2025 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

A name to keep in mind for that Sacramento Pick next summer...

Read on Twitter

Kon Knueppel | 6-6 guard | 19 years old | Duke

This is my big call in the 2025 class. Knueppel doesn’t necessarily look the part — at around 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, he’s more wide than he is long — but he is one of my five favorite freshmen entering college basketball next season. What he lacks in what one may refer to as “traditional” athletic tools, he more than makes up for with polish, skill and competitiveness. He led the EYBL in scoring last year, and he’s terrific from all three levels. He knocks down shots from distance with remarkable efficiency for a teenager, and the threat of his shot from the 3 and midrange areas opens up his game as a driver. His footwork is outstanding; once he gets you on his hip out of ball screens, it’s over. Defensively, he competes, using his physical frame to his advantage against bigger opponents, but he’s this high because of his work on the other side of the floor, I think he’s one of the great offensive players in this 2024 recruiting class.

The Athletic

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Hugo González | 6-6 wing/forward | 19 years old | Real Madrid

Watch on YouTube

Gonzalez has been the most decorated 2006-born European player to this stage of his career. He won the MVP of the Munich regional of the Adidas Next Generation Tournament in 2023, then won MVP of the entire tournament in 2024 while leading Real Madrid to victory. Last summer, he was named to the All-Tournament team of the under-18 European championships while leading Spain to a silver medal. He’s a terrific player on both ends of the floor as a wing who processes the game quickly.

Defensively, he covers the court exceptionally well and seems to constantly bait offensive players into poor decisions. Offensively, he can create off the bounce a bit and excels as a passer. NBA teams would like to see him iron out the consistency of his the jumper; he has touch, but needs to fine tune his mechanics, shot prep off the catch and release. But the feel for the game is serious, as are his tools.

The Athletic

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Word is that Nolan can't shoot a lick. A development to keep an eye on moving forward.

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Built like a wing, Collin plays like an old school big man -- in the post, back to the basket.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Watch on YouTube

[Jamaaliver]

Asa Newell (Georgia, PF/C, Freshman)



Pro comparison: Jalen Smith/Marvin Bagley III

Georgia should instantly get easy baskets, second-chance points and defensive activity from Asa Newell.

Visually, the 6'11" lefty's game can look like Bagley's with their athletic play-finishing, rebounding and face-up flashes into running hooks.

Newell's three-point shot seems further along at 18 years old. His archetype should eventually mirror Smith's with the ability to stretch the floor from the 4 or 5 positions, score out of the post and provide defensive toughness/energy.

Newell ultimately projects as a plug-and-play big who'll produce from off the ball with spot-up shooting, straight-line driving, finishing, offensive rebounding and shot-blocking.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Hugo González Peña (Real Madrid, SF, 2006)



Pro comparison: Jonathan Kuminga

The Hugo González scouting report received an update after this month's U18 European Championships, where he averaged 20.7 points and 4.7 stocks, shot poorly and turned the ball over often.

Together, his physical profile, on-ball attacking, off-ball athleticism, defensive playmaking, questionable decision-making and erratic three-ball can resemble Jonathan Kuminga's.

González does have creation skill, using his handle and change of direction to get to spots and the rim. He's a capable shotmaker but unreliable shooter. Some of his most impressive highlights are of his explosion driving to the rack or recovering and elevating for a block.

His NBA role will be determined by how much he improves his self-creation execution, or whether he can add a consistent three to pair with his D.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane, C, 2006)



Pro comparison: Walker Kessler

A 12.2 block rate highlights Rocco Zikarsky's signature instincts and size in rim protection.

He and Walker Kessler both demonstrate technique, timing and the ability to slide in pick-and-roll coverage or anticipate off the ball as a weak-side shot-blocker.

Offensively, Zikarsky will occupy the role of play-finisher rolling off screens and putting back misses. But he has flashed short-range touch, as well as some athleticism/fluidity putting the ball down and attacking the basket in space.

We continue to see lottery teams willing to draft centers over 7'0" who don't possess a modernized skill set. Zikarsky could be the first one taken in 2025 to a team that's looking for a defensive presence and more easy baskets.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter