Preseason Draft Predictions Roundtable
I Asked Some Prominent Draft Experts For Their Preseason Draft Predictions. Here Are The Results......
Sometimes, you just need a little help from your friends….
One of my favourite times of the year is in the preseason. Not a minute of basketball has been played, we can be full of hope and optimism about every prospect and the possibilities are endless. With those possibilities, however, there is a chance that what we think during the preseason can be made to look fairly foolish come the end of the season and on draft night. It's sometimes chaos and I love it.
Rather than just post my own preseason predictions, I wanted to get a whole range of opinions so I have gathered some fellow draft nuts from No Ceilings, On The Clock, The Nic Thomas Substack, The Diaspora Drop and others to give our preseason predictions. I asked everyone to give their predictions on a number of different draft related topics and we’ll revisit this again near the end of the draft cycle to see what predictions were right, and which ones were not.
So……..predictions then?
Corey Tulaba | No Ceilings |
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
My next man up is Dylan Harper. His combo of positional size, skill, on-ball creation, and two-way ability is too everything you want out of a potential lead ball handler.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
Give me Liam McNeeley. I’ve seen him live a good number of times over the years and he has one of the purest jumpers I’ve seen from a prospect his age. A shooter of his size with on ball creation equity needs to be in more top 5 convos.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
I think Nolan Traore offers the best combo of manipulation, orchestration, and improvisation. Watching him operate during the week of Hoop Summit was a joy.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
Cooper is a special defensive prospect who is more than ready to make an immediate impact as a true swiss army knife defender at Duke next year.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
I think that Derik Queen is going to be a big riser. Every time I’ve seen him in person I’ve felt like he was making as big an impact as anyone on the floor. This time of year, people tend to overrate athleticism and underrate skill. Queen is one of the most skilled incoming freshmen in the class with the complimentary feel that is a requisite for big risers.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
I think a guy like Dink Pate may slide down boards. In a year without the spotlight of the Ignite, Pate could be susceptible to being out of sight and out of mind.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
Nolan Traore will be the top international prospect on my board heading into the 2025 cycle. Not only can he make plays for others, but he’s also a more than capable scorer who can knock down tough shots, and can also comfortably play without the ball in his hands.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
I think Cam Carr out of Tennessee has an opportunity to make a real splash this cycle. Long shooting guard that can really shoot the rock and defend. Amani Hansberry is another guy I think could breakout after his transfer to West Virginia.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
I’ll go with Houston. I like the Uzan addition, they’re returning most of their impact guys, and we know they are going to defend their butts off.
Ersin Demir
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
That's too early to determine. V.J. Edgecombe had a fantastic summer, showing he belongs among the best with his play for the Bahamas. Tre Johnson from Texas is on the list of guys rising to #2.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
Milan Momcilovic from Iowa State. The importance of his role will be determined how much he'll add to his game outside of the shot.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
Dink Pate. He's a natural point guard at 6'8" who has a fantastic feel for the game. He can end up as one of the league's best pick-and-roll playmakers if everything clicks.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
Khaman Maluach. He can be one of the rare players who really (!) guards all five positions on a floor. He's raw, but chose the best context to develop at Duke. In a league focusing on four and five-out schemes, he can anchor an entire defense. That's the potential teams are buying.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Josiah Moseley from Villanova. He had an excellent summer for Belize at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup. He was not a highly touted prospect out of high school, but one who can impact Villanova in a positive way, where his production will lead to him rising on draft boards.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
Ace Bailey. More experienced teams will focus on taking him out of the game, or letting him take as many bad shots as possible. Shot selection isn't always fixable, as most assume, with that being the factor that can hold him back.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
For long-term potential, I'm between Khaman Maluach and Noa Essengue. In terms of early-career impact, Nolan Traore is the clear answer.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
Amani Hansberry. I have him as a lottery-level prospect where the opportunity to play led to him not showcasing his NBA-ready game. That will change at West Virginia.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
Gonzaga! They bring back everyone outside of Anton Watson. Especially the Nembhard-Ike connection will win them big games. Ajayi is a solid addition, and they add another scoring punch in Khalif Battle. Iowa State and Houston are my other two outsiders.
Stephen Gillaspie | No Ceilings |
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
Coming into the season, I have Dylan Harper as the 2nd best prospect. Many people will have his soon-to-be teammate, Ace Bailey–who is super-talented and 3rd on my board. Harper has a very strong frame, good feel for the game, and a mature way of getting to his spots. Contact doesn’t bother him, and he can also keep others involved.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
This race should be as close as any for this class, but I’ll go with the highest-ranked shooter on my board, Liam McNeely. Not only can Liam shoot, but he does it in an extremely weaponizable manner. He has good size and supreme confidence. Don’t be surprised if fellow Husky, Alex Karaban, is in the mix.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
Right now it’s Nolan Traore from France. Scoring is also a part of playmaking–and Nolan needs to improve as a shooter–but I love his court vision. He is fantastic at applying pressure on the defense to force passing angles to present themselves. Once he has an opening, he can dish out some pretty dimes.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
I’m here for the MacKenzie Mgbako revenge tour. Mgbako has very good size and length. Not only that, but his frame, strength, and athleticism all provide him some tantalizing defensive tools. Now that he has a year of college experience under his belt, I’m excited to put those tools into practice.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
These questions are always tricky because it’s never who you expect. Let’s go with Donnie Freeman. He is the 6’9” forward playing for Syracuse. He has some Jabari Smith Jr. to his game offensively–down to the midpost fade. His shooting and size is going to get him looks, and Syracuse should have the runway for him to grow on the job. If he can get a little mean-streak in his game, he could be the riser this year.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
A player that a lot of people like coming into the year that I am a little lower on is Kon Knueppel from Duke. He is a shooter…and that’s about it. His jumper is consistent, but he dips it a lot. He isn’t a good athlete or defender. His handle isn’t anything spectacular. He’s also only listed at 6’5” as a wing. I am having a hard time seeing him translate as a one-and-done.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
My “real” answer is the aforementioned Nolan Traore, but I want to give some love to Hugo Gonzalez. The 6’6” wing from Real Madrid has a keen knack for scoring. He has a true nose for the rim, and is not afraid of contact. He can hit the next pass. He can shoot some. He also plays with great pace.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
I have a cluster of sleepers all within a similar range, but let’s go with Brooks Barnhizer, the senior wing from Northwestern. He is 6’6” and can shoot the cover off of the ball. Not only that, but he does a decent amount of handling for his team. He rebounds very well and is capable of making good reads. He’ll need to improve on defense or just be a more consistent scorer to really pop, but the tools are there.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
There are several teams that are now loaded. Let’s go with Duke, though. You have the #1 pick in the 2025 Draft in Cooper Flagg. Some people are very high on their big man, Khaman Maluach. Caleb Foster is primed for a great sophomore season. Isaiah Evans is likely to be an impactful freshman off of the bench. A lot of people like Knueppel, as we mentioned. Darren Harris is another talented freshman that could see some minutes. Tyrese Proctor is a savvy, upperclassman guard–which usually is a must for deep postseason success. Sion James is an athletic, utility forward that transferred in. Mason Gillis transfers in with defensive prowess and was just in the NCAA Championship game this past season.
Ben Pfeifer
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
There won’t be a prospect to truly challenge Flagg, but I’ll bet on a Rocco Zikarsky breakout. He’s a special defensive prospect with the ceiling of a defensive player of the year candidate.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
People will quickly catch onto Juni Mobley’s shooting greatness. I’d expect him to dominate as an on ball shooter especially at Ohio State, firing from insanely deep on strong efficiency.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
The draft’s best playmaker will probably be Kasparas Jakucionis, who’s elite pick and roll prowess and creative passing with high vision could lead to high passing upside.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
Cooper Flagg sits in a tier or two by himself here, so I’ll throw out Collin Murray Boyles as a number two. He’s a brilliant off ball defender with elite strength and enough overall athleticism to do everything on that end.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Wesley Yates missed his freshman year with injury but his creation talent is undeniable. If he cracks USC’s rotation, expect him to rise on draft boards.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
I’ll bet on Ace Bailey to underwhelm a bit relative to his hype. He’s a talented prospect, but his feel and high end athletic and defensive worries could make him more of a later lottery type prospect.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
Once again, I’ll take Rocco Zikarsky as the best international prospect with Nolan Traore as a close second at this point.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
Noah Penda received virtually no buzz last year and I’d expect him to continue playing well in France. His NBA body, playmaking feel and creation at a young age all scream breakout star.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
I’ll take Kansas this year; it’s chalk, but their combination of experienced players, high octane transfers and young talent could be too much for anyone to handle.
Nic Thomas | Big Board Global Scouting |
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
We all know who's going one; the biggest question ahead of 2025 Draft day is who is going two. Personally, I have VJ Edgecombe as the second ranked prospect ahead of the cycle, but a LOT can change in 12 months. I would expect a number of names, such as Ace Bailey, Hugo Gonzalez, Ian Jackson, Dylan Harper, Nolan Traore, Noa Essengue or Tre Johnson to contend for that spot.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
The best shooter appears to be Isaiah Evans in my eyes. He has the perfect combination of a smooth form, quick trigger, high release point, and of course the production. Another contender for that position may well be someone such as Jalil Bethea.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
As of now, Traore is the best playmaker in the class. He has elite vision, IQ and timing, and the execution to go with it. He is great in the pick-and-roll too, which will make it that much easier for him to adapt at the next level.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
The best defender in this class is, by far and wide, Cooper Flagg. Even if you completely removed the offensive side of his game, Flagg would still be a top three pick in this stacked class. Yeah, that's how good it is. He dominates, inside and out, sending back shots as well as getting stops out on the perimeter.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Noa Essengue right now sits around the back end of the top ten and lottery discussions. As I mentioned before, I could definitely see Essengue ending up second in this class. He has the frame and the skillset that will generate plenty of buzz around both front offices and draft circles.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
Personally, I don't think that Egor Demin is everything everyone seems to crack him up to be. He is a point guard who struggles handling the ball, has shooting woes, lacks explosiveness which effectively keeps him away from the rim like a restraining order. He also seems very tuned out on defense, regularly conceding back-door cuts. Draft Twitter is going to rip this guy up.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
The best international prospect is definitely the aforementioned Noa Essengue. The guy is the next Shawn Kemp; hyper athletic, dominant inside scorer with a great frame and all the makings of a jump shot. I look forward to seeing this guy progress.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
My favourite sleeper prospect i definitely Xavier Booker. He currently sits at 17th on my Big Board. He can shoot, defend in space, is a dominant rim protector. He is everything the modern NBA desires from a big.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
It's hard to look past Duke this year. Tyrese Procter, Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba, Sion James. Man, this is going to be fun to watch.
nbadraftpoint
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
Dylan Harper, such a high level guard with not too many weaknesses. I think he can have a Cade-esque season at Rutgers.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
McNeeley and Karaban will make a formidable shooting duo. Koby Brea based off last year has the highest 3P% out of prospects.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
Bruce Thornton out of Ohio State finished his season amazingly last year as a scorer and playmaker, and posted some great advanced stats as well. I like Nolan Traore out of St Quentin and Jack Kayil out of Mega as well.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
Maliq Brown out of Duke. He posted a 5 x 5 last year at Cuse being able to play 3 through 5. Rocco Zikarsky and Asa Newell are others to keep an eye on as well.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
I have a few names:
Will Riley is my big one, I think he’s a potential top 10 pick.
Jaland Lowe- Pitt
Moustapha Thiam- UCF
Darrion Williams- Texas Tech
Hamad Mousa- Dayton
Ben Saraf- Ulm
Paul McNeil- NC State
Jason Asemnota- Baylor
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
Isaiah Evans and Noa Essengue.
For Evans, I think that Evans will struggle to adjust to a smaller role on a team with lots of options ahead of him.
For Essengue, I think he might struggle in his minutes at Ulm, not fitting a traditional need that gets young players much of a role at Ulm. The shot is rickety as well.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
Nolan Traore and Rocco Zikarsky.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
I've got a few:
Relative to consensus, Joson Sanon, Moustapha Thiam and Hamad Mousa are freshmen I really think can make an impact whom I have in my top 20.
Darlinstone Dubar who just transferred from Hofstra to Tennessee is super underrated and Dennis Evans out of Grand Canyon can definitely be a player to watch as well, but my biggest sleeper is Anton Bonke out of Providence. He’s one of those guys who I’m not sure will play much but I think can be a prospect if he gets the run. A 7’2 big who was amazing in JUCO and joined Providence as a redshirt freshman last year. Practicing the 3 ball as well, but a defensive stopper and a guy who’s size will help him thrive in the Big East.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
Alabama.
Ngijol Songolo | The Diaspora Drop |
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
Right now I have VJ Edgecomb as my number 2. What he was able to do against pros in the Olympic qualifying tournament tells me his mentality is in the right place as long as he continues on that trajectory at Baylor.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
Tucker Devries averaged no less than 6 3PA per game the past three seasons with a good percentage. It’s hard to see that not translating to his new team in West Virginia.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
Kasparas Jakučionis is incredibly fun to watch with the ball. He’s a master in the PnR and finds passing windows few others see.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
Khaman Maluach is the top defender to me. His rim protection is already elite and this summer especially, he’s shown flashes of perimeter switchability. He’ll be an easy safety net on a defense’s back line.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Kon Knueppel could be a riser. Very complete offensive game that could pop in the right situation at Duke.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
Through no fault of his own, Dink Pate is in a situation that isn’t ideal with the dissolution of Ignite forcing him back into the G League. There are more variables than usual since the G can be a mixed bag as teams often prioritize development of guys already in the league.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
For me it’s a no-brainer in Nolan Traoré. I expect him to continue to show the feel he showed in the French playoffs all season. Has a great balance of setting up his teammates and knowing when and how to score himself.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
Hunter Sallis could’ve gotten drafted in ‘24 after a great season on both sides of the ball. I see him continuing that individual success but with potentially greater team success too.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
I like what BYU has been putting together from their coaching staff to their roster decisions. Egor Demin has a chance to be really special and lead that team far.
Caleb Mueller | On The Clock |
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
I think Ace Bailey has a real shot at contending for the #1 pick. He has some rare athleticism pair with an enticing raw scoring package. He has come along way with his handle and instincts adding better angles and timing to his passes off the bounce as well. Could be another one of these 6’8, lanky, legit #1 scoring option guys at the 3.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
There are some really dope incoming freshman, Konnor Knueppel from Wisconsin is a great add for Duke, he has a really solid stroke. Liam McNeely as well for UCONN, very functional off screens and automatic off the catch. Super interested to see which one of them turn themself into prospects. But the best shooter I’ve seen right now in this class is Koby Brea.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
This class doesn’t have the obvious lead guards that last year did with Topic, Nunez, and Kolek. However I think Nolan Traore stands out as someone who could be a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. He has the potential to be a prominent pick and roll playmaker as well as creating looks for teammate out of isolation, fast breaks and flashes some creativity in traffic.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
I am a huge fan of Cooper Flagg. Who isn’t? 6’9 with verticality and long arms. That’s all most guys need to be a league average defender but Flagg has a different level of motor and tenacity he can get to that is rare in a star caliber player on the offensive end at his age.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Trent Burns. My dart for this class. 7’2+ with shooting touch and the ability to play around the basket with dominance. One to watch for Mizzou.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
I never like to project or expect bad things from players. I love the game and hope players stay healthy and develop.
However, I think there is always pressure on returners these days with the portal and international talent giving more opportunities to different player pools to develop year majorly in a sophomore season of any opportunity . Also, if you can’t show some form of undeniable potential to be a top tier prospect, it’s rare you get drafted higher than you were mocked as a freshman for notable names. But I think the pressure will be on Collin Murray-Boyles and Kwame Evans to improve dramatically. Primarily if they want to keep their stock in the middle first and scout investment over other options in this draft.
If that makes sense lol.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
I like Hugo Gonzalez. I think he’s super intriguing. I also am a fan of Egor Demin, who is an international college prospect.
Rocco is a beast.
I love Zvonimir Ivisic.
I’m a big believer in international hoops.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
I’d say I love mostly sleepers. That’s kinda my schtick . So I’d say a guy who I haven’t heard any draft hype about is JJ Taylor for UCF.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
I think this year is a crapshoot. But I think Alabama is going to be tough. Kansas looks really good with their wing depth.
Should be an incredible year of basketball.
Slam Dunk Scouting
1. If we assume Cooper Flagg is the consensus number 1 prospect, who do you have ranked number 2?
For me, it's Ace Bailey. He has the size of the prototypical wing and he has the athleticism to jump out the gym. He can blow by defenders with his speed and can finish at the rim with ease. He could be pushing Flagg for top spot if Cooper has a down year, which looks unlikely.
2. Who do you think will be the best shooter in this class?
I think that Kon Knueppel will show out as the best shooter in this class. He's lethal both off the catch and off the dribble, his mechanics look flawless and he is comfortable getting his shot off from anywhere. He can let it fly from way downtown and it always looks like it's going in.
3. Who do you think will be the best playmaker in this class?
If you want playmaking, look no further than the French floor general, Nolan Traore. Often known for his prolific scoring, he packs an elite passing vision to boot. He always seems to make the right pass at the right time and sees the game develop at a different level and speed.
4. Who do you think will be the best overall defender in this class?
For his all around defensive impact, I would have to go for the obvious option and say Cooper Flagg. A truly versatile defender, he can genuinely defend all five positions and looks comfortable doing it. He's great as an on ball defender or off ball, can get steals, blocks and rebounds, and has the length and size to stay in front of just about everyone.
5. Who do you think is most likely to have a Bub Carrington/Scottie Barnes- esque rise?
Hamad Mousa from Qatar who will be playing for Dayton this year. A bit of an unknown quantity having played last year in Qatar, he could shoot up draft boards with more eyes on him. Great size, great basketball instincts and off the chart athleticism, a big year at Dayton could shoot his draft stock to the moon.
6. Who do you think is most likely to slide?
As much as I hate saying this, I feel like it could be Rocco Zikarsky. As a rim running, paint protecting big man, his biggest challenge will be guarding in space, especially as teams increasingly go for 5-out systems. I feel like if someone like Maluach has a big year then it could make Zikarsky look worse by comparison if he doesn't have an equally big year in Australia. I hope I'm wrong.
7. Who do you think is the best international prospect?
Like Stephen above, my real answer would be Nolan Traore (I've got him ranked 3 on my board) but for variety sake I'll shed some light on Egor Demin. A huge point guard at 6ft 8in, he has fantastic passing instincts, great defensive instincts and more than enough athleticism to play above the rim. If the shot becomes more consistent, he could have all the tools to be one of the best players in this class.
8. Who is your favourite sleeper prospect?
I'm going to go for Kadary Richmond from St. John’s. Coming into his last year of college eligibility, he has shown a marked improvement every year in his all round game which is what you want to see. I would want to see the 3-point shot become more consistent to become a potent weapon alongside his ability to get to the rim. He might not shoot up draft boards rapidly but a solid year could make teams cast a serious eye his way.
9. Who is your favourite to win the NCAA Championship?
It's hard to see past Duke just now with how loaded their roster is. With guys like Flagg, Maluach, Foster, Proctor, Knueppel, Sion James, Isaiah Evans and Pat Ngongba, it feels like they can go toe to toe with anyone and have the answer to any question posed to them. Don't count out Rutgers though with two of the top five prospects in their ranks or Arkansas with Fland, Brazile, Knox, Thiero and Wagner.
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to this project and took the time to give their predictions. Please check out each writers Substack and consider subscribing if you haven't done so already. Also follow everyone on X (Twitter) where you can find lots of awesome content from everyone.
Here's to a fantastic 2025 Draft cycle!