2025 NBA Draft Class

[Upperclass]

Beringer is more Gafford

[NO-KG-AI]

I watched his pro-games and thought he had impressive instincts for his age. Better than Jaxson Hayes, which I think is decent litmus test for "if you are better than 'x' player you are probably minimally a backup."

Agree with using Hayes as a litmus test. I think it's a very interesting profile in comparison, especially when you think about the fact Hayes played his Age 18 season at University of Texas and Beringer played his Age 18 season in Slovenia. If Beringer was in the NCAA circuit, I think he might have had a chance to be drafted No. 8 overall as Hayes was. I think they have a lot of similar qualities. Would Hayes have turned out better anywhere but New Orleans?

I think most people were surprised he went 8, IIRC he was projected late-lottery to mid-first. I don't think his career turns out better elsewhere, he has had plenty of time to learn and just doesn't have great BBIQ, but he is athletic and can do some of the simple things a bubble 2nd/3rd string center needs to do.

The Pels have developed theiir draft picks pretty well from that era. Multiple hits on second rounders and undrafted, and the only 3 guys could be considered misses really, Hayes, Lewis, and NAW and NAW has become a very good player elsewhere. Murphy, Jones, Dyson. Good early returns on Missi. Jury still out on Hawkins, but had early flashes.

Lewis had a real bad injury and was young and raw. Hayes is just a dumb dumb. It wasn’t Pelicans specific. His dad is a big NFL TE, and a football head coach and Jaxson still hasn’t managed to add real size. Just got by on being fast.