The winner of the upcoming Cooper Flagg sweepstakes will soon be announced following the NBA draft lottery on Monday. It is highly anticipated that the team who secures the top spot in the lottery will likely select Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. Flagg, who impressed during his freshman season at Duke in 2024-25, has long been considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.
With several teams in need of a player of Flagg’s caliber to accelerate their rebuilding efforts, the Utah Jazz (17-65), Washington Wizards (18-64), and Charlotte Hornets (19-63) are among those interested. Other teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans Pelicans are also seeking help.
Teams will have the opportunity to evaluate Flagg and other prospects at the NBA draft combine in Chicago next week before the draft takes place on June 25-26.
Below is a preview of USA TODAY Sports’ pre-combine NBA mock draft featuring the top prospects:
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
– Freshman, guard-forward, 6-9, 205, 18 years old
– 2024-25 stats: 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.4 bpg, 48.1% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 84% FT
– Flagg is a versatile player known for his scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defensive skills. He led Duke to an impressive season, showcasing his talent on both ends of the court.
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
– Freshman, guard, 6-6, 215, 19
– 2024-25 stats: 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 48.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 75% FT
– Harper is a left-handed guard with size and length, demonstrating his scoring and playmaking abilities.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
– Freshman, guard-forward, 6-10, 200, 18
– 2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 69.2% FT
– Bailey is an athletic wing with scoring potential and defensive prowess, needing to work on his playmaking skills.
4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
– Freshman, guard, 6-5, 180, 19
– 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg,
5. Tre Johnson from Texas is a promising freshman guard standing at 6-6, weighing 190 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he showcased his scoring abilities with 19.9 points per game, along with 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Johnson’s shooting skills and scoring prowess make him a valuable asset on the court, particularly when on the move. While he excels as a scorer, he still has room for improvement in playmaking for his teammates. Strengthening his physical attributes and explosiveness would further enhance his performance, especially as a finisher near the basket. Noteworthy performances include scoring three 30-point games within the last two months and contributing 23 points and six rebounds in an NCAA tournament game against Xavier.
6. Jeremiah Fears, a freshman guard from Oklahoma, stands at 6-4 and weighs 182 pounds. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he demonstrated his skills with an average of 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Fears is known for his quick dribbling, strength driving to the rim, and effectiveness in pick-and-roll situations as both a scorer and passer. While he excels in various aspects of the game, there is room for improvement in his three-point shooting. Fears had standout performances, such as scoring a season-high 31 points against a ranked Missouri team and showcasing his abilities in the SEC tournament with notable stats against Georgia and Kentucky. In the NCAA tournament, he contributed 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a first-round loss to UConn.
7. Kon Knueppel, a freshman guard-forward from Duke, stands at 6-7 and weighs 217 pounds. His stats for the 2024-25 season include averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Knueppel is recognized for his ability to spark the offense with his efficient three-point shooting and midrange accuracy. With a reliable shooting motion, he is a valuable asset on the court, consistently delivering strong performances. Notable moments include averaging 21 points in the ACC tournament and stepping up in regional games. Knueppel had standout games in the Elite Eight and Final Four of the NCAA tournament, showcasing his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities.
8. Derik Queen, a freshman center from Maryland, stands tall at 6-10 and weighs 246 pounds. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he displayed his versatility with an average of 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and contributions in steals and blocks per game. Queen is an agile and physical big man with a soft touch around the basket, complemented by a power game. Known for his court-running abilities and ball-handling skills as a forward-center, he shows promise as a potential first-round
Struggled to have an impact in the Final Four defeat against Houston, managing only six points and zero rebounds.
10. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis stands at 6 feet 6 inches and weighs 205 pounds. His 2024-25 stats show an impressive 15.0 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game. He has a field goal percentage of 44%, a three-point percentage of 31.8%, and a free throw percentage of 84.5%. Jakucionis is known for his skills as both a scorer and a passer. He possesses a strong shooting range, excelling in three-point shots and deep dribble shooting, including step-back three-pointers. Additionally, he shows good court vision, making smart passes when drawing multiple defenders. Despite his strengths, Jakucionis can sometimes struggle with turnovers. Towards the end of the season, he faced difficulties offensively, shooting at a 32.5% success rate and committing 24 turnovers in the last four games. Notably, he recorded 16 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in a successful first-round NCAA tournament game against Xavier.
11. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds. His 2024-25 stats include an average of 16.8 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. He also contributes 2.4 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks per game. With a field goal percentage of 58.6%, three-point percentage of 26.5%, and free throw percentage of 70.7%, Murray-Boyles showcases a strong effort and determination on the court despite being slightly undersized for a power forward. He exhibits notable strength in finishing plays at the rim and ranked as the third-best rebounder in the SEC. Noteworthy performances include a 35-point and seven-rebound game against Arkansas late in the regular season, as well as a 20-point and 12-rebound effort in a match against Arkansas during the SEC tournament.
12. Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Freshman guard Jase Richardson measures 6 feet 3 inches in height and weighs 185 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 12.1 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game. Richardson boasts a field goal percentage of 49.3%, a three-point percentage of 41.2%, and a free throw percentage of 83.6%. Throughout the season, Richardson displayed improvement, evolving into a reliable shooter and playmaker for the Spartans. He is active on defense, showcasing unexpected athleticism, and exhibits a talent for
A player who poses an immediate threat in pick-and-roll scenarios, Liam McNeeley stood out for the Bulldogs in a challenging game against top-ranked Auburn, leading his team with 20 points. Although his scoring tapered off towards the end of the regular season, McNeeley showcased his skills with 20 points and eight rebounds in a first-round NCAA tournament matchup against Gonzaga.
McNeeley, a freshman forward at UConn standing at 6-7 and weighing 210 pounds, boasted season averages of 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Despite not possessing the most fluid athleticism, McNeeley compensates with a smooth shooting stroke, drawing fouls with finesse and earning trips to the free-throw line. His quick release and impressive shooting range suggest he deserves significant playing time. Following an ankle injury early in the year, McNeeley rebounded and displayed resilience on the court.
On the other hand, Nolan Traore from Saint-Quentin in France, a 6-4 guard weighing 175 pounds, put up solid numbers of 12 points and 4.8 assists per game. While he excels in scoring and passing, Traore struggles at times with turnovers and needs to work on his shooting efficiency, particularly from long range. His agility enables him to penetrate defenses effectively, but refining his shooting mechanics will be crucial for his development.
Moving on to Carter Bryant, a freshman forward at Arizona standing at 6-8 and weighing 225 pounds, his stats include 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. Bryant’s athleticism combines strength and fluidity, allowing him to defend well and block shots. Enhancing his scoring efficiency and finishing skills will be key for his progress, as he aims to make a lasting impression on scouts and executives.
Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, a freshman forward-center at 6-10 and 255 pounds, shone brightly before undergoing foot surgery that ended his season prematurely. Known for his inside presence and versatility, Sorber excels in pick-and-roll situations and excels in rebounding and rim protection. As he continues to develop physically, Sorber’s all-around skills make him a valuable asset for the team’s future success.
Lastly, Danny Wolf, a junior forward-center at Michigan standing tall at 7-0 and weighing 250 pounds, recorded solid averages of 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. The Yale transfer impresses with his scoring ability and playmaking skills, showcasing a unique blend of talents for a big man. Wolf’s versatility as a scorer and ball-handler has garnered attention from NBA scouts, with his potential to excel in pick-and-roll actions and perimeter shooting. His standout performances in the Big Ten tournament and NCAA games highlight his impact on the court.
Clifford is a versatile wing player who excels in various aspects of the game including scoring, rebounding, passing, and defending. Known for his quick burst on drives to the basket, he can finish with both power and finesse. He played significant minutes for Colorado State and performed exceptionally well in the final six games leading up to the NCAA tournament, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 60% from the field and 54.8% from beyond the arc. Notable performances include a 36-point game against Boise State and two double-doubles in the Mountain West tournament. In the NCAA tournament, he contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in a second-round loss to Maryland.
Player 28: Yaxel Lendeborg of UAB is a versatile forward with the ability to score both inside and out. He excels in handling the basketball, passing, and surprising opponents with his shot-blocking skills. While he is still considered raw, his stats from the 2024-25 season showcase his impressive performance, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Lendeborg is known for his defensive activity, transition attacks, and aggressiveness in the paint. With good size and strength for his position, he poses a threat with his shooting accuracy, particularly from both inside and outside the 3-point line. His potential draft evaluation could lead him to consider another season at Michigan for college basketball.
Player 29: Noah Penda from Le Mans in France is a solid forward standing at 6-8, 225 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Despite not being the most explosive athlete, Penda demonstrates exceptional footwork in the low block, decent ball-handling skills, and efficiency in 3-point shooting. His ability to move without the ball and score has improved steadily throughout the season.
Player 30: Kam Jones, a senior guard from Marquette, is a dominant force with impressive stats from the 2024-25 season, averaging 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. Jones, a left-hander, is a physical player who excels in driving to the rim, showcasing solid footwork, and a fearless attitude towards contact. He has enhanced his playmaking abilities and rebounding skills this season. Despite a slight dip in his 3-point shooting percentage, Jones remains a threat with his ability to score off dribbles and catch-and-shoots. His notable performances in the Big East tournament and the NCAA tournament highlight his capabilities as a key player.
