of workouts declined and preferences expressed for bigger markets.
His refusal to report cast a cloud over his Jazz debut, creating one of the draft’s most talked-about sagas. Yet a reversal came days later: Bailey confirmed he’ll suit up in Utah, ending the suspense for now.
Beyond hyperbole and headlines, though, this class is full of under-the-radar performers primed to crack the top-5 rookies at each position. So, who makes the cut? Let’s find out.
5 Best Rookie Point Guards
1. Dylan Harper
2. Kam Jones
3. Egor Demin
4. Jeremiah Fears
5. Kasparas Jakucionis
The 6’6″ Rutgers standout Dylan Harper went No. 2 overall to the Spurs, bringing elite scoring, playmaking, and length to San Antonio’s backcourt. He averaged nearly 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists as a freshman while shooting an efficient 48% from the field, showcasing terrific ability to finish through traffic and create off the dribble. Scouts say his size and two-way instincts make him a future starter, though he’ll need to improve his perimeter shooting and defensive consistency.
Selected No. 38 by the Pacers (via a trade with San Antonio), Kam Jones is a polished combo guard who racked up over 2,000 career points at Marquette, averaging 19.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, and 4.5 RPG as a senior. He excels in shot creation and floor leadership, displaying tight footwork, strong decision-making, and solid defensive effort despite lacking elite athleticism.
Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9 European guard, was selected in the mid-first round by Brooklyn, intriguing scouts with his combination of size and tight ball-handling. While his playmaking is regarded as advanced, with flashes of standout passing, his jump shot remains inconsistent, although concerns linger over how well he’ll adapt defensively.
Fears was an interesting first-round selection thanks to his clutch shot-making and leadership at Missouri. Seen as a “floor-general” carved from the crop of safe, dependable young guards, he’s expected to provide playmaking off the bench immediately. While lacking blockbuster athleticism or shot-creation flare, Fears’ command of spacing and ability to manage game tempo project well in reserve minutes.
Drafted in the late first round, the Lithuanian combo guard Kasparas Jakucionis brings some experience from both Big Ten play (Illinois) and European leagues. Even if we are unsure about why the Heat decided to take him, Jakucionis is expected to provide steady bench minutes with sporadic starting upside.
5 Best Rookie Shooting Guards
1. Ace Bailey
2. V.J. Edgecombe
3. Tre Johnson
4. Walter Clayton Jr.
5. Jase Richardson
Ace Bailey (Rutgers, No. 5 to Utah) is a 6’7″ wing with elite shot-making and size, measuring a 7’0″ wingspan and boasting a 34.5″ vertical at the combine. Scouts describe him as a “ridiculous shot-making machine,” able to pull up from anywhere on the floor with swagger and confidence. While still working to refine his ball-handling and playmaking, Bailey’s elite athleticism and shooting make him a high-ceiling piece for the Jazz.
Taken No. 3 by the 76ers, V.J. Edgecombe blends explosive athleticism and defense, a ready motor with a rapidly improving jump shot, averaging 15 PPG, 6 RPG, and 3 APG in the Big 12. We believe he checks every athletic box and shines on both ends with quickness, burst, and defensive instincts.
The Wizards picked Tre Johnson at No. 6, an ultra-talented scorer who led the SEC with 19.9 PPG at Texas while maintaining nearly 40% from three. Praised as a pure three-level scorer, he excels in off-screen movement, stepbacks, and clutch moments. While defensive effort remains a work in progress, his relentless practice habits have impressed the Wizards.
Selected No. 18 by the Wizards and later traded to the Jazz, Walter Clayton Jr. was a key figure in Florida’s National Championship run, averaging 18.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, and nearly 39% from three. Known for fearless deep shooting, he’s considered one of the class’s best pure shooters with a quick release and off-ball savvy. While questions remain around defensive versatility and physical profile, Utah views him as a rotation weapon nonetheless.
Taken No. 25 by Orlando, Michigan State’s Jase Richardson is a crafty, efficient combo guard who shot 47% overall and 42% from deep over 15 starts. We believe him to be one of the draft’s steals of the night, highlighting his mid-range precision, pick-and-roll instincts, and high basketball IQ.
5 Best Rookie Small Forwards
1. Cooper Flagg
2. Kon Knueppel
3. Cedric Coward
4. Carter Bryant
5. Drake Powell
As the No. 1 overall pick, Flagg is already being viewed as a generational two-way phenom. At Duke, he averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, and nearly three combined steals and blocks per game, becoming a versatile force on both ends of the floor. Scouts rave about his elite defensive instincts and ability to switch across multiple positions, while his offensive efficiency (48 FG%, 38.5 3P%) and transition scoring (1.3 PPS) back up his high IQ and motor.
Taken No. 4 by Charlotte, Kon Knueppel enters the NBA as one of the most polished shooters in this class, boasting 38-41% three-point marks in college and an elite catch-and-shoot IQ. Beyond his jumper, he excels in pick-and-roll reads, off-ball cutting, and making plays for others, traits that vault him beyond “permashooter” status.
A mid-first-round pick by Portland (traded to Memphis), Cedric Coward brings a unique blend of collegiate experience and international polish, honed in France’s top league and LNB All-Star play. At 6’6″, he combines scoring instincts with positional versatility, flashing both off-ball movement and iso creation. While scouts are intrigued by his upside, they note he’s still developing elite-level athleticism and a consistent three-point stroke.
A Spurs selection in the late lottery, Carter Bryant is known for smooth offensive instincts, defensive energy, and deep shooting range. In college, he consistently hit 37-39% from deep while excelling in off-ball sets and cutting to the rim, helping key a Spurs wing-heavy rebuild. Analysts praised his “wing defense versatility” and his ability to switch across matchups while also providing secondary playmaking.
Drafted in the second round and viewed as a sleeper, Drake Powell brings athletic upside and scoring burst from UNC. Though he slipped due to inconsistent decision-making and perimeter shooting, his freakish leaping ability and slashing aggression stood out at the Combine.
5 Best Rookie Power Forwards
1. Collin Murray-Boyles
2. Noa Essengue
3. Asa Newell
4. Noah Penda
5. Danny Wolf
The Raptors stunned some by grabbing South Carolina’s Murray-Boyles at No. 9, but we applauded the pick for its defensive upside and high basketball IQ, traits fitting Toronto’s identity. Standing 6’7″ with a 7-foot wingspan, he averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, a stat line that screams effort and impact.
A high-upside 18-year-old French forward, Noa Essengue, declared for the draft after exiting Germany’s finals early, drawing attention as a lottery candidate. At 6’9″ with guard-like mobility and athleticism, he’s recorded multiple 20-point efforts in Europe and comes with enticing defensive instincts, steals, blocks, and length, making him a raw two-way project.
Newell, a 6’9″ freshman from Georgia and first-round pick by the Pelicans at 23 (via trade), brings an intriguing blend of athleticism and floor-spacing ability . Though he shot just 30% from three in college, scouts appreciate his smooth mechanics at the line, and optimism is high that he can develop into a modern stretch big.
The Magic’s late first-rounder from France is noted more for his defense and physical tools than his shot. At 6’10”, Noah Penda brings size, length, active hands, and budding passing instincts as a high-IQ wing/forward hybrid . Offensive upside remains limited, 3-point and midrange production is modest, but his smart positioning and versatility project him as a valuable role player.
Michigan’s 7-foot center/forward, picked at 27 by Brooklyn, is an intriguing “dribble-pass-shot” big with rare guard skills for his size. While questions remain about lateral quickness, defense, and consistent shooting, Wolf lands in a developmental role in Brooklyn, where his playmaking upside can be nurtured alongside veteran bigs.
5 Best Rookie Centers
1. Thomas Sorber
2. Derik Queen
3. Khaman Maluach
4. Maxime Raynaud
5. Joan Beringer
Selected 15th overall by Oklahoma City, the 6’10”, 250-lb Georgetown freshman impressed with a rare 7’6″ wingspan, ranking among the longest in the class, along with 14.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.0 BPG. Scouts view him as a physical, two-way anchor who can protect the rim and make plays in the post, though concerns remain about lateral mobility and perimeter defense.
Maryland’s versatile 6’10” big man, selected in the mid-first round by Atlanta (traded to Pelicans), turns heads with his double-digit scoring (16.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.1 BPG) and playmaking touch, including Eurostep finishes and soft hands. While his athletic testing raised some red flags, particularly in conditioning and lateral quickness, his feel for interior scoring and ability to operate facing the basket make him an intriguing pick.
Taken 10th overall and ultimately going to Phoenix via trade, the 7’2″ Duke freshman brings massive upside on defense thanks to elite rim protection and length (7’7″ wingspan). His efficient finishing (71.2 FG%) and ability to move in transition complement basic floor-spacing, though he’s raw offensively and needs tempo-tuned defensive reads.
Sacramento selected this Stanford senior at No. 42, impressed by his productive 20.2 PPG and 10.6 RPG in college, along with a solid four-year progression that included 67 made threes his senior year. At 7’0″, Raynaud offers spacing, rebounding strength, and offensive polish, though scouts note he needs to add weight and shot-blocking presence to solidify his NBA role.
Joan Beringer, selected 17th overall by the Timberwolves, is an 18-year-old French center with elite physical tools, standing 6’11” with a 7’4.5″ wingspan, who began playing basketball only in 2021 yet has already developed into a dominant rim protector and lob threat. He’s raw but might have some potential.
