Top 10 NBA Draft Picks 2025

Top 10 NBA Draft Picks 2025

The 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center delivered surprises, steals, and franchise-defining moments. With expert analysis from The Athletic's pre-draft rankings compared to actual selections, here's your complete breakdown of the top 10 picks that will reshape the NBA.

10. Thomas Sorber - Georgetown

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAZtWmdJzKO/?

A dominant force in the paint, Sorber is known for his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. His physicality and hustle will help any team looking for a reliable big man down low.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'9"

• Position: Forward

The Combine Revelation: Measured with a gigantic 7'6" wingspan and 9'1" standing reach, supporting the idea that he can be a full-time center despite height.

Defensive Playmaking:

• Eye-popping 2.7 steals per 100 possessions

• 7.6% block rate

• Belies the idea that he's just some lumbering big

Concerns:

• Vulnerable switch defender

• Meh rebounding for center prospect (15.6% rebound rate)

• Finishing looked hard despite a decent shooting touch

Expert's Logic: "Of the one-and-dones, it seems to me Sorber has a much stronger argument than the three more prominently mentioned prospects. He has positional size, offensive skill set, and arguably had a better freshman season."

9. Egor Demin - BYU (The Inconsistent Point Forward)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ5Q-mtS0df/?

Demin is a highly skilled international guard with a smooth shooting stroke. His versatility and scoring ability make him a potential star in the NBA’s backcourt.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'8"

• Position: Forward

The Journey: Coming to BYU by way of Russia and Real Madrid, had strong initial buzz that faded during horrid mid-winter slump.

The Problems:

• Seemed reluctant to put pressure on the paint

• Would turn every pick-and-roll into cross-court pass regardless of defense

• Shot only 27.3% from 3 and 69.5% from free throw line

Late Season Revival: Level of play picked up noticeably, including three double-figure games in NCAA Tournament.

Defensive Value: "I'm surprised more people aren't talking about his defense. He could play a half-step farther off guards than most wings because of his height and length."

The Upside: "Players of this archetype are difficult to acquire, and you can play multiples of them at once."

8. Carter Bryant - Arizona (The 3-and-D Wing)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLM-LU0ugv0/?

Bryant is a sharp-shooting forward with great length and athleticism. His ability to defend multiple positions and space the floor makes him a great asset to any team in need of a two-way wing.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'7"

• Position: Forward

The Discovery: "Bryant grabbed my attention during the 2024 Hoop Summit practices. Playing on the scout team scrimmaging against a U.S. squad with Flagg, Harper and others, Bryant made it obvious that he was on the wrong team."

NBA Ready: "The rest of the package looks ready to go, and he can easily be in an opening-night rotation."

Defensive Impact:

• 2.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per 100 possessions

• Among non-center prospects, only Flagg topped him in "stocks" rate

• Defended elite prospects like Flagg and Edgecombe

Limitations:

• Limited handle may consign him to low-usage, 3-and-D role

• Shot-creation tools still rudimentary

• Needs to control fouling.

Market Value: "Players in this size-skill category get $20 million a year in free agency, so you always draft them if you have the chance."

7. Noa Essengue - Ratiopharm Ulm, Germany (The Hidden Gem)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DK5Al-cA_4t/?

Essengue is a versatile and athletic forward known for his energy on both ends of the court. His agility and basketball IQ give him the tools to develop into a strong, two-way player.

• Age: 18

• Height: 6'8"

• Position: Forward

Expert's Hot Take: "One of my biggest hot takes for this draft is that Essengue isn't getting nearly enough attention."

The Resume:

• Frenchman playing in Germany

• Rivals Flagg as the youngest player (December 2006 birthdate)

• Productive starter for a solid EuroCup team

• Playing for the German league championship.

Impressive Stats:

• PER of 18.4

• Block and steal rates over 2.0%

• 14.0% rebound rate despite barely weighing 200 pounds

NBA Showing: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks vs Portland Trail Blazers while guarding Deni Avdija.

Inside the Arc Dominance:

• Shot 64.1% on 2s

• James Harden-esque free-throw rate (290 FTs vs 269 2-point attempts)

Development Need: Shooting (26.5% from 3, 70.2% FT)
Comparison: "Statistically, Essengue has a lot of similarities to what the Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly did in France in his draft year."

6. Collin Murray-Boyles - South Carolina (The Switchable Big)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHggD0tAFsO/?

A dynamic playmaker and scorer, Murray excels at creating his own shot. His ball-handling and vision are impressive, making him an ideal floor general for a fast-paced offense.

• Age: 20

• Height: 6'7"

• Position: Forward

The Situation: "I don't know what to do at No. 6... So, a 6-7 center from a team that went 2-16 in conference? Why not."
The Challenge: "Murray-Boyles will need to change his game at the pro level because it's unlikely he can play center for more than brief stretches."

Development Needs:

• Must develop perimeter game

• Get in better shape

• Improve the rarely used right hand

The Upside:

• Defensive Versatility: "He has the feet and hands to guard smaller players on the perimeter."

• Playmaking Hands: 2.9 steals per 100 possessions (spectacular for a big man)

• Basketball Feel: Shows good instincts as both a finisher and a passer.

Age Factor: Young sophomore who just turned 20, suffered from being the best player on horrible teams.

5. Jeremiah Fears - Oklahoma (The High-Risk, High-Reward Star)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKiVR_DJKez/?

Fears is a dynamic point guard with strong leadership skills and a knack for clutch performances. His ability to score and distribute the ball makes him a perfect addition to any team’s backcourt.

• Age: 18

• Height: 6'3"

• Position: Guard

The Concerns: "The numbers say that we shouldn't get out over our skis on Fears; he was massively turnover-prone, shot poorly from 3, missed open teammates, and struggled on defense."

But The Talent: "Fears' best plays are just too good to ignore. He's a slash-and-burn point-of-attack ballhandler who can break down defense with his handle and execute difficult finishes at the cup."

Statistical Reality:

• Shot just 44.7% on 2s in SEC play

• 28.4% from 3-point range needs major improvement

• 85.1% from free throw line suggests that shooting can develop.

The Gamble: "It helps that the draft drops off here in quality, making it easier to take a shot on stardom even if the mid-case scenario is probably more like Jordan Clarkson."
Physical Concerns: Measured shorter at combine (6'3" vs listed 6'4") and needs to add strength.

4. Kon Knueppel - Duke (The Undervalued Shot Creator)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKNG47igNj8/?hl=en

A sharpshooter with a smooth jumper, Knueppel is a knockdown threat from anywhere on the court. His shooting consistency and basketball IQ make him an intriguing prospect for NBA teams in need of perimeter scoring.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'5"

• Position: Forward

The Misconception: "People don't seem to trust his production as a freshman at Duke. There's this notion that he was a spot-up guy drafting off the awesomeness of his team, but nothing could be further from the truth."

The Reality:

• Second on Duke behind Flagg in usage rate

• Mostly lived on self-created shots

• Shot diet included tons of rim attempts on straight-line drives

• Rarely got to pull-ups because he was so good at finishing through contact

Elite Efficiency:

• Nearly achieved 50-40-90: 47.9% FG, 41.4% 3PT, 90.4% FT

• Strong secondary stats in steals, blocks, and free throws for a "shooting specialist"

• Duke is comfortable leaving him on the perimeter against smaller guards

Expert's Hot Take: "I don't understand why evaluations like Tre Johnson better; Knueppel offers the same movement showing but appears much better in virtually every other facet of the game."

The Upside: "There is more to unpack here in terms of using him off screens at the NBA level."

3. VJ Edgecombe - Baylor (The Athletic Freak)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Y-qyxu_YG/?hl=en

Edgecombe is an explosive guard with exceptional athleticism and a well-rounded game. His defensive tenacity, combined with an ability to attack the rim, will be a major asset to any NBA roster.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'4"

• Position: Guard

The Explosive Factor: "Athletically, he has a different gear, blasting off into drives into the paint and elevating with ease at the cup for his finishes."

Defensive Upside:

• Shows flashes of being an absolute monster on defense

• Lateral quickness and hands led to 3.3 steals per 100 possessions in Big 12 games

• Shocks shooters by springing off the floor to contest shots with length

Shooting Development:

• Shot looked like a project early, but improved throughout the season

• In Big 12 games: 39.1% from 3 and 81.7% from the free throw line

• Concerning: Only 50.0% on 2s despite incredible physical tools

Comparison: "The Victor Oladipo comparisons here are obvious, and the background on Edgecombe is off-the-charts positive."

Expert's Dilemma: "If I had the second pick, my war room would spend a lot of time arguing about Edgecombe vs. Harper."

2. Dylan Harper - Rutgers (The True Point Guard)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG1QJTyhsXo/?

Harper is a tall, smooth-playing point guard with elite scoring and playmaking ability. His leadership, combined with a high basketball IQ, makes him a top-tier talent poised for immediate impact.

• Age: 19

• Height: 6'5"

• Position: Guard

The Case for #2: "I don't think Harper's case at No. 2 is quite as ironclad as some others think it is, but at the end of the day, I still give him the nod over Baylor's VJ Edgecombe for this spot."

What Makes Him Special:

• True ball-in-hand, pick-and-roll creator with plus size and instincts

• Despite not being a speed demon, pilfered 3.1 steals per 100 possessions in Big Ten play

• Constantly touches the paint and shoots 57.4% on 2s with a high free-throw rate.

Shooting Concerns:

• 33.3% from 3-point range

• 75.0% from free throw line

Hidden Value: "High-usage, big guards like Harper are among the most difficult and expensive to obtain by other means; they are among the most important when it comes to building a successful roster."

Expert Analysis: His nose for the ball makes up for some meh measurables, and the surrounding talent likely cost him several assists.

1. Cooper Flagg - Duke (The Consensus #1)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLWX-DmuFVf/?hl=en

Flagg is a generational talent with incredible basketball IQ and all-around skills. His defense, rebounding, and scoring ability make him an ideal prospect to lead a team’s future championship run.

• Age: 18

• Height: 6'8"

• Position: Forward

The Expert's Take: "Flagg is obviously the best prospect on the board. That doesn't guarantee he'll have the best career – stuff happens! – but anybody who says he shouldn't go No. 1 is an unserious goofball."

Historic Dominance:

• Nearly the youngest player in college basketball (December 2006 birthdate)

• Would've been draft-ineligible until 2026 if born 11 days later

• Won every major award as the best player by a considerable margin

• Led NCAA in BPM and led all non-centers in PER

College Stats (Duke):

• Shooting: 38.5% from 3, 84.0% from free throw line

• Versatility: Multi-position player on both ends

• Impact Stats: Extremely high rates of assists and steals for his size

• Foul Drawing: Drew fouls at a gargantuan rate

Areas for Growth:

• 51.8% shooting on 2-pointers needs improvement

• Tendency to spin into traffic rather than straight-line drives

• In-between game and post-ups still need work

Expert Projection: "Flagg's medium-case scenario is a day-one starter who becomes an All-Star by the end of his rookie contract. The best-case scenario is special."

What Time Does the NBA Draft Start?

The 2025 NBA Draft will begin with the first round at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The second round will take place the following day, starting at the same time, Thursday, June 26, 2025.

NBA Draft Live Stream Free

You can watch the NBA Draft live for free using several methods:

• Free Streaming Services: Platforms like fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV offer free trials, giving you access to ABC and ESPN, where the Draft will be broadcast.

• Over-the-Air Antenna: You can catch the Draft on ABC for free if you have a digital antenna.

• Online Streaming: The NBA Draft will also be streamed on the ESPN app, allowing fans to watch it live on their devices.

What Channel Is the NBA Draft On?

The 2025 NBA Draft will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The first round will air on both ABC and ESPN, while the second round will be exclusively on ESPN. Coverage begins at 8:00 PM ET on both nights. You can also stream the draft live on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft?

Cooper Flagg is widely considered the best prospect and the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Why is Cooper Flagg considered a generational talent?

Flagg stands out due to his elite basketball IQ, exceptional defense, and versatility. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game makes him a franchise-changing player.

What makes Dylan Harper so special?

Harper is an all-around guard with excellent playmaking and scoring ability. His leadership, basketball IQ, and versatility make him a high-impact player.

Disclaimer

The information provided is based on pre-draft projections, scouting reports, and expert analysis. Player rankings and evaluations may change after the official draft selections are made, and the actual performance of players may differ from initial expectations.