Rasheer Fleming, Maxime Raynaud, Noah Penda headline the list of best available players entering Round 2 of NBA Draft
Here's a look at top prospects available when the two-day format resumes with the Timberwolves on the clock Thursday night:
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Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's
The 6-foot-8-inch, 232-pound junior is coming off a productive season that included averaging 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds for career-best outputs. He tied for fourth at the combine with a better than 7-5 wingspan, helping him average 1.5 blocks over the last two seasons.
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He also proved he could stretch his range, going from shooting 31.3 percent on 3-pointers in his first two college seasons to 39 percent last year. Notably, he performed well in catch-and-shoot situations (in the 79th percentile) and finishing at the rim (89th percentile), according to Synergy's analytics data.
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Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
The skilled 7-footer from France averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, putting himself alongside eventual No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg of Duke as the only unanimous first-team picks on The Associated Press' All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team.
He has a rangy skillset. He rated in Synergy's 78th percentile in converting on post-up chances, shooting 50.7% in those scenarios, while the 84th percentile for spot-up shooting. That showed in him making 67 3-pointers in 35 games last year.
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Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)
The 6-8, 225-pound forward offers inside-out versatility and defensive potential. The 20-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33 games last year in France's top league, rating as 'very good' by Synergy in halfcourt settings.
Penda also led the team in steals (1.3) and blocks (0.9), and showed playmaking ability with his nifty passing.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
The 7-1, 257 pound player has long been a productive post presence, averaging 14.5 points and 2.4 blocks while shooting 65.8 percent through five college seasons. He shot 58.5 percent in post-up situations to rank in Synergy's 87th percentile, and made 37 3-pointers in the last two years to show ability to step outside.
The AP third-team All-American started last season with 49 points in a game last year (second-most in Division I), and he had the combine's second-longest wingspan (7-6).
Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner averaged 19.2 points and 2.6 blocks last season.
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Kam Jones, Marquette
The 6-3, 202-pound senior was an AP second-team All-American last year who averaged 19.2 points and 5.9 assists in a bigger role. He was particularly good as the ball handler in the pick-and-roll, shooting 50.8 percent in those situations to rank in Synergy's 85th percentile while also performing well in finishing at the rim and in spot-up chances.
The four-year veteran missed two career games and was a finalist last year for the Cousy Award, presented to the nation's top point guard.
Johni Broome, Auburn
Broome offers an example of how elite college production doesn't always equate to NBA potential. The 6-9, 249-pound big man was a first-team AP All-American averaging 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for a Final Four team, part of an impressive rise from starting his five-year career at Morehead State.
Yet Broome plays below the rim and lacks elite athleticism, tying for the combine's second-lowest max vertical leap (28.0). Synergy ranked his jumper as 'below average,' raising uncertainty about his ability to stretch defenses (27.8 percent on 3s last year) and create space.
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Others of note:
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Adou Thiero
— The 6-6, 218-pound forward from Arkansas averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in a leading role as a junior with the Razorbacks under John Calipari, coming after spending two years under Calipari at Kentucky. The versatile athlete has a 7-foot wingspan.
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Tyrese Proctor
— The 6-4, 183-pound junior from Duke can play on or off the ball while bringing defense and outside shooting. Last year he averaged 12.4 points and 40.5 percent shooting on 3s, though he struggled in each of the Blue Devils' season-ending losses in the 2024 Elite Eight and 2025 Final Four (2 for 17 shooting in those games).
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John Tonje
— The 6-5, 212 pound guard is coming off a sixth college season in a career that began with four seasons at Colorado State, one injury-shortened season at Missouri, and finally a big year with Wisconsin. Tonje was an AP second-team All-American last year and shot well on 3s (37.8 percent) and free throws (85.8 percent) in 167 college games.
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Jamir Watkins
— The 6-5, 215-pound guard proved to be a reliable scorer in two seasons with Florida State, averaging 17.0 points in 65 games. He spent two seasons and a redshirt year at VCU.
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Bogoljub Markovic
— The 6-11, 190-pound big played last year for Mega Basket in his home country of Serbia. He'll need bulk on a lean frame but he offers intriguing perimeter skills and 3-point range.
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2025 NBA Draft second-round winners and losers: The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes, silliness and cash
Our own Dan Devine flawlessly analyzed the winners and losers of the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, and I am here to clean up the rest, presenting the inarguable winners and losers of the draft's second round ... WINNER: Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's Fleming waited all night to hear his name in the first round and did not. Yet, by having to wait, he became the primary focus of the draft's second night. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics — slated to select second on Thursday and No. 32 overall — intended to take Fleming, but the Phoenix Suns had other plans, trading three second-round picks for the right to draft the St. Joseph's junior. Advertisement In other words, the opening moments of Night 2 of the draft became The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes: Fleming is a long and athletic forward known for his spot-up shooting ability and defensive energy. Sounds like a 3-and-D wing to me. He was the only player in the country last season to convert at least 40 dunks and 50 made 3-pointers, according to ESPN's Jay Bilas. He also does not lack for confidence. When asked what he planned to bring to the Suns, Fleming told ESPN's Monica McNutt, "Regardless if anything goes wrong, if I'm not making shots, which I don't, you're going to get a lot of effort out of me." Advertisement Which I don't. Tell 'em, Rasheer. LOSER: The Minnesota Timberwolves Sounds like Wolves executive Tim Connelly was not pleased with how those sweepstakes shook out: LOSER: 'On the clock' Nobody knows who is on the clock, unless you are a certified genius. As the NBA's deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, proclaimed the Minnesota Timberwolves were taking Fleming with the first pick of the draft's second night, the ESPN hosts had to repeatedly remind us that the Wolves were not actually taking Fleming. It was the Suns, who had just traded up to select him. And then ESPN had to conduct its interview with Fleming in a Timberwolves hat. It makes no sense. And this was the case all night. It seemed everybody but the viewer knew ahead of time one team was selecting in place of another, so why can't Tatum just tell us the actual team taking a player? Advertisement And why can't they wear the right hat? Do they even need a hat? It only makes it more confusing. WINNER: Cash Over the course of a couple of hours, the Los Angeles Lakers traded the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick, and then the Lakers traded the No. 45 pick and cash to the Timberwolves for No. 36. In other words, all it took was a little cash to move up from the bottom of the second round to the top. (And, of course, Tatum told us that it was the Brooklyn Nets who were taking the pick when in actuality it had changed hands twice — from the Nets to the Timberwolves to the Lakers — before he announced it.) Advertisement The Lakers selected Arkansas junior Adou Thiero, who our own Kevin O'Connor described as "a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step," and an A pick, which is a pretty good haul for some cash. LOSER: Ryan Kalkbrenner's assessment of himself After Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner described himself as a much-improved shooter in a draft-day media package about his potential impact on the NBA, the 34th overall pick by the Hornets informed us, "My favorite player growing up was Dirk [Nowitzki], and I couldn't be more different than him. That fadeaway jumper in the post is just iconic. He was so good at that, and I think I hit that shot twice over five years in my college career." Do not set limits on yourself, Ryan. WINNER: Alijah Martin's jeweler Florida senior wing Alijah Martin arrived to the draft in a smooth-looking all-white suit and a chain the size of his head, which is a pretty good sign the NIL checks from Gators boosters probably cleared. "Just something that me and my jeweler put together," Martin told ESPN. Advertisement That's right: Second-round draft picks have their own jewelers, apparently. Unfortunately, Martin's chain was of the No. 15, and he was selected 39th by the Toronto Raptors, who recently retired Vince Carter's No. 15, so I guess Martin will have to commission another chain. WINNER: Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets What a name. Do not fight this man, just based on the name alone. Also: Do not fight this man, because he is a mulleted 7-foot-4 Australian "who can practically dunk without jumping," according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Good on ya, Timberwolves, for taking him 45th. [SHRUG]: Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst Prior to the Bucks' selection of Bogoljub Marković (not a "Star Wars" character) with the No. 47 pick, Charania informed us two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is "closely monitoring" Milwaukee's process on Thursday, as he is still deciding his future with the team. Talk about pressure for Horst. Advertisement Antetokounmpo wants to see how the Bucks improve their team for next season, according to Charania. It probably is not the best sign that, soon after the Bucks selected Marković, Givony revealed, "I expect him to be stashed in Belgrade next year," as Bogoljub is likely planning to arrive in Milwaukee in 2026. For his part, Marković all but said his international experience has made him the draft's best player: "Certainly from a physical side and a mental side I think it has prepared me the most out of anyone here." LOSER: The Denver Nuggets If ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting what I think ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting here, hoo boy: That, combined with Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke's recent comments — in which he randomly brought up "a scenario ... I never want to have to contemplate, and that's trading No. 15," Nikola Jokić — is cause for serious concern in Denver. What happens if he does not sign his impending contract extension offer? LOSER: Lachlan Olbrich's mustache What happened to Lachlan Olbrich's mustache? Bring it back, Lachlan. WINNER: Tyrese Proctor, Duke University Because the Cleveland Cavaliers will spend into the second apron next season (and possibly beyond), they are all but guaranteed to retain their affordable second-round draft pick with an actual roster spot. Advertisement As Givony said, "This is a spot that every agent was fighting for, because it's going to be a roster spot." They scored Tyrese Proctor, the fifth Duke player taken in the draft, with the No. 49 pick. He could serve as a roster replacement for either Ty Jerome or Sam Merrill, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. Afterward, Givony told us "every other pick here is either going to be a two-way or a stash," which is a good way to inform the viewing audience the rest of the draft is not much worth monitoring. LOSER: Night 2 Why is there a second night of the NBA Draft again? I think we managed with two rounds in one night.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft second-round winners and losers: The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes, silliness and cash
Our own Dan Devine flawlessly analyzed the winners and losers of the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, and I am here to clean up the rest, presenting the inarguable winners and losers of the draft's second round ... WINNER: Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's Fleming waited all night to hear his name in the first round and did not. Yet, by having to wait, he became the primary focus of the draft's second night. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics — slated to select second on Thursday and No. 32 overall — intended to take Fleming, but the Phoenix Suns had other plans, trading three second-round picks for the right to draft the St. Joseph's junior. Advertisement In other words, the opening moments of Night 2 of the draft became The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes: Fleming is a long and athletic forward known for his spot-up shooting ability and defensive energy. Sounds like a 3-and-D wing to me. He was the only player in the country last season to convert at least 40 dunks and 50 made 3-pointers, according to ESPN's Jay Bilas. He also does not lack for confidence. When asked what he planned to bring to the Suns, Fleming told ESPN's Monica McNutt, "Regardless if anything goes wrong, if I'm not making shots, which I don't, you're going to get a lot of effort out of me." Advertisement Which I don't. Tell 'em, Rasheer. LOSER: The Minnesota Timberwolves Sounds like Wolves executive Tim Connelly was not pleased with how those sweepstakes shook out: LOSER: 'On the clock' Nobody knows who is on the clock, unless you are a certified genius. As the NBA's deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, proclaimed the Minnesota Timberwolves were taking Fleming with the first pick of the draft's second night, the ESPN hosts had to repeatedly remind us that the Wolves were not actually taking Fleming. It was the Suns, who had just traded up to select him. And then ESPN had to conduct its interview with Fleming in a Timberwolves hat. It makes no sense. And this was the case all night. It seemed everybody but the viewer knew ahead of time one team was selecting in place of another, so why can't Tatum just tell us the actual team taking a player? Advertisement And why can't they wear the right hat? Do they even need a hat? It only makes it more confusing. WINNER: Cash Over the course of a couple of hours, the Los Angeles Lakers traded the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick, and then the Lakers traded the No. 45 pick and cash to the Timberwolves for No. 36. In other words, all it took was a little cash to move up from the bottom of the second round to the top. (And, of course, Tatum told us that it was the Brooklyn Nets who were taking the pick when in actuality it had changed hands twice — from the Nets to the Timberwolves to the Lakers — before he announced it.) Advertisement The Lakers selected Arkansas junior Adou Thiero, who our own Kevin O'Connor described as "a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step," and an A pick, which is a pretty good haul for some cash. LOSER: Ryan Kalkbrenner's assessment of himself After Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner described himself as a much-improved shooter in a draft-day media package about his potential impact on the NBA, the 34th overall pick by the Hornets informed us, "My favorite player growing up was Dirk [Nowitzki], and I couldn't be more different than him. That fadeaway jumper in the post is just iconic. He was so good at that, and I think I hit that shot twice over five years in my college career." Do not set limits on yourself, Ryan. WINNER: Alijah Martin's jeweler Florida senior wing Alijah Martin arrived to the draft in a smooth-looking all-white suit and a chain the size of his head, which is a pretty good sign the NIL checks from Gators boosters probably cleared. "Just something that me and my jeweler put together," Martin told ESPN. Advertisement That's right: Second-round draft picks have their own jewelers, apparently. Unfortunately, Martin's chain was of the No. 15, and he was selected 39th by the Toronto Raptors, who recently retired Vince Carter's No. 15, so I guess Martin will have to commission another chain. WINNER: Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets What a name. Do not fight this man, just based on the name alone. Also: Do not fight this man, because he is a mulleted 7-foot-4 Australian "who can practically dunk without jumping," according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Good on ya, Timberwolves, for taking him 45th. [SHRUG]: Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst Prior to the Bucks' selection of Bogoljub Marković (not a "Star Wars" character) with the No. 47 pick, Charania informed us two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is "closely monitoring" Milwaukee's process on Thursday, as he is still deciding his future with the team. Talk about pressure for Horst. Advertisement Antetokounmpo wants to see how the Bucks improve their team for next season, according to Charania. It probably is not the best sign that, soon after the Bucks selected Marković, Givony revealed, "I expect him to be stashed in Belgrade next year," as Bogoljub is likely planning to arrive in Milwaukee in 2026. For his part, Marković all but said his international experience has made him the draft's best player: "Certainly from a physical side and a mental side I think it has prepared me the most out of anyone here." LOSER: The Denver Nuggets If ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting what I think ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting here, hoo boy: That, combined with Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke's recent comments — in which he randomly brought up "a scenario ... I never want to have to contemplate, and that's trading No. 15," Nikola Jokić — is cause for serious concern in Denver. What happens if he does not sign his impending contract extension offer? LOSER: Lachlan Olbrich's mustache What happened to Lachlan Olbrich's mustache? Bring it back, Lachlan. WINNER: Tyrese Proctor, Duke University Because the Cleveland Cavaliers will spend into the second apron next season (and possibly beyond), they are all but guaranteed to retain their affordable second-round draft pick with an actual roster spot. Advertisement As Givony said, "This is a spot that every agent was fighting for, because it's going to be a roster spot." They scored Tyrese Proctor, the fifth Duke player taken in the draft, with the No. 49 pick. He could serve as a roster replacement for either Ty Jerome or Sam Merrill, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. Afterward, Givony told us "every other pick here is either going to be a two-way or a stash," which is a good way to inform the viewing audience the rest of the draft is not much worth monitoring. LOSER: Night 2 Why is there a second night of the NBA Draft again? I think we managed with two rounds in one night.
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