2025 NBA Draft Class

[God Squad]

I think Noa Essengue is going to be better than a lot of players drafted ahead of him.

I could see it depending on how his body develops and what level his shot can get to.

He's got very nice feel on both ends and is smooth with the ball for his size.

Just wish the motor ran a little hotter and do worry how much weight he'll be able to add to his frame.

Ya the hype Carter is getting as this ball of clay with a All Star upside should be going to Noa IMO.

Carter has Robert Covington type talent - which is for sure worth a late lotto selection IMO.

But Noa is a unicorn. Guy has unreal movement skills for someone at 6'10. His hands are comically large. He is getting to the line at an amazing rate for a 6'10 true wing playing against good competition. His hands are also super quick for someone his size playing the perimeter.

Motor is the only thing that I worry about. When he is hot, he flashes like a Top-5 pick. But he can disappear (I call it 'Batum syndrome').

If there was any player in this draft that I had to bet on potentially developing into a freak, outside Cooper, it would be Essengue. But he isnt a safe pick. There is a ton of variance. The risk/reward is why I want my Blazers to draft him - we need big swings.

I have him as one of the higher-ceiling players in this draft. Like you said, his main issues would be his body/motor. But even with these "weaknesses" he still manages to be very productive against good comp.

It also helps that we've seen him play against NBA competition and he played great for a kid his age. I just wanted to give him attention because I'm a believer, but don't see him mentioned much on this board.

+Size 6'9 - with a 6'11 wingspan
+ Athelte
+ jumper/or workable
+Hand size 10.25 width and 9' length
+ Handle looks like a forward vs Center.

He's still raw, but productive. Which leads me to believe he has a decently high ceiling.



It is outdated, as it was posted a year ago, but it still paints a good picture when you account for his production this year.

[bigboi]

People bsing on Flagg. He’s a good help defender, not great man at all. His offense is crap other than his passing and Duke is masking a lot of his inefficiencies.

I’ve seen people say that Flagg is more skilled than Bron, will be better than Tatum, etc. lmao

Yall better hope he pans out because this will look ridiculous. He looks like a 2nd or third best player on a championship team

[ReggiesKnicks]

Ryan Dunn vs Joseph Tugler

Interesting comparison here. Tugler appears bouncier and more athletic. Fits the Jared Vanderbilt/Ryan Dunn archetype. Tugler even further behind than Dunn as a shooter but can play above the rim offensively in a way Dunn can't. Clear mid/late-2nd round type player.

[bigboi]

Flagg is a horrible iso scorer. Yall need to cut the Tatum and Bron comparisons. Flagg doesn’t have a good first step nor the handles to be a LeBron or Tatum like scorer in the league. Flagg will be Shawn Marion with better passing. That is his peak

[The-Power]

People bsing on Flagg. He’s a good help defender, not great man at all. His offense is crap other than his passing and Duke is masking a lot of his inefficiencies.

I’ve seen people say that Flagg is more skilled than Bron, will be better than Tatum, etc. lmao

Yall better hope he pans out because this will look ridiculous. He looks like a 2nd or third best player on a championship team

You better hope he doesn't with your takes (and everyone knows you'll be rooting against him which is quite sad but to each their own).

Flagg has as good an argument as anyone to be the best player in college basketball – as one of the very youngest players in the college basketball. He already combines high-volume scoring with good efficiency while being nowhere near his peak physically and having grown skill-wise all season.

Nobody knows how good Flagg will end up being and there's always a risk with prospects and their development and translation. But he is one among the very best prospects entering the NBA and that's pretty much indisputable if you look at it even somewhat objectively.

[bigboi]

People bsing on Flagg. He’s a good help defender, not great man at all. His offense is crap other than his passing and Duke is masking a lot of his inefficiencies.

I’ve seen people say that Flagg is more skilled than Bron, will be better than Tatum, etc. lmao

Yall better hope he pans out because this will look ridiculous. He looks like a 2nd or third best player on a championship team

You better hope he doesn't with your takes (and everyone knows you'll be rooting against him which is quite sad but to each their own).

Flagg has as good an argument as anyone to be the best player in college basketball – as one of the very youngest players in the college basketball. He already combines high-volume scoring with good efficiency while being nowhere near his peak physically and having grown skill-wise all season.

Nobody knows how good Flagg will end up being and there's always a risk with prospects and their development and translation. But he is one among the very best prospects entering the NBA and that's pretty much indisputable if you look at it even somewhat objectively.

Ummm no. Objectively speaking, he looks like a Shawn Marion type of player. The Tatum or Bron comparisons make 0 sense just off the basis that Flagg can’t dribble. I think he’ll be a solid player, but he will never sniff anywhere near close to Tatum’s level

[azcatz11]

People bsing on Flagg. He’s a good help defender, not great man at all. His offense is crap other than his passing and Duke is masking a lot of his inefficiencies.

I’ve seen people say that Flagg is more skilled than Bron, will be better than Tatum, etc. lmao

Yall better hope he pans out because this will look ridiculous. He looks like a 2nd or third best player on a championship team

You better hope he doesn't with your takes (and everyone knows you'll be rooting against him which is quite sad but to each their own).

Flagg has as good an argument as anyone to be the best player in college basketball – as one of the very youngest players in the college basketball. He already combines high-volume scoring with good efficiency while being nowhere near his peak physically and having grown skill-wise all season.

Nobody knows how good Flagg will end up being and there's always a risk with prospects and their development and translation. But he is one among the very best prospects entering the NBA and that's pretty much indisputable if you look at it even somewhat objectively.

Ummm no. Objectively speaking, he looks like a Shawn Marion type of player. The Tatum or Bron comparisons make 0 sense just off the basis that Flagg can’t dribble. I think he’ll be a solid player, but he will never sniff anywhere near close to Tatum’s level

What do you mean Flagg can’t dribble? He has no issues getting to his spot anywhere on the court. Are you saying he can’t break down defenders from the dribble?

[The-Power]

Ummm no. Objectively speaking, he looks like a Shawn Marion type of player. The Tatum or Bron comparisons make 0 sense just off the basis that Flagg can’t dribble. I think he’ll be a solid player, but he will never sniff anywhere near close to Tatum’s level

So let me get this straight: a player that cannot dribble and whose only good trait on offense is his passing can score 38 Points per 100 on 59% TS as one of the youngest players in basketball? Sure, makes sense. Very objective indeed.

[bigboi]

You better hope he doesn't with your takes (and everyone knows you'll be rooting against him which is quite sad but to each their own).

Flagg has as good an argument as anyone to be the best player in college basketball – as one of the very youngest players in the college basketball. He already combines high-volume scoring with good efficiency while being nowhere near his peak physically and having grown skill-wise all season.

Nobody knows how good Flagg will end up being and there's always a risk with prospects and their development and translation. But he is one among the very best prospects entering the NBA and that's pretty much indisputable if you look at it even somewhat objectively.

Ummm no. Objectively speaking, he looks like a Shawn Marion type of player. The Tatum or Bron comparisons make 0 sense just off the basis that Flagg can’t dribble. I think he’ll be a solid player, but he will never sniff anywhere near close to Tatum’s level

What do you mean Flagg can’t dribble? He has no issues getting to his spot anywhere on the court. Are you saying he can’t break down defenders from the dribble?

Wrong. And I saw your posts all over GB. You have 0 objectivity. No, he can’t dribble worth a lick nor get to any spot that he chooses

[JMAC3]

Ummm no. Objectively speaking, he looks like a Shawn Marion type of player. The Tatum or Bron comparisons make 0 sense just off the basis that Flagg can’t dribble. I think he’ll be a solid player, but he will never sniff anywhere near close to Tatum’s level

What do you mean Flagg can’t dribble? He has no issues getting to his spot anywhere on the court. Are you saying he can’t break down defenders from the dribble?

Wrong. And I saw your posts all over GB. You have 0 objectivity. No, he can’t dribble worth a lick nor get to any spot that he chooses

There is a Flagg thread, no need to cloud up multiple threads.

[JMAC3]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

[babyjax13]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

[JMAC3]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

I mean I still think this years class is a lot more skilled than last years. If I were doing a top 15 between the two classes based on my pre-draft ranks.

You can make cases that Kneuppel, Fears, Richardson would have all been selected over Reed Sheppard last year and those guys might not go top 7.

[BlazersBroncos]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

Ya outside the Top-2 I dont see much of a talent difference between this class and last years.

Like, to me Clingan was a much better prospect than Malauch and we are talking about them going around the same range. Matas is a guy that I would seriously taking #3 in this draft (Albeit I am a huge stan for Matas). Castle as well is comparable talent wise to VJ and Ace IMO. Much better intangibles than either as well.

The real draft with a unique talent base is actually 2026 IMO. We have 2 absolute studs in this years but the Top-8 or so in 2026 to me looks much jucier.

[babyjax13]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

I mean I still think this years class is a lot more skilled than last years. If I were doing a top 15 between the two classes based on my pre-draft ranks.

You can make cases that Kneuppel, Fears, Richardson would have all been selected over Reed Sheppard last year and those guys might not go top 7.

I *personally* don't see a huge argument for Kneuppel and Richardson above Sheppard - but I can definitely see feeling like this year has an edge. Personally I probably would favor this draft without the top two, but it would be a pretty small edge. I don't see anyone outside of that top 2 who I have as a drastically better prospect than Sarr (sameish tier).

[JMAC3]

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

I mean I still think this years class is a lot more skilled than last years. If I were doing a top 15 between the two classes based on my pre-draft ranks.

You can make cases that Kneuppel, Fears, Richardson would have all been selected over Reed Sheppard last year and those guys might not go top 7.

I *personally* don't see a huge argument for Kneuppel and Richardson above Sheppard - but I can definitely see feeling like this year has an edge. Personally I probably would favor this draft without the top two, but it would be a pretty small edge. I don't see anyone outside of that top 2 who I have as a drastically better prospect than Sarr (sameish tier).

Production wise, this class is a good bit better.

Sarr, Castle, Risacher, Sheppard, Clingan Cody Williams were all very underwhelming in that department.

[greg4012]

Not certain what to make of it, but I do believe there being so much representation for the 2025 class in this basic query speaks pretty well of the quality of prospects in this class.

6 of the 22 freshman (since 2008) to have hit the thresholds of 20%+ usage, 15%+ assist percentage, less than 15% turnover % and BPM of 5+ are 2025 freshman.

That speaks to advanced freshman impacting the game at a high level with the ball in hand.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Not certain what to make of it, but I do believe there being so much representation for the 2025 class in this basic query speaks pretty well of the quality of prospects in this class.

6 of the 22 freshman (since 2008) to have hit the thresholds of 20%+ usage, 15%+ assist percentage, less than 15% turnover % and BPM of 5+ are 2025 freshman.

That speaks to advanced freshman impacting the game at a high level with the ball in hand.

Part of this is college teams finally have great spacing. Teams as early as the late teens (Think Pre-COVID) simply weren't deploying 4+ shooters consistently.

[greg4012]

Not certain what to make of it, but I do believe there being so much representation for the 2025 class in this basic query speaks pretty well of the quality of prospects in this class.

6 of the 22 freshman (since 2008) to have hit the thresholds of 20%+ usage, 15%+ assist percentage, less than 15% turnover % and BPM of 5+ are 2025 freshman.

That speaks to advanced freshman impacting the game at a high level with the ball in hand.

Part of this is college teams finally have great spacing. Teams as early as the late teens (Think Pre-COVID) simply weren't deploying 4+ shooters consistently.

Yup was thinking similar. The modern spacing concepts of the NBA are clearly becoming more prevalent in college and making the game a little more efficient.

With that said, it's worth noting that Dylan Harper didn't really have much benefit from that considering his team's 3pt% ranked 199th in the country at 33%. Same can be said to an extent for VJ Edgecombe (team 3pt% ranked 123rd)

[Chi town]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

Ya outside the Top-2 I dont see much of a talent difference between this class and last years.

Like, to me Clingan was a much better prospect than Malauch and we are talking about them going around the same range. Matas is a guy that I would seriously taking #3 in this draft (Albeit I am a huge stan for Matas). Castle as well is comparable talent wise to VJ and Ace IMO. Much better intangibles than either as well.

The real draft with a unique talent base is actually 2026 IMO. We have 2 absolute studs in this years but the Top-8 or so in 2026 to me looks much jucier.

2026 way better. Top 4 is much better as is Top 8.