2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[Jadoogar]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

[douggood]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

could also be the next maxey.

[Psubs]

I’m more open now to choosing a point guard as odds are IQ and Shead aren’t good enough. Fears won’t be there though so we’d have to look at Kasp or something. Not too interested in pure 2’s remaining as Tre is the main one I’m most confident about after Harper and he’ll be gone.

I think it's a weak PG draft.

Next year might have better options: Peterson (SG/PG), Fland, Acuff, Mikel Brown, Dash Daniels, Stirtz, de Larrea, etc

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[Jadoogar]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

could also be the next maxey.

Maxey was selected in the 20s. I would comfortable taking a chance on a player like this late in teh first round, not in the top 10.

[Jadoogar]

In no particular order these guys will go top 8:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Bailey
4. VJ
5. Johnson
6. Fears
7. Kon
8. Maluach

Which means we'll be left with: Kasp, Demin, Essengue, Traore, CMB, Newell, Queen, Bryant

Not ideal.

Queen and Bryant will be nice pick ups IMo. Even if we don’t like Queen, some team out there does and may trade for him. It will be fine.

which team would love a non-shooting big with sub-par defense and a poor athletic profile though

Queen my least favourite prospect in the top 10, what differentiates him from Marvin Bagley?

[Grew]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

You have to watch the guy to get a feel for him. He just has that elite guard aesthetic. He shot a bad percentage from 3, but he wasn't afraid to create his own shot from there. He hit multiple big shots down the stretches of games in peoples faces when his team was backed against a wall, and in tournament settings late in the season vs good competition. He was the leader and best player of a tournament team when he was suppose to still be in high school this year.

I think most scouts believe in his 3pt shot despite the percentages. He's a blur with the ball and the best ball handler in the class. Definitely a guy I would bet on rather than against.

[WuTang_CMB]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

You have to watch the guy to get a feel for him. He just has that elite guard aesthetic. He shot a bad percentage from 3, but he wasn't afraid to create his own shot from there. He hit multiple big shots down the stretches of games in peoples faces when his team was backed against a wall, and in tournament settings late in the season vs good competition. He was the leader and best player of a tournament team when he was suppose to still be in high school this year.

I think most scouts believe in his 3pt shot despite the percentages. He's a blur with the ball and the best ball handler in the class. Definitely a guy I would bet on rather than against.

I'll admit I was low on him but after watching more, I definitely see the talent and upside. When Samson Folk said Raps like him I dove into him. Super young player I think he reclassified ? plus he had one of the highest usage % in NCAA last year (2nd among freshman behind Flagg). For a freshman guard to do that and still be productive that's eye opening. Turnovers can be worked on, all young guards have that obstacle. Raps like him because Darko loves paint touching guards and Fears does that while also has an insane handle and shiftyness - maybe similar to a kyrie in that sense. I think BRK gets him

[Jadoogar]

I look at Maluach's stats and it scares me. How does a guy with his size not know how to rebound? Or .... do anything of significance at all?

I get the need for a future C but this guy looks stiff and awkward and uncoordinated. If he's there Masai probably takes him and I cheer for him, but this kid has absolutely NOTHING on Zach Eddy or any other big C that's come out recently

His numbers are similar to Dereck Lively, although it is concerning that Lively blocked way more shots.
I think he would fill a similar role to Lively; lob threat and rim protector. He's free throw percentage is a lot better than Lively which suggests he has pretty good touch.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[LoveMyRaps]

Queen and Bryant will be nice pick ups IMo. Even if we don’t like Queen, some team out there does and may trade for him. It will be fine.

which team would love a non-shooting big with sub-par defense and a poor athletic profile though

Queen my least favourite prospect in the top 10, what differentiates him from Marvin Bagley?

They're very different players tbh.

Bagley was an athletic freak, Queen is the opposite.
Queen is the better passer/playmaker.

[Grew]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

You have to watch the guy to get a feel for him. He just has that elite guard aesthetic. He shot a bad percentage from 3, but he wasn't afraid to create his own shot from there. He hit multiple big shots down the stretches of games in peoples faces when his team was backed against a wall, and in tournament settings late in the season vs good competition. He was the leader and best player of a tournament team when he was suppose to still be in high school this year.

I think most scouts believe in his 3pt shot despite the percentages. He's a blur with the ball and the best ball handler in the class. Definitely a guy I would bet on rather than against.

I'll admit I was low on him but after watching more, I definitely see the talent and upside. When Samson Folk said Raps like him I dove into him. Super young player I think he reclassified ? plus he had one of the highest usage % in NCAA last year (2nd among freshman behind Flagg). For a freshman guard to do that and still be productive that's eye opening. Turnovers can be worked on, all young guards have that obstacle. Raps like him because Darko loves paint touching guards and Fears does that while also has an insane handle and shiftyness - maybe similar to a kyrie in that sense.

I agree the upside is there, and I've tried to not compare him to Kyrie but he definitely has that feel to his game. I'm even pretty high on him being an above average defender in his prime, I think he has a little bit of that dog in him. For sure has things to sure up on D and the turnovers, but like you said he was a freshman guard with an insane usage rate, and yes he reclassified. I would be ecstatic if he was there at 9 and we took him. I highly doubt he makes it to us though.

[DG88]

You have to watch the guy to get a feel for him. He just has that elite guard aesthetic. He shot a bad percentage from 3, but he wasn't afraid to create his own shot from there. He hit multiple big shots down the stretches of games in peoples faces when his team was backed against a wall, and in tournament settings late in the season vs good competition. He was the leader and best player of a tournament team when he was suppose to still be in high school this year.

I think most scouts believe in his 3pt shot despite the percentages. He's a blur with the ball and the best ball handler in the class. Definitely a guy I would bet on rather than against.

I'll admit I was low on him but after watching more, I definitely see the talent and upside. When Samson Folk said Raps like him I dove into him. Super young player I think he reclassified ? plus he had one of the highest usage % in NCAA last year (2nd among freshman behind Flagg). For a freshman guard to do that and still be productive that's eye opening. Turnovers can be worked on, all young guards have that obstacle. Raps like him because Darko loves paint touching guards and Fears does that while also has an insane handle and shiftyness - maybe similar to a kyrie in that sense.

I agree the upside is there, and I've tried to not compare him to Kyrie but he definitely has that feel to his game. I'm even pretty high on him being an above average defender in his prime, I think he has a little bit of that dog in him. For sure has things to sure up on D and the turnovers, but like you said he was a freshman guard with an insane usage rate, and yes he reclassified. I would be ecstatic if he was there at 9 and we took him. I highly doubt he makes it to us though.

The only way I think Fears makes it to us is if someone who was slated to go higher falls.

[OakleyDokely]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

I'd say these are the key reasons:

-he's one of the youngest players in the draft (doesn't turn 19 until Oct)

-3 level scoring potential

-very good handles and he has the ability to create off the dribble and get to the line at a high rate.

-he took a lot of difficult 3pt shots in a very high usage role which really tanked his 3pt%. He shot nearly 40% on catch and shoot 3s but was terrible on pullup, off the dribble stuff. His 3pt volume, FT% and catch and shoot % suggest he can be a good 3pt shooter eventually.

-even though his 3pt% wasn't good, he was still a more efficient scorer overall (56 TS%) than guys like Ace (53 TS%), VJ (55 TS%) with a similar or higher usage rate.

-He's not a huge guy, and he probably won't ever be a great defender but he did create turnovers and had a good steals rate.

-solid rebounder and playmaker



You basically have to believe in the offensive upside as a 3 level scorer. if you don't, then he's a pass.

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

[Indeed]

I look at Maluach's stats and it scares me. How does a guy with his size not know how to rebound? Or .... do anything of significance at all?

I get the need for a future C but this guy looks stiff and awkward and uncoordinated. If he's there Masai probably takes him and I cheer for him, but this kid has absolutely NOTHING on Zach Eddy or any other big C that's come out recently

His numbers are similar to Dereck Lively, although it is concerning that Lively blocked way more shots.
I think he would fill a similar role to Lively; lob threat and rim protector. He's free throw percentage is a lot better than Lively which suggests he has pretty good touch.

Not sure that is true. Maluach only has half of the block rate % and assist rate % as compare to Lively.
Maluach also measured one of the worst leaping in the draft, bottom 5.
I am also concern with his switch ability, as he is also one of the worst in lane agility.

[Indeed]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

I'd say these are the key reasons:

-he's one of the youngest players in the draft (doesn't turn 19 until Oct)

-3 level scoring potential

-very good handles and he has the ability to create off the dribble and get to the line at a high rate.

-he took a lot of difficult 3pt shots in a very high usage role which really tanked his 3pt%. He shot nearly 40% on catch and shoot 3s but was terrible on pullup, off the dribble stuff. His 3pt volume, FT% and catch and shoot % suggest he can be a good 3pt shooter eventually.

-even though his 3pt% wasn't good, he was still a more efficient scorer overall (56 TS%) than guys like Ace (53 TS%), VJ (55 TS%) with a similar or higher usage rate.

-He's not a huge guy, and he probably won't ever be a great defender but he did create turnovers and had a good steals rate.

-solid rebounder and playmaker



You basically have to believe in the offensive upside as a 3 level scorer. if you don't, then he's a pass.

His rim pressure is the best in draft, the biggest indicator is his FTR.
And indeed, he showed being a 3 level scorer with his mid-range shot (I guess floater), shooting 45% as compare to the others in the 35%.

Fears (good assist rate, good free throw rate):
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2025&p=Jeremiah%20Fears&t=Oklahoma
Kira (good assist rate, average free throw rate):
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2020&p=Kira%20Lewis%20Jr.&t=Alabama
Maxey (average assist rate, average free throw rate):
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2020&p=Tyrese%20Maxey&t=Kentucky

[arbsn]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

Elite ball handling, speed and passing. He's an excellent FT shooter - the best future indicator of shooting

[S.W.A.N]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

I'd say these are the key reasons:

-he's one of the youngest players in the draft (doesn't turn 19 until Oct)

-3 level scoring potential

-very good handles and he has the ability to create off the dribble and get to the line at a high rate.

-he took a lot of difficult 3pt shots in a very high usage role which really tanked his 3pt%. He shot nearly 40% on catch and shoot 3s but was terrible on pullup, off the dribble stuff. His 3pt volume, FT% and catch and shoot % suggest he can be a good 3pt shooter eventually.

-even though his 3pt% wasn't good, he was still a more efficient scorer overall (56 TS%) than guys like Ace (53 TS%), VJ (55 TS%) with a similar or higher usage rate.

-He's not a huge guy, and he probably won't ever be a great defender but he did create turnovers and had a good steals rate.

-solid rebounder and playmaker



You basically have to believe in the offensive upside as a 3 level scorer. if you don't, then he's a pass.

He's also not THAT small. He's slightly taller the IQ, but with a shorter wingspan... And 2 inches taller and longer than shead. He needs to put on some muscle though.

[OakleyDokely]

Admittedly, i'm not a college basketball fan but why is Jeremiah Fears being considered so high? He's small and shot 28% from three. This reminds me of James Bouknight, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis type of player.

I'd say these are the key reasons:

-he's one of the youngest players in the draft (doesn't turn 19 until Oct)

-3 level scoring potential

-very good handles and he has the ability to create off the dribble and get to the line at a high rate.

-he took a lot of difficult 3pt shots in a very high usage role which really tanked his 3pt%. He shot nearly 40% on catch and shoot 3s but was terrible on pullup, off the dribble stuff. His 3pt volume, FT% and catch and shoot % suggest he can be a good 3pt shooter eventually.

-even though his 3pt% wasn't good, he was still a more efficient scorer overall (56 TS%) than guys like Ace (53 TS%), VJ (55 TS%) with a similar or higher usage rate.

-He's not a huge guy, and he probably won't ever be a great defender but he did create turnovers and had a good steals rate.

-solid rebounder and playmaker



You basically have to believe in the offensive upside as a 3 level scorer. if you don't, then he's a pass.

He's also not THAT small. He's slightly taller the IQ, but with a shorter wingspan... And 2 inches taller and longer than shead. He needs to put on some muscle though.

ya, he measured at 6'2 without shoes, so he's going to be 6'3/6'4 on the court.

he's only 180 lbs, so he does need to bulk up.

[arbsn]

Im starting to lean Fleming with our pick. The top 8 seems pretty solid -> Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe, Bailey, Fears, Kon, Queen, Tre

Meaning if one of those guys slips, I'd probably take them.

Outside of that we are picking from Fleming, Essengue, Maluach, Bryant, Demin, Kasparas, J-Rich

I like KJ and Fleming but I think Fleming has more 2-way upside. We need a great shooter next to Barnes and Poeltl and Fleming could be that guy who also plays great defense.