NBA mock draft 2025: These prospects can rise in March Insanity

There may be some huge cash to be in March, and the most important baggage aren’t coming from the NIL. The NCAA match is the best star-making occasion there may be for a younger basketball participant. This 12 months’s March Insanity bracket is stuffed with NBA prospects dreaming of constructing a reputation for themselves on the most important stage within the sport, and letting that optimistic momentum carry them up NBA draft boards.

The vast majority of the highest prospects within the 2025 NBA Draft are taking part in within the NCAA match, which is a pleasant change of tempo from the final couple years. This mock draft has 19 of the 30 first-round picks competing in March Insanity. There are some unimaginable prospect matchups probably on the horizon relying on which approach the bracket breaks.

Nobody thought Zach Edey can be a top-10 NBA decide regardless of decimating each opponent in his approach throughout his final two years at Purdue. However when Edey heroically carried the Boilermakers to the 2024 nationwide championship sport, his NBA curiosity perked up, and ultimately he turned the No. 9 general decide to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jared McCain additionally put a present for Duke final 12 months by popping off for 32 factors in opposition to James Madison within the spherical of 32, after which 30 factors in opposition to NC State within the Elite Eight. McCain turned the No. 16 decide within the draft, and appeared like the most effective participant within the rookie class for the 76ers till he acquired injured.

It’s inevitable that there are going to be some main adjustments to the 2025 draft by the point the NCAA match is over. Right here’s our newest first spherical projection heading into March Insanity, with a better have a look at some potential risers after the desk. For extra March Insanity protection, take a look at our listing of the 50 greatest gamers within the males’s NCAA match.

The 2025 NBA Draft lottery might be held Might 12, with the draft itself coming June 25. Right here’s what it is advisable to find out about this class heading into March Insanity.

Cooper Flagg can dominate March Insanity … if he’s wholesome

There have been causes to imagine Cooper Flagg would possibly battle to stay as much as the monumental hype he entered Duke with this fall. Flagg was set to be the youngest participant in school basketball after spending solely three years in highschool, and can be 17 years previous for nearly half the season. Whereas school basketball have been getting older throughout the board within the closing season of bonus Covid 12 months eligibility, Duke was pinning their success on true freshmen — not simply Flagg, but additionally Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and Isaiah Evans. Flagg’s taking pictures and ball dealing with can be below the microscope from the soar, and he must show himself in opposition to marquee opponents like Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, and Auburn inside the first month of the season.

By now try to be conscious that Duke has been the most effective group within the nation getting into the NCAA match. Flagg hasn’t simply been the Blue Devils’ greatest participant, he’s legitimately been the most effective participant in America, poised to change into the fourth freshmen to ever win the Picket Award alongside Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson.

There’s just one drawback: Flagg suffered a sprained ankle in Duke’s ACC match opener, and hasn’t performed since. The Blue Devils rolled to the convention match championship anyway, and have to think about in the event that they wish to play Flagg in opposition to a No. 16 seed of their NCAA opener or in opposition to the winner of Baylor-Mississippi State within the spherical of 32.

If Flagg is wholesome, March Insanity would be the full introduction to his superstardom for a lot of the nation. He has been wildly productive this season, with a 15.1 BPM (an all-in-one metric that measures a participant’s contribution to on-court success) that ranks as by far the very best within the nation, with Auburn star Johni Broome as the one different participant in D1 above 12 within the stat. It’s the third highest BPM a freshman has ever posted, behind solely Williamson and Davis. If fancy stats aren’t your factor, it’s evident upon watching Flagg that he contributes in nearly each space of sport and might influence successful in quite a lot of priceless methods.

At 6’9 with a 7-foot wingspan, Flagg is an impressive run-and-jump athlete who performs with a excessive motor on each possession. He has a present for defensive playmaking with a powerful understanding of off-ball rotations, loads of shot-blocking potential, and the potential to leap the passing lanes for a steal to kickstart transition. Flagg can be an excellent defensive rebounder, and must be a grab-and-go menace to ignite early offense.

We knew Flagg’s protection can be good. His offense has exceeded expectations, with him already rising right into a reliable engine on that finish. Flagg is a pure contributing off the ball as a cutter, roll man, and play-finisher inside. His on-ball juice is the place he’s seen essentially the most improvement. Flagg is overwhelming driving to the basket, the place he can end along with his size and athleticism. He’s an superior passer who has flashed some high-level reads getting the ball to teammates. And since turning 18 years previous on Dec. 21, Flagg is taking pictures 43.4 % from three on 74 makes an attempt.

Flagg has the possibility to do what Zion Williamson couldn’t, and energy Duke to the Remaining 4 as a freshman. He simply needs to be wholesome.

Derik Queen is an upside swing after the top-5

Queen was a McDonald’s All-American popping out of Montverde Academy, the place he shared the ground with Flagg, Georgia’s Asa Newell, UConn’s Liam McNeeley, and Baylor’s Robert Wright final season. The historic quantity of expertise on one highschool group could have dimmed his early NBA hype a bit, however Queen has rapidly confirmed he’s worthy of lottery consideration by being some of the productive freshmen within the nation.

Queen has emerged as the most effective participant on Maryland’s vaunted “Crab 5,” and he’s taking part in his greatest ball late within the season. Queen popped off for an environment friendly 31 factors in opposition to Michigan within the Large Ten match championship sport sooner or later after decimating Illinois (19 factors, 10 rebounds, two steals) within the semis.

Queen has a particular potential to create with the ball in his fingers for a participant his measurement. He’s extremely nimble for a beefy large man, exhibiting the power to burst by way of tight areas and end with energy or agility. Queen has delicate contact when he will get in shut, making 67.4 % of his seems on the rim. He’s additionally faster off the ground than you’d assume at first look: he’s dunked 38 occasions this 12 months, and he’s been a dependable offensive rebounder. The place Queen is absolutely spectacular is along with his dealing with when going through up. About 79 % of his mid-range makes an attempt and 56 % of his rim makes an attempt have been unassisted. Whereas he’s not Alperen Sengun as a passer (a preferred upside comparability), Queen has flashed some playmaking expertise. He simply must get tighter along with his decicsion-making after ending with 62 assists to 77 turnovers.

It’s nonetheless truthful to surprise how effectively his sport will translate to the NBA. He’s bit undersized for an NBA heart at 6’10, 245 kilos, with a reported 7’1 wingspan. He’s solely made 4 threes all 12 months (two of them within the Large Ten match title sport), taking pictures 14.3 % from deep. He’s not an above-the-rim shot blocker and he’s not very fast laterally if he’s defending fours or switching onto guards. Along with his protection, taking pictures, and measurement all restricted, it seems like Queen’s sport doesn’t have a lot margin for error.

Queen lacks function participant expertise that might give him a better NBA ground. As a substitute, he’s some of the enjoyable upside swings on this class, one thing like a mini Boogie Cousins who can collapse the protection and rating inside with ease. If the taking pictures or passing takes a leap, or if he will get in higher form, the star potential actually may be there for Queen. It’s going to be so enjoyable to look at him in March.

Kon Knueppel could be one other Duke March Insanity hero

When Flagg acquired damage within the ACC match opener in opposition to Georgia Tech, it was Knueppel who powered Duke to a victory with 28 factors. The freshman from Milwaukee has been overshadowed by his celebrity classmate this 12 months, however he’s a reliable lottery expertise in his personal proper with a sport that has a straightforward match within the NBA. If Flagg isn’t 100% for the match, Knueppel has a large alternative to stand up draft boards.

At 6’7, 220 kilos, Knueppel is a well-rounded offensive participant who can present worth each on- and off-the-ball. His taking pictures is his standout talent: he’s drilled 39 % of his threes this 12 months on almost 200 makes an attempt. Whereas solely 9 % of these have been unassisted, Knueppel has proven the power to hit threes off motion, and stress the protection along with his gravity. The freshman can be expert with the ball in his fingers, exhibiting the power to function the pick-and-roll with sufficient downhill scoring juice and spectacular passing imaginative and prescient. Knueppel is especially good at hitting the roll man, tossing lobs to fellow top-pick Khaman Maluach with precision all season.

The catch with Knueppel is he’s simply not an awesome athlete. He’s solely dunked twice all 12 months, and his taking pictures has been much less efficient in opposition to top-50 competitors. Athletic rim protectors can provide Knueppel some issues ending, and it will likely be fascinating to see how his ball dealing with gala’s in opposition to NBA caliber level of assault defenders. In the end, Knueppel seems like a high-floor prospect due to his taking pictures, and he might have a excessive ceiling too if he can tackle extra guard duties fairly than taking part in on the wing. It feels very doable he can change into a top-10 draft decide with a robust match run.

Fast hits on extra first-round prospects within the 2025 NCAA match

• Khaman Maluach, C, Duke: I’m an enormous Maluach fan for his measurement (9’9 standing attain!), scoring effectivity, taking pictures potential, and high-floor defensively. He’s an superior finisher as a roll man and lob menace, he’s incredible at producing further possessions on the glass, and I believe he’s going to shoot threes long-term. Maluach’s protection is a tad uninspiring given his measurement, principally as a result of he requires longer load time as a leaper and his positioning stays a piece in progress. Placing him at No. 3 on this mock is an optimistic projection, however he must be a protected top-10 decide with room to rise with a giant match efficiency.
• VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor: Edgecombe is a completely sick athlete who can assault the rim and pressure takeaways on protection. He’s simply actually small for his place as a two-guard at 6’3 or 6’4, and his offensive strategy with the ball in his fingers wants plenty of refinement. I’m shopping for Edgecombe as a top-5 decide for his nuclear burst, spot-up taking pictures, and defensive playmaking, with the hope {that a} good teaching workers can proceed his offensive improvement. Baylor would play Duke within the spherical of 32 if he can advance previous Mississippi State.
• Tre Johnson, G, Texas: A lights out shooter and scorer with deep vary and a fast set off. Johnson lacks a well-rounded sport, however his on-ball protection has been stable and he’s proven at the very least a bit passing juice. He’s going to be closely reliant on his soar shot within the league, however he’s such an excellent shooter that it ought to lead him to a pleasant profession.
• Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State: Richardson has been an absolute stud since Tom Izzo lastly inserted him into the beginning lineup on Feb. 8. He’s a nuclear shooter who has a sixth sense for locating pockets of area off the ball. As a driver, Richardson is versatile and inventive, exhibiting physique management and delicate of completion when he will get in shut. The MSU freshmen is simply very small (6’3 feels beneficiant), hasn’t had many true level guard playmaking flashes, and has a scary harm historical past along with his knees. There are some considerations, however the manufacturing is top-10 worthy.
• Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois: The Lithuanian guard began scorching however has tailed off currently for Illinois. He has nice passing imaginative and prescient as a lead guard, however can get sloppy with the ball, which is obvious in his sky-high turnover fee. Jakucionis’ scoring bundle depends on his step-back jumper and skill to get to the foul line, which have each appeared good this 12 months. He’s simply not very athletic, and will have issues creating benefits and defending in opposition to NBA high quality guards.
• Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma: Fears has cooled off a bit since I wrote about him in Dec., however he’s nonetheless one of many highest upside guard bets on this class. Fears is the second youngest freshman within the class behind Flagg, and he’s put up the very best utilization fee (32.1 %) of any projected first rounder. Getting thrown into the SEC fireplace must be helpful for Fears’ long-term progress. His deal with is already superior and lets him create area simply within the halfcourt. His taking pictures remains to be a piece in progress, however the free throw stroke and mid-range contact are encouraging. He’s not a pure playmaker and has had some turnover issues. He’s going to want so as to add plenty of bodily improvement, too. Nonetheless, Fears’ shot creation is very engaging and will make him a lottery decide.
• Asa Newell, F, Georgia: Newell is one other Monteverde alum with measurement who can soar out of the health club. Newell is a robust rim finisher who has slammed in 55 dunks this 12 months whereas making 72 % of his makes an attempt on the rim. The truth that greater than 50 % of these rim makes an attempt have been unassisted is a part of what makes Newell intriguing: he has confidence in his deal with, and his soar shot seems much more projectable regardless of shaky accuracy (30 % on 87 makes an attempt). Newell is only a tad small for a middle at 6’9 or 6’10 with a 7’1 wingspan, and he doesn’t supply any playmaking as soon as he will get the ball (his 6.2 % help fee is without doubt one of the lowest on this mock draft). His measurement, athleticism, and play-finishing provides him a excessive ground if the taking pictures improvement continues, and that’s price a lottery decide.
• Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State: Clifford is already 23 years previous, however he’s emerged as the most effective gamers within the nation, and somebody with actual NBA utility. Clifford first made his title on protection as a robust 6’6 wing stopper who might clear the glass defensively. He began to make strides as a scorer final 12 months, and after testing the NBA draft waters however returning to highschool, he’s taken a fair larger offensive leap this 12 months. Clifford is making 40 % of his threes on 166 makes an attempt, and he’s been an awesome scorer each on the rim (68 %) and from mid-range (46.6 %). His playmaking has additionally taken a giant leap this 12 months, exhibiting good imaginative and prescient and anticipation discovering his teammates. Groups shouldn’t low cost Clifford simply because he’s older.
• Carter Bryant, F, Arizona: Carter has a prototypical wing body, spectacular athleticism, sky-high defensive playmaking numbers, and a stable taking pictures stroke (36 %). He performs a slender function with a tiny 16.4 utilization fee, but when his protection is nice sufficient to maintain him on the ground, his taking pictures ought to permit him to outlive on offense.
• Liam McNeeley, F, UConn: McNeeley is a 6’7 wing with a promising taking pictures projection, however he’s struggled adjusting to the athleticism and physicality of school basketball at occasions. He’s a greater shooter than his 33 % three-point stroke would point out. He’s not going to be a plus on protection, and his rim ending has underwhelmed as effectively.

March Insanity is stuffed with NBA Draft prospects in 2025

Illinois wing Will Riley, Alabama guard Labaron Philon, BYU guard/ahead Egor Demin, Florida guard Walton Clayton Jr., Florida large man Alex Condon, and Auburn ahead Johni Broome are the opposite first-round picks on this mock draft. Marquette’s Kam Jones, Drake’s Bennett Stirtz, Michigan’s Danny Wolf, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, North Carolina’s Ian Jackson, UConn’s Alex Karaban, Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams, Duke’s Isaiah Evans, Arkansas’ Adou Thiero, and Oregon’s Nate Bittle is also drafted this 12 months.

It’s going to be an superior match, and the draft implications might be vital.