2025 NBA Draft best available players in Round 2 including Kalkbrenner and Broome
With round 1 in the books of the NBA Draft, there's still plenty of NBA talent left in this year's draft. Here's a look at the best available players for round 2: 2025 NBA Draft Best Remaining Prospects Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) Overall Rank: #23
Strengths: Strength, Rebounder, Upside
Kalkbrenner could easily go in the top 20 given he's over seven-feet tall and shoots 34.4% from three. He won Big East Defensive Player of the Year four times and has the makings of a Boston Celtic written all over him.
LeBron James said that Cooper Flagg is "going to be amazing". Colin Cowherd discusses Flagg's potential in the NBA and if he'll have an immediate impact with the Dallas Mavericks if they select him. Johni Broome (Auburn) Overall Rank: #25
Strengths: Scorer, Competitor
The SEC Player of the Year, Broome shows up when it matters. In the Elite 8, he became the first player with 25 points and 10 rebounds on 75% shooting to send his team to the Final Four since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) Overall Rank: #27
Strengths: Rebounder, Shooter, Strength
The 7'1 Frenchman out of Stanford was the only player in Division-I to average 20 PPG and 10 RPG this year. Raynaud also shot 34.7% from three on 5.5 attempts per contest, making his size and ability to stretch the floor extremely valuable. Noah Penda (France) Overall Rank: #30
Strengths: Defender, Versatile, Upside
Penda comes in at 6'8, 225 pounds and has nearly a seven-foot wingspan. He's only 20 years old and has great instincts on the defensive end of the floor. Another French product, he has the chance to be an incredible role player. Other Top Prospects
Beyond the four prospects above, here's a list of some of the remaining top players: Chaz Lanier – Rank #31 (Tennessee)
Kam Jones – Rank #33 (Marquette)
Brice Williams – Rank #35 (Nebraska)
Bogoljub Markovic – Rank #36 (G League Ignite)
Tamar Bates – Rank #38 (Missouri)
Micah Peavy – Rank #40 (TCU)
Igor Milicic – Rank #41 (Tennessee)
Tyrese Proctor – Rank #42 (Duke)
Adou Thiero – Rank #43 (Arkansas)
Eric Dixon – Rank #44 (Villanova)
Mark Sears – Rank #45 (Alabama)
Alex Toohey – Rank #46 (G League Ignite)
Hunter Sallis – Rank #47 (Wake Forest)
Rasheer Fleming – Rank #48 (Saint Joseph's)
Sion James – Rank #49 (Duke)
Kobe Sanders – Rank #50 (Nevada)
Javon Small – Rank #51 (West Virginia)
Koby Brea – Rank #52 (Kentucky)
Jamir Watkins – Rank #53 (Florida State)
Vladislav Goldin – Rank #54 (Michigan)
Amari Williams – Rank #55 (Kentucky)
For more, view the full list of remaining prospects.
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New York Times
11 minutes ago
- New York Times
How can I watch the NBA Draft?
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft is set for tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. There will be 29 picks in tonight's round. In the first round, Duke's Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 overall pick, going to Dallas, followed by Rutgers' Dylan Harper going No. 2 to San Antonio. Baylor's VJ Edgecombe went third to Philadelphia, and Duke's Kon Knueppel was selected fourth by Charlotte. Rutgers' Ace Bailey rounded out the top five by going to Utah. So, who will join the first-rounders tonight? Follow all our coverage to get you to the start of the second round and throughout the round. Start time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET How to watch: ESPN ESPN Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Fubo (try for free) Get involved: live@
New York Times
15 minutes ago
- New York Times
Who could Pistons target in second round? Maxime Raynaud leads NBA Draft wish list
The Detroit Pistons have become synonymous with the NBA Draft Lottery since 2010. They've had a top-14 pick for 11 of the last 15 years. Since 2020, the Pistons have had at least a top-seven selection in each draft. But Wednesday night's first round concluded without Detroit drafting a player for the first time since 2018. In that 2018 season, the Pistons chose Bruce Brown at No. 42 with their lone pick. Now, Detroit owns the 37th pick after watching a night full of prospects go off the board to opposing teams. Advertisement So, who should the Pistons be eyeing on night two of the draft? While Trajan Langdon, Detroit's president of basketball operations, said earlier this week the Pistons wanted the best available player, he was sure to mention 'size for position is important.' Here are seven available prospects who fit that mold. As the draft was approaching, Raynaud was a player whose name picked up a lot of steam, so I wasn't sure he'd make it to the second round. Raynaud offers length no one on Detroit's roster currently possesses, was a legitimate 3-point shooter last season and is arguably the most versatile offensive player on this list given his size. For as versatile as Raynaud is, the Pistons aren't drafting for a starter with pick No. 37. He'd likely have time to develop his game while trying to earn a spot in J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation. While Raynaud's 7-foot frame offers plenty of benefits on the hardwood, that same size leads to natural drawbacks as well. At his size, Raynaud would likely have difficulty guarding the perimeter if he were switched onto a smaller player, and he isn't the most athletic. Two traits that are common for someone of his height, while also weighing 250 pounds. Raynaud is the most intriguing prospect Detroit may have a chance of snagging, but don't be surprised if Raynaud doesn't make it to No. 37 as well. Of all the players listed, Fleming has the most unique body type. Although he's 6-8 barefoot, he has a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan. While Fleming was primarily utilized as more of a big at Saint Joseph's, he shot nearly 40 percent on just about five 3-point attempts per game, which shows he can spread the floor. For as much offensive potential as Fleming has, the focus Bickerstaff requires on the defensive end could foster growth that leads to Fleming becoming a formidable defender as well. Advertisement Fleming is still a raw talent who hasn't shown a ton of shot creation ability for himself or others. But, if he's in the right system with the right coaches around him, Fleming seems to be a player who could also find his way into an NBA rotation within the next few seasons. Kalkbrenner joins Raynaud as the only other player on this list at least 7-feet tall. Where Kalkbrenner varies from Raynaud most is the defensive side of the ball, where Kalkbrenner blocked the third-most shots of any player in Division I basketball last season. Kalkbrenner can occasionally step out and knock down triples like Raynaud, but he's usually more tethered to the paint. It should also be noted that Kalkbrenner averaged the second-most points on this list on the best efficiency by a wide margin. He could eventually serve as a solid rotational big for Detroit who offers more rim protection than any Piston not named Isaiah Stewart. While Kalkbrenner could be a nice fit for Detroit, he's another player I wouldn't be surprised to see taken before the Pistons' pick comes around. Not only is Marković the only international player on the list, but he's also the youngest. He's still only 19, although he'll be turning 20 on July 12. Which means Marković offers a blend of height and youthfulness that Raynaud and Kalkbrenner don't. Marković also differs from Ryanaud and Kalkbrenner thanks to his ability to put the ball on the floor. While Raynaud and Kalkbrenner can both occasionally handle if need be, Marković is a legit forward as opposed to a big like the other two. The biggest challenge for Marković at the next level will be his weight and strength. Though he's nearly a 7-footer, he only weighs 190 pounds. Which means while Marković might offer a different playstyle than Raynaud and Kalkbrenner, both players outweigh Marković by about 60 pounds. Marković possesses intriguing tools, especially offensively, but he'll need to add weight and gain strength in a hurry to be effective. Advertisement Of the guards remaining, Jones has the potential to be the best fit long term. He's a lefty guard who has a real feel for the game, and he's progressed in each of his seasons at Marquette. Jones has a knack for getting to the basket and is a crafty finisher around the rim, although he isn't much of a high flyer. Jones had the worst 3-point shooting season of his career last year, although he still made about 31 percent on just over six attempts per game. While that may not be the best on paper, he's a 36.6 career shooter from long range and he's had two seasons at Marquette shooting at least 39 percent from deep. If he's available, he could be a respectable option for the Pistons as a backup guard. Dixon is the oldest player on this list. I know the older a prospect is, the less attractive they become based on potential. But Dixon, to me, is an older prospect worthy of serious consideration. He's shooting over 40 percent from deep on over seven attempts this season, and has been hovering around 35 percent from long range over his last three seasons. Defensively, Dixon could face challenges at the next level due to his lack of athleticism and lateral quickness. Dixon was listed at 265 while at Villanova, so trimming weight could bode well for his overall athleticism. 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Forbes
16 minutes ago
- Forbes
Cooper Flagg On Being Selected By Dallas Mavericks: ‘Just Completely Blessed'
Cooper Flagg says he's "completely blessed and honored" as the Dallas Mavericks made him the No. 1 ... More overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. (Photo by) Cooper Flagg is officially a member of the Dallas Mavericks. The Duke Blue Devils phenom was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft – as expected – and will join a playoff-ready roster as a top rookie pick. Flagg will join the likes of NBA champions such as Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson on a team that is only a year removed from an NBA Finals appearance. 'Making it can mean a lot of different things, but I think for me, obviously making it, becoming a professional basketball player is something I would say is making it,' says Flagg." The pressure of being the top overall pick and the national player of the year during his lone season at Duke will obviously still be there, but it definitely be alleviated by the fact that Flagg is playing with a ton of proven veterans. The 18-year-old Flagg probably will be fourth in the pecking order from an offensive standpoint during his rookie season. He'll also be flanked by solid role players such as P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford. 'Enjoying the moment,' says Flagg of being the top pick. 'Just completely blessed and honored. It's been a dream of mine for a long time.' Although the 2025 NBA Draft was this week, Flagg has been training as he normally does as he tries to replicate the success he had in college. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game during his freshman season at Duke. 'I'm training just like almost everybody, putting in my work, trying to get ready as best I can,' says Flagg. "It's going to be a crazy week. Obviously, you have the draft and getting ready for that, and it's kind of just been a whirlwind. 'Just trying to be in the gym and enjoy the moments – you only get to go through this stuff one time, the lottery, the draft and this sort of thing,' Flagg continues to say. 'I've been trying to just enjoy it and still get in the gym and work on things.' Flagg is the obvious NBA Rookie of the Year favorite at -190 odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Washington Wizards' Tre Johnson and the Utah Jazz's Ace Bailey are tied for the second-best odds at +850. Observers have had a difficult time pin-pointing a player comparison for Flagg, with some comparing him to Kevin Garnett – Flagg grew up as a Boston Celtics fan in Maine and considers Garnett a favorite player of his – with former players such as Baron Davis comparing him to ex-Jazz swiss army knife Andrei Kirilenko and Gordon Hayward comparing him to Celtics great Larry Bird. While Flagg acknowledges Bird as a player on his Mount Rushmore of greats and somebody that he watched a lot of film on, he hasn't molded his game from any specific player past or present. 'I wouldn't really say molded my game after,' says Flagg when asked about players he molded his game after. 'I try to just be myself on the court. There's definitely guys that I've watched film about and certain footworks and different moves and stuff that I've tried to take in and put into my game for sure.' Flagg has developed relationships with several players with Duke ties, including Blue Devils legend Grant Hill. However, he says he hasn't had too many in-depth conversations with NBA players as he prepares for his rookie season. 'Not really,' says Flagg. "I haven't had to chance to speak with a ton of NBA players yet. I think most, most people I've talked to have very similar messages to Coach (Jon) Scheyer, and what they talk about is just enjoying everything. They've all kind of been through what I'm going through right now. 'Just talking to them about enjoying the moment and just trying to take it all in,' Flagg continues to say of the draft experience. "Like I said, you only get to go through this sort of thing one time, so just trying to enjoy it the best I can." Flagg is obviously notable for being a generational talent on the court, but he already made an impact financially off of the court during his collegiate career. The 18-year-old reportedly earned $28 million through deals with Fanatics ($15 million) and New Balance ($13 million), which far surpasses the $4.8 million NIL valuation given to him by On3 as the highest-earning college basketball player. Flagg is partnering with Chime as their newest brand partner as he begins his NBA career as the top overall pick. He explains why he's partnering with the banking service company to help with his finances. 'It was obviously a brand that kind of aligns with my values and what I hold important,' says Flagg. 'It's just kind of situational, the situation that I went through, started getting some money last year obviously with Duke, and going to start getting more and more money. Just aligning with a brand that can help educate me and put me in the right positions financially.' Flagg's involvement with Chime includes an appearance with his mom, Kelly Flagg, on the company's YouTube series, 'Mama, I Made It.' The series documents stories behind popular figures and how their mothers helped shape it. 'My mom and dad are both highly involved and have been the whole time in helping me and helping me deal with everything and all the opportunities that I've been given,' says Flagg of his parents. 'They've been with me every step of the way, and just trying to make everything as easy as possible for me so I can focus on playing basketball.' Cooper Flagg and his mother, Kelly Flagg, will star in an episode of Chime's "Mama, I Made It" ... More series. The collaboration with Chime also includes Flagg being involved with commercials and social activations for the brand. Flagg will obviously earn a lot more money as the No. 1 pick, with his expected deal being for four years and $62.7 million (just under $16 million per year) from the Mavericks. Flagg says he hasn't really sought advice from NBA players yet on how to manage his finances, but his thinking is to simply be 'smart' with his money. 'To be honest, I haven't really talked finances with any NBA players or anything.,' says Flagg. 'Obviously, you just have to be smart with your money, but nothing crazy.' He says his best advice to college athletes in the NIL era is to stay focused on their sport and with all of the money coming in it can be 'overwhelming.' The main thing that has kept him structured is the support of his family. His mother, his father (Ralph Flagg) and his brother (Ace Flagg) have all played basketball at competitive levels. 'That's a big thing is, having systems in place,' says Flagg. 'For me is having my family, having a team of people around me that helps to make my load much lighter. It's been huge for me, having me focus on the main thing.'
