2025 NBA Draft Thread

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Might be a taller Reed Sheppard?
Maybe the next Devin Booker?

2025 NBA draft Top 100 prospects

6. Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke

Height: 6-7 | Age: 19.1 | Prev. rank: 17

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Knueppel has drawn rave reviews all preseason from Duke's coaching staff, and we got to witness it when taking in a 90-minute scrimmage in Durham, North Carolina. It's easy to see why Knueppel led the Nike EYBL in scoring and 3-pointers made while converting a blistering 47% of his attempts, as he has elite balance, footwork and range getting into spot-up and pull-up jumpers. He has shown excellent pace, physicality and skill with the ball, demonstrating versatility and smarts while creating shots for himself and others.

Although he is not blessed with elite length or quickness, his fast processing speed, strength, and competitiveness help him hold his own defensively. Duke coaches say he has been the best player in several practices, and they expect him to make significant contributions this season. We'll have to see how it translates to real games, but there's excitement about what we saw. -- Givony

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2025 NBA draft Top 100 prospects

8. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Height: 7-2 | Age: 18.0 | Prev. rank: 6

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Maluach has obvious appeal at 7-foot-2, 250 pounds with a 7-6 wingspan. After watching Duke's practice last week, it's obvious he's going to play an important role anchoring the Blue Devils' defense with his terrific timing as a rim-protector and solid mobility covering ground on the perimeter. Maluach is a terrific communicator who plays with intensity, which helps compensate to an extent for his lack of experience, having played the sport for roughly only five years. That shows up most vividly on offense, where he doesn't have the best hands or processing speed currently, being a little mistake prone and not quite as reliable a finisher as one might hope with him lacking strength and balance.

He has shown flashes of stretch potential in small doses, and that combined with his shot blocking and outstanding intangibles is intriguing considering he turned 18 on Sept. 14.

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2025 NBA draft Top 100 prospects

9. Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid

Height: 6-7 | Age: 18.6 | Prev. rank: 7

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Playing time has been hard to come by for Gonzalez, who had 8 total minutes in Real Madrid's first five games, an ominous start that wasn't entirely unexpected considering the EuroLeague powerhouse team's depth and championship aspirations. It will be interesting to see if Gonzalez is content playing mop-up minutes this season or elects to push for a loan to a better situation, where he could showcase himself more favorably to NBA scouts. Gonzalez's significant buyout greatly reduced his options this summer as many of his European peers flocked to college or more favorable platforms for playing time and development.

Gonzalez has shown considerable talent in other settings with his explosiveness, aggressive style and defensive intensity, but it might not be easy to show that off in his current situation.

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Modern day Paul Millsap?

2025 NBA draft Top 100 prospects

12. Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina

Height: 6-7 | Age: 19.3 | Prev. rank: 23

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The top-ranked college returner on our Top 100 board, Murray-Boyles looks set to go from popular draft sleeper to full-fledged star this season. He had fans around the league hoping he'd remain in last year's draft but ultimately opted to rejoin the Gamecocks. This season's spotlight on him will be much brighter -- and his cagey, lunch-pail style of play should make him effective as an interior scorer, rebounder and improving playmaker.

There are some limitations here: Murray-Boyles hasn't added a 3-point shot to his repertoire and is a touch undersized for a power forward. But he's a smart player who affects winning in the run of play on both ends of the court, which will earn him serious looks from scouts. NBA teams will be curious to see how his game and role expands, and how much South Carolina will end up playing through him.

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2025 NBA draft Top 100 prospects

24. Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)

Height: 7-3 | Age: 18.2 | Prev. Rank: 20

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Zikarsky hasn't had a great start to the season, struggling to stay on the court for Brisbane, and struggling on defense (one block in three games), making it tough to quibble with his playing time. Scouts are going to want to see the 18-year-old take a step forward in his second season in the Australian NBL and there's still plenty of time. Zikarsky gets up and down the court, and sets screens and rolls to the rim, but has questions to answer regarding his upright stance, ability to bend his knees, turn his hips and cover ground in small spaces, looking clumsy at times.

His defensive projection is a key part of his draft outlook, and it will be interesting to see how his processing speed, role and ability to affect winning evolves.

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[Jamaaliver]

I feel like wqe're going heavily towards foreign-born prospects in the future.

Better fundamentals, less ego in comparison to American Born Players.

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Spoiler:

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KK is moving up my personal draft board. As much as we need a top young big man, adding an elite perimeter scorer is never a bad approach.

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This was the ugliest 49 point game I've seen in a long while.

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2025 NBA Mock Draft: Pro Comparisons

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Kings): Ben Saraf | Ratiopharm Ulm | Guard
Sacramento Kings record: 3-3

Size: 6'5", 201 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: Israel
Pro Comparison: Manu Ginobili

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Ben Saraf isn't slowing down. He continues to score efficiently and give Ulm a dangerous playmaking weapon with his handle and passing IQ.

His creativity and tough shotmaking have stood out most, with Saraf now 9-of-21 out of isolation, mostly by separating into step-backs and abruptly pulling up in the mid-range.

His athletic limitation shows on drives, where he can be forced to attempt contested, low-percentage layups. But he does get to the rim at a good rate, and he's still crafty and competent enough to counter and convert difficult finishes.

Though he'll remind you each game of his age and overly ambitious decision-making, Saraf is looking like a more legitimate, first-round or lottery prospect as the sample size of production grows.

24. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Noa Essengue | Ratiopharm Ulm | Forward
Los Angeles Lakers record: 4-2

Size: 6'9", 198 lbs
Age: 17
Nationality: France
Pro Comparison: Jabari Walker, Precious Achiuwa

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At 17 years old, Noa Essengue was able to put up 20 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals in an exhibition against a near full-strength Portland Trail Blazers team.

Momentum from a strong FIBA U18s in August has carried over to Ulm. Even at his ground floor, he's been productive in his role, playing off skill players and providing finishing, defensive versatility and the occasional spot-up three.

Potential remains the selling point. He may be the youngest prospect in the draft, and it shows on some of his self-created attempts.

Between Essengue's shooting range, activity around the basket, driving flashes and defensive tools, there is enough for scouts to remain patient with and bet on for the long term.

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Who is this guy?

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