Latest news with #BigTenAll-Freshman
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Boogie Cousins Says Cooper Flagg is Not No 1 Overall Pick
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Demarcus "Boogie" Cousins offered his take on who should be selected with the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and it was surprisingly not Duke product Cooper Flagg. According to Cousins, Rutgers star Ace Bailey should be the first name called on draft night, not Flagg, who, by all accounts, is the locked-in top selection. More NBA news: Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Preview: What to Know While on FanDuel TV's show Run It Back, Cousins compared Bailey's game to that of an NBA legend. "I like Ace Bailey. To me, Ace Bailey is the number one pick. I think Ace Bailey is the number one overall pick. I think he is the closest thing to a Tracy McGrady," Cousins said. "But I don't see Nico... there is no way he keeps that pick. With everything he has already said on record as far as a window of wanting to win an NBA championship. It just does not logically make sense to me." Boogie Cousins says Ace Bailey should be the No. 1 pick over Cooper Flagg "He's the closest thing we've seen to Tracy McGrady." (🎥 @RunItBackFDTV ) — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 20, 2025 Coming out of high school, Bailey was the No. 2 recruit in the nation, second only to Flagg, and he managed to perform well during his first college season. Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, with two turnovers and 2.8 fouls per game. He played a substantial number of minutes as a starter, averaging around 33.3 per game. Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dunks the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dunks the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. Photo by/Getty Images His season was impressive enough to earn him All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman honors this past season, despite being relatively inefficient with a 46% shooting percentage from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range. For a college player, particularly a freshman, shot selection can be inconsistent, so his inefficiency may not be surprising. More NBA news: Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Surprising Appearance at Google Event in San Francisco Bailey displayed flashes of high-level shot creation and shot-making, which is likely where Cousins sees the similarities between his game and McGrady's. McGrady was one of the best scorers in the league, capable of creating his own shot and attacking the basket at a high level. According to most NBA Draft experts, Bailey is ranked as the overall third prospect in the draft. Many place Flagg in a tier by himself, followed by Bailey's Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper in his own tier, and then Bailey in the third tier along with other prospects. More NBA news: Dwyane Wade Offers Blunt Reaction to Jimmy Butler's Playoff Run Flagg has been labeled as a future franchise cornerstone who can defend at a high level, create some offense for himself, and plays hard on every possession. Together, these qualities form a can't-miss prospect for many. He has been the consensus top prospect for months now, which makes Cousins' statement controversial for placing Bailey above Flagg.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: First round predictions post-lottery, with Cooper Flagg at No. 1
2025 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: First round predictions post-lottery, with Cooper Flagg at No. 1 We officially know the order of the 2025 NBA Draft now that the lottery is concluded, but there is still plenty to learn from the NBA Draft Combine. Now we know exactly where each team will pick on draft night in Brooklyn on June 25. But there is plenty more information that will become available for everyone during the pre-draft process, especially after the NBA Draft Combine concludes in Chicago. While more players participating in the five-on-five scrimmages would help with evaluation, there is still plenty to learn from athletic testing and measurements. Players will likely improve their draft stock, just as many did during the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Those who are testing the waters will have until May 28 to withdraw from the draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. Expect these results to change based on who decides to stay in this class versus who wants to return to college. 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: Why a shockingly small number of NCAA basketball players declared for the 2025 NBA Draft 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. 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. Expect him to enter the NBA as one of the most impactful defenders and the ability to easily fit into his pro offense. 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. When we spoke to Harper earlier this year, 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: Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney 3. Philadelphia 76ers: 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 slowed down a bit as his freshman campaign while at Baylor, he also showed promise as a scorer. 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 a team to draft Edgecombe this high, they will hope that his jumper eventually becomes more consistent once he has found his groove in the NBA. 4. Charlotte Hornets: 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. While his box plus-minus was lower than one would typically see from a top-5 pick and he is perhaps overly reliant on the midrange shot, the upside of his development is a worthy gamble to land the Big Ten All-Freshman forward. While his height was lower than some expected at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, his 7-foot wingspan is compelling. More: How tall is Ace Bailey? Here are his measurements from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 5. Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears TEAM: Oklahoma POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 18.7 Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears is reportedly gaining momentum as a potential top-3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. 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 one of the best overall performers in March Madness. More: Jeremiah Fears and Tre Johnson could go as high as No. 3 in 2025 NBA Draft, per ESPN 6. Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson TEAM: Texas POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Texas wing Tre Johnson is another 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 considerably once in the pros. 7. New Orleans Pelicans: 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. 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. 8. Brooklyn Nets: 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. 9. Toronto Raptors: 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 unique skill set as a big man who is incredibly fun to watch. But he plays at his own speed and may have trouble fitting into certain schemes and systems. More: Derik Queen's game-winner just cemented his NBA Draft status 10. Houston Rockets (via PHX): 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 and is currently 'testing the waters' of the 2025 NBA Draft. 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, and he measured with a wingspan just short of 7-foot. He plays with a high IQ, and could potentially become one of the biggest risers depending on how he performs during the pre-draft process. 11. Portland Trail Blazers: 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 16.6 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 48.1 percent on 3-pointers over the course of his last five 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. 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 (via SAC): 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. 14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): 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. He ranks twelfth in Player Efficiency Rating (22.8) among qualified players in the Eurocup, via RealGM. Essengue is an interesting prospect who a variety of teams should have on their radar. 15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA): 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 with an unreliable jump shot against top-100 competition caused some room for concern. However, he measured at 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his playmaking still makes him beyond intriguing. The Thunder could develop him in the G League, where he would not need him to make an impact right away. 16. Orlando Magic: 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, is one of the most interesting prospects who is currently 'testing the waters' of the 2025 NBA Draft. He was an analytics darling before he suffered a season-ending foot injury. If he decides to stay in this class, 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 Atlanta. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Nique Clifford TEAM: Colorado St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 23.4 In our last mock draft, we had Colorado State senior Nique Clifford projected to the Timberwolves and we are sticking with that instinct. Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round but he looks ready to contribute to an NBA rotation. 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. 18. Washington Wizards (via MEM): Asa Newell TEAM: Georgia POSITION: Big 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 had the second-most layups and dunks combined this season among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. He trailed only Flagg among all freshmen in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) as well. Some teams could have interest in the big man a bit higher than this range, too. 19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): 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. 20. Miami Heat (via GSW): Jase Richardson TEAM: Michigan St. POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-3 DRAFT AGE: 19.7 Michigan State guard 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. More: 5 things to know about Michigan State star Jase Richardson 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): Yaxel Lendeborg TEAM: UAB POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6-9 DRAFT AGE: 22.8 One more fascinating player who is currently 'testing the waters' of the 2025 NBA Draft despite committing to Michigan (where he could receive a massive NIL deal) in the transfer portal is Yaxel Lendeborg. Despite coming to the game later in life, the AAC tournament MVP and two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year had one of the most impactful campaigns in college basketball last season. Lendeborg, who has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach, is arguably the best overall player who opted to participate in five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 23. Indiana Pacers: Cedric Coward TEAM: Washington St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6-6 DRAFT AGE: 21.8 Another fascinating player who is currently testing the waters of the 2025 NBA Draft is Cedric Coward, who also committed to Duke in the transfer portal. Coward shot 40.0 percent on his 3-pointers while averaging 17.7 points per game before getting hurt last season. He is one of the hottest names in draft circles right now after measuring with a 7-foot-2 wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): 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. 25. Orlando Magic (via DEN): 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 but there are questions about how it may translate in the NBA. 26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): Walter Clayton Jr. 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. More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness? 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 will participate in five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 28. Boston Celtics: Maxime Raynaud TEAM: Stanford POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7-1 DRAFT AGE: 22.2 France's Maxime Raynaud, who measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-1 and a standing reach above 9-foot-2, 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 is also one of the most intriguing players who is actually participating in the five-on-five scrimmages, where he can boost his draft stock even higher than this. 29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Labaron Philon TEAM: Alabama POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6-4 DRAFT AGE: 19.6 Alabama freshman Labaron Philon was named SEC All-Freshman and he is an excellent decision-maker with one of the most effective floaters in college basketball. As a playmaker, Philon distributed shots to his teammates beyond the arc fairly frequently. His jump shot could still use some work, though it did improve a bit as the season progressed. Philon unfortunately opted to not participate in five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 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.
