2025 Draft & College Hoops

[Ghost of Kleine]

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With our 55th pick ( DEN 25' 2nd)
Our top 3 choices should very easily be:

1- John Tonje. ( Wisconsin).
2- Chance McMillan. ( Texas Tech).
3- Kobe Brea. ( Kentucky).

All are disgustingly great/ efficient shooters/ high impact scorers. And would be absolute steals for our long term future core. We should very aggressively be targeting all 3 as potential undrafted diamonds in the rough prospects!

[bwgood77]

GoK...what do you think of these guys? Looks like Broome has a lot of great qualities, but his weaknesses are 3pt shooting and free throws. Also, for a big, he is another one who doesn't have a great FG%, which you'd expect. JT Toppin on the other hand, has a lot better FG%, though his #s in other areas are not quite as good. Then Yaxel looks solid. His FG% doesn't look great, but then you consider he shoots a decent amount of 3s and is a decent FT shooter, he has almost a 60% TS%. He looks like he is versatile too, looking at the #s with great rebounding #s, a great passer with over 4 apg and also a pretty good # of blocks and steals.

I liked Broome's block #s but as I look more at the strengths and weaknesses of these guys, I think Yaxel might be the best choice due to versatility. A frontcourt of him and Oso might be pretty solid.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/johni-broome



https://www.tankathon.com/players/yaxel-lendeborg



https://www.tankathon.com/players/jt-toppin

[SunsRback4Good]

[Ghost of Kleine]

GoK...what do you think of these guys? Looks like Broome has a lot of great qualities, but his weaknesses are 3pt shooting and free throws. Also, for a big, he is another one who doesn't have a great FG%, which you'd expect. JT Toppin on the other hand, has a lot better FG%, though his #s in other areas are not quite as good. Then Yaxel looks solid. His FG% doesn't look great, but then you consider he shoots a decent amount of 3s and is a decent FT shooter, he has almost a 60% TS%. He looks like he is versatile too, looking at the #s with great rebounding #s, a great passer with over 4 apg and also a pretty good # of blocks and steals.

I liked Broome's block #s but as I look more at the strengths and weaknesses of these guys, I think Yaxel might be the best choice due to versatility. A frontcourt of him and Oso might be pretty solid.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/johni-broome



https://www.tankathon.com/players/yaxel-lendeborg



https://www.tankathon.com/players/jt-toppin

I really like all three of these players, because all three are very high-floor/low-ceiling productive bench to end rotation players. But of the three, I like Yaxel Lendeborg the most. Because out of all three prospects, Lendeborg actually is the most dynamic player who plays with the greatest overall versatility, PHYSICALITY, and tenacity (aggressive attitude). Now while I wouldn't be upset at taking any of those three players at 29, I'd really prefer to take them on the condition of us adding/ acquiring an additional early 2nd-round pick for them rather than outright using our 29th pick on them. But if I was picking one of those three players at 29, it'd would be Yaxel by a wide margin.

My thoughts on Broome, Toppin, and Lendborg are:

Broome-

Broome is a solid, productive but unathletic, slightly plodding utility bench big with a solid floor but low ceiling. Broomes' statistics are impressive, but he lacks any elite athleticism, vertical or lateral burst, and high-end mobility. He's still fundamentally solid though and his ceiling is a very productive high-end bench player to maybe a solid rotation option (7-10th man option). Broome is a combination of a smaller Kelly Olynyk (with less scoring but better defense/ Wendell Carter Jr (with less shooting and athleticism)/ a rich man's Dario Saric with very similar limited athleticism.

Toppin-

I've been a big fan of Toppin since his time back at New Mexico. I loved his production and his defensive potential putting up big stocks. But I had concerns over his lack of size, strength, and solid but not elite or explosive athleticism. Also, his lack of shooting/ limited scoring skillset was a concern for me too. I had hopes that he'd improve significantly after transferring to Texas Tech. But despite his incredible statistical production and defensive versatility potential, he still carries quite a few of the same concerns. Now he is still a sophomore, so he has time to improve significantly. But, he's currently still very limited offensively to scoring mostly around the basket off post moves, putbacks, cuts, etc with a strong propensity to drive left or avoid going right due to being left-side dominant. He's still skinny and lacks significant strength and elite vertical or lateral burst, He still plays like an undersized center more than a wing/ forward due to his lack of quickness, explosiveness, and fluidity. But his defensive awareness and recovery is still very solid with high-end potential if he can develop further to maximize his ceiling.

But his lack of offensive versatility/ shooting proficiency, lack of elite lateral burst/ fluidity, and lack of size strength may severely inhibit his effectiveness at the next level. I love his statistical production and defensive versatility upside potential, and just like Broome, he'd be a really solid pick, I'm just not sure I'd be cool with using our 29th pick on him. And would much rather take him with an additional 2nd than outright with our 29th pick. Toppins is a combination of a less fluid, less strong Achiuwa /more athletic Taj Gibson/a more versatile more productive Darius Bazely?? He's a versatile undersize center option with a limited offensive skillset but great defensive upside and an ultimate ceiling outcome of a more versatile but less explosive Kenyon Martin if everything falls right for him.

Yaxel Lendborg-

Yaxel Lendeborg is a big, strong, very versatile, very physical, aggressive high IQ utility 4/5 with shooting deficiencies but also room to improve significantly too. Yaxel is a tough, tenacious, physical 3 & D combination of a slightly smaller but more productive LaMarcus Aldridge (with less scoring/ shooting acumen but better defensive versatility/ better shooting poor man's Bam Adebayo/ more athletic Bobby Portis maybe? Overall his ultimate ceiling is a better shooting Adebayo. with a better defensive ( better shot blocking) more athletic Bobby Portis floor. I'd take Yaxel over the other two by a wide margin for his great versatility, toughness, physicality, etc.

My top 5 list for our 29th pick is: ( Frontcourt player/ 3/4 or 4/5).

1- Carter Bryant.
2- Maxime Raynuad.
** Is listed at center, but can and has played at the power forward spot, but do to his versatility/ shooting would be interchangeable with Oso at the 4 or the 5.
3- Alex Condon.
Although he somewhat givs me the Drew Eubanks vibes, His size, versatility and physicality/ aggressive play and shotblocking willingness intrigues me as an interchangeable option with Oso at the 4 or backup 5?
4- Yaxel Lendeborg.
Just his impressive versatility, physicality and aggressive style of play, and tenacity would make him a very intriguing option off the bench in our frontcourt. I easily have him above all of Broome, Toppin, etc. and maybe equal with Condon on value as a pick.
5- Johni Broome.
Johni Broome is only last because he lacks any elite outlier/ dynamic traits that would make him a dynamic high-ceiling needle mover at the next level.
*** I'd also add these names for undrafted jumbo wing/ versatile power forwards with scoring/ floor spacing prowess (Cam Johnson 2.0 projects)??
- Donnie Freeman. 6'11 (Syracuse) Has some KD scoring/playstyle parallels.
- Kanon Catchings. 6'9 (BYU) Has some Cam Johnson parallels to his game.
- Jackson Moni. 6'10 (North Dakota) Has some Cam Johnson/ Danilo Gallinari parallels to his game.
- Jarin Stevenson. 6'11 (Alabama) Has some Jabari Smith parallels to his game.
** David N'guessan. 6'9 (Kansas State) Has some Jaden McDaniels style of play/ KD athleticism parallels to his game.

[bwgood77]

My top 5 list for our 29th pick is: ( Frontcourt player/ 3/4 or 4/5).

1- Carter Bryant.
2- Maxime Raynuad.
** Is listed at center, but can and has played at the power forward spot, but do to his versatility/ shooting would be interchangeable with Oso at the 4 or the 5.
3- Alex Condon.
Although he somewhat givs me the Drew Eubanks vibes, His size, versatility and physicality/ aggressive play and shotblocking willingness intrigues me as an interchangeable option with Oso at the 4 or backup 5?
4- Yaxel Lendeborg.
Just his impressive versatility, physicality and aggressive style of play, and tenacity would make him a very intriguing option off the bench in our frontcourt. I easily have him above all of Broome, Toppin, etc. and maybe equal with Condon on value as a pick.
5- Johni Broome.
Johni Broome is only last because he lacks any elite outlier/ dynamic traits that would make him a dynamic high-ceiling needle mover at the next level.
*** I'd also add these names for undrafted jumbo wing/ versatile power forwards with scoring/ floor spacing prowess (Cam Johnson 2.0 projects)??
- Donnie Freeman. 6'11 (Syracuse) Has some KD scoring/playstyle parallels.
- Kanon Catchings. 6'9 (BYU) Has some Cam Johnson parallels to his game.
- Jackson Moni. 6'10 (North Dakota) Has some Cam Johnson/ Danilo Gallinari parallels to his game.
- Jarin Stevenson. 6'11 (Alabama) Has some Jabari Smith parallels to his game.
** David N'guessan. 6'9 (Kansas State) Has some Jaden McDaniels style of play/ KD athleticism parallels to his game.

I really like Carter Bryant. I think he will be a very strong 3&D player. Solid steals, defense, 3pt shooting, athleticism, etc. I'll have to look at Raynaud and Conon. But yeah, from what I know now, I'd be really happy with Bryant or Yaxel.

[Ghost of Kleine]

My top 5 list for our 29th pick is: (Frontcourt player/ 3/4 or 4/5).

1- Carter Bryant.
2- Maxime Raynuad.
** Is listed at center, but can and has played at the power forward spot, but do to his versatility/ shooting would be interchangeable with Oso at the 4 or the 5.
3- Alex Condon.
Although he somewhat givs me the Drew Eubanks vibes, His size, versatility and physicality/ aggressive play and shotblocking willingness intrigues me as an interchangeable option with Oso at the 4 or backup 5?
4- Yaxel Lendeborg.
Just his impressive versatility, physicality and aggressive style of play, and tenacity would make him a very intriguing option off the bench in our frontcourt. I easily have him above all of Broome, Toppin, etc. and maybe equal with Condon on value as a pick.
5- Johni Broome.
Johni Broome is only last because he lacks any elite outlier/ dynamic traits that would make him a dynamic high-ceiling needle mover at the next level.
*** I'd also add these names for undrafted jumbo wing/ versatile power forwards with scoring/ floor spacing prowess (Cam Johnson 2.0 projects)??
- Donnie Freeman. 6'11 (Syracuse) Has some KD scoring/playstyle parallels.
- Kanon Catchings. 6'9 (BYU) Has some Cam Johnson parallels to his game.
- Jackson Moni. 6'10 (North Dakota) Has some Cam Johnson/ Danilo Gallinari parallels to his game.
- Jarin Stevenson. 6'11 (Alabama) Has some Jabari Smith parallels to his game.
** David N'guessan. 6'9 (Kansas State) Has some Jaden McDaniels style of play/ KD athleticism parallels to his game.

I really like Carter Bryant. I think he will be a very strong 3&D player. Solid steals, defense, 3pt shooting, athleticism, etc. I'll have to look at Raynaud and Conon. But yeah, from what I know now, I'd be really happy with Bryant or Yaxel.

Yeah! Either would be a coup for us on draft night! I'd love to be able to grab Bryant or Lendeborg at 29, and then at 55- Either Cedric Coward or Maxime Raynaud. Then after making Gillespie a standard player, we'd have 3 two way prospects.

I'd sign:
1- John Tonje or Chance McMillan.
2- Donnie Freeman.
3- David Nguessan.
** if we don't take Raynaud at 55, then I'd take Vlad Goldin with one of our two-way contracts.

[SunsRback4Good]

Wildcats vs Duke is going to be a legendary game. No, but realistically speaking Duke has won 32 games while only 4 teams managed to get within single digits. If Wildcats can lose by single digits to Duke I’ll be happy. Just can’t see us beating them even if we had two Caleb’s on our team. Just hope it’s a somewhat close game so I can enjoy watching them play.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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I have him as my top power forward after Rasheer Fleming actually available to us at 29. 3rd if we choose Carter Bryant (undersized 4)? or take Maxime Raynaud higher than projected, or else Condon higher too.

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A budget version of Bam Adebayo is still very solid value at the end of the 1st round (29th pick)??

[Ghost of Kleine]

Hey Bgood!!
https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/uofa-basketball/koa-peat-commits/3569384/

Local superstar Koa Peat commits to Arizona men’s basketball in 2025 class

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[SunsRback4Good]

Hey Bgood!!
https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/uofa-basketball/koa-peat-commits/3569384/

Local superstar Koa Peat commits to Arizona men’s basketball in 2025 class

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And the rich get richer!

[SunsRback4Good]

Zona vs Duke starting in about 10 min. I’m nervous but excited too.

[SunsRback4Good]

13-10 lead early on

[Hitachi77]

Damn, was hanging with them but it was a tough end to the first half. Tough break being in Duke’s bracket.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[bwgood77]

Damn, was hanging with them but it was a tough end to the first half. Tough break being in Duke’s bracket.

AZ played well but it Duke was just too tough. Caleb Love did about all he could.

I thought AZ made a couple of mistakes, one being I think Caleb Love shot a long 3 with still time on the shot clock before the half, when they had just been tied but Duke had gone up by 3. And with the early shot, Flagg was able to hit a 3 to go up by 6.

Then it felt like a couple of plays really went the wrong way by the officials. At least one out of bounds play for sure, and maybe 2. But Duke's size and Flagg are just so good. I hadn't really watched Flagg and I had thought he might be overhyped, but I was wrong. He's very good. Looked a bit like Luka at times, but better defensively, maybe a bit taller and longer. Not as good as Luka but perhaps in a bit of a similar mold as a player.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Damn, was hanging with them but it was a tough end to the first half. Tough break being in Duke’s bracket.

AZ played well but it Duke was just too tough. Caleb Love did about all he could.

I thought AZ made a couple of mistakes, one being I think Caleb Love shot a long 3 with still time on the shot clock before the half, when they had just been tied but Duke had gone up by 3. And with the early shot, Flagg was able to hit a 3 to go up by 6.

Then it felt like a couple of plays really went the wrong way by the officials. At least one out of bounds play for sure, and maybe 2. But Duke's size and Flagg are just so good. I hadn't really watched Flagg and I had thought he might be overhyped, but I was wrong. He's very good. Looked a bit like Luka at times, but better defensively, maybe a bit taller and longer. Not as good as Luka but perhaps in a bit of a similar mold as a player.

It definitely seemed like Duke got the " Lion's share" of favorable calls as expected. And for sure aside from Love's 35 or so points and Veehsar having solid moments, the rest of the team played tight force bit and struggled mightily. I was somewhat shocked that Bryant took so long to get going, and those dumb overly aggressive fouls by Lewis at the worst times possible definitely didn't help.

Sucks that Krivas was injured because they surely could've used his size. I'm also curious too about why they didn't utilize Bradley and Love more in the 2nd off of pick and rolls and screen motions. It appeared that Bradley with his speed had a clear advantage at times getting to the rim.

Still solid that they were able to keep it as close as they did under all the present conditions though.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Hitachi77]

Damn, was hanging with them but it was a tough end to the first half. Tough break being in Duke’s bracket.

AZ played well but it Duke was just too tough. Caleb Love did about all he could.

I thought AZ made a couple of mistakes, one being I think Caleb Love shot a long 3 with still time on the shot clock before the half, when they had just been tied but Duke had gone up by 3. And with the early shot, Flagg was able to hit a 3 to go up by 6.

Then it felt like a couple of plays really went the wrong way by the officials. At least one out of bounds play for sure, and maybe 2. But Duke's size and Flagg are just so good. I hadn't really watched Flagg and I had thought he might be overhyped, but I was wrong. He's very good. Looked a bit like Luka at times, but better defensively, maybe a bit taller and longer. Not as good as Luka but perhaps in a bit of a similar mold as a player.

Biggest wtf moment to me was Duke getting the flagrant but not Arizona when the same exact thing happened to them. I’d be fine with them not reviewing either play (not sure what happened in the past to make them auto review those types of plays), but given that they did, it very clearly should have been a flagrant to be consistent with what happened to AZ. Seemed to stymie some momentum in both cases, in addition to costing them 2 points.

[sunsbg]

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Saw an ESPN mock draft has him at 19 and as low as 9th in below draft site, so unless we get a lottery pick in KD trade he's probably unrealistic option.

https://nbadraftroom.com/2025-nba-mock-draft/

Interesting comp: TJ Warren+

[bwgood77]

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Saw an ESPN mock draft has him at 19 and as low as 9th in below draft site, so unless we get a lottery pick in KD trade he's probably unrealistic option.

https://nbadraftroom.com/2025-nba-mock-draft/

Interesting comp: TJ Warren+

He's a lot better defender than TJ, and more athletic. He also is a solid 3 pt shooter. He can finish inside but not sure about his midrange game. I'd probably prefer Yaxel anyway.

Though Tankathon has Yaxel at 25 and Bryant at 37.