2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 2

[Psubs]

New Wasserman mock is out.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10151924-2025-nba-mock-draft-pro-comparisons-and-full-2-round-predictions.amp.html

Has us taking Fears and Yaxel Lendeborg who I'm admittedly unfamiliar with

Yaxel was brought up last year. He was intriguing. I don't think he gets drafted but if he comes back as a junior and improves his shot like Rasheer maybe he comes out next year.

Watch on YouTube

He doesn't have the wingspan that Rasheer has, but is a good passer. I wouldn't draft him with Mogbo already on the roster. I don't think Yaxel is GLeague / 11 or 12th man level. Rather nab say 7'1 Raynaud if he goes undrafted since he's a senior.

[RoteSchroder]

Rasheer Fleming is someone who is shooting up my draft board. I have thoroughly come away impressed every single time I have seen him play. He gives me OG/Bridges/Eason vibes, and with his improved shooting you would think his stock would be sky rocketing. He's also one of the better athletes in the draft, who is shooting 40% from three on 5 attempts per game, while average 16/9/1.5/1.5/1.5

For those that don't know:
6-9 forward (3/4)
7-5 wingspan
Good athlete
Good shooter
Lockdown defender

I think once draft day comes around, hes going to be a top 10 pick. I know he's a 3 year college player, but he's still relatively young, as he's only going to be 20 come draft day.

He is a guy who came out of nowhere, but people have noticed the 40% from three in his Junior season. Let's see if it holds up the rest of the way.

I still am higher on JT Toppin who is a similar type of player but even better defensive numbers and a full year younger. Fleming will be 21 in July and Toppin will be 20 in June.

Toppin's Texas Tech is 15-4, 4th in the B-12 versus Fleming's team which is 12-8 in the A-10 conference.

The two even played each other and Toppin had 22/18 and 4 stocks; while Fleming had 14/7 and 2 stocks. I don't know if either gets picked in the first round given how good this draft is but I think both will be decent role players.

Toppin has a good close mid-range game with that floater/hook shot.

Fleming is a pure role player offensively, but seems taller and/or more athletic to me.

I probably wouldn’t want to draft either in the top 10. Still looking for a star there. While Toppin has more on ball ability, perimeter/face up ability seems more important in today’s game and Toppin would need to reinvent his game to get there.

[Dalek]

Rasheer Fleming is someone who is shooting up my draft board. I have thoroughly come away impressed every single time I have seen him play. He gives me OG/Bridges/Eason vibes, and with his improved shooting you would think his stock would be sky rocketing. He's also one of the better athletes in the draft, who is shooting 40% from three on 5 attempts per game, while average 16/9/1.5/1.5/1.5

For those that don't know:
6-9 forward (3/4)
7-5 wingspan
Good athlete
Good shooter
Lockdown defender

I think once draft day comes around, hes going to be a top 10 pick. I know he's a 3 year college player, but he's still relatively young, as he's only going to be 20 come draft day.

He is a guy who came out of nowhere, but people have noticed the 40% from three in his Junior season. Let's see if it holds up the rest of the way.

I still am higher on JT Toppin who is a similar type of player but even better defensive numbers and a full year younger. Fleming will be 21 in July and Toppin will be 20 in June.

Toppin's Texas Tech is 15-4, 4th in the B-12 versus Fleming's team which is 12-8 in the A-10 conference.

The two even played each other and Toppin had 22/18 and 4 stocks; while Fleming had 14/7 and 2 stocks. I don't know if either gets picked in the first round given how good this draft is but I think both will be decent role players.

Toppin has a good close mid-range game with that floater/hook shot.

Fleming is a pure role player offensively, but seems taller and/or more athletic to me.

I probably wouldn’t want to draft either in the top 10. Still looking for a star there. While Toppin has more on ball ability, perimeter/face up ability seems more important in today’s game and Toppin would need to reinvent his game to get there.

Fleming is a great athlete and a high level dunker which is going to be fun at the next level and with the shooting where it is now he could be a first rounder.

Toppin is a opportunistic offensive player who has a knack for boards and scoring in the paint with his flip shots. He plays his role so well and can cover ground on defense. I think I prefer Toppin with a second rounder over Fleming who might go higher because he is a year ahead.

The swing factor for me is the motor. Toppin goes hard for boards.

I don't know if either guy is considered because we have the Mogbo project going on.

[Psubs]

He is a guy who came out of nowhere, but people have noticed the 40% from three in his Junior season. Let's see if it holds up the rest of the way.

I still am higher on JT Toppin who is a similar type of player but even better defensive numbers and a full year younger. Fleming will be 21 in July and Toppin will be 20 in June.

Toppin's Texas Tech is 15-4, 4th in the B-12 versus Fleming's team which is 12-8 in the A-10 conference.

The two even played each other and Toppin had 22/18 and 4 stocks; while Fleming had 14/7 and 2 stocks. I don't know if either gets picked in the first round given how good this draft is but I think both will be decent role players.

Toppin has a good close mid-range game with that floater/hook shot.

Fleming is a pure role player offensively, but seems taller and/or more athletic to me.

I probably wouldn’t want to draft either in the top 10. Still looking for a star there. While Toppin has more on ball ability, perimeter/face up ability seems more important in today’s game and Toppin would need to reinvent his game to get there.

Fleming is a great athlete and a high level dunker which is going to be fun at the next level and with the shooting where it is now he could be a first rounder.

Toppin is a opportunistic offensive player who has a knack for boards and scoring in the paint with his flip shots. He plays his role so well and can cover ground on defense. I think I prefer Toppin with a second rounder over Fleming who might go higher because he is a year ahead.

The swing factor for me is the motor. Toppin goes hard for boards.

I don't know if either guy is considered because we have the Mogbo project going on.

Mogbo doesn't play quite big enough to bang with tall PF's like AD and JJJ. To me Mobgo would be a glue 6th man that can guard 2-4. Rasheer would be able to start beside and complement Scottie as the other forward and guard 2-5.

[KillaSham23]

Not sold on fears or CMB in the top 10

[Indeed]

Not sold on fears or CMB in the top 10

Fears should be in the top 10 with the assumption that he can pick up his defense when he doesn't need to focus that much on offense.

[Psubs]

Not sold on fears or CMB in the top 10

Fears should be in the top 10 with the assumption that he can pick up his defense when he doesn't need to focus that much on offense.

He is one of the youngest players. Since he shoots 84% FT's maybe he'll be able to shoot the 3 but right now under 30% isn't really good for a guard. His A/T not that much above 1 so maybe he's just an under-sized SG or combo-guard at best? Is at best he's Bradley Beal 2.0 that you have to pay max money for because he think's he's the shizz but isn't really going to help you win?

I'd just run with Jakobe who has shown enough flashes and being taller that Fears would be redundant.

[Ell Curry]

Amari Williams, the Kentucky center, looks like an interesting undrafted type 4 year guy who might be able to develop into a solid backup.

His stats are similar but better than Ighodaro's (better rebounder, more blocks, similar A/TO as they can both pass, both not great finishing inside). Similar meh size, but he's got a 7'5 wingsoan and was the CAA defensive player of the year twice so he's played well on that end, though against weak competition. Kentucky is bad on D this year (90th) but that seems to be because they create basically no turnovers (334th!) and don't guard the 3 well, so you'd assume that's more the perimeter guys being at fault? He looks reasonably comfortable switching onto a guard.

Kentucky let him playmake a fair amount and carry it upcourt and initiate. His footwork looks bad (I thought he got away with a couple walks just doing normal DHO stuff), but he seems like he can spot a pass okay. Might be that kind of Nurkic style euro center where you bemoan their finishing but like their work offensively at the elbow and otherwise it's a solid enough center.

[PhilBlackson]

New Wasserman mock is out.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10151924-2025-nba-mock-draft-pro-comparisons-and-full-2-round-predictions.amp.html

Has us taking Fears and Yaxel Lendeborg who I'm admittedly unfamiliar with

Yaxel was brought up last year. He was intriguing. I don't think he gets drafted but if he comes back as a junior and improves his shot like Rasheer maybe he comes out next year.

Watch on YouTube

He doesn't have the wingspan that Rasheer has, but is a good passer. I wouldn't draft him with Mogbo already on the roster. I don't think Yaxel is GLeague / 11 or 12th man level. Rather nab say 7'1 Raynaud if he goes undrafted since he's a senior.

I’d still take a flyer on Dink Pate over Yaxel.

[Indeed]

Not sold on fears or CMB in the top 10

Fears should be in the top 10 with the assumption that he can pick up his defense when he doesn't need to focus that much on offense.

He is one of the youngest players. Since he shoots 84% FT's maybe he'll be able to shoot the 3 but right now under 30% isn't really good for a guard. His A/T not that much above 1 so maybe he's just an under-sized SG or combo-guard at best? Is at best he's Bradley Beal 2.0 that you have to pay max money for because he think's he's the shizz but isn't really going to help you win?

I'd just run with Jakobe who has shown enough flashes and being taller that Fears would be redundant.

Post the stats again (and again), and you can see the At Rim difference, which is almost doubled. He is the only one with good rim pressure (score at rim without assists), which I value more, as it is much harder to learn than shooting the 3s. He is closest to be a 3 level scorers in terms of potential, the only question is his defense, which has been meh.

As for his passing, his assist rate is 30%, which is pretty much in the PG territory, so I am unsure how his comparison is Beal.

Fland (not a good finisher at rim, good 3 point shooter, and mainly mid-range shooter)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
0-0   0%         18-49   36.7%   27.8%      39-90   43.3%   17.9%      35-96   36.5%   57.1%


Philion (good rim pressure, not very good from 3s and mostly assisted)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
3-3   100.0%      48-76   63.2%   16.7%      15-33   45.5%   6.7%      18-65   27.7%   94.4%


Fears (good rim pressure, not very good from 3s, but can create at 3 levels)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
5-5   100.0%      55-88   62.5%   27.3%      24-52   46.2%   8.3%      18-68   26.5%   50.0%


Jakucionis (good finishing at rim, very good 3 point shooter who can create from pull up 3s)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
1-1   100.0%      34-51   66.7%   29.4%      11-25   44.0%   0.0%      32-79   40.5%   34.4%


Riley (good finishing at rim, nothing else is good)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
2-2   100.0%      25-41   61.0%   48.0%      16-53   30.2%   6.3%      25-80   31.3%   72.0%


Johnson (good finishing at rim, very good creating at mid-range, good spot up 3 point shooter)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
6-7   85.7%      25-37   67.6%   24.0%      51-114   44.7%   17.6%      45-118   38.1%   75.6%


Note, all of them are having usage between 22% - 26%, except Fears with 35% usage rate.
As for TS, Jakucionis at 66%, Fears at 58%, Fland and Philion around 51%.
Passing rate is about the same for Jakucionis, Fears and Fland between 30% - 31%, while Philion around 22%

[Syd-TK3]

VJ is starting to put it all together recently

[Brinbe]

Read on Twitter

VJ is number 4.

[Indeed]

Toppin has a good close mid-range game with that floater/hook shot.

Fleming is a pure role player offensively, but seems taller and/or more athletic to me.

I probably wouldn’t want to draft either in the top 10. Still looking for a star there. While Toppin has more on ball ability, perimeter/face up ability seems more important in today’s game and Toppin would need to reinvent his game to get there.

Fleming is a great athlete and a high level dunker which is going to be fun at the next level and with the shooting where it is now he could be a first rounder.

Toppin is a opportunistic offensive player who has a knack for boards and scoring in the paint with his flip shots. He plays his role so well and can cover ground on defense. I think I prefer Toppin with a second rounder over Fleming who might go higher because he is a year ahead.

The swing factor for me is the motor. Toppin goes hard for boards.

I don't know if either guy is considered because we have the Mogbo project going on.

Mogbo doesn't play quite big enough to bang with tall PF's like AD and JJJ. To me Mobgo would be a glue 6th man that can guard 2-4. Rasheer would be able to start beside and complement Scottie as the other forward and guard 2-5.

Continue with our previous conversation, I am adding Toppin stats to this.
However, it is harder to determine for bigs, cannot tell if there is any ball penetration or postup or any self creation skill.

Both Flemming (20.9) and Thiero (21.1) are just a few months apart, but they are a bit different on offense.

Flemming (more a 3&D with mostly assisted, usage will be limited as it relies on assist)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
29-31   93.5%      74-107   69.2%   63.5%      2-7   28.6%   100.0%      35-84   41.7%   97.1%


Thiero (mid-range with mostly unassisted, not able to shoot spotup 3)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
33-35   94.3%      66-92   71.7%   42.4%      33-62   53.2%   27.3%      6-29   20.7%   100.0%


Toppin (low volume on 3, very high usage)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
6-6   100.0%      49-68   72.1%   57.1%      46-95   48.4%   52.2%      5-17   29.4%   100.0%


Bryant (was coming off the bench until recently, very low usage)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
9-9   100.0%      21-23   91.3%   71.4%      5-12   41.7%   20.0%      19-49   38.8%   94.7%


Mybako (same usage as Flemming, 3&D)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
9-9   100.0%      41-64   64.1%   48.8%      21-53   39.6%   33.3%      33-93   35.5%   97.0%


Meanwhile, Queen is a year older than freshman (20.5), along with Penda and Mgbako.
CMD and Toppin are close to the freshman age (20, a month older than Edgecombe, while Flagg will be 18.5)

[Psubs]

Both Flemming (20.9) and Thiero (21.1) are just a few months apart, but they are a bit different on offense.

Flemming (more a 3&D with mostly assisted, usage will be limited as it relies on assist)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
29-31   93.5%      74-107   69.2%   63.5%      2-7   28.6%   100.0%      35-84   41.7%   97.1%


Thiero (mid-range with mostly unassisted, not able to shoot spotup 3)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
33-35   94.3%      66-92   71.7%   42.4%      33-62   53.2%   27.3%      6-29   20.7%   100.0%


Toppin (low volume on 3, very high usage)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
6-6   100.0%      49-68   72.1%   57.1%      46-95   48.4%   52.2%      5-17   29.4%   100.0%


Bryant (was coming off the bench until recently, very low usage)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
9-9   100.0%      21-23   91.3%   71.4%      5-12   41.7%   20.0%      19-49   38.8%   94.7%


Mybako (same usage as Flemming, 3&D)

Code: Select all

DUNKS            At the rim                  Other 2-PT                  3-Pt Jumpers   
Tot    Pct.       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed       Tot    Pct.    Ast'ed
9-9   100.0%      41-64   64.1%   48.8%      21-53   39.6%   33.3%      33-93   35.5%   97.0%


Meanwhile, Queen is a year older than freshman (20.5), along with Penda and Mgbako.
CMD and Toppin are close to the freshman age (20, a month older than Edgecombe, while Flagg will be 18.5)

Thiero used to be a guard before a late growth spurt, but he was and still isn't a good 3pt shooter.

Fleming just has good analytics instincts; get to the rim or shoot the 3. Offensively, he'll start of more like OG.

[Jstock12]

Read on Twitter

VJ is number 4.

If he keeps this up, and Harper continues his subpar conference play, I really don't see a reason why VJ shouldn't be in that #2 conversation. Edgecombe now looks like how he played in that FIBA Olympic Qualifier. Glad I never sold his stock after that poor start of the season when everyone was already writing him off.

[Jstock12]

Basketball savant

Read on Twitter

[God Squad]

Thank jeebus VJ's starting to heat up, because we need more options in the 5-8 range.

[dagger]

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[Los_29]

VJ is going to be a great player.

[dagger]

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