Duke men’s basketball has a history of producing multiple lottery picks in the NBA draft over the past four decades. Notably, the Blue Devils have seen multiple lottery picks in the same draft, such as the 2019 draft which included selections at No. 1, 3, and 10 (Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish) and the 1999 draft with picks at No. 1, 11, and 13 (Elton Brand, Trajan Langdon, Corey Maggette).
In the current season, Duke is poised to have three players selected in the lottery. Cooper Flagg is projected as the No. 1 pick, Kon Knueppel has risen into the top five due to his recent performances, and Khaman Maluach is considered a top-10 prospect expected to go at No. 8 in the 2025 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports. The team is in excellent form, riding an eight-game winning streak and currently holding the No. 1 ranking for the first time this season. Heading into the ACC tournament as the top seed, Duke is also on track to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
As the major college basketball conference tournaments kick off this week, attention is turning to potential NBA prospects for next season. The NBA draft is scheduled for June 25-26, and here are some players to watch:
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke: A versatile guard-forward with impressive stats, Flagg leads Duke in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. He excels in various aspects of the game, showcasing strong footwork, scoring ability in the post, playmaking skills, and defensive prowess.
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers: A talented guard with size and length, Harper’s left-handed stroke and versatility make him a promising prospect for the next level. His ability to play both point guard and off-guard positions adds value to his NBA potential.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers: An athletic guard-forward with a strong scoring ability and defensive presence, Bailey’s size and skill set position him well for success in the NBA. He is an active defender and effective scorer around the rim.
4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor: A guard known for his athleticism, scoring, and defensive skills, Edgecombe has the potential to make an impact at the NBA level. His ability to create steals and contribute offensively adds value to his draft stock.
These players represent a glimpse into the future of the NBA as they showcase their talents and abilities on the college basketball stage.
One player excels as a high-level off-ball scorer but can improve in on-ball scoring. Edgecombe saw significant playing time at the end of the season, notably logging 38 minutes in a game against No. 3 Houston where he scored 23 points, grabbed five rebounds, recorded three steals, dished out two assists, and blocked one shot. Another standout, Knueppel from Duke, is a freshman guard-forward standing at 6-7 and weighing 217 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game with shooting percentages of 47% from the field, 39.9% from three-point range, and 91.4% from the free-throw line. Knueppel is known for his ability to spark an offense with his efficient 3-point shot, always ready to receive the ball in his shooting pocket. He also demonstrates proficiency in midrange shooting, ball security, and accuracy from the free-throw line.
Another promising freshman, Jakucionis from Illinois, stands 6-6 and weighs 205 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 45.5% from the field, 33.1% from three-point range, and 83.2% from the free-throw line. Jakucionis is a versatile playmaker with scoring and passing abilities, showcasing a nice 3-point shot and the capability to shoot off the dribble from deep, including step-back 3s. While adept at finding open teammates, Jakucionis can be prone to turnovers but displays good court vision and finishing skills at the rim.
Johnson out of Texas is a freshman guard standing 6-6 and weighing 190 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 20.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 43.4% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range, and 88.3% from the free-throw line. Johnson is a natural shooter and scorer, excelling in scoring on the move and demonstrating some playmaking abilities. However, there is room for improvement in creating plays for others, as well as in strength and explosiveness for finishing at the rim.
Maluach from Duke is a freshman center standing 7-2 and weighing 250 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game with shooting percentages of 68.3% from the field and 75% from the free-throw line. Maluach is a mobile big man who thrives in pick-and-roll situations, possesses soft touch around the rim
In the final regular-season game, Oklahoma freshman guard Jeremiah Fears helped secure an 85-74 victory over Utah. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 182 pounds, Fears showcased impressive stats for the 2024-25 season, averaging 16.3 points, 4.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. With a field goal percentage of 43.3% and free throw percentage of 85.1%, Fears demonstrated a solid start to his freshman year. He excels in dribbling, driving to the hoop, and executing in pick-and-roll situations, both as a scorer and a passer. While he needs to enhance his 3-point shooting, he shows immense potential. Notably, Fears scored a season-high 31 points, along with five assists and four rebounds, in a notable win against ranked Missouri.
Another standout freshman, Liam McNeeley from UConn, is a forward measuring 6-7 and weighing 210 pounds. McNeeley’s 2024-25 season statistics include averaging 14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Despite a field goal percentage of 39.5% and 3-point percentage of 34.7%, McNeeley compensates with a smooth shooting technique and an ability to draw fouls effectively. Following an ankle injury on New Year’s Day, which kept him out for several weeks, McNeeley bounced back and contributed to UConn’s four consecutive victories. Although he faced some challenges with his shooting accuracy towards the end of the regular season, his overall performance helped UConn regain momentum.
Maryland’s freshman center, Derik Queen, a towering 6-10 and 246 pounds, exhibited impressive stats for the 2024-25 season, averaging 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Known for his physicality and agility, Queen possesses a versatile offensive skill set with a soft touch around the rim and strong power game. Additionally, he showcases adept ball-handling skills for a player of his size and position, highlighting his potential as a first-round draft pick. Queen’s noteworthy performance included a significant victory over ranked Michigan, where he posted 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Noa Essengue, a forward from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, stands at 6-10 and weighs 198 pounds. With statistics for the 2024-25 season showing averages of 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, Essengue is recognized for his elite finishing abilities. While he is considered a developmental prospect, his size, scoring instincts, and defensive prowess suggest the potential for stardom, especially with added strength and development.
South Carolina’s sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles, measuring 6-8
1. Gonzalez, a guard-forward standing at 6-7 and weighing 207 pounds, posted stats of 3.4 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game, shooting 41.1% from the field, 27.9% from three-point range, and 74.4% from the free-throw line in the 1924-25 season. Considered one of Europe’s top young NBA prospects, Gonzalez is known for his versatility as a wing player who can score both inside and outside. He possesses skills in ball-handling, passing, and surprising shot-blocking abilities, although he is still considered raw.
2. Thomas Sorber is a freshman forward-center at Georgetown, standing at 6-10 and weighing 255 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 53.2% from the field and 72.4% from the free-throw line. Unfortunately, Sorber will miss the remainder of the season due to a foot injury suffered on Feb. 15, which may impact his draft plans. Known for his prowess inside the paint and agility in cutting to the basket or backing down opponents, Sorber excels in rebounding and rim protection.
3. Jase Richardson, a freshman guard at Michigan State, stands at 6-3 and weighs 185 pounds. In the 1924-25 season, he averaged 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 52.4% from the field, 38.8% from three-point range, and 85.4% from the free-throw line. The son of former Michigan State player and two-time NBA dunk champion Jason Richardson, Jase has shown improvement throughout the season and has become a reliable shooter and facilitator for the Spartans. Known for his defensive activity and athleticism, he is also adept at rebounding, making key plays, and maintaining composure under pressure.
4. Kam Jones is a senior guard at Marquette, standing at 6-5 and weighing 205 pounds. In the 2324-25 season, he averaged 18.9 points, 6.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 48.5% from the field, 30.6% from three-point range, and 64.6% from the free-throw line. Jones is recognized for his physicality and ability to finish strong drives to the basket, showcasing improved playmaking skills and solid rebounding capabilities. Despite a slight dip in his three-point shooting, Jones remains a threat from deep and had a standout performance against St. John’s with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
5.
He possesses the lateral agility needed to defend against opponents and has the shot-blocking prowess. However, there is room for improvement in his finishing techniques and scoring efficiency. Should he decide to enter the draft, he will have an enhanced opportunity to showcase his skills to scouts and executives at the draft combine.
25. Joan Beringer, representing KK Cedevita in the Adriatic League, is a forward-center standing at 6-10, weighing 230 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 4.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 59.9% from the field and 58.5% from the free-throw line. Beringer has caught the attention of NBA scouts and executives as a versatile big man capable of executing the pick-and-roll as a screener on offense and defending against it effectively. Despite his limited experience, his potential, particularly as a rim protector, has elevated him to the status of a first-round prospect.
26. Noah Penda, who plays for Le Mans in France, is a forward standing at 6-8 and weighing 225 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he posted averages of 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 44.4% from the field, 30.9% from beyond the arc, and 72.5% from the free-throw line. Penda, a solidly-built wing, may not possess elite athleticism but has demonstrated excellent footwork in the post, adequate ball-handling skills, and the ability to shoot 3-pointers with efficiency. He is also adept at moving without the ball, often cutting through defenses for scoring opportunities.
27. Danny Wolf, a junior forward-center from Michigan, stands at 7-0 and weighs 250 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 12.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting 50% from the field, 34.4% from long range, and 60% from the charity stripe. Wolf, a transfer from Yale, has been rapidly climbing draft boards due to his fluid scoring ability and playmaking skills packaged in the frame of a 7-foot stretch big. His versatility allows him to play both as a point guard and a center, showcasing his ball-handling and shooting range that should translate well to the NBA.
28. Rasheer Fleming, a junior forward from Saint Joseph’s, is 6-9 tall and weighs 240 pounds. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 assists per
The article was first published on USA TODAY: 2025 NBA mock draft: Which teams are looking for a game-changing March?
