With the college basketball season now a month in, it’s the perfect moment to evaluate the impressive array of NBA draft hopefuls from this season. The incoming freshmen were highly touted upon their arrival, yet their performance thus far has exceeded even the most hopeful forecasts. The flood of fresh talent into the collegiate scene has been a spectacle, further enhanced by several promising international players who are making their mark abroad, setting up a 2025 draft class filled with exciting prospects.
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Take a look at Sports Illustrated‘s evaluation of the top 30 prospects up to this point.
1. Cooper Flagg, F, Duke Blue Devils
Flagg has met the high expectations set for him since his early high school days in his initial month at Duke, with standout performances against both Kentucky Wildcats and Arizona Wildcats. Jon Scheyer has occasionally positioned him as the main offensive engine for Duke, a role Flagg has adapted to quite well despite some turnovers in crucial late-game moments. While not yet a top-tier scorer and probably not ready to be a primary offensive option in the NBA, his early play hasn’t raised any significant concerns about his potential as a top draft pick.
2. Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Harper shone brightly in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving, where he captivated NBA scouts and executives with consecutive 35-point games against Alabama Crimson Tide and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, despite varied defensive strategies aimed at containing him. Although his three-point shooting hasn’t been stellar, his ability to penetrate the lane seems almost uncontainable at the college level. Harper appears NBA-ready, promising a high ceiling as a dynamic lead guard.
3. Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Bailey has been a highlight reel in the making, known for his ability to hit difficult shots and his explosive athleticism. After sitting out the first two games due to a minor hip issue, he has averaged nearly 19 points in the six games since his return. Although still developing his game, particularly in terms of driving to the hoop, his potential is unmatched in his draft class, including Flagg. His performance in the physically demanding Big Ten season will be telling.
4. Nolan Traoré, G, Saint-Quentin (France)
Traoré might not have the same physical gifts as Harper, but he shares many strengths as a large, effective ball-handler who can reach the rim regularly and set up plays. Despite his youth, Traoré’s performance has been solid in a league full of seasoned professionals, though his decision-making and consistency will be closely watched as he positions himself as a potential top-five draft pick.
5. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke Blue Devils
Despite his youth and rawness, Maluach has mostly impressed against a tough schedule. His physical presence is immediately noticeable—standing 7′ 2″ with a formidable wingspan and reach, Maluach plays with intensity and appears well-trained in Duke’s defensive schemes, impacting games at both ends of the court. While he sometimes struggles with foul trouble and adapting to the pace and physicality of college basketball, his prospects as a future NBA starter look promising as he continues to refine his skills.
6. Egor Demin, G, BYU Cougars
Demin’s sensational start to the season had some pondering if he could challenge Flagg for the top spot in the draft. However, his performance has dipped slightly, highlighted by a challenging game against the Providence Friars where he went 0-of-10 from the field in front of many NBA scouts. Despite this, Demin’s exceptional passing skills and potential to become a top-tier NBA playmaker remain evident, though he will need to demonstrate more consistency from beyond the arc to fully realize his potential.
7. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois Fighting Illini
In a different draft, Jakucionis might have been considered the top passer. This year, he faces stiff competition from the likes of Demin and Harper, yet the Lithuanian prodigy has excelled in ball screens while assuming a high-usage role. Jakucionis has a keen sense of the game, adeptly managing the pace and involving his teammates. It’s been promising to observe him effectively attack and score in critical early-season matches against Alabama and the Arkansas Razorbacks, although his 11 turnovers across those games did mar his performances somewhat.
8. Tre Johnson, G, Texas Longhorns
While Flagg, Harper, and Bailey have been the talk of the town, Johnson has been quietly effective, averaging just under 21 points per game with a solid 48% shooting from the field and an impressive 45% from beyond the arc. Although he’s still honing his playmaking skills, his scoring instincts are undeniable and likely to translate well to the professional level. However, his ability to contribute in other ways when his shots aren’t falling, as seen during Texas’s early-season tournament against the Syracuse Orange and St. Joe’s Hawks, remains a concern for his draft stock.
9. VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor Bears
Edgecombe’s season has been a mix of thrilling highlights and struggles, particularly in scoring efficiently against stronger opponents. While his self-creation ability might be limited, Edgecombe could still provide value as a slasher with robust defensive skills. After a shaky 1-of-10 start from three-point range, he has since found his rhythm, a critical development for his long-term prospects.
10. Kon Knueppel, G, Duke Blue Devils
Duke’s third top-10 prospect, Knueppel, has taken on a significant role as Duke’s second offensive option with aplomb. Despite some athletic limitations, he has proven to be more than a mere spot-up shooter, demonstrating his playmaking chops with eight assists in a heavily scouted game against the Kansas Jayhawks in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving. Although he’s only 4-of-23 from three in Duke’s major contests, his well-established reputation as a shooter suggests that his shooting percentage will likely improve.
11. Liam McNeeley, F, UConn Huskies
McNeeley’s shooting prowess and competitive nature were well hyped before the season, and he has mostly lived up to expectations. He hit six three-pointers in three games at the Maui Invitational and has shown he can shoot on the move. However, his ability to contribute in other ways remains a question, especially after shooting just 3-of-13 on two-point attempts while in Maui, raising some concerns among scouts.
12. Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Saraf has continued his upward trajectory following a standout performance at the FIBA U18 European Championships this summer, thanks to his scoring cleverness and creativity. While his game might not fit the traditional mold of a lottery pick, his productivity is becoming too significant to overlook.
13. Will Riley, G, Illinois Fighting Illini
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