2025 NBA Draft: Ranking the best prospects available this year

Position: Forward

Height: 6ft 9in

Weight: 225

Strengths: Full package for a forward, physical, high-basketball IQ, natural leader

There's no debate, Cooper Flagg is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick in every mock draft out there. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Duke has all the makings of a generational talent, with elite tools, high basketball IQ, and natural leadership that sets him apart.

He brings the full package to the hardwood. He's a force on both ends, showing off his offensive polish with confident, fluid scoring off the bounce and the kind of physical presence that keeps defenders on their heels. On the other end, he's just as impactful—capable of guarding all five positions and wreaking havoc as a help-side disruptor. His blend of skill, smarts, and intensity makes him a matchup nightmare and a dream pick for any coach.

Flagg lit up the college scene, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 boards, and 4.2 assists while knocking down 39% of his shots from beyond the arc. Now set to link up with a rising Dallas Mavericks squad, many already have him penciled in as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year. Simply put, the hype is real—and fully justified.

Position: Guard

Height: 6ft 5in

Weight: 213

Strengths: Big frame for a guard, great playmaker, good creator, decent finisher

Dylan Harper is widely pegged as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft—a well-earned milestone for the former five-star standout and Rutgers freshman, whose name is set to be called on draft night in what feels like the next chapter of a journey years in the making.

A natural-born bucket-getter, Harper brings elite scoring instincts to the next level. He made headlines this past season by becoming the first Division I freshman in the past 15 years to notch back-to-back 35-point games, an early sign he’s built for the big stage.

Across the year, the Scarlet Knights guard put up 19.4 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 33.3% from deep (hitting 1.7 threes a night). He also added 4.6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest, earning spots on both the All-Big Ten Third Team and the conference’s All-Freshman squad, just like his fellow first-year teammate Ace Bailey.

After being ranked the No. 3 overall prospect and the top combo guard in the 2024 recruiting class, Harper's stock has only continued to rise. Whichever franchise lands him will be getting a confident, dynamic playmaker with star potential.

Position: Guard

Height: 6ft 4in

Weight: 193

Strengths: Athleticism, great on-ball defender

Over the course of 33 starts last season, Edgecombe made a strong impression in his freshman campaign, putting up 15.0 points, 5.6 boards, 3.2 dimes, 2.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per outing. His all-around play earned him spots on both the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and the All-Big 12 Second Team.

The Big 12 Rookie of the Year delivered a solid 14-point, five-rebound, two-assist showing in Baylor's tight 75-72 first-round win over No. 8 seed Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament. But the Bears’ run was short-lived, as they were ousted by Duke two days later.

It’s been quite a rise for the Bimini, Bahamas native. Early in high school, Edgecombe flew well under the recruiting radar. But once his explosive athleticism started turning heads, the offers came pouring in. By his senior year, he was a certified five-star prospect, drawing serious interest from bluebloods like Duke, UConn, and Michigan.

Position: Guard

Height: 6ft 8in

Weight: 203

Strengths: Long frame, elite scorer from all around the court, high-energy defensive dynamo

It's not every day you see a top prospect reportedly trying to slip out of the top five. But that’s exactly the buzz surrounding Ace Bailey, whose pre-draft process has thrown scouts and analysts for a loop ahead of Wednesday's first round.

Talent-wise, the Rutgers standout belongs in the upper echelon of this class, arguably behind only Cooper Flagg and teammate Dylan Harper. Bailey’s all-around game popped during his lone college season, where he averaged 17.6 points on 46% shooting, drilled 34.6% from deep (1.6 makes per game), and added 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1 steal per contest. That earned him All-Big Ten Third Team and Freshman Team honors, no small feat in a stacked conference.

With that résumé and sky-high upside, Bailey should comfortably sit among the draft’s top three. Yet puzzling developments in recent workouts and interviews have reportedly caused his stock to slip, as teams grow wary of mixed signals. Whether it's strategy or uncertainty, Bailey's draft night journey is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable storylines on the board.

Position: Guard

Height: 6ft5in

Weight: 190

Strengths: Scoring, high-energy defender

When it comes to long-range snipers in this draft class, Tre Johnson might just be in a league of his own. The Texas freshman lit up the scoreboard with 19.9 points per game, leading all Division I freshmen in scoring. Even more impressive? He buried nearly 40% of his threes — 39.7% to be exact — on a high volume of 6.8 attempts per game.

A smooth-shooting wing with a sweet stroke from deep, Johnson projects as one of the premier marksmen in this year’s class. But he’s more than just a spot-up threat — he also flashed playmaking upside, dishing out 2.7 assists per game and showing glimpses of smart decision-making with the ball.

The knock? His defense. While he’s got the physical tools to hold his own, he hasn’t consistently shown the grit or urgency on that end. The talent is there — it’s just a matter of turning potential into two-way impact.