Many talented athletes were selected in the NBA Draft, but these seven stand out as players who can help a franchise significantly.
This draft yielded many trades and pick swaps, sending prospects to different teams all over the country. Some teams traded up to grab their guy before he left the board, and others traded back for more picks. 10 players selected in the first round went to different teams than the team that preceded their name at the podium. In the second round, 15 players went through the same process.
The talent that came from the NCAA this year seemed to overshadow the international talent. In previous years, international prospects were in abundance at the top compared to college prospects. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft featured six international prospects and 24 from the NCAA. With only 13 prospects coming from overseas in this draft, it will be difficult to decipher if one of them will become a star. Whether from college or overseas, the 2025 NBA Draft featured many talented prospects. Based on data, analytics, and the eye test, these seven prospects are on track to become great NBA players.
Cooper Flagg – 6’9 – 220lbs – 7’1 Wingspan – F
Stat Line (2024-2025): 37 GP, 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 48.1% FG, 38.5% 3FG
Drafted #1 Overall to the Dallas Mavericks
Positives
Flagg sees the court well; his length and athleticism help him obtain blocks and steals. He switches quickly and covers a lot of ground on the defensive end.
He is a great cutter and finisher at the rim, a natural forward with guard movement. He’s also a spectacular transition finisher, forcing a lot of contact, which led to free throws. Makes moves to create separation when isolated, leaning on his developed pull-up game.
Flagg is very well conditioned; he has a very high motor that keeps him in games for long periods of time.
Improvements
Struggles with finding a handle and opportunities to score in the half-court without relying on his physicality.
While he makes timely passes, there is room for improvement in his decision making
Team Impact
The Dallas Mavericks showed that they are a liability from beyond the three-point line after last season, so Flagg will add a major piece of offense that they were missing.
Dylan Harper 6’6 – 220 – 6’10 Wingspan – G
Stat Line (2024-2025): 29 GP, 19.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4 APG, 48.4% FG, 33.3%
Drafted #2 overall by the San Antonio Spurs
Positives
Harper gets downhill very efficiently; his big build allows him to take contact well. He changes pace very well with he ball in his hands, helping him to blow by defenders. His ability to switch hands while driving and finishing at the rim gives him an advantage over many defenders.
Creating separation with the ball in his hands helps him to find open lanes for teammates to get a pass. Does not turn the ball over very often, great handle on the ball.
His length gives him a large advantage over players at his position on both ends of the floor. He is able to finish difficult plays at the rim and defend positions other than point guards.
Improvements
He is an underdeveloped shooter, and an improvement in that area will make his ceiling much higher.
There is also room for improvement on defense, as he occasionally gets caught flat-footed.
Team Impact
With the veteran Chris Paul on the way out, the Spurs are in desperate need of a young guard who can create plays. Harper can be the guy to take attention off other players because of how much of a scoring threat he is.
Ace Bailey 6’9–220–7’0 Wingspan – F
Stat Line (2024-2025): 30 GP, 17.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 46% FG, 34.6% 3FG
Drafted #5 overall by the Utah Jazz
Positives
Bailey maintains a great pull-up and fadeaway game, rising over defenders to make tough shots.
He shot 39% on catch and shoot 3’s this season, able to get open to get shots off away from defenders. He utilizes screens to set up pull-up jump shots with no contest.
His great length and lateral movement take away opportunities for offensive possessions. He plays above the rim on the defensive end, allowing him to make very athletic blocks on shots inside the paint.
Improvements
Bailey does not possess much of a handle, relying more on off-ball movement.
He should improve his physicality to convert aggressive drives in the half-court.
Team Impact
As one of the most talented players in the draft, Bailey brings a presence to Utah that they have been missing. The team with the worst record last season can use a star like Bailey to bring back team and fanbase morale.
Cedric Coward 6’6 – 213 – 7’2 Wingspan – F
Stat Line (2024-2025): 6 GP, 17.7 PPG, 7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 55.7% FG, 40% 3FG
Drafted #11 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
Positives
Coward’s got a quick and high release, with the potential to become an above-league-average shooter. He’s an efficient finisher in the half-court who moves well without the ball to create space. With how easy he gets to the paint, he exposes opportunities for drive-and-kicks.
On defense, he is proficient in moving laterally, takes away opportunities for one-on-one scoring. His length makes him significantly better at contesting shots and long-distance passes.
Improvements
Coward can sometimes be late to the ball on defense.
He was very limited on offense, and he hasn’t often shown the ability to create for himself.
Team Impact
The Memphis Grizzlies were close to the top of the league when it came to foul trouble, leaving their defense in shambles. A young talent like Coward who can be a star on both ends of the floor will add to their depth and potentially strong defensive core.
Carter Bryant 6’7 – 215 – 7’0 Wingspan – F
Stat Line (2024-2025): 37 GP, 6.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1 APG, 46% FG, 37.1% 3FG
Drafted #14 overall by the San Antonio Spurs
Positives
Bryant has a high intensity and motor on defense for such a young prospect. His recoveries and closeouts make offenses plan around him. He proved himself as a big-time threat in the passing lane, averaging at least a steal per game.
He carries the potential to become a threat from the perimeter if he improves his volume as a shooter. Bryant also executes designed plays well, especially plays that involve him attacking the basket. His vision in transition will lead to a lot of success in a fast-paced league like the NBA.
Improvements
Bryant did not have much usage at Arizona, so he did not show many flashes of creativity.
He found himself in foul trouble more often than most.
Team Impact
Even with Victor Wembanyama on the floor, the Spurs ranked towards the bottom in team defense. Bryant offers the Spurs another asset on defense, one that may help them make a run at the postseason.
Rasheer Fleming 6’9 – 232 – 7’5 Wingspan – F
Stat Line (2024-2025): 35 GP, 14.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 53.1% FG, 39% 3FG
Drafted 31st Overall to the Phoenix Suns
Positives
Fleming’s measurables give him a great ability to block shots in close and close passing lanes. He possesses enough athleticism to grab a significant number of defensive rebounds.
Fleming plays above the rim, making quick cuts to get inside, where he finishes at a successful rate. When he initiates the pick and roll, it’s hard to stop him while he’s going downhill. He also has upside as a shooter, and could be a threat at his stature.
Improvements
Fleming is not a threat outside the paint, especially one-on-one, and he’s limited as a passer.
Team Impact
Fleming brings a defensive presence to a bottom-five defense in the league that could make them competitive along with their offensive pieces.
Micah Peavy 6’6 – 212 – 6’9 Wingspan – G
Stat Line (2024-2025): 32 GP, 17.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 48.1% FG, 40% 3FG
Drafted 40th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans
Positives
Peavy possesses great defensive ability, especially when it comes to forcing takeaways, as he averaged over 2 steals per game. His twitchy athleticism makes him that much more dangerous for offenses that like to move the ball around. Physicality and lateral movement allow Peavy to guard multiple positions with
Peavy made a big jump in his shooting numbers from his previous years in college, showing how quickly he can develop. His physicality helps him on the offensive side of the ball as well, as he can maneuver around defenders and finish at the rim with authority.
Improvements
Peavy is limited in spaces where he needs to be creative with the ball, turning the ball over on occasions. His handle needs to improve if he wants to unlock a deeper game outside of catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Overhelping and crashing on defense tends to get him into foul trouble.
Team Impact
The New Orleans Pelicans have pieces that make them a threat, but if no one can stay healthy, it does not matter. Their defense was bad even with their starters, so Peavy could play a big role in revamping the defense with his athleticism and physicality.
Looking ahead
With the NBA Summer League underway, these players will have the opportunity to showcase their potential at the professional level. Each of these players possesses a skillset specific to them that will turn cameras towards them when they step onto the floor. Flagg, Harper, and Bailey should have no issue becoming an integral part of their given organization because of all they have proven this past season. The other four prospects on this list (Bryant, Coward, Fleming, and Peavy) will have to prove to their coaches that their game translates to the professional level, earning them as much playing time as possible.
