2025 NBA Draft Prospects

[othawhitemeat]

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Demin has an intriguing skillset, and bias here as an Illini fan, but my concerns of Demin is while extremely young and extremely skilled, he seems to disappear many games. Kasparas is another skilled player and not as athletic as Demin, but has that dawg in him if you are picking between two players, IMO. I am not saying we have to take Kasparas, but I am saying I hope to see more consistency from Demin if we are have the chance to pick top 10 and he is still available.

[DuckIII]

He had a red hot shooting start and feasted on the terrible competition early on (they started their year playing against schools ranked 300 or lower), but now in 3 games against top100 schools (that aren't even elite) Demin averages 10 points on 26% FG, 12.5% 3PT & 80% FT. Dishes out 3.5 assists while committing 2.7 turnovers.

He’s going to be one to watch. There is so much to love about him. As a set up PG his ceiling really is ridiculous. He sees the game at a high level, is highly ambidextrous, has remarkable vision and creativity, his shot looks technically solid, and as far as I can tell he looks like a gamer who plays with fire. But that last part may be an illusion as I have not see whole games yet.

These are the types of guys I want. Do everything unselfish guys who project forward into where the league is heading.

Shooting is a concern. But right or wrong I deprioritize that in a prospect depending on technique and remaining other strengths. We got Matas at 11 in a weak draft almost certainly because of his shooting, despite plenty of reason to believe in time he would develop a reliable NBA 3. That looks to be a massive win for us due to the common trend of NBA front office groupthink that oversimplifies player contributions.

There are 5-6 guys already I really, really like in this class and it’s easy to see why it is so well regarded relative to last year. Egor is one of them, recent concerns and all.

Agree to the above. Demin projects into the future of the league.

Who are your guys in this draft?

I won’t dive in too deep until I see whether the Bulls are going to have a pick and generally don’t spend much time on it until March and April.

Right now I don’t have a clear favorite. I like the top 4 usual suspects (Flagg, Harper, Egor, Ace) plus Jakucionis as a later top 10 guy (for now). Haven’t looked closely at some of the others. If I had to pick one today it would be Flagg because I place for more significance on defense than most posters here. I feel he is a two way tone setter even if not the most talented scorer.

As an Illini fan I have seen Will Riley as well but need to see a lot more before I decide what I think.

[sco]

Watched Michigan beat Wisconsin...Danny Wolf is an interesting prospect. He is 7ft, physical, but incredibly good handles and passing.

[Jcool0]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

[kodo]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

For me it's Harper or Flagg. Bailey is #3. But it's still very early.

[2weekswithpay]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

[Chi town]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

Flagg and Ace are really young. Both will really improve. Scheyer sucks. See McCain blowing up.

Harper is a Ja level PG. Stud and he plays both ways. Physical and strong.

I’d go Harper Flagg Ace. Ace has elite length and defensive IQ with a great motor. I could see Ace dropping to 5 or 6 if others rise.

I also think Ben Saraf is an absolute stud and will be Ginobili 2.0.

[Chi town]

Demin doesn’t have a lot to work with at BYU. Very limited talent next to him. He’s taking really tough shots. His shoot form looks really good though. I think he will be a plus shooter.

I think he goes 4-8.

[Jcool0]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

3 of the 6 games he has played in Ace had 20+ points. In 2 he has 17 points in each. Seems like he is showing enough. Could be the best athlete in this class. Upside is high.

[Muzbar]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

3 of the 6 games he has played in Ace had 20+ points. In 2 he has 17 points in each. Seems like he is showing enough. Could be the best athlete in this class. Upside is high.

Have you come around on Ace?

[2weekswithpay]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

3 of the 6 games he has played in Ace had 20+ points. In 2 he has 17 points in each. Seems like he is showing enough. Could be the best athlete in this class. Upside is high.

As a shotmaker yes but, to be a first option/#1 guy you need to be a capable playmaker. Being a great shotmaker isn't enough.

[Repeat 3-peat]

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[Jcool0]

Flagg. It's early, but Ace hasn't shown enough to make me believe that he'll be a first option in the NBA. If you're going to be a first option at the forward spot, you need to be above-average at some combination of shooting, driving, and playmaking. Compared to his peers, Ace hasn't shown enough as a playmaker or driver. Knowing when and where to take risks and which players are worth the risk is important. Ace shouldn't be drafted over Flagg right now.

3 of the 6 games he has played in Ace had 20+ points. In 2 he has 17 points in each. Seems like he is showing enough. Could be the best athlete in this class. Upside is high.

As a shotmaker yes but, to be a first option/#1 guy you need to be a capable playmaker. Being a great shotmaker isn't enough.

Kevin Durant in his one year at Texas averaged 1.3 assists per game & almost 3 turnovers. In his prime NBA years was closer to 6 APG. Ace isn't a finished product, is he settling for to many jumpers? Sure. But this is all about his upside. Which i said was a risk. But if he hits could be another Durant.

[DuckIII]

Demin doesn’t have a lot to work with at BYU. Very limited talent next to him. He’s taking really tough shots. His shoot form looks really good though. I think he will be a plus shooter.

I think he goes 4-8.

I’m not suggesting he plays like Ball in an oranges to oranges comparison. I doubt very much, for example, he will ever defend like Ball or have his almost one-of-kind feel for open court ball. But he is the type of guy who, like Ball, will see his impact grow through the contributions of others which will in turn open up more shots for him. To me he looks like a guy who could be a half-court maestro the way Ball is in the open court.

I really like him. But I have to see way, way more. Have not even seen him play a full game.

[Chi town]

Demin doesn’t have a lot to work with at BYU. Very limited talent next to him. He’s taking really tough shots. His shoot form looks really good though. I think he will be a plus shooter.

I think he goes 4-8.

I’m not suggesting he plays like Ball in an oranges to oranges comparison. I doubt very much, for example, he will ever defend like Ball or have his almost one-of-kind feel for open court ball. But he is the type of guy who, like Ball, will see his impact grow through the contributions of others which will in turn open up more shots for him. To me he looks like a guy who could be a half-court maestro the way Ball is in the open court.

I really like him. But I have to see way, way more. Have not even seen him play a full game.

I’ve seen him make some great pass aheads. His court vision is elite. It will take time for him to learn what he can and can’t do against better athletes.

I think the spacing of the nba will help him tremendously. He moves well off ball too.

[CROBulls]

Based on right now. Flagg seems like a high end #2 guy. If Matas works out he is probably a #2/3 guy. If you had the #1 pick would you take a risk on the upside of Ace to be that #1 guy or take what seems like a sure thing in Flagg? Which means your two best players might not be #1 guys but maybe are closer to Tatum and Brown then say Lavine and DD.

Flagg every day over "upside" of Ace.

[Chi town]

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Flagg would be so fun with Zo and Buz running and gunning

[2weekswithpay]

3 of the 6 games he has played in Ace had 20+ points. In 2 he has 17 points in each. Seems like he is showing enough. Could be the best athlete in this class. Upside is high.

As a shotmaker yes but, to be a first option/#1 guy you need to be a capable playmaker. Being a great shotmaker isn't enough.

Kevin Durant in his one year at Texas averaged 1.3 assists per game & almost 3 turnovers. In his prime NBA years was closer to 6 APG. Ace isn't a finished product, is he settling for to many jumpers? Sure. But this is all about his upside. Which i said was a risk. But if he hits could be another Durant.

That was almost two decades ago. The game has changed a lot in that time and Ace probably isn't going to score 25 a game on almost 60% TS. A high-usage wing/forward with an AST% < 5 and AST/TO < 1 more than likely won't be another KD. In the past decade, there isn't a single non-big that became an all-star with those numbers. Why would Ace be the exception?

If you're going to risk drafting Ace over Flagg because he can be like KD, you'd like to see better statistical indicators. Otherwise, you're just taking a shot in the dark.

[Muzbar]

Tre Johnson is a bucket.

[DuckIII]

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That play at the end where he falls down, maintains his dribble, get up, and footworks his way into a bucket is special. That is a “this is how his brain operates in high speed game action” and it’s impressive.