2025 NBA Draft: Top Five (Top Five, Top Five...)
Here goes nothin'.
1. Cooper Flagg | Forward | Duke
The hashtag “CaptureTheFlagg” is going to take over Twitter soon, and for good reason – incoming Duke forward Cooper Flagg is arguably the best American-born prospect since Zion Williamson…or even the vaunted LeBron Raymon James.
He has elite feel on both sides of the ball, but especially on the defensive end, where he has a Kevin-Garnett-esque ability to affect the opposing offense, both on and off the ball. On offense, he operates mostly within the arc, attacking the basket with a pretty solid handle.
He really shines in playmaking as well as in the transition game, as he is a high-level athlete with good (not great) size for a combo forward. He plays with serious swagger and tenacity, and with that ability comes true infectious confidence that resonates with his teammates.
2. Airious “Ace” Bailey | Forward | Rutgers
Another player with serious upside is Rutgers combo forward Ace Bailey, a hyper-athletic 6-foot-8 freak that can slash as well as anyone in the class. If not for the aforementioned Flagg, Bailey could easily be the no. 1 pick in this class due to a confluence of factors.
His offense is where he shines at the moment. Though not a consistent shooter yet, his form is good, and at his height still has the ability to handle and hit step-back shots. He can drive the lane as well, and is an elite finisher, throwing down thunderous dunks that will certainly make their way onto SportsCenter at some point in his career.
Though closer to a wing’s skillset and build, Bailey can also play the four-spot once he packs on more muscle, as he weighs just 185 pounds at the moment. But should he gain strength and maintain his explosiveness, he will be ready-made for the NBA.
3. VJ Edgecombe | Guard | Baylor
Despite being just 6-foot-4, Valdez Edgecombe Jr. has a massive impact on any game he’s in, evidence by his performance with Bahamas in the Olympic Qualifiers, where he, playing alongside NBA vets like DeAndre Ayton and Buddy Hield and still starred.
There essentially could not be a guard built in a laboratory that would fit Baylor’s team better – he possesses a hyper-quick first step, elite blow-by dribble, and excellent feel for the game. Additionally, he’s great on the opposite end, a defensive playmaker that gets steals and forces live-ball turnovers which allows his teams to run in transition.
Despite not being a wing’s size, he does have elements of a small forward’s game, mostly in his innate ability to slash, aided by an excellent handle. Under the guidance of Scott Drew, Edgecombe could have an absolutely stellar year on both sides of the ball, resulting in his being taken as high as third.
4. Dylan Harper | Guard | Rutgers
Joining Ace Bailey at Rutgers is unanimous five-star guard Dylan Harper, a combo that can slot into either spot, playing on or off the ball. He has ideal size at 6-foot-6 for either guard position, and is so skilled at so many different things that his versatility may be his biggest strength.
He’s an engaged and alert defender as well, and uses his size to crowd opposing guards on the perimeter. He’s a very good slasher, and loves getting downhill despite not being the caliber of athlete that say VJ Edgecombe is.
He has great handles and can run an offense as the lead guard, but can also be an off-ball threat with his shooting ability. Though he can be inconsistent from deep, he is still such an all-around offensive piece that he makes up for this lack of knockdown perimeter ability.
5. Nolan Traoré | Guard | St. Quentin (LNB Élite/France)
The next great European guard is French 18-year-old Nolan Traoré, a hyper-quick ball handler that loves to use ball screens to spring himself from defenders. A true menace when downhill, his speed separates him – literally – from opposing players, allowing him to get behind the defense and score at the rim, though his finishing ability and touch inside need real work (just 26th percentile at the rim according to Synergy Sports).
The shooting overall needs a lot of work, as he has been very inconsistent with his field goal percentages. It does need to be taken into account however that Traoré is playing against grown men at St. Quentin of the LNB, so obviously his numbers would not be as impressive as a guy like Harper’s, as Harper was playing against high school competition.
Despite this, his speed, handle, and ability to navigate defenses using screens makes him a highly intriguing prospect with real upside. This season should show us a lot about the kind of player he can become.
@KeenanWomack on Twitter.