https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players
6. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Height: 7-2 | Age: 18.6 | TS%: 74.7 | PR: 8
Maluach is the only true big man projected in our top-10, and pretty much every team in that range would likely consider him a worthy development project to build around long-term.
He posted similar measurements in Chicago to Milwaukee's Brook Lopez and Portland's Deandre Ayton at the same stage, and has flashed glimpses of 3-point shooting touch in workouts we've attended, his pro day, and also the draft combine drills, giving him some unicorn potential when paired with his shot-blocking prowess.
The rapid improvement Maluach has made over the past few years with his frame, mobility, feel for the game and skill level has been apparent in the predraft process, something that will surely continue considering he's one of the draft's youngest prospects (he turns 19 on Sept. 14). -- Givony
7. Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
Height: 6-4 | Age: 18.6 | TS%: 57.0 | PR: 5
Fears' breakout freshman season vaulted him into lottery-pick status, with his creativity, speed, change-of pace and scoring instincts making him an intriguing addition for any guard-needy team. He measured a hair bigger at the combine than Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland did in 2019, another playmaker who has gradually evolved into a strong starting option over time.
He is thought to be in play as high as No. 5 to Utah, with New Orleans also in need of a long-term point guard at No. 7, and Brooklyn standing out as a strong fit at No. 8. His inconsistency as a 3-point shooter (28.4%) is something he'll have to address in workouts, but considering Fears doesn't turn 19 until October and is an excellent free throw shooter, scouts expect that area of his game to evolve nicely over time as he gets stronger.
That Fears reclassified to attend Oklahoma early and capably stepped into a huge role (31.4% usage) as a difference-maker adds reason for optimism he'll continue on his impressive trajectory. -- Woo
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8. Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke
Height: 6-7 | Age: 19.8 | TS%: 64.8 | PR: 9
On the heels of a remarkably efficient freshman season, Knueppel is receiving long looks in the top five of this draft, with his excellent shooting and overall readiness to contribute offensively creating a strong selling point for front offices. Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah all represent potential landing spots and would benefit from plugging him in right away.
Knueppel was unable to complete athletic testing at the combine due to his injury, but is slated to do so in the coming weeks. While not possessing great length, he has the size to get his shot off as well as see over defenses when needed to make plays with the ball.
Although he's not likely to be a stellar defender at the NBA level, Knueppel is viewed as one of the safer picks in this draft, as there's perennial demand for elite shooting, with the playmaking instincts he has shown adding a layer of upside if a team wants to further utilize him in that way. -- Woo
9. Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Height: 6-10 | Age: 18.4 | TS%: 62.0 | PR: 14
Essengue has hit another gear with his productivity and intensity over the past few months, playing a significant role in Ratiopharm Ulm's sweep of Euroleague team Alba Berlin in the German league playoff quarterfinals.
He's making a major impact on both ends of the floor with his passing, defensive versatility, and explosiveness getting out in transition and drawing fouls, which is notable considering he turns 19 in December. Despite his thin frame and not having an advanced offensive skill set, he is still finding ways to make winning plays.
Essengue's youth, tools, two-way instincts and rapid rate of improvement suggest a high ceiling that could lead to a significant rise on draft night. Lottery teams would love to get him in their buildings to get a better feel for his body, perimeter shooting potential and intangibles, but that might not be for a while as his season could extend to the day after the first round of the NBA draft (June 25), with Game 5 of the German league finals currently scheduled for June 26. -- Givony
10. Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Height: 6-6 | Age: 18.9 | TS%: 59.8 | PR: 7
Jakucionis continues to receive hard looks from lottery teams after measuring well at the combine (6-6 in shoes and 205 pounds), and coming in similar dimensionally to NBA wings such as Terance Mann and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The way the lottery fell didn't expressly help Jakucionis, as two potential landing spots in San Antonio and Philadelphia moved up into the top four. He still appears ticketed for the 8-to-14 part of the draft, with his versatility, playmaking feel, shooting potential and intangibles holding appeal to teams in that range, with Brooklyn, Portland and Chicago all viable fits.
Although Jakucionis has some holes in his statistical profile, shooting 31.8% from 3 and averaging 3.7 turnovers, NBA teams appear largely forgiving, factoring in his age and adjustment to the college level in a major role. Those are key areas for improvement, particularly if he's going to spend time on the ball long-term. Still, he should be able to help stabilize a backcourt in time and add valuable depth wherever he lands. -- Woo
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11. Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
Height: 6-9 | Age: 19.2 | TS%: 51.3 | PR: 12
Demin has solidified his standing in the predraft process, measuring well at the combine and conducting an explosive pro day where he showed significantly better potential as a perimeter shooter than his season at BYU might suggest.
He still has work to do in workouts after his up-and-down freshman season, but there's little doubt he possesses significant talent and upside to grow into a point guard who can make most every pick-and-roll read and pass and will continue to fill out his well-proportioned frame nicely in time.
Demin is getting looks from teams all throughout the lottery and is telling teams in interviews that he is happy to play any role that is asked of him, whether on or off the ball, citing the likes of Portland's Deni Avdija, Orlando's Franz Wagner and Detroit's Cade Cunningham as players he has been studying. -- Givony
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12. Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
Height: 6-8 | Age: 19.4 | TS%: 59.9 | PR: 20
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As predicted for much of the season, Bryant's standing has steadily risen as teams have gotten a closer look at him in private settings, getting a better feel for his impressive talent that suggests both a high floor and ceiling.
He measured a near 7-foot wingspan and 39 ½ inch vertical leap in Chicago, giving him measurements similar to players such as Dorian Finney-Smith (Lakers) and Nicolas Batum (Clippers) who were also asked to slide all over the floor positionally much like Bryant will likely do in the NBA.
Quite a few teams in the late lottery -- starting with Toronto at No. 9, and extending through the Magic at No. 16 are looking for frontcourt players who can space the floor effectively, giving Bryant several potential landing spots in this portion of the draft. -- Givony
