2025 NBA DRAFT BIG BOARD- Collegiate Edition

(Top 20 Big Board)

1. Cooper Flagg

Forward, Duke

Strengths

• Crazy Efficient

• Three-Level Scorer

• Defensive force

• Gets his teammates involved

• FANTASTIC DEFENDER

• Good shooter. Can shoot both off the dribble and on the catch.

• 18 years old

• Already showed he can be the ringleader of a great offense

Weaknesses

• Slipped on the court twice in crunch time

• Has had a few “disappearing act” games where shots felt forced

I'm going to keep it short and sweet about Cooper Flagg. Everything you need to hear has already been said months ago, and the “Maine Event” is more than NBA ready. Flagg is not only ultra-efficient on offense but is also a defensive machine that will have immediate effects in Dallas. There is work to be done in adjusting to NBA defense that heavily differs from what he saw in the ACC this year, but being a 20 ppg scorer and National Player of the Year at 18 years old should ease any chance of nerves about what Flagg is capable of at the next level. Advanced statistics glow when Cooper Flagg is the subject, and his eye test agrees. Flagg’s ability to both put the ball on the hardwood and find his teammates no matter the matchup is something that will always translate. The main question for Flagg will be his mentality and confidence. As of now, some of his big-moment spotty-ness and down-the-stretch flaws make him appear stoppable; that is, before you remember he will be 18 years old at his first NBA tip. There is no ceiling for an 18-year-old who has already won NPOY and proved his worth with the NBA’s inner circle. 

2. Dylan Harper

Guard, Rutgers

Strengths

• Does really well with on-ball screens, both scoring and playmaking.

• Excels at drawing fouls while not making many of his own

• Plays at his own speed, doesn’t let others dictate how he flows, great downhill

• Great contact finishing 

• Good offensive rating and efficiency despite a bad Rutgers team

• Can be a really good passer; needs opportunities

• Doesn’t play small by any means

Weaknesses

• • A bit unknown on how he would play if he wasn’t the primary PG

• • A lot of isolation ball

• Can be a bit of a cone on defense

• Didn’t shoot as well from the line as he should

Dylan Harper has become the agreed-upon second overall pick after Cooper Flagg. For someone who once lived in the shadow of Ace Bailey, by the end of the season, it was for good reason that Harper found himself as the lead of the Scarlet Knights offense at Rutgers. Throughout the year, he constantly improved on his playmaking and off-ball movement while continuing to find his shot and get to his spots at a lethal rate. I almost wanted to draw comparisons to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with how good he is at using his body control to finish through contact at the rim. Despite size not being a strength for Harper, he has done incredible things with his build at such a young age and can be an all-time scorer if his shooting continues to progress and he finds comfort in an NBA offense. Like many undersized point guards, Harper’s defense needs much improvement and may be seen as a target early in his career. I am also just slightly concerned if he ends up in San Antonio because we have really only seen Harper in spots where he is the focal point, PG. In a case where he has to take a backseat to Fox or other ball-heavy guards/wings, Harper may struggle to make the transition. Still, I think Harper has the most 'likely to tap into’ offensive ceiling in this class that is impossible to ignore. 

3. VJ Edgecombe

Forward, Baylor

Strengths

• Tape says he is a very high-quality shooter.

• Insane athleticism

• Quick, great at living in passing lanes

• Prone to hustle plays

Weaknesses

• Can mistake physicality for fouling

• Shooting numbers make efficiency not ideal.

• Has trouble getting downhill versus good defenses

V.J. Edgecombe has been insanely fun to watch. I found myself routinely tuning in to watch Scott Drew’s mildly disappointing Baylor Bears just to take in Edgecombe’s highlight-reel-esque play. The first thing that pops out is his ungodly athleticism. At the combine, he posted an impressive combination of speed and verticality that surprised nobody who watched any bit of him in Waco. Many scouts wonder how Edgecombe’s shooting will translate to the pro level, but I think 35% as a freshman in college who defaulted to getting downhill is more than plenty to work with. Also, I think tape gives Edgecombe the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the way that he was able to shoot over prominent defenders and get to his spots behind the arc. My favorite part about V.J. was how he used his quickness in the passing lanes, which made him a turnover-generating machine. Still, Edgecombe struggled with the overall fluidity of his game, as his turnover numbers and offensive consistency left much to be desired. Also, despite high steal figures, his defensive rating and efficiency were concerningly low considering the good defense that Baylor had to offer otherwise. Edgecombe may not be a splash contributor immediately, but as the Zach LaVine comparison shows, I think as he gets more comfortable with himself and adjusts his tendencies for the NBA game, he can be wildly successful.

4. Kon Knueppel

Guard, Duke

Strengths

• Extremely efficient

• Can fit into multiple roles

• Showed significant growth in consistency

• Fine passer, does’ turn the ball over

• Fantastic Shooter

• Good size at 6’6

• Plus defender in college

• 19 years old on draft day

• Capable self-creator and catch-and-shooter

Weaknesses

• May not be as good of a defender at the NBA level

• Ceiling not as high as other prospects

• Doesn’t rebound or pass at a high clip

• Can be lacking explosiveness and quickness

Kon Knueppel had a fantastic 2025 campaign that had him prove himself as an ultra-efficient Robin to Cooper Flagg’s Batman. I think the reality is that Knueppel is actually capable of so much more than what he showed in his lone season in Durham. Along with being a wildly good shooter, Knueppel showed consistent flashes in isolation and being able to put the ball on the floor. His in-game fluidity and 6’6 stature made him a real force in almost every offensive situation he was put into. Still, I feel many of his defensive shortcomings were covered by Khaman Maluach and the rest of the Duke defense. Part of this is due to his lack of quickness and unpolished rebounding skills, but I believe his offensive floor and ceiling should well overshadow those shortcomings. I believe Knueppel can be a wildly successful NBA starter that may even touch the 1/2 option air in the league as long as he continues to flesh out his offensive game, which is already one of the most complete in this class. 

5. Khaman Maluach

Center, Duke

Strengths

• The best TS% in the draft

• Great around the rim on both sides

• Fantastic defender

• Super mobile for 7’2

• Will be 19 on NBA debut

• Has shown crazy growth

• Was able to fit into a quality role at Duke

• Good offensive rebounder

Weaknesses

• Offensive play style doesn’t break barriers for size.

• Scoring not guaranteed to translate

• Doesn’t draw contact at a high enough rate

• Averages and numbers don’t wow.

I can’t say I paid all that much attention to Khaman Maluach in the 2024-2025 CBB season. Yet, while my eyes were glued to Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, a gem flew under the radar. What I did notice was Duke’s number 5 ranked defense (KenPom), which was led by a 7 '2 Maluach that patrolled the paint. In watching film come draft time, Maluach’s mobility and skill at hedging screens and defeating pick and rolls while simultaneously posing as a block threat mean he is one of the most complete defensive prospects in this class. If anything, his 6.6 rebounds per game serve as a prime example of how capable he is at defending outside of the paint, which he did quite often for the Blue Devils. A 19.1% defensive rebound and 16.5% offensive rebound mean that he is not only able to defend at all levels but also rebound. Meanwhile, Maluach was one of the most efficient players in college basketball, shooting over 70% from the field and posting KenPom’s second-best offensive efficiency in the nation. His only drawbacks are that his offensive game still needs work, especially when posed against NBA defenses, and his low-ish usage in one year of ACC play makes for a decent amount of unknowns as the skill ceiling rises. 

6. Ace Bailey

Forward, Rutgers

Strengths

• Wildly high scoring upside

• Great in isolation

• Will have just turned 19 on NBA debut

• Good rebounder

• Inefficient play could be chalked to a bad Rutgers team.

• Good On/Off Net RTG

Weaknesses

• Is by no means 6’10

• Defensive rating reflects sub-par defense.

• Not a good passer

• Prone to turnovers

• Takes a ton of shots, struggles with efficiency

• Commits too many avoidable fouls

Once upon a time, Bailey was seen as an 18-year-old dynamic '10 scorer who could rival Cooper Flagg for the number one overall pick. But as the Scarlet Knights began to fail, many of Bailey’s flaws began to unveil themselves. Spotty defensive play and inefficient offense saw Bailey’s draft stock tank, even while teammate Dylan Harper suffered no such slip. Bailey measured in at '8 during the NBA combine and has been very vocal about wanting to go to a team where he can continue his high-volume shot-taking. The foundation for a generational player exists with Ace Bailey, but the route there appears lengthy and unlikely. I highly recommend anyone who loves flashy basketball to go watch an Ace Bailey highlight tape. That is, as long as it is chased by a full 2025 Rutgers game tape that reflects why Bailey has slipped down draft boards. It is well beyond my means to rank Ace Bailey’s true ceiling or floor, because I quite literally have no idea whatsoever. 

7. Carter Bryant

Forward, Arizona

Strengths

• Immaculate Defender

• Will be 19 on NBA debut 

• Great off the catch and shoot

• Good finisher—72% at the rim

• Better STOCKS than Flagg

• Capable of growing into a 2-way threat

• Beginnings of a smooth offensive game\

Weaknesses

• Didn’t have much of an evolution in role as the season went on

• Big-time foul troubles

• Low usage, low-ish productivity

• Still needs big jumps in offensive game

In order to find your way in the NBA, you have to play a role. At worst, Carter Bryant does that. Even at 19 years old, Bryant is an immaculate defender who makes his presence felt in passing lanes and wreaks havoc on complex offensive schemes. Bryant’s awareness of the game and pure athleticism make him a high-quality defender as is. His only negative defensive caveat is his foul trouble that had him averaging 4.3 fouls per 36. If Bryant can hone that defensive aggression into more steals and blocks, we may have to pray for every offense he faces. On the offensive end, Bryant showed beginnings of a smooth game that included efficient success at the rim (72%) and proficiency in catch-and-shoot opportunities. Still, his low usage at Arizona means there is still a long way to go for his offensive game. If you believe in Bryant’s ability to grow on the offensive end like I do, there isn’t much to dislike about the 19-year-old from Riverside. 

8. Tre Johnson

Guard, Texas

Strengths

• Polished scorer

• Great size for a guard

• Will be 19 on NBA debut

• Decent percentages and efficiency at high volume

• Great shooter from three

• Excels in passing and pushing transition pace

• Doesn’t rely on isolation play

Weaknesses

• Very poor defender

• Not a good rebounder

• Not super quick

• Unsure how consistent he can be scoring on-ball in NBA

Tre Johnson really popped off the screen in his lone year with the Longhorns. The '6 shooting guard made a name for himself with his lethal abilities from behind the arc and still holds one of the most polished jumpers in this class. Along with this, his size and good processing skills, along with still being only 19 years old, could make him a complete offensive threat in 4-5 years. As of right now, there is still much work that needs to be done with his on-ball creation that includes improving on thriving through contact and off-the-bounce quickness. Also, for a 6’6‘ guard, Johnson had major struggles on defense in college and was oftentimes a liability on that end. Johnson’s most complete trait is his shooting, where he was in the 81st percentile with a 57% eFG off the catch and shoot. Johnson will likely get his NBA beginnings as a pure shooter that hopes to improve his defense. Whether or not he can expand his offensive game to a complete 3-level scorer while making himself playable on defense remains to be seen.

9. Derik Queen

Center, Maryland

Strengths

• Great at finishing inside through contact

• Good footwork, can put the ball on the floor

• Quality passer for his size

• Good defender

• Active in passing lanes, 

Weaknesses

• Struggles with self-creation

• Isn’t a rim protector

• Can over-rely on post-up isolation

• Struggled with vertical, agility, and speed at combine

• One year of collegiate experience but will be 21 in the 2025 season

• Often prone to turnovers

Derik Queen thrived during his freshman year at Maryland. The difficult part in scouting Queen is understanding how much of that success was his system and college defenses versus his own strengths. The truth is, as a '10 big man whose combine tests showed sub-par athleticism, Queen was able to power through lower-level college bigs, which he likely won’t be able to do in the NBA. Still, Queen showed glimpses of promise in finishing through contact and beginnings of a fantastic passing game. Yes, Queen struggled with turnovers too, but many of those were sheer products of him pushing the ball down the court and towards the rim, which is a good sign for the future. Queen is also a quality defender who knows how to position himself in the paint and passing lanes. Although he is nearing 21 years of age, Queen has had just one year of college basketball experience, which makes him a lengthy project. It will be difficult for Queen to get passing opportunities at the next level, which makes the evolution of his scoring game even more important. 

10. Jase Richardson

Guard, Michigan State

Strengths

• Super efficient

• Good shooter in all situations

• Versatile offensive weapon

• Excels at finishing around the rim 

• Good Passer

• Doesn’t turn the ball over

• Smart player, high basketball IQ

• High-quality defender

• 19 years old

• Gained more consistency as the season progressed

Weaknesses

• Wasn’t consistently tasked with being a playmaking PG

• Didn’t score at high volumes, especially from beyond the arc

• Ranked 5th on the team for possessions used

• Undersized

I somewhat wish Jase Richardson stayed in college just so I could continue to enjoy his efficient play within Tom Izzo’s Michigan State offense. Still, the NBA can look forward to one of the best feels for the game from a 19-year-old in this class. Although he wasn’t the point guard for the 2025 Spartans, Richardson consistently showed impressive passing skills while not turning over the ball at all. For scoring, Jase excels around the rim and constantly finds high-quality cuts while also being able to move off the bounce. His shooting was good, but low volumes and a slow release leave some questions for how it will translate. Speaking of NBA translation, Richardson is pretty undersized for someone who wasn’t an everyday PG in college. Still, Richardson’s young age and unrivaled feel for the game give him room to grow while still having the success on both sides of the ball that makes him playable immediately. 

11. Collin Murray-Boyles

Forward, South Carolina

Strengths

• Really high efficiency guy

• Looks comfortable in his offense, can fit into many flows

• Knows when and how to be physical down low, 

• Both sides of the ball die when he is off the floor, super high impact.

• Crazy high ceiling for passing prowess

Weaknesses

• Rim % can be improved.

• Pretty pedestrian defensive numbers in terms of RTG

• Not much volume for threes; shooting can be improved.

• Can be prone to turnovers

For someone who I did not pay much attention to during the regular season of college basketball (South Carolina basketball), Collin Murray-Boyles really pops out on tape. It’s super rare for a guy who just finished his sophomore year in college basketball to look this ready for the pros. It’s a bit hard to explain, but Murray-Boyles plays like someone with an ethereal level of court awareness and flow. Nothing speaks more than the way that South Carolina looked completely lost whenever he was not on the floor this year. Murray-Boyles isn’t perfect by any means, as he can still struggle with turnovers and shooting effectiveness from deep. Also, how will he adjust to not being the ‘guy’ in an NBA offense? No matter what, though, Collin Murray-Boyles is quick, effective, physical, and efficient. These qualities make him one of my favorite guys in the class. 

12. Kasparis Jakucionis 

Guard, Illinois

Strengths

• High-quality passer

• Can conduct an offense

• Great size for a PG

• Just turned 19

• Great rebounder for PG

• Showed flashes of prevalent scoring

Weaknesses

• High Turnover Volume

• Foul Trouble

• Not an ideal shooter

• Struggled vs. Top-Tier Talent

• Inefficient

Kasparis Jakucionis ended the 2024 portion of this year’s college basketball season with a bang. Averaging just over 20 points on fantastic efficiency in a 7-game stretch made the Lithuanian teenager seem like a shoo-in top 5 pick. Yet, a difficult rest of the year found Jakucionis struggling with efficiency issues, while consistently turning the ball over and struggling with fouls. Also, Jakucionis finished the year with a pedestrian 102.8 ORTG vs. Tier 1 talent (KenPom). Still, the things that excited people in November still exist for Jakucionis. His high foul and turnover numbers can be seen as growing pains for an already good passer that has the capabilities to be a great passer and creator. Jakucionis’ 6’6” size, while having shown that he can conduct an offense at a high level in the pick-and-roll game and beyond, makes him into a high-quality project for any franchise to take on. Despite his inefficient play, the tape shows Jakucionis’ flashes of offensive brilliance that could convince a GM to take a big swing on the European guard.

13. Jeremiah Fears

Guard, Oklahoma

Strengths

• Super impressive speed

• Good Passer (simple reads)

• Great off the catch & shoot 73rd Percentile EFG

• Really good range

• Can play well in isolation

• Will be 18 in summer league

• Great at getting to the line

Weaknesses

• Prone to inefficient shot chucking

• Underwhelming splits on high usage

• Lots of turnovers

• Bad defender

• Struggled against good talent

Jeremiah Fears fits into a bit of an unfortunate stereotype when it comes to a young guard that relies on ball-dominant play from beyond the arc. Despite being a good shooter in my opinion, Fears struggled with major inefficiency issues. This came for a couple of reasons that included a weakness in off-the-dribble shooting, lots of bad quality shots taken, and struggles versus high-quality opponents. Still, my belief in Fears exists because of his ability to create off the dribble, decent playmaking, and an understanding that he is one of the youngest guys in this draft. Also, despite the sub-par defense he showed at Oklahoma, great speed, quality athleticism, and a high motor give him something to build on. 

14. Thomas Sorber

Center, Georgetown

Strengths

• Quick first step, great agility, and scoring prowess from close and mid-range

• Showed really good chemistry with a highly effective PG and was really good in the pick-and-roll game.

• Really quality passing foundation, easily built upon

• Good with the ball in his hands

• • The team struggled without him on the floor—high impact at such a young age.

• Good Box RTG

• Decent rebounder

• Massive wingspan, quick on steals and blocks

Weaknesses

• Often relies on isolation post scoring (fewer opportunities for this at the NBA level)

• 3rd percentile catch and shooting 

• 16% from beyond can be improved, but only 37 shots all season

• Overreliance on offensive putbacks won’t be easily available at the NBA level.

If Sorber can find himself with a sound offensive coach that maximizes his quickness and awareness on the offensive side of the ball, Sorber will handle the rest of his defensive growth with grace. Finding his jumper from beyond the arc would be a very welcome plus, but I wouldn’t urge teams to treat him like he is a jumper away from stardom. In reality, Sorber still has a lot of growing to do, but for a 19-year-old, his impact on defense and the ability to pair with high-level point guard talent make him a high-upside project that any functional organization can use. 

15. Nique Clifford

Forward, Colorado State

Strengths

• Bonafide Head Honcho of an offense

• Good size

• Great defender

• Fantastic passer for his size

• Stellar Rebounder

• Good off the catch & shoot

Weaknesses

• Often requires the ball in his hands

• High splits, high usage 

• Will be 23 years old on debut

• Can be prone to turnovers

If every prospect in this draft stayed at the same skill they are at now, Nique Clifford would be a top 3 pick. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, this is not the case. Many franchises are in love with building their own two-way star from scratch, but for any team that wants an immediate two-way talent with experience on and off the ball, Nique Clifford is it. Clifford’s rise to a first-round pick has been one of constant improvement, where he grew on both sides of the ball. This showed in his senior season, where he showed fantastic proficiency in his passing and playmaking, along with defense and scoring at all levels. Yes, Clifford can be prone to turnovers and appear ball dominant at times, but his build and ability to grow make him just as malleable as the young guys in this draft. 

16. Asa Newell

Forward, Georgia

Strengths

• Plays really big for his 6’10 listed height

• Good ability of putbacks and rebounding position/leverage

• Super efficient Hooper, 127.8 ORTG is pretty awesome; 71% at the rim is a big reason for this.

• High efficiency against really good SEC talent, similar EFG and ORTG 

• Doesn’t turn the ball over, decent passer 

• Will thrive being big in a fast-paced offense

Weaknesses

• Hoop Explorer claims Georgia was actually better on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense with him off the court.

• Gave up 14 points to Ben Gold and let David Joplin have 29; he might be a cone on defense.

• • A bit worried about NBA physicality

• Defensive Win Shares and DRTG

Asa Newell is, to me, a high-upside big who excels in his quickness and athleticism. Newell is young and is coming off a tough SEC season that demanded growth from him at all times. His biggest red flag is that the advanced statistics and a bit of the eye test are very dismissive of his defensive abilities. Specifically, .4 defensive win shares and a DRTG that reached 104.2 were very pedestrian compared to some of his peers like Collin Murray-Boyles or Thomas Sorber. Still, Newell will still be 19 years old when he touches his first NBA hardwood and has plenty of room to grow in terms of defensive physicality and awareness. The best part about Newell is he already attracts so much attention on the offensive side of the ball. He is quick and plays really big for only being listed as 6 '10. He is super efficient with an awesome 127.8 ORTG and finds a ton of success at high volume at the rim. Along with this, he is a decent passer for his size and has shown major prowess against SEC talent. Also, Newell has done really well shooting the ball for his size, which will be a nice bonus in the NBA. In all, I think Newell can really succeed if he is put into a highly developed system that gives him time to grow on the defensive side of the ball. Asa already seems like a successful NBA hybrid big who will thrive in any system that gives him the chance to be a quick and efficient scorer while using his size on the defensive end of the ball.

17. Walter Clayton Jr.

Guard, Florida

Strengths

• Offensive prowess and shooting

• Pure self-creation on-ball

• Performing at the highest level

• Offensive rating and efficiency

• Fine defender for his size, good on blocks

• Doesn’t make too many mistakes (good for volume of usage)

Weaknesses

• Age makes progression unknown.

• Can be overhyped due to recent tournament success

• Isn’t the complete playmaker and passer he could be

• Play was really good but considerably worse vs. SEC and Tier A talent.

Walter Clayton Jr. is a classic case of an old guard who broke into draft conversations based on an All-American senior campaign. The good thing for Clayton is his senior year in Gainesville was historically great and ended with a national championship. Still, the cons of age and overhype stand true for Clayton. The truth is he may be the most polished scorer in the draft as of today. 18.3 points on relatively efficient shooting and a 122.2 offensive rating as the head of a lethal offense mean that Clayton has proven everything he needed to on the floor. Specifically, Clayton excelled off the dribble, where he posted a 53% EFG (71st percentile). The biggest question is how much can he grow from this point? The 22-year-old can fall a bit short on the defensive end due to his size, and his relatively average passing game means it’s unlikely he can be a reliable point guard on day one. Clayton is a guy who can score in any situation; why should the rest matter?

18. Kam Jones

Guard, Marquette

Strengths

• Excellent passer and facilitator

• Great around the rim 

• Efficient and showed real sparks from beyond

• Knows how to run an offense at a high level

• Can play at any speed

• Plays fine defense, good size for PG

Weaknesses

• Shooting can be spotty and unreliable.

• Will be nearing 24 years old on debut

• Athleticism doesn’t jump off the page.

• Bad at free throws

• Doesn’t excel through contact

It’s hard for me not to glow when speaking of Kam Jones. The Marquette man spent four years in Milwaukee, growing from a raw scorer who struggled on the defensive end to a pure offensive force that led a top 25 defense. Jones should be seen as an immediate high-value add in a league that is coming to understand the value of a backup lead guard. Guys like Andrew Nembhard, Malik Monk, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White are just a few recent examples of how former high-tier college scorers and processors can evolve into NBA necessities even without being a starter from the jump. To get into specifics, Jones did a fantastic job of showing his passing abilities, which was the biggest question mark after he took Tyler Kolek’s former spot. Jones also continued to be a prevalent scorer, specifically finding his way to the rim against any defense. The main fault in Jones’ 2025 was his three-point shooting, which dipped to .311 from his .406 highs of the year prior. Still, Jones should be touted as a plus shooter, especially as someone who can continue to grow his off-ball game. Jones’ 24 years of age make him a difficult sell to NBA scouts, but a combination of high-tier offensive processing and defensive intensity should make him a first-round pick in this draft. 

19. Liam McNeeley

Forward, UCONN

Strengths

• Great feel and flow

• High-intensity defender

• Good off catch & shoot

• Quick and explosive

• 19 years old on draft day 

Weaknesses

• Struggled with availability 

• Can be very inefficient at times

• Advanced stats disapprove of his defense.

• Pedestrian ORTG

• Unknown upside, not yet playable

The former 5-star recruit was heralded for his offensive fluidity that included passing, self-creation, and shooting. All of that still exists for Liam McNeeley, but the freshman did have major struggles with his offensive efficiency, with his TS% ending under 50% vs. Tier A competition (KenPom). Still, the 6’8 forward has great explosiveness and can be unlocked as a quality scorer. Advanced statistics loathe McNeeley on both sides of the ball, but the eye test shows a high motor, good build, and a hard-to-replicate feel for the game. 

20. Danny Wolf

Forward, Michigan

Strengths

• Fantastic Passer

• High-level processor

• Moves very well for size

• Good defender

• Very high-quality rebounder

• • 7-footer who is capable with the ball in his hands

• Can shoot

Weaknesses

• Underwhelming on offense with a large sample size

• Didn’t show all that much growth from sophomore season

• Highly turnover-prone

• Not as efficient as he should be 

• Unicorn

• Skilled, not dominant

For a 21-year-old 7-footer who is someone that can handle and shoot the ball while excelling in passing and rebounding, I find myself underwhelmed with Danny Wolf. Wolf was an awesome watch at Michigan this year, but the high turnovers and average offensive efficiency make him a hard sell in the NBA. There is an argument to be made that the turnovers are fixable and just a product of him constantly improving his game through a ‘trial and error’ of sorts, but I really didn’t see enough growth in this past year with the Wolverines to back up such a take. Wolf is skilled but wasn’t dominant by any means. This 7-foot unicorn is such an anomaly that it is hard to see him perfectly meshing in an NBA system while being an incomplete offensive product. Still, I can see Wolf succeeding if he continues to flesh out the defending and rebounding that he has shown while keeping the passing and shooting as a nice bonus.

Final Note: I felt remiss to do a full mock draft that included international products because I felt I didn’t get a true idea of who they were as prospects. A big shout out to Noa Essengue and Nolan Traore who highlighted this group. Same thing for Cedric Coward who was limited in the 2025 CBB season. If I had all the time and means in the world I would have also talked about Rasheer Fleming, Egor Demin, and Will Riley, who are all great prospects. And a final shout out to some second rounders who I think can make a splash in the right situation: Maxime Raynaud, Sion James, Micah Peavy, Javon Small, and Ryan Nembhard.