The Oklahoma City Thunder have made it to the NBA Finals, whereas the Indiana Pacers lead the New York Knicks 3-2 within the East.
However on June twenty fifth, all 30 groups might be seeking to enhance their roster by means of the 2025 NBA Draft. Whereas Cooper Flagg is sort of a lock to be the primary general decide, there are nonetheless a number of questions as to how the remainder of the primary spherical will play out.
A number of notable prospects have withdrawn their names to return to varsity, comparable to Yaxel Lendeborg, Tahaad Pettiford, Milos Uzan, Otega Oweh, and Alex Condon to call a number of. Count on to see a variety of surprises within the first spherical with so many entrants having withdrawn their identify. As of Might thirtieth, a complete 50 of the early entry candidates have withdrawn their identify from the draft.
With that in thoughts, let’s dive into FOX Sports activities Analysis’s first NBA mock draft.
1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg odds to be first general decide: -100000
The freshman sensation is perhaps probably the most heralded prospect to enter the draft in over a decade. There’s virtually no probability the Mavericks cross on him, as he is a game-changer on each ends of the ground. Flagg is one in all 4 freshman within the final 25 years to common 20 factors per sport on 50% capturing from the sphere and 40% capturing from three in convention play— becoming a member of Michael Beasley, CJ McCollum, and Kevin Durant.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Harper odds to be second general decide: -5000
Harper is a bonafied scorer who might be an unimaginable version to a San Antonio workforce that already has a prolific younger core anchored by Victor Wembanyama. Towards Notre Dame, he turned the primary Division-I freshman with not less than 35 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a sport since Oklahoma’s Trae Younger in 2018. He additionally turned the primary Division-I freshman to attain 35+ factors in consecutive video games during the last 15 seasons.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Bailey odds to be third general decide: +100
Averaging 17.6 factors per sport together with 7.2 rebounds, Bailey is a high-ceiling participant with the instruments to excel each offensively and defensively. Enjoying with Harper at Rutgers was additionally nice preparation for the NBA. Early within the season, they turned he second freshman duo in 15 years to each rating 35+ factors in a sport. The final freshman duo to do this was Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox.
Ace Bailey, left, and Dylan Harper are figured to be among the many high lottery picks. (Picture by Ed Mulholland/Getty Pictures)
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Similar to Ja’Kobe Walter final season, Edgecombe is one other Baylor true freshman that may rating in a number of methods and has elite athleticism. He and LaMelo Ball ought to be an thrilling backcourt for Charlotte to proceed to construct off.
5. Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Fears is a combo guard that may assist any workforce along with his offensive skill-set. The Jazz can go in a number of alternative ways right here, however he’s the most secure choice and will instantly assist them. One factor he’ll want to enhance on is his three-point capturing, as he solely shot 28% past the arc.
6. Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
With a 7-6 wingspan and excessive degree play at each Duke and the worldwide degree with South Sudan, Maluach has one of many highest ceilings on this draft given his freakish athleticism and the tenacity he is exhibited to this point.
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel, F, Duke
Knueppel’s inventory actually rose after a formidable NCAA Event, the place he posted two 20-point video games and shot 10-of-18 from three. He is without doubt one of the two finest shooters on this draft and in addition is a stunning playmaker.
Cooper Flagg, middle, is flanked by fellow top-10 prospects Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel. (Picture by Lance King/Getty Pictures)
8. Brooklyn Nets: Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Tre Johnson is arguably one of the best distance shooter on this draft, and the Texas guard had the numbers to show it. He averaged 19.9 factors per sport and led all freshman in Division-I in scoring– and sure, that features Cooper Flagg. Extra importantly, he shot a whopping 39.7% from three on 6.8 makes an attempt per contest.
9. Toronto Raptors: Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Nobody can overlook his iconic buzzer-beater towards Colorado State within the second spherical of the NCAA Event, however Queen has been a stud for the reason that leap. At 6’10, 250 kilos, he has an unimaginable contact for an enormous man and is not afraid to get his fingers soiled within the paint.
10. Houston Rockets: Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Simply one of the best true level guard within the draft, Jakucionis is an elite playmaker who can shoot it from three as properly. With an getting old Fred VanVleet, he could be the proper match for a Rockets workforce that was so near taking down the Warriors within the playoffs.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
At 6’7, 245 kilos, Murray-Boyles is without doubt one of the extra athletic gamers on this draft, and could be a pleasant praise to DeAndre Ayton and Donovan Clingan. He performs protection at an above-average degree and has a top-notch motor. He’ll want to enhance his capturing, as he solely shot 26.5% from three.
12. Chicago Bulls: Egor Demin, G, BYU
One other participant whose inventory actually rose after a Candy 16 run within the NCAA Event, Demin is an intriguing prospect— because the Moscow-born participant is a 6’9 level ahead. He additionally has expertise on the worldwide membership degree, having performed for the Actual Madrid B workforce. He is additionally one other participant who wants to enhance his capturing, hitting simply 27.3% of his pictures from three.
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento): Noa Essengue, F, France
France continues to provide top-tier prospects after boasting the likes of Wemby and Zaccharie Risacher to call a number of, and Essengue may very well be the subsequent one in line. A 6’9 ahead whose simply 18 years previous, he took an enormous leap for Bundesliga membership Ulm within the 2024-25 marketing campaign— averaging 12.4 factors per sport 5.3 in Euro Cup play.
Noa Essengue is among the many high worldwide prospects who ought to be chosen within the early a part of the primary spherical. (Picture by Harry Langer/DeFodi Pictures through Getty Pictures)
14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta): Thomas Sorber, F, Georgetown
Sorber solely performed in 24 video games this season as a result of a foot damage, however that was sufficient to ensure him first spherical standing. He averaged 14.5 factors alongside 8.5 rebounds and demonstrated his capacity to be a prolific rim protector with 2.0 blocks per sport and 1.5 steals.
15. OKC Thunder (from Miami through LA Clippers): Will Riley, G, Illinois
At 6’8 with an honest capturing stroke, Riley matches precisely what OKC likes— lengthy and athletic wings who will play onerous protection and run the ground. He has sturdy instincts with the ball in his fingers and will proceed to develop at a quick charge within the NBA.
16. Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Richardson has all the things you need from a combo guard— the abiltiy to penetrate the lane, discover the open man, and knock down jumpers. However measuring at simply over six ft on the mix, he falls simply outdoors of the lottery. If he was 6’3 or 6’4, he’d be a top-10 decide.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit through New York, Oklahoma Metropolis, and Houston): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Bryant has moved up draft boards after his mix efficiency, measuring at 6’6 barefoot with a 6’11 wingspan and 39.5 inch vertical. Whereas he performed a supporting function in Tuscon, he has the upside to be a powerful two-way participant for any workforce. He additionally shot 37.1% from three.
18. Washington Wizards (from Memphis): Liam McNeeley, G, UConn
McNeeley might feasibly go a lot increased than this, as any workforce might use his companies. Measuring at just below 6’7 on the mix, he was pressured to be a playmaker at UConn this previous season and did a terrific job. He is additionally a knockdown shooter and continues to enhance on the defensive finish of the ground.
19. Brooklyn Nets (type Milwaukee through New York, Detroit, Portland, and New Orleans): Joan Beringer, C, France
One other French product right here, the 18-year previous 6’11 large man for Cedevita Olimpija (Slovenian league) is a venture participant that might profit enormously from the tutlege of Nic Claxton in Brooklyn.
20. Miami Heat (from Golden State): Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia
A five-star prospect who was ranked the fourth-best energy ahead in his highschool class and sixteenth finest participant general (247Sports), Newell flew underneath the radar this yr as a result of enjoying for a Georgia workforce that went 8-10 in SEC play. Nonetheless, he measured at 6’9 barefoot on the mix and averaged 15.4 factors per sport with 6.9 rebounds in his lone season in Athens.
21. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota): Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan
Wolf is possibly one of the best passing large man on this draft class, however generally it will get him in hassle— as he averaged 3.2 turnovers per sport this yr. Nonetheless, he is without doubt one of the most enjoyable gamers within the draft— with the flexibility to put up up, shoot the lengthy ball, cross, and rebound. He’ll want to enhance on the defensive finish of the ground.
22. Atlanta Hawks (from LA Lakers through New Orleans): Nolan Traore, G, France
Yup, one other French participant. Traore simply turned 19 a number of days in the past and was one of many higher younger guards within the French league this previous yr. He posted 11.6 factors per sport together with 5.1 assists.
23. Indiana Pacers: Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
Nique Clifford was only a machine for Colorado State, being one in all simply two gamers in all of Division-I to common 18 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists per sport (Physician Bradley— Arkansas Pine Bluff). He performs like an influence ahead regardless of being a 6’6 guard. He has potential to be the steal of the draft.
24. OKC Thunder (from LA Clippers): Cedric Coward, F, Washington State
Coward performed at Jap Washington for 2 seasons earlier than transferring to Washington State, the place he solely performed six video games as a result of a shoulder damage. Nonetheless, he is a 6’6 guard with a surprising 7’2 wingspan. And in these six video games, he averaged 17.7 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per sport.
25. Orlando Magic (from Denver): Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford
The 7’1 Frenchman out of Stanford was the one participant in Division-I to common 20 factors and 10 rebounds per sport this yr. He additionally shot 34.7% from three on 5.5 makes an attempt per contest, making his dimension and skill to stretch the ground extemely worthwhile to any workforce.
26. Brooklyn Nets (from New York): Drake Powell, G, North Carolina
Powell’s numbers weren’t gaudy in his lone season at North Carolina, however he has the scale to be a productive wing and in addition shot 37.4% from the three-point line. His upside is certainly there, as he was the eleventh ranked participant in his highschool class and second-ranked small ahead (247Sports).
Drake Powell determined to maintain his identify within the draft and can purpose to be a first-round choice. (Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)
27. Brooklyn Nets (from Houston): Noah Penda, G/F, France
Penda is available in at 6’8, 225 kilos and has practically a seven-foot wingspan. He is solely 20 years previous and has nice instincts on the defensive finish of the ground. One other French product, he has the prospect to be an unimaginable function participant.
28. Boston Celtics: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Kalkbrenner might simply go within the high 20 given he is over seven-feet tall and shoots 34.4% from three. He received Large East Defensive Participant of the 12 months 4 occasions and has the makings of a Boston Celtic written throughout him.
29. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland through Utah): Walter Clayton, PG, Florida
The star of the NCAA Event this yr, Clayton offers Phoenix with each playmaking and scoring capacity. He turned the primary participant with a 30-point sport within the Elite 8 and Nationwide Semifinals of the identical NCAA Event since Indiana State’s Larry Chicken in 1979.
30. LA Clippers (from OKC): Johni Broome, F/C, Auburn
The SEC Participant of the 12 months and winner of the Karl Malone Award (given to the nation’s high energy ahead), Broome exhibits up when it issues. Towards Michigan State within the Elite 8, he turned the primary participant with 25 factors and 10 rebounds on 75% capturing to ship his workforce to the Remaining 4 since Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.
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