2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 2

[Thaddy]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

Johnson should be ahead of Jakucionis. He's the only prospect with go to scorer potential outside the top 3. I'd even have him ahead of Bailey there. Other than these 5 I don't see star potential from anyone else. 3pt shooting and defense should be the priority beyond that point.

[LoveMyRaps]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

I’m either getting Jimmy Butler vibes from Edgecombe or Harrison Barnes. I’m not sure which, so I’m a little nervous to put him into my top 5

I hear you.
I think his floor is a Marcus Smart type of player. Smart was obviously the better ball handler and facilitator at Oklahoma St, but the defense and athleticism lines up with VJ.

VJ will be fine. If he can improve his shooting consistency, he's got all-star potential.

[LoveMyRaps]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

Johnson should be ahead of Jakucionis. He's the only prospect with go to scorer potential outside the top 3. I'd even have him ahead of Bailey there. Other than these 5 I don't see star potential from anyone else. 3pt shooting and defense should be the priority beyond that point.

Honestly - outside of my top 3, most of these guys are interchangeable. Although, I'm still pretty firm on having VJ in the top 4.

Newell has really grown on me from a fit standpoint. I don't know if he's big enough to be a starting center, but I'm also not sure if he's done growing. Love his ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. His athleticism would be a welcome sight, as it'd provide the likes of Barnes & Barrett w/ a lob partner.

[tdotrep2]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

I’m either getting Jimmy Butler vibes from Edgecombe or Harrison Barnes. I’m not sure which, so I’m a little nervous to put him into my top 5

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

[RoteSchroder]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

I’m either getting Jimmy Butler vibes from Edgecombe or Harrison Barnes. I’m not sure which, so I’m a little nervous to put him into my top 5

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

how is Edgecombe comparable to Jimmy Butler or Harrison Barnes? both those comparisons are kind of whacky

[tdotrep2]

I’m either getting Jimmy Butler vibes from Edgecombe or Harrison Barnes. I’m not sure which, so I’m a little nervous to put him into my top 5

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

how is Edgecombe comparable to Jimmy Butler or Harrison Barnes? both those comparisons are kind of whacky

no idea, i dont know the player well. just pointed out that he's probably going to be good if the front office takes him

[BoyzNTheHood]

I’m either getting Jimmy Butler vibes from Edgecombe or Harrison Barnes. I’m not sure which, so I’m a little nervous to put him into my top 5

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

how is Edgecombe comparable to Jimmy Butler or Harrison Barnes? both those comparisons are kind of whacky

Good athletes, solid defenders at minimum, weak jumper, strong build, high potential.

[PoundTown]

I have VJ firmly 4th on my board, with possibility of overtaking ace for third. His potential is great, so is aces, but can be tough watching ace play basketball from an IQ perspective lol. Both guys give you high motors at least and I think both guys can improve their weaknesses to a degree, I just think VJ is more likely to right now for some reason. He gives me oladipo vibes and if it weren’t for injuries vic would have been multiple time all star.

[RoteSchroder]

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

how is Edgecombe comparable to Jimmy Butler or Harrison Barnes? both those comparisons are kind of whacky

Good athletes, solid defenders at minimum, weak jumper, strong build, high potential.

Edgecombe is much more athletic than both and a freak athlete. He's also shorter than both. His real height is like 6'3/6'4.

A lot of Edgecombe's shot diet is from rim running towards the paint, whereas Butler and Harrison took more jumpers. Edgecombe's jumpers come mostly from catch and shoot at the 3, you'll be hard pressed to find a single mid-range long 2. Barnes/Butler took mid- or long-range jumpers on-ball.

Butler wasn't exactly regarded as a high potential prospect when drafted. Compilation of different scouting reports on Butler:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/jimmy-butler-nba-draft-2011-scouting-report/br43j8i6wv6unlhvgsxpl5wx

The Texas native is not a freak athlete...He does not have the pedigree of a future NBA All-Star. His physical tools are fairly average

Not a great athlete, lacks great quickness or explosiveness

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/jimmy-butler/

A well-rounded forward with great qualities for a future role-player

Fits the "jack of all trades, master of none" mold … Not a stand-out athlete

Barnes, also completely different:
https://www.nbadraft.net/players/harrison-barnes/

Offensively Barnes’ most glaring weakness surrounds his inability to create easy shots for himself … His inability to create stems from his lack of an explosive first step …Most of his damage is done on the perimeter, where he struggles to move north/south and attack the rim off the dribble. Physically he lacks the explosiveness to finish at the rim with consistency or ease … Too upright defensively making him easy to get by …

[LoveMyRaps]

well, if our front office takes him then its jimmy. the one thing I still trust about them is the ability to identify talent in the draft

how is Edgecombe comparable to Jimmy Butler or Harrison Barnes? both those comparisons are kind of whacky

Good athletes, solid defenders at minimum, weak jumper, strong build, high potential.

Butler and Barnes are pure forwards.

VJ is a pure guard.

To me, Smart is a respectable/fair comp. Ultra-athletic, strong defensive-minded guards, who like to attack the rim and can knock down the three occasionally.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Son Goku 25]

Ace would be top pick if he just asserted himself correctly, he literally has the build and athleticism as well as shot making to be great.

Remember when Scottie came in looking like someone's grandma when he shot the ball? Look at him now. I trust our FO would make him great if we draft him here I just hope we get the best player(s) in the draft for us.

His weaknesses are court vision and ball handling. The way he shoots the ball you know if he improves his ball handling it's just gonna open up his game to another level. Lowkey I think Masai and Bobby will be doing everything in their power to get him and will shoot his value down near the draft.. gotta hope we're top 3.

[Syd-TK3]

The highlights are pretty high. Unfortunately he shot 5/15 in this game, but 4/9 from 3. Notice the pass at 3:40.

Watch on YouTube

That 5/15 could easily be 5/10 if you cut out the forced pull ups. Needs that many 3 point attempts a game more often because the catch and shoot and on the move stuff is there.
Also that block was definitely clean

[BoyzNTheHood]

Who was the better prospect? Jalen Green or Ace Bailey? Personally, I’d say it’s about even. Talent through the roof for both guys, but questionable playing style doesn’t allow them to be the undeniable #1 guys in their class. Green had Cade who’s clearly better, and then Mobley and Scottie. Ace has Cooper, then Harper and Jak.

[LoveMyRaps]

Will be tuning into the Illinois vs. USC game tomorrow at 12pm EST.

Scouting cap will be on.

[niQ]

I don't get how Ace's assists numbers are so bad.

In high school, he averaged 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks.

[Thaddy]

Updated Mock Draft:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. Edgecombe
5. Kasparas (Big rise)
6. Maluach
7. Traore
8. Fears
9. Newell
10. Johnson

Johnson should be ahead of Jakucionis. He's the only prospect with go to scorer potential outside the top 3. I'd even have him ahead of Bailey there. Other than these 5 I don't see star potential from anyone else. 3pt shooting and defense should be the priority beyond that point.

Honestly - outside of my top 3, most of these guys are interchangeable. Although, I'm still pretty firm on having VJ in the top 4.

Newell has really grown on me from a fit standpoint. I don't know if he's big enough to be a starting center, but I'm also not sure if he's done growing. Love his ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. His athleticism would be a welcome sight, as it'd provide the likes of Barnes & Barrett w/ a lob partner.

VJ vs Johnson is a good comparison a lot of GMs will discuss. Athletically Edgecombe is better and that's translating to his defensive production.

Johnson is a much better shooter right now and handles the ball. He has actual skills he's likely worked hard for. The production he has in college is insane and the percentages add to the insanity.

I would personally double down on the guy who's showing more than just athleticism and trying during games. Hard consistent work in a good development environment like ours will just work out more often. I'd make the safer bet with Johnson.

[HumbleRen]

Who was the better prospect? Jalen Green or Ace Bailey? Personally, I’d say it’s about even. Talent through the roof for both guys, but questionable playing style doesn’t allow them to be the undeniable #1 guys in their class. Green had Cade who’s clearly better, and then Mobley and Scottie. Ace has Cooper, then Harper and Jak.

Jalen Green is comfortably above him as a prospect. Ace isn’t better than Mobley as a prospect and Green went ahead of Mobley.

Green as a prospect had that upside of potentially being a lead ball handler who can score at all 3 levels.

Ace doesn’t have that expectation, he’s very bad at getting to the rim, his assist rate is one of the worst we’ve ever seen in a potential top 3 lotto guy and his functional athleticism isn’t that great. His upside is his defence and shot making ability. The hope is that his shotmaking ability is so elite that it can paper over his flaws.

I’m not willing to take that bet but I can understand the allure of Ace. I would not be mad at all if we pick him at 3, I just trust Kasp more to reach his ceiling rather than Ace.

[Mr Fitzhume]

I don't get how Ace's assists numbers are so bad.

In high school, he averaged 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks.

That’s the real question. Maybe because Harper’s a dominant playmaker beside him? Maybe because of his teammates not making shots? Maybe he’s not a willing passer?

I’m curious if there’s a stat regarding of his “possible” assists, which ended up as shot attempts by his teammates.

[Jstock12]

Will be tuning into the Illinois vs. USC game tomorrow at 12pm EST.

Scouting cap will be on.

KJ might not play. Injured left arm I believe. Game time decision.

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[Brinbe]

Big day for prospect watching. Duke-ND at noon will be must-watch along with Illinois/USC. UConn-Georgetown, Texas-Tennessee later on. Arkansas-Florida. Georgia-Oklahoma. BYU-TCU. Baylor-ASU. Getting into the meat of conference play now before the home stretch into March. Time to make show out and make some future money.