2025 NBA Mock Draft: Round 1 Predictions after Paris Olympics (2024)

The 2025 mock draft board was worth updating after the completion of the major AAU tournaments, NBA camps, FIBA play and the Paris Olympics.

The U18 European Championships just wrapped up, and scouts should have learned a lot about a handful of high-profile prospects who'll be eligible next June.

Hype continues to swirl around the NCAA's incoming freshmen, but there are a number of international players who could make the 2025 draft one of the decade's best.

While Duke's Cooper Flagg remains the heavy favorite at No. 1., opinions still vary about No. 2 and the next tier, which also includes plenty of exciting consolation prizes.

The draft order was based on FanDuel's projected win totals for each team

The Brooklyn Nets' trading Mikal Bridges and reacquiring their own 2025 first-round pick was about timing a reset around a draft with Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe and a few other high-level prospects.

There's no doubt Flagg is the target right now for all the rebuilding teams. Anticipation for his eligibility has been growing for two years now, and the hype/expectations reached a new level after he generated rave reviews for his play and competitiveness against the U.S. Olympic squad last month.

His identity revolves around two-way versatility and athleticism, but the gradual, consistent on-ball development he's demonstrated has raised the bar and his theoretical ceiling.

At baseline, he's going to produce and impact games just by tapping into his special physical abilities, IQ, signature defensive instincts and motor. But it's the budding creation, pick-and-roll ball-handling and shotmaking diversity that will separate Flagg at No. 1 and draw NBA superstar projections.

The Washington Wizards' focus right now is on stockpiling young talent, regardless of fit or position. After drafting Bilal Coulibaly in 2023, they added three more teenage first-rounders in June with Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George.

And still, their 2025 pick will likely become the team's No. 1 prospect.

Washington will be scouting Dylan Harper closely this season. While taking the best player available will be the priority, his ability to initiate offense could give him an edge.

He's coming off an outstanding All-Star circuit. He continued to show improvement with his shooting by combining to hit 9-of-17 threes between the McDonald's All-American Game, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.

A skilled, cerebral lead guard, Harper gets to his spots with change of speed and craftiness over explosiveness. He creates with advanced footwork to separate into jumpers or slip through gaps. He has good size and touch for finishing and the IQ to facilitate and make passing reads.

We'll have a better idea of where his shooting is after a year of high usage at Rutgers, but Harper should be the top-ranked ball-handler in this class heading into 2024-25.

Ace Bailey possesses optimal ingredients for NBA scoring with 6'10" wing size, advanced self-creation and lethal shotmaking from the post to well beyond the arc.

How efficient he is at converting will determine whether he winds up a favorite at No. 2 or somewhere in the Nos. 3-5 range. But even some off-putting shot selections won't blind teams from such an obvious package of natural talent and offensive skill.

Bailey's height, one-on-one game and shooting form one of the NBA most enticing archetypes.

There usually aren't notable on-court storylines during the summer for incoming college freshmen. But VJ Edgecombe had a chance to compete with the Bahamas national team for the Olympic qualifiers, and the 18-year-old was one of the top performers in a tournament that featured accomplished NBA and international pros.

Playing alongside Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton and Eric Gordon, Edgecombe averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. He delivered some wild displays of athleticism that highlighted special bounce/hang time at the rim and burst turning the corner. He hit mid-range shots, floaters and shot 5-of-13 from deep. The biggest development seemed to be his ball-handling and live-dribble passing reads.

Edgecombe's creation, shotmaking and playmaking skill levels are starting to catch up to his signature explosiveness. He should ultimately offer even more on-ball offense and versatility than Baylor's 2024 first-round wing, Ja'Kobe Walter.

Drake Powell received some quality experience this summer at Jayson Tatum's Elite Camp and the Nike Skills Academy.

He's going to build a real case for starter minutes with more versatility at both ends than North Carolina wings Ian Jackson and Cade Tyson.

Head coach Hubert Davis will be able to slide Powell into multiple positions and roles. He's extremely well-rounded and is capable of making plays on and off the ball with his pull-up, passing, improved catch-and-shoot game and athleticism.

Powell is going to make his mark this coming season by impacting games in different ways.

The U18 European Championship tape on Nolan Traore accurately portrayed his strengths and what makes the 18-year-old who lacks athleticism and strength so effective.

He closed with a 29-point, 11-assist line effort, picking the Lithuanians apart just by making smart ball-screen reads, changing speeds, using footwork to get to spots, taking the right routes and knowing where his teammates are.

Traore, who averaged 9.3 assists for the tournament, will separate himself from other 2025 point guards with how naturally he facilitates and runs offense in the half court.

Eyes will be on his shooting, though he should have left scouts encouraged after hitting 9-of-21 threes this month and a handful of mid-range pull-ups.

Rocco Zikarsky last played in April at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany, where he led Australia to gold and won MVP with averages of 18.7 points, 11 boards and 2.9 blocks on 73.1 percent shooting.

He registered a 12.2 block percentage in the NBL last year, an outstanding number that highlights his size and instincts in rim protection.

Offensively, touch around the basket and flashes of face-up drives create some optimism. But realistically, the draw to Zikarsky right now is on his interior defensive impact.

Tre Johnson's advanced shotmaking is already established and well-documented. He shot 42.1 percent off the catch, 42.9 percent off screens and 39.3 percent on pull-ups last year at Link Academy.

Improved passing became another appealing development for him last year as well.

Johnson still relies on a tough shot diet, and he doesn't offer too much athletic pop or overall versatility, but his self-creation, perimeter scoring and touch may be sharp enough to carry him without providing significant rim pressure, playmaking or rebounding.

Kasparas Jakucionis' stock is pointing up after a 37-point game against France and potential top-five pick Nolan Traore in the U18 European Championships.

He averaged 19.4 points and 5.3 assists for the tournament, showcasing his signature change of speed, pull-up for three-level scoring and creativity around the basket.

At 6'6", 200 pounds, Jakucionis is going to operate on and off the ball at Illinois, serving as a textbook combo with excellent size, enough ball-handling and IQ to play-make and dangerous shotmaking skill.

At 6'11" with a live motor, Asa Newell should deliver immediate activity around the rim, easy baskets and putbacks to Georgia. He covers a lot of ground and loves to crash the glass and sprint the floor in transition.

But his developing three-point stroke and post skill is what will help push him up draft boards in 2025.

Newell shot over 41.5 percent from three during 21 Montverde games logged by Synergy Sports. There should be plenty of NBA interest in an athletic 19-year-old energy big who can stretch the floor this early in his career.

Hugo González is coming off a productive U18 European Championships, where he scored 30-plus points against Israel and Finland to average 20.7 points for the tournament.

Scouts could still nitpick at his decision-making and range during the event, though the bar is high for the Spaniard.

He still continues to show growth with his off-the-dribble game, attacking defenses, getting into the paint and finishing off ball-handling moves, footwork and tough adjustments at the rim.

González's physical profile, motor and mobility have also pointed to exciting defensive potential for years. We saw it translate to some lockdown possessions, 19 steals and 14 blocks in seven games this month.

Shooting still looks like a swing skill, but there is optimism behind the eye test and free-throw numbers.

Any preconceived concerns about Kon Knueppel's athleticism should fade once he shows off his scoring instincts and shooting.

Duke also listed him at 6'7", 217 pounds, solid numbers for a wing if they check out in May at the NBA combine.

His 22.5 points per game led the EYBL last year, and his physical build and shotmaking hint at translatability.

Even if he comes off the bench after Duke added transfers Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis and Sion James, Knueppel's skill level, IQ and efficiency should pop similar to how Reed Sheppard did in a reserve role at Kentucky.

Collin Murray-Boyles' per-minute production as a freshman points to a sophom*ore breakout with heavier usage.

He is likely to divide scouts with an older-school game that's predicated on interior scoring instincts, but he proved to be highly effective using them, along with his 240-pound frame and excellent hands. He also put up encouraging supporting advanced stats that highlight passing IQ (17.2 assist percentage), defensive mobility and foot speed (2.8 steal percentage).

On paper, Murray-Boyles may look like an undersized big who lacks a modernized skill set, but it may also become difficult to argue with his scoring ability around the key and short corners, as well as his appealing mix of foot speed and strength.

Production and efficiency could help teams buy into an outlier.

A valued, adaptable skill set and intangibles will drive the appeal for Liam McNeeley. It may not be upside—he's not an explosive athlete or high-level creator.

But Connecticut will find ways to optimize the 6'7" forward's shooting, efficient spot-up scoring and decision-making.

NBA teams will ultimately know exactly what they're getting in McNeeley: a floor-spacer who can make the right plays and reads off the catch.

There is always a draw to big wings who can handle and pass. Egor Demin, 6'9", should instantly pop to college scouts who haven't seen him as much as the international ones.

The Russian creates advantages with his dribble and burst for slashing and transition scoring. He possesses a versatile skill set that includes ball-screen driving, playmaking and diverse shotmaking. Upside will show most when he's on the ball, though he's also effective moving without it and cutting for easy baskets.

How he shoots and executes on creation possessions will determine how high he climbs in 2025 draft boards. Demin shot 3-of-21 from three at ANGT, though a high-volume three-point attempt rate over the years is still encouraging.

Scouts' recent views of Jalil Bethea have been mixed, after a 40-point showing at the Hoophall Classic and quiet performances at the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.

They had another chance to watch him last week at the Nike Skills Academy.

At 6'4" and 170 pounds, Bethea will have limited margin for error with his shooting, but he's shifty off the bounce and has a bag full of pull-ups, step-backs and passes for takeover scoring and secondary playmaking.

Noa Essengue bounced back from a rough Adidas Next Generation Tournament to average 17.6 points on 57.5 percent shooting at the U18 European Championships last week.

He'll be one of the youngest prospects in the 2025 draft, not turning 18 until late December. Scouts will look past the expected shooting woes and ball-handling limitations. Even without polish, his natural talent pops—he manages to produce and make plays just by optimizing every inch of his 6'9" frame and length on drives, finishes and defense.

Any improvement to his jump shot would be a significant development, but NBA teams figure to remain patient given the unteachable, functional tools he brings to the table at 17 years old.

Khaman Maluach's seven points turned heads for South Sudan during an exhibition against the United States Olympic team.

Even if it was just a few flashes, it was both comforting and eye-opening to see the 17-year-old sprint the floor for a finish, hit a corner three and jab step into a mid-range jumper.

At Duke, he figures to make the most noise around the basket with with his size, athleticism and motor at both ends.

He'll look raw trying to create and hit jumpers in the half court. But for a 7'1" big with Maluach's age, springs and quickness defensively, just enough flashes of shotmaking from three and the post will create the type of theoretical upside that could entice teams to reach early and remain patient.

Just being a part of the Bahamas national team for the Olympic qualifiers should have served as valuable experience for Donnie Freeman.

This past week, he was one of four freshmen in the country last week to play at the Nike Skills Academy with older bigs such as Hunter Dickinson, Zvonimir Ivisic and Jarin Stevenson, and NBA counselors like Myles Turner and Dereck Lively.

He's still on the raw side, but the 18-year-old has an appealing skill set at 6'10" with three-point range, shotmaking versatility, post touch and the ability to attack closeouts.

More progress with his shooting next season should lead to sure-fire NBA interest at Syracuse. The idea alone of a big, perimeter forward like Freeman should keep scouts patient through any inconsistency.

Coming off three impressive EYBL sessions with UPlay (21.9 points), Will Riley committed to Illinois and reclassified to play college basketball in 2024, making himself eligible for the 2025 draft.

At 6'7", he's a crafty shotmaker with the ability to improvise or counter into difficult jumpers and floaters. Despite an underwhelming frame, minimal length and limited explosion, he finds ways to get to his spots.

Riley should be on most NBA teams' radar after some impressive moments through Nike Hoop Summit week.

Alabama is loaded with guards and bigs, but Derrion Reid's physical profile and versatility will create obvious pro potential that should trump pedestrian stats and production.

In only 16.5 minutes for the U.S. at the FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in June, the then-17-year-old averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, scoring effortlessly against inferior international opponents using his length, touch, instincts and motor around the paint.

His passing and defensive tools are big pluses as well, and he's made some encouraging developments with his mid-range shot and range. However, improving his shooting remains an obvious priority.

Michael Ruzic was efficient in 26 ACB games and 13 in Eurocup at 17 years old. And he was one of the top performers in June at Adidas Eurocamp, where he averaged 17.0 points and made 9-of-18 threes.

He delivered one of the better performances at the event: A 28-point showcase of inside-out scoring versatility with shooting range, face-up footwork and instincts around the basket.

His lack of quickness and athletic pop may cap the height of his theoretical ceiling. But to be this productive with interior tools and perimeter skill at his age, Ruzic seems on track to become an established name during the next draft cycle.

Carter Bryant's physical profile/athleticism, shotmaking skills and defensive tools should pop enough in limited minutes to draw NBA interest.

Transfers Anthony Dell'Orso and Trey Townsend will cap Bryant's role/usage, but NBA teams are always willing to look past production if the upside is obvious.

In front of dozens of scouts and executives in Portland last April, Bryant was a clear standout during a scrimmage against the United States Nike Hoop Summit team. He can take some tough shots, but he should impress with his athleticism around the basket, three-level scoring and defensive movement.

Older international opponents had trouble stopping Joson Sanon at Eurocamp, where he led all players in scoring. He also finished first in Adidas 3SSB play in made jump shots.

After flipping from Arizona to Arizona State, he's now walking into a featured role that will showcase his downhill driving and signature shooting.

Scouts will want to see playmaking, but even three to four assists per game could be enough to warrant first-round consideration, given how strong his physical tools and shotmaking skills already are.

With Duke adding older transfers, Cooper Flagg and a more polished freshman in Kon Knueppel, Isaiah Evans may have to sell teams on flashes (of perimeter scoring) over production.

The sales pitch revolves around 6'6" wing size and advanced shooting ability. He'll spend most of the time with the Blue Devils spotting up, but he can also create space getting into his pull-up and iso jumper.

Evans, who's 175 pounds, could struggle with shot selection and providing rim pressure. But scouts may be willing to look past some efficiency for a forward with his caliber of perimeter-scoring versatility.

The idea of 6'8" ball-handling guard will remain enticing, even while Dink Pate likely struggles with his three-point range and decision-making.

His execution wasn't consistent in the G League last year, but his age (18), archetype and improvable weakness create exciting potential and warrant patience.

He'll suit up for the Mexico City Capitanes this year now that the G League Elite program has been shut down.

His upside pops most when he's on the ball, slashing and playmaking, but there is some guesswork as to how he'll be used with a new team this coming season.

Regardless, Pate figures to still look like more of a project by this time next year based on his 43.1 true shooting percentage and 21.3 turnover percentage from last season.

Raising his 26.7 three-point percentage remains the obvious priority for Kwame Evans Jr.

Better shooting should unlock an attractive archetype for NBA teams, as the 6'9", 19-year-old is coming off a freshman season as an efficient finisher and active defensive playmaker (3.2 steal percentage, 5.0 block percentage).

Evans did make 79.5 percent of his free throws, and he's been attempting threes regularly since high school. A greener light and more confidence should benefit his shot development.

There should be NBA interest in a big forward who wreaks havoc on defense, rolls and pops, scores from the post and executes from the dunker spot.

Ian Jackson has been one of the most visible and accessible prospects for scouts. He played in three FIBA tournaments, the All-Star circuit last spring and a number of games against Overtime Elite.

He's a pure scorer who provides rim pressure, confident shotmaking and off-ball movement.

Jackson would have some adjustments to make in a starting lineup alongside Elliot Cadeau and RJ Davis. But with North Carolina bringing in sharpshooting wing Cade Tyson, Jackson may actually benefit from playing an offensive-spark role off the bench.

At the very least, Ben Saraf turned himself into a high scouting priority after he won MVP at the U18 European Championships by averaging 28.1 points, 5.0 boards and 5.3 assists for Israel.

He was a machine initiating offense, getting to spots off quick dribble moves and changing speed. He was relentless attacking defenders and space to get to the rim, even without significant burst.

Shooting hasn't been a strength of his over the years, but a high usage allowed him to build rhythm/confidence to make 17 threes and 13 mid-range jumpers in seven games.

He'll play this season with Germany's Ratiopharm Ulm, which just sent Pacome Dadiet to the first round and Juan Nunez to the second. Continuing to score at a strong rate and overcome physical limitations will be Saraf's ticket to legitimate NBA interest.

Alex Karaban is going for three consecutive national titles and first-round interest after NBA combine feedback likely pushed him to return to UConn.

He didn't stand out at May's combine, and there will continue to be some skepticism over his athletic limitations and lack of physicality inside to play the 4.

However, Karaban's 147 made three-pointers through two seasons is his main selling point, but he also shows off-ball scoring feel and defensive IQ/toughness.