Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper are all the attention, but the 2025 NBA Draft class has serious future stars.
With the 2025 NBA Draft class just two weeks apart, fans are waiting for which rookie gets a big call.
Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper are the two names the team is looking for, but this year’s class is very deep.
Some teams, like the Philadelphia 76ers, were able to trade their picks prior to the draft. The team is willing to move up and down in this year’s draft, and it simply shows how many players in this group have stacked up.
The NBA analysis recently released its first mock 2025 NBA draft, but some of the key names in this draft have appeared in the lottery. But what about some of the lesser known players in this year’s class?
Among the talented classes, there are players here who are seen stealing for years.
- University/Previous Team: BYU
- Height (without shoes): 6’9
- Statistics: 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 41.2% FG, 27.3% 3-PT
- Expected draft range: 11-19
Egoldemin statistics at BYU don’t jump off the screen. But with 6’9 and growing more, he could really stand out in the NBA.
Over the past few years, the balls of Luka Donsic, Tyrese Halliburton and Lamelo have shown the luxury of having a tall player capable of running the points.
Not only is he a strong passerby, but his height allows him to grow as a rebounder, allowing him to immediately begin aggressive movements from his own goals.
On top of that, the defensive potential his size offers could mean that Demin will become one of the best two-way security guards in the NBA.
Demin’s shooting certainly can use some tasks. And if the team drafting Demin can help develop his game the right way, he can make improvements on them in time.
- University/Previous Team: Michigan Wolverine
- Height (without shoes): 6’10
- Statistics: 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 49.7% FG, 33.6% 3-PT
- Projection draft range: 15-21
Danny Wolf was one of the country’s top 15 rebounders last season. Plus, he was a decent scoring outlet for the post, as he averaged nearly doubles.
With two of the most important features of modern NBA big, wolves can become a real paint presence in the NBA with proper training.
What’s even more encouraging is his 3-point percentage. As a big man, he shoots over 33% from the deep. He can be even more dangerous if the right coaching staff helps improve accuracy from the deep.
Wolf doesn’t stand out among the bigger players in the draft, especially as Cooper Flag sets the bars so high. But he is definitely a player who can develop into a powerful NBA player.
- University/Previous Team: Colorado
- Height (without shoes): 6’5
- statistics: 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 49.6% FG, 37.7% 3-PT
- Predicting draft range: 14-25
Nique Clifford’s statistics are excellent. Because he has proven to be an effective scorer, rebounder and efficient shooter.
The reason he is expected to be as low as expected is because of his age. Clifford was 23 years old and moved to Colorado after spending three years at the University of Colorado.
But at 23, he is still young enough to develop quickly. I’ve played all four years in college and have seen draft picks that were still successful in the NBA.
Obi Toppin was drafted 8th overall in 2020 and is currently playing in the NBA Finals. And while Dalton Knecht’s final season struggle is well documented, he still proves to be a valuable gift for the Lakers.
Clifford is NBA-enabled after four years of success in college, so it could be a great pick for any team. And because of his predictions, he was able to provide great value over the next few years.
- University/Previous Team: real madrid
- Height (without shoes): 6’6
- statistics: 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 44.4% FG, 27.1% 3-PT
- Predicting draft range: 24-29
A big advantage of Hugo Gonzales’ participation in the NBA is that he played for Real Madrid in the Euroleague for years.
Look at players like Luka Donsic who took the same journey into the NBA and found success almost instantly
It’s important to ease your expectations now. Gonzalez is not Luka Donsic. He was not in Real Madrid with Luca, close to the player’s caliber.
His scores seem low, but it is important to remember that he only played about 14 minutes per game. For the time he got, his numbers are very strong.
Looking at his stats per 36 minutes, it shows he averages 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
It’s a decent contribution that allows Gonzalez to settle in the role player presence in the NBA. However, he can still develop into a serious player if given the right situation.
- University/Previous Team: Marquette
- Height (without shoes): 6’5
- statistics: 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 48.3% FG, 31.1% 3-PT
- Predicting draft range: 30-37
His freshman year Cam Jones number was not the best. A strong combo guard, Jones averaged over 19 points per game and just under six assists per game.
Like Neek Clifford, Jones spent four years in college.
However, his four years in college have advantages for the NBA teams that are currently trying to compete. Unlike the rookie who will come to the NBA a year or two in college, Jones developed his game for four years.
He can come to a competitive team and contribute properly from the bench. For teams locked out for the first or second apron, landing Jones on the second draft pick could be a great pick.
- University/Previous Team: Brisbane bullets
- Height (without shoes): 7’4
- statistics: 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 50.0% FG, 20.0% 3-PT
- Predicting draft range: 35-42
Rocco Zirkasky played properly while playing in the Australian NBL. Players who played in the Australian League, such as Lamelo Ball, cited the league’s physical strength as an important learning experience for the NBA.
Zirkasky, the son of two German athletes, is an incredible physical specimen of the 7’4. What makes him even more attractive is the fact that as a big man, he can still move.
His numbers don’t pop out of the screen, but Zirkasky’s field goal percentage shows him being an efficient finisher on the rim. On top of that, he averaged one block per game last season, proving that he can become an effective RIM protector.
Desperately lacking size and depth at center position, teams like the Lakers can land Zirkasky as a cheap and effective rotation piece in the center, from which they can develop games to adapt to the NBA.
- University/Previous Team: Auburn
- Height (without shoes): 6’10
- statistics: 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 51.0% FG
- Predicting draft range: 31-38
Johnny Bloom has been one of the best players on the NCAA circuit in recent years. And in his fourth year he still had his best season.
He averaged double doubles, blocking 2.1 shots per game. This makes him a powerful two-way option.
His athleticism is not the best, but Bloom has one important advantage as a big guy entering the NBA. Auburn forward is actually a very strong passerby for his size.
Combining this with his rebound ability allows Bloom to help his team get started very easily and easily after grabbing the board and releasing an outlet pass.
Don’t let us forget that this is one of the most stacked draft classes in recent memory due to the possibility of Cooper Flag, Dylan Harper and other lottery pick superstars.
Many of the steels mentioned here worked very well in the second mock draft. These names are hoping to surprise many fans.
However, there are many paths for the team to try a surprise pick in this year’s draft and develop into a strong NBA presence for years to come.
With the NBA Draft just two weeks apart, take a closer look at all the headlines heading to Brooklyn’s Big Night on June 25th.