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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: First-round predictions after early entry withdrawal
2025 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: First-round predictions after early entry withdrawal Show Caption Hide Caption 2025 NBA Draft Combine winners: Raynaud, Lendeborg and Byrd These 2025 NBA draft prospects are the biggest winners from the NBA Draft Combine The 2025 NBA Draft is less than a month away, and now we know exactly which players will return to the NCAA and which will focus on turning pro. While a few notable players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Labaron Philon decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and return to college, others like Cedric Coward and Adou Thiero opted to remain focused on their pro future. NBA scouts and evaluators had a chance to scout players at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, and players like Stanford's Maxime Raynaud walked away as big winners. There is plenty of time in the pre-draft process for players to make their case for why an NBA team should select them as a key piece of their franchise. But based on the latest intel, we are starting to get a better idea about who may be headed where on June 25 in Brooklyn. The following mock draft is based on our research and contains original reporting with quotes from prospects including Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, and Asa Newell. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg TEAM: Duke POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 18.5 The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery was effectively a launching ground for Duke sensation Cooper Flagg to find out what team he will play for next season and beyond. It was the Mavericks who shockingly got the opportunity, and we shouldn't expect them to trade the pick. Flagg was long considered the favorite at No. 1 overall (we wrote about it when he was 15 years old) and he made that even more clear when he dominated against Team USA during a friendly scrimmage before they won gold at the Olympics. He then exceeded all expectations while he was in college, accomplishing just about everything except winning a national championship. 'He doesn't turn it off. That's one of the best compliments I can give,' Kon Knueppel, his Duke college roommate and teammate, recently told For The Win. 'He is just a humble dude who loves basketball.' Expect the No. 1 overall pick to enter the NBA as one of the most impactful defenders and the ability to easily become a focal point of the Mavericks as well. More: The Mavericks reportedly plan to select Cooper Flagg, not make another controversial trade 2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper TEAM: Rutgers POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Even though we have long known Flagg would go No. 1 overall, Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper began to separate himself as the second-best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. Perhaps the Spurs may decide to move this pick if they can land Giannis Antetokounmpo, but no matter what, Harper is the guy to watch at number two. For The Win spoke to Harper earlier this year and he described how he developed his fantastic ability to become such a dynamic scorer at the rim. Harper should bring that skill set with him to the pros after earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors. If his jumper continues to develop, Harper is the type of player you can build your offense around. Even if it doesn't, he still offers good size as a big guard who has cut some weight since last year. More: Will the Spurs use the No. 2 overall pick or trade it for Giannis Antetokounmpo? 3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey TEAM: Rutgers POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-10 DRAFT AGE: 18.9 It is easy to imagine why a front office may fall in love with Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, who hits difficult shots. Back when For The Win spoke to his teammate Dylan Harper, he said that his favorite thing about Bailey is how much joy he plays with on the court. Harper described him as tall, lanky, twitchy and a nearly constant presence because of his ability to get a bucket. Bailey measured a bit shorter than expected at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago shy of 6-foot-8 barefoot, but he has a wingspan longer than 7-foot. While some evaluators feel that he might take a bit too many mid range shots, his ability to shoot at his size is something that is going to entice every team in the NBA. His consistency will define just how much success he has, though, as will any development as a passer or as a defensive playmaker. There are also rumors that Philly is reportedly considering using this pick to try and land Kevin Durant. More: The 76ers are reportedly looking to trade No. 3 pick in pursuit of Kevin Durant 4. Charlotte Hornets: V.J. Edgecombe TEAM: Baylor POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-5 DRAFT AGE: 19.9 After a strong performance for the Bahamas during the Olympic qualifiers last year, V.J. Edgecombe became a name to watch for scouts and evaluators. At the start of the NCAA season, he showed a lot of promise as a defensive player, though that actually slowed down a bit as his freshman campaign progressed. However, while at Baylor, he also showed promise as one of the bounciest scorers. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year joined Flagg as the only first-year collegiate players with at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers recorded, per Bart Torvik. For the Hornets to draft Edgecombe this high, they will hope that his jumper eventually becomes more consistent once he has found his groove in the NBA. 5. Utah Jazz: Kon Knueppel TEAM: Duke POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-7 DRAFT AGE: 19.9 Duke's Kon Knueppel earned ACC All-Freshman honors and won ACC tournament MVP. 'It's not always about scoring. That's not always the most important thing,' Knueppel recently told For The Win. 'That doesn't always translate to effecting winning the most, so [I'm] just trying to focus on all the little things.' He can make plays on spot-up possessions and when using off-ball screens and led all freshmen in corner 3-pointers made. He plays winning basketball as the Blue Devils have outscored opponents by 625 points when Knueppel is on the court this season, per CBB Analytics, which was the highest plus-minus among all men's college basketball players. 6. Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson TEAM: Texas POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Texas wing Tre Johnson is a player who is reportedly gaining some momentum in the pre-draft process so far. Johnson was named SEC Freshman of the Year because he is such a natural scorer whose passing is better than his assist stats might suggest. He is very difficult to stop in the open-court and led all freshmen in 3-pointers made in transition (21) and above the break (65) this season, per CBB Analytics. He measured with a nearly plus-six (6-foot-10) wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, which should help him in the pros. He recorded the fastest lane agility time (10.49 seconds) at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his upside makes him a good option for a franchise like the Wizards. 7. New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears TEAM: Oklahoma POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 18.7 Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears was recently reportedly gaining momentum in the 2025 NBA Draft. His mentality helps explain why. "Whoever picks me on draft night, you guys are going to be getting a dog," Fears recently told For The Win. "Somebody that's going to come in, work hard, bring a star power, and give it his all every time they step on the court." Fears gave fans some amazing highlights as he climbed up draft boards this season. He deservedly received SEC All-Freshman honors, can score at multiple levels from the floor, and he is a fantastic playmaker on both offense and defense as well. He is the second-youngest NCAA prospect we have projected in the first round behind only Flagg and was still one of the best overall performers in March Madness. He was one of the fastest players at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, recording a 3.05-second three-quarter sprint. Expect him to draw serious interest from all of the teams in the top half of the lottery as he won't have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night. 8. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traoré TEAM: Saint-Quentin (France) POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-3 DRAFT AGE: 19.1 After a slow start to his season in France, based on his priors before this season, it was only a matter of time before Nolan Traoré eventually started to heat up. He is averaging 13.8 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 42.7 percent on 3-pointers over the course of his last ten games, per RealGM. Traoré was named 2025 Best Young Player of the Basketball Champions League and is inarguably one of the best playmakers in the 2025 NBA Draft. If he is more consistent at the next level, he could become something special as a point guard of the future. Other teams that could make sense as a potential fit include the New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat. 9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach TEAM: Duke POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7-2 DRAFT AGE: 18.8 South Sudan's Khaman Maluach enjoyed an excellent, efficient campaign and earned ACC All-Freshman honors for Duke. As a lob threat, per CBB Analytics, he had the second-most alley-oops completed (38) among all players in college basketball. He is raw on both ends of the court but has a strong defensive presence thanks to his nearly 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Other teams that could make sense as a potential fit include the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. 10. Houston Rockets: Egor Demin TEAM: BYU POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Russia's Egor Demin was initially having one of the strongest freshman campaigns of anyone in the nation for BYU. But his relatively poor overall performance and shooting against top-100 competition causes some room for concern. He measured at 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his playmaking still makes him intriguing. The Rockets could develop him in the G League, where he would not need him to make an impact right away. More: ESPN's Brian Windhorst predicted 2 fascinating trade destinations for Giannis Antetokounmpo 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Derik Queen TEAM: Maryland POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-10 DRAFT AGE: 20.5 After recording perhaps the biggest moment of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, as noted by my colleague Mike Sykes, Maryland freshman Derik Queen skyrocketed his draft status. He trailed only Flagg in Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP) among freshmen this season, per CBB Analytics. Queen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and proved his versatility and eye-catching skill set as a big man who is incredibly fun to watch. While his athletic testing was less than desirable at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, he plays at his own speed and could provide a unique addition for any roster. 12. Chicago Bulls: Kasparas Jakučionis TEAM: Illinois POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.1 Lithuania's Kasparas Jakučionis was briefly one of the hottest names in draft circles and he eventually earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors. He has an effective pull-up jumper and led all high-major freshmen in unassisted 3-pointers made (34), per CBB Analytics. As a distributor, in the same group, he also had the most assists finished at the rim (76) this season. Jakučionis needs his jump shot to look more like it did in the first two months of the season than it did in the final three for this pick to work out. 13. Atlanta Hawks: Carter Bryant TEAM: Arizona POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 19.6 Arizona freshman Carter Bryant is a former McDonald's All-American forward who had a strong collegiate debut despite a relatively limited role. He was the only freshman aside from Flagg with at least three dunks and 3-pointers during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, per Bart Torvik. Bryant is unselfish, he works hard on defense, he measured with a wingspan just short of 7-foot, he recorded a 39.5-inch max vertical and 3.07-second three-quarter sprint. Bryant plays with a high IQ, and already looks like one of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process. It was a no-brainer for him to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft. 14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Collin Murray-Boyles TEAM: South Carolina POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 20.1 South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles is perhaps the most enticing collegiate player who was not a one-and-done prospect. He is a versatile forward who averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, as well as 1.3 blocks per game this season. He is ready to contribute in many ways at the next level. Murray-Boyles is a bit undersized for someone who is virtually a non-threat from beyond the arc but he can offer enough versatility as a defender to potentially make up for it. 15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA): Cedric Coward TEAM: Washington St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 21.8 Perhaps the most fascinating player in the 2025 NBA Draft is Cedric Coward, who was originally committed to Duke in the transfer portal before deciding to turn pro. He shot 40.0 percent on his 3-pointers while averaging 17.7 points per game before getting hurt last season. Coward is one of the hottest names in draft circles right now after measuring with a 7-foot-2 wingspan with a 38.5-inch max vertical and 3.06-second three-quarter sprint at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. More: 7 fascinating players who decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Cedric Coward 16. Orlando Magic: Joan Beringer TEAM: KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-11 DRAFT AGE: 18.6 France's Joan Beringer was not able to participate in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine is a great rim runner and legitimate vertical lob threat. He has a strong defensive presence with a high upside who can impact the game defensively right away. Beringer led the ABA League in blocks this season and ranks third overall in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) in his league, per Cerebro Sports. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Asa Newell TEAM: Georgia POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-11 DRAFT AGE: 19.7 Georgia's Asa Newell, who was named SEC All-Freshman, is a classic rim-running big man who does not make the game too complicated for himself. He recorded the second-most layups and dunks combined this season among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. But he is also developing his 3-pointer after changing his shooting motion. 'I've always been extremely confident in my jump shot from high school to college and now in the NBA,' Newell recently told For The Win. 'You have to have a 3-point shot to survive in the NBA.' He trailed only his high school teammate, Flagg, among all freshmen in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) last season. 'I know I play with a lot of energy,' Newell added. 'I'm a match waiting for some gasoline and causing a whole fire … That is very contagious when you have someone who plays very hard, with a motor, and doesn't take plays off.' 18. Washington Wizards (via MEM): Thomas Sorber TEAM: Georgetown POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-10 DRAFT AGE: 19.5 Georgetown freshman big Thomas Sorber, who has a 7-foot-6 wingspan, was an analytics darling before he suffered a season-ending foot injury. He could provide an exciting young piece to a developing young core and defensive presence for a team that could use a spark on that end of the floor like the Wizards. It made a lot of sense for him to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft. 19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): Noa Essengue TEAM: ratiopharm ulm (Germany) POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 18.5 France's Noa Essengue is the second-youngest player in the draft but has still managed impressive productivity in one of the more competitive basketball leagues. He ranks fifth-best among all players in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among those with at least seven games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. Essengue is an interesting prospect who a variety of teams should have on their radar. 20. Miami Heat (via GSW): Will Riley TEAM: Illinois POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-8 DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Canada's Will Riley had multiple big performances during his freshman campaign for Illinois, including a debut in which he had 31 points while shooting 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. He also had 21 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists during a win over Iowa in the Big Ten tournament and had another great game against Xavier shooting 3-of-4 on 3-pointers during March Madness. Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. Any team drafting Riley is betting on his continued development. 21. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Liam McNeeley TEAM: Connecticut POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-7 DRAFT AGE: 19.7 UConn freshman Liam McNeeley won Big East Freshman of the Year and showed flashes during his freshman campaign, like when he had 38 points with 10 rebounds while making five 3-pointers against Creighton on Feb. 11. He also had a solid performance against the eventual national champions during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, recording 22 points while adding 2 rebounds as well as 3 assists and 2 steals. McNeeley is solid value at this point in the draft but should get consideration even higher. 22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL): Maxime Raynaud TEAM: Stanford POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7-1 DRAFT AGE: 22.2 Every team in the NBA should want a guy like France's Maxime Raynaud, who measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-1 and a standing reach above 9-foot-2. Those are excellent numbers for a player who averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. But is even better when also considering he made nearly two 3-pointers per game. Raynaud was easily one of the biggest standouts during five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. More: 2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud 23. Indiana Pacers: Nique Clifford TEAM: Colorado St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 23.4 Colorado State senior Nique Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round but he looks ready to contribute to an NBA rotation. Teams are betting on the assumption that the do-it-all forward is going to make an impact on winning right away in the NBA. He led an upset over Memphis in the first round of the NCAA tournament and averaged a productive 18.9 points. 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game during his final collegiate campaign. 24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Danny Wolf TEAM: Michigan POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7-0 DRAFT AGE: 21.2 Michigan's Danny Wolf is a do-it-all big man who has averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. Wolf had the most assists (132) of any college player who is 6-foot-10 or taller, per CBB Analytics. The big man is an incredibly gifted and skilled playmaker considering his height, and even though there are questions about how it may translate in the NBA, those are players the Thunder typically bet on. 25. Orlando Magic (via DEN): Walter Clayton Jr. TEAM: Florida POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-3 DRAFT AGE: 22.3 During the NCAA men's basketball tournament, we wrote about whether or not Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. had done enough to earn first-round consideration. As we wrote then: The archetype of undersized players who are a bit older relative to the other players in their draft class are typically not early draft picks. Clayton, however, could provide a legitimate exception to this rule after winning NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. It makes a lot of sense for the Magic to find someone who can get a bucket as easily as Clayton. More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness? 26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): Jase Richardson TEAM: Michigan St. POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-3 DRAFT AGE: 19.7 Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors after a solid collegiate campaign. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.0 percent on 3-pointers after moving into the starting lineup for Michigan State. However, he measured small for a traditional two-guard and may not have the playmaking skills as a floor general to run point. 27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU): Alex Toohey TEAM: Sydney (Australia) POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-7 DRAFT AGE: 21.2 Australia's Alex Toohey is a fascinating prospect who contributes well on both sides of the floor. He is a legitimately strong wing defender whose Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) ranks as the best among those who have played more than one game in Australia's NBL this season, per Cerebro Sports. He measured just short of 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine with a wingspan nearly 6-foot-11 and played well during five-on-five scrimmages. 28. Boston Celtics: Rasheer Fleming TEAM: Saint Joseph's POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 21.0 One of the most pleasantly surprising prospects in this class is Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming, who has great positional size and shooting feel. He was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc, per Bart Torvik. He measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-5 and a standing reach above 9-foot-1 at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Drake Powell TEAM: North Carolina POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.8 North Carolina freshman Drake Powell was one of the biggest winners at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, measuring with a 43-inch max vertical and a standing vertical four inches higher than any other prospect. Although he had a relatively limited role during his time in the NCAA, you're betting on upside by selecting Powell in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. 30. L.A. Clippers (via OKC): Adou Thiero TEAM: Arkansas POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 21.1 After transferring from Kentucky last season, Arkansas junior Adou Thiero had a well-rounded season in which he averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds with 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. While his 3-pointer was inefficient at just 25.6 percent, he missed time due to a knee injury in February and that factored into why he stopped getting as much buzz as the season progressed. However, he still showed enough to decide to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Labaron Philon shocked fans by returning to Alabama, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft
Labaron Philon shocked fans by returning to Alabama, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft Show Caption Hide Caption 2025 NBA Draft Combine winners: Raynaud, Lendeborg and Byrd These 2025 NBA draft prospects are the biggest winners from the NBA Draft Combine Now that we officially know which players are returning to the NCAA and which are turning pro, we can say that the biggest surprise is Labaron Philon. After a strong campaign at Alabama, the freshman was an early entry candidate for the 2025 NBA Draft. While at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, he told reporters that he was fully committed to turning pro and had no intensions of returning to the NCAA. But prospects had until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw from the draft and that is exactly what he did. More: 13 players to withdraw from 2025 NBA Draft and return to NCAA, including Labaron Philon Philon did not participate in five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He measured 6' 2.75'' barefoot with a 6' 6.25'' wingspan. He ranked No. 29 overall in the most recent consensus projection, via Rookie Scale. More: 7 fascinating players who decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Cedric Coward Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman. His floater was one of the most efficient and prolific among all collegiate players last season. He was also one of the leaders in 3-pointers assisted among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. This is a huge win for Alabama head coach Nate Oats, who can potentially help Philon improve his draft stock to an even more comfortable position with a breakout sophomore season.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Latest 2025 NBA mock draft from ESPN has Egor Demin rising after strong combine showing
Latest 2025 NBA mock draft from ESPN has Egor Demin rising after strong combine showing The 2025 NBA Draft Combine concluded in Chicago, and while there were several winners and losers, one of the most interesting prospects is Egor Demin. After an up-and-down one-and-done campaign for BYU, the Russian guard stood out in front of scouts and evaluators in Chicago. During his freshman season, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 assists per game as one of the best playmakers in the class. Here is more from Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo in their latest mock, where Demin was projected at No. 11 overall to the Portland Trail Blazers (via ESPN): "Demin had a positive week at the combine in Chicago, measuring bigger than expected at 6-9½ in shoes and then putting on one of the most impressive pro day performances we've seen in some time, causing even the most skeptical of NBA evaluators to acknowledge his undeniable talent. Demin has made significant gains with his body and will continue to fill out, while making a barrage of 3-pointers with picture-perfect mechanics and a lightning-quick release that offered significant room for optimism despite hitting 27% of his 3-pointers in his lone season at BYU. Also, NBA teams raved about his interviews in Chicago. The Trail Blazers can go in several directions with this pick, and adding a big guard with a strong feel for the game who can slide into different roster configurations could be interesting long term." This is exactly the type of feedback prospects wants to have at the NBA Draft Combine. Players with impressive measurements and good interviews are always going to garner attention from front offices. Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud and Miles Byrd
The NBA Draft Combine is a great opportunity for prospects to show scouts and executives more valuable information for their evaluation process. Many of the most interesting players from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago could use their strong performances to go back to school, perhaps for an even greater NIL package than they initially received from their program or in the transfer portal. Those players have until May 28 to make their final decision. Others, however, could use their strong showing in front of key decision-makers to help improve their stock as part of the pre-draft process. Here are a few players who especially stood out, focusing on those who participated in the five-on-five scrimmages. Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. More: 18 tough stay-or-go decisions for NCAA players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine In my evaluation, the most impressive player at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine was Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud. Originally from France, this was not just a strong weekend for Raynaud as he also had an excellent collegiate campaign last year as well. He averaged 20.2 points while shooting 34.7 percent on 3-pointers on 5.5 attempts per game. Raynaud also added 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Stanford's Maxime Raynaud's official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:7'0 ¼" barefoot, 236.8 lbs with a 7'1 ¼" wingspan and 9'2' standing reachImpressive size and reach for the French stretch big. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 12, 2025 But once he arrived in Chicago, it became immediately clear how he was able to have such an impactful season. He measured 7'0 ¼" without shoes and a 7'1 ¼" wingspan as well as a 9'2' standing reach. Then during scrimmages, he continued to show exactly what makes him such a special player on the court. He recored a game-high 20 points while connecting on two 3-pointers, also adding 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Raynaud then shut it down rather than participate in the scrimmage, which is usually a good sign that there is enough interest from teams that he is potentially comfortable with his currently projectable range. We have Raynaud projected at No. 28 overall in our most recent mock draft, but he could go even higher than that. While he is one of the most interesting prospects who is currently testing the waters of the 2025 NBA Draft with enough eligibility to return to school next season, Byrd had a fantastic showing in Chicago. During his time at San Diego State, he was an outstanding defensive playmaker. Among the only other players to record a block and steal percentage both above 4.0 percent while in college (minimum: 1,200 minutes) since 2008 were Tari Eason and Matisse Thybulle, per Bart Torvik. San Diego State's Miles Byrd's anthro measurements from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine:6'4 ¾" barefoot, 181.8 lbs with a 6'10' wingspan and 8'6 ½" standing reach — Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 12, 2025 Byrd had solid measurements, standing 6'4 ¾" without shoes and a noticeable 6'10' wingspan. He then stood out in the five-on-five scrimmage environment, recording 11 points (4-of-7 FG, 3-of-6 3P) with four assists as well as a steal in his first game. Then, in his second game, he had 13 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-5 3P) with four steals and three blocks. Those are incredibly enticing defensive numbers for a guard with eight "stocks" (steals and blocks) in under 52 minutes of action. Any player averaging around six stocks per 40 minutes in this type of environment is going to turn some heads. It might make sense for him to turn pro while riding the momentum he helped create for himself this weekend. Another prospect who is weighing the options of potentially returning to school for another collegiate campaign versus turning pro is Auburn freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford. While he only appeared in the starting lineup for just one game last season, he was productive on the floor. He averaged 11.7 points and 3.0 assists per game despite playing just 22.9 minutes. Pettiford measured small at 6'0 ¼ without shoes, weighing 168.8 lbs. But he did record a 6'5 ½" wingspan and 8'0' standing reach, which helped negate some of the skepticism. He also recorded a 42-inch max vertical during his athletic testing, which was enough to get some extra attention in and of itself. Tahaad Pettiford finished with 23 points, 8 assists, and only 1 turnover during today's NBA Combine scrimmage 🔥 — B/R Hoops (@brhoops) May 14, 2025 He looked awesome in his first scrimmage, showcasing that vertical pop on a monster dunk for his team. He finished that match with a game-high 23 points, shooting 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. During that game, he also had eight assists with just one turnover. It was about as good as it gets in that environment, but in the second scrimmage, it didn't go as well. He was 4-of-15 while shooting 1-of-8 on 3-pointers, recording twice as many turnovers (6) as assists (3) as a playmaker. The variance was not ideal, but the highs were high enough that someone could give him a look. Pettiford said that he needs assurance he will get drafted in the first round to stay in this class, though, and that is not necessarily yet a guarantee at his size. No one has a tougher decision to make than Yaxel Lendeborg, who was a UAB standout before using the transfer portal to commit to Michigan. While he stands to potentially make a ton of money NIL in the NCAA after a particularly dominant collegiate season last year, Lendeborg had an undeniably intriguing showing in Chicago. He measured 6'8 ½" without shoes at 234.6 lbs with a 7'4" wingspan and 9'0 ½" standing reach. UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg's anthro measurements from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine:6'8 ½" barefoot, 234.6 lbs with a 7'4" wingspan and 9'0 ½" standing reachThe Michigan portal recruit also measured with huge the biggest winner anthro-wise in Chicago. — Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 12, 2025 His first scrimmage was very good, recording 13 points (6-of-11 FG) with nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. The second was not as great with just 4 points, but even then, he was at least slightly productive in other ways. Lendeborg added three rebounds and two steals. It seems like Lendeborg might want assurance he is a top-20 pick to stay in this class. We have him projected at No. 22 overall in our most recent mock draft, so it will come down to the wire for him. The NBA Draft Combine is a particularly helpful environment for someone like Hansen Yang, who some evaluators perhaps did not get a chance to see until recently because he was playing in China. While overseas, though, he averaged a double-double for the second year in a row after winning Chinese Basketball Association Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2024. He measured 7'1' without shoes at 252.6 lbs with a 7'2 ¾" wingspan and 9'3' standing reach. Qingdao's Hansen Yang's anthro measurements from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine:7'1' barefoot, 252.6 lbs with a 7'2 ¾" wingspan and 9'3' standing reachAlso measured with the second largest hands in the draft class. — Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 13, 2025 Yang showed promising flashes in both games of the five-on-five scrimmages, which is encouraging. He was had 12 points, shooting 5-of-7 with one 3-pointer in his first performance. Yang also had two assists and blocked a shot in that game. Then, in his second game, he had 11 points (3-of-4 FG) while shooting 5-of-7 on his free-throw attempts. He also had six rebounds and six assists in that performance, blocking another shot as well. Some of his playmaking was especially alluring. According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, there were several league executives who would "love to see him play college basketball" in the NCAA. Maybe he has made enough people interested that he could stay in the draft instead, but either way, he certainly helped himself while in Chicago. This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NBA Draft Combine: Biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud and Miles Byrd
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud and Miles Byrd
2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud and Miles Byrd The NBA Draft Combine is a great opportunity for prospects to show scouts and executives more valuable information for their evaluation process. Many of the most interesting players from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago could use their strong performances to go back to school, perhaps for an even greater NIL package than they initially received from their program or in the transfer portal. Those players have until May 28 to make their final decision. Others, however, could use their strong showing in front of key decision-makers to help improve their stock as part of the pre-draft process. Here are a few players who especially stood out, focusing on those who participated in the five-on-five scrimmages. Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. More: 18 tough stay-or-go decisions for NCAA players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine 1. Maxime Raynaud In my evaluation, the most impressive player at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine was Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud. Originally from France, this was not just a strong weekend for Raynaud as he also had an excellent collegiate campaign last year as well. He averaged 20.2 points while shooting 34.7 percent on 3-pointers on 5.5 attempts per game. Raynaud also added 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. But once he arrived in Chicago, it became immediately clear how he was able to have such an impactful season. He measured 7'0 ¼" without shoes and a 7'1 ¼" wingspan as well as a 9'2' standing reach. Then during scrimmages, he continued to show exactly what makes him such a special player on the court. He recored a game-high 20 points while connecting on two 3-pointers, also adding 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Raynaud then shut it down rather than participate in the scrimmage, which is usually a good sign that there is enough interest from teams that he is potentially comfortable with his currently projectable range. We have Raynaud projected at No. 28 overall in our most recent mock draft, but he could go even higher than that. 2. Miles Byrd While he is one of the most interesting prospects who is currently testing the waters of the 2025 NBA Draft with enough eligibility to return to school next season, Byrd had a fantastic showing in Chicago. During his time at San Diego State, he was an outstanding defensive playmaker. Among the only other players to record a block and steal percentage both above 4.0 percent while in college (minimum: 1,200 minutes) since 2008 were Tari Eason and Matisse Thybulle, per Bart Torvik. Byrd had solid measurements, standing 6'4 ¾" without shoes and a noticeable 6'10' wingspan. He then stood out in the five-on-five scrimmage environment, recording 11 points (4-of-7 FG, 3-of-6 3P) with four assists as well as a steal in his first game. Then, in his second game, he had 13 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-5 3P) with four steals and three blocks. Those are incredibly enticing defensive numbers for a guard with eight "stocks" (steals and blocks) in under 52 minutes of action. Any player averaging around six stocks per 40 minutes in this type of environment is going to turn some heads. It might make sense for him to turn pro while riding the momentum he helped create for himself this weekend. 3. Tahaad Pettiford Another prospect who is weighing the options of potentially returning to school for another collegiate campaign versus turning pro is Auburn freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford. While he only appeared in the starting lineup for just one game last season, he was productive on the floor. He averaged 11.7 points and 3.0 assists per game despite playing just 22.9 minutes. Pettiford measured small at 6'0 ¼ without shoes, weighing 168.8 lbs. But he did record a 6'5 ½" wingspan and 8'0' standing reach, which helped negate some of the skepticism. He also recorded a 42-inch max vertical during his athletic testing, which was enough to get some extra attention in and of itself. He looked awesome in his first scrimmage, showcasing that vertical pop on a monster dunk for his team. He finished that match with a game-high 23 points, shooting 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. During that game, he also had eight assists with just one turnover. It was about as good as it gets in that environment, but in the second scrimmage, it didn't go as well. He was 4-of-15 while shooting 1-of-8 on 3-pointers, recording twice as many turnovers (6) as assists (3) as a playmaker. The variance was not ideal, but the highs were high enough that someone could give him a look. Pettiford said that he needs assurance he will get drafted in the first round to stay in this class, though, and that is not necessarily yet a guarantee at his size. 4. Yaxel Lendeborg No one has a tougher decision to make than Yaxel Lendeborg, who was a UAB standout before using the transfer portal to commit to Michigan. While he stands to potentially make a ton of money NIL in the NCAA after a particularly dominant collegiate season last year, Lendeborg had an undeniably intriguing showing in Chicago. He measured 6'8 ½" without shoes at 234.6 lbs with a 7'4" wingspan and 9'0 ½" standing reach. His first scrimmage was very good, recording 13 points (6-of-11 FG) with nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. The second was not as great with just 4 points, but even then, he was at least slightly productive in other ways. Lendeborg added three rebounds and two steals. It seems like Lendeborg might want assurance he is a top-20 pick to stay in this class. We have him projected at No. 22 overall in our most recent mock draft, so it will come down to the wire for him. 5. Hansen Yang The NBA Draft Combine is a particularly helpful environment for someone like Hansen Yang, who some evaluators perhaps did not get a chance to see until recently because he was playing in China. While overseas, though, he averaged a double-double for the second year in a row after winning Chinese Basketball Association Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2024. He measured 7'1' without shoes at 252.6 lbs with a 7'2 ¾" wingspan and 9'3' standing reach. Yang showed promising flashes in both games of the five-on-five scrimmages, which is encouraging. He was had 12 points, shooting 5-of-7 with one 3-pointer in his first performance. Yang also had two assists and blocked a shot in that game. Then, in his second game, he had 11 points (3-of-4 FG) while shooting 5-of-7 on his free-throw attempts. He also had six rebounds and six assists in that performance, blocking another shot as well. Some of his playmaking was especially alluring. According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, there were several league executives who would "love to see him play college basketball" in the NCAA. Maybe he has made enough people interested that he could stay in the draft instead, but either way, he certainly helped himself while in Chicago.
