Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey Battling for No. 1 pick

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(Duke: Forward, Freshman, 6-9)

Best rank: 1 / Worst rank: 1 

Cooper Flagg enters the college season as the projected No. 1 pick, with NBA talent evaluators keeping a close eye on how far he can carry Duke this season to see if he can eventually become a franchise cornerstone. 

After playing for Team USA’s Select Team in Las Vegas, Flagg was compared to former All-Star Andrei Kirilenko by an NBA executive and two NBA scouts who spoke with HoopsHype.

“Flagg is like Kirilenko,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s very impactful defensively, can guard multiple positions, and is a great weak-side shot blocker. He makes plays for others in the halfcourt and transition. He’s a good transition finisher who’s an athletic wing player. His halfcourt offense is a concern. He needs to shoot it better. Creating his offense in the half court will be a question.”

“Flagg reminds me of Kirilenko,” another NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Flagg has a quick first step and is an aggressive finisher around the basket. He doesn’t create much off the dribble offensively but creates more offense with his defense than anyone in the country. His defense is way ahead of his offense. He’s more of a four than a three due to his supreme athletic nature. The consistency of his outside shot improving will depend on how much emphasis is put in allowing him to shoot it in real games and not just practice.”

Flagg’s offensive development will determine if he’ll ultimately become an NBA team’s best player or its second or third-best player. At this stage, while Flagg could go No. 1, he isn’t ready to carry a franchise on his back yet in the eyes of the three NBA talent evaluators who spoke with HoopsHype.

“Many scouts have compared Flagg to Kirilenko, and I think that’s a fair assessment,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I think he’ll eventually be a good second or third option on a really good NBA team. His shooting stroke doesn’t look great right now, but he makes a ton and he’s not afraid to take them at his size. I think he’s going to eventually make more shots than people think. His best attribute right now is his defense. Overall, he can play in so many different ways. He can come over and help on defense. He can guard bigger and some smaller players. He plays extremely hard and with energy. That stuff matters. With his athleticism, he can be played in pick-and-roll situations with the ball or as the screener. He’s a versatile player.”

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(Rutgers: Forward, Freshman, 6-10)

Best rank: 2 / Worst rank: 2

While Cooper Flagg enters the college season as the projected No. 1 pick, Rutgers incoming freshman Ace Bailey has a chance to change that narrative in the eyes of some NBA talent evaluators.

“I could see Bailey supplanting Flagg for No. 1,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I think Bailey is more talented with the ball than Flagg at this point, but I think Flagg is a better overall player than Bailey now. Ace is more of a scoring type of player. His overall decision-making and shot selection has to get a lot better. He’s very wired to score. Athletically, I think there’s another level he can get to, but he’s still a very good athlete. Shooting-wise, I think he’s more of a scorer than a natural shooter, which over time will be fine if he’s your No. 2 guy. I thought the same things about Brandon Miller when he was in high school. His legs don’t look great in terms of his strength, but hopefully, he can continue to put more weight on and be more physical. There’s no doubt that he’s very talented.”

Another NBA scout believes Bailey could become one of the top two-way players in the league one day if he is willing to harness his physical tools and be coachable on the defensive end of the court.

“If Bailey hits his ceiling, he can become Paul George,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s a versatile combo forward whose strong senior season has many believing his ceiling is the highest in the class. Bailey is offensively advanced, but his defense has a ways to go to rival his offensive instincts. How he and Dylan Harper handle carrying the load at Rutgers next season will speak volumes to what can be expected of him as an NBA prospect.”

George was similarly skinny when drafted by the Pacers and gradually added more weight. George was also a good athlete who became a much better athlete during his time in the NBA, which is why NBA talent evaluators believe Bailey can have a similar development arc.

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(Rutgers: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 3 / Worst rank: 6

Dylan Harper is the southpaw son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, the No. 8 pick of the 1986 draft, and a 15-year veteran in the league.

“Harper has turned into a big point guard who can navigate pick-and-rolls,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s not the most athletic player, so he’s got to continue to improve how shifty he is and change gears. Defensively, he’s got to take it seriously because his body and athleticism have to improve. His shooting is going to be a big question for him. He’s a guy that plays a lot of bully ball and gets downhill. He can get away with that at the high school level, but his habits have to improve.”

Harper boasts a nearly 6-foot-10 wingspan and, as we’ve seen with Stephon Castle, Anthony Black, and the Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar), bigger guards have been taken high in the lottery recently.

“Harper is not going to be your best player or a top three guy on a roster that wins big,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I think he understands the game well. He can score and play off the ball, and he’s big. He should be able to defend multiple positions from guard to wings. He has to want to do that stuff. He hasn’t been consistent on that end. I think he has the physicality and tools to do it. I think you can play him in different ways, like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, if he learns the game the right way. His shooting could be better. Right now, he’s an average shooter. He can get on quick hot streaks and make five in a row or miss five. He’s streaky. He’s not afraid of the moment. He plays hard and through contact.”

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(Saint-Quentin Basketball: Guard, International, 6-4)

Best rank: 3 / Worst rank: 7

Frenchman Nolan Traore is arguably the best point guard in the class, one who makes players around him better and can run the offense.

“Traore is one of my favorite players in the class,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I think he’s going to do well. He played extremely well at Hoop Summit and all the other stuff he’s played against, where he plays against older guys. Against guys his age, he’s killed them. There are many different things he can do with and off the ball. He’s a decent athlete and not anything spectacular. He’s a shooter who can make a lot of shots, especially coming off ball screens and on the move. He’s got a good touch around the rim with his floaters and mid-range in the paint. He can finish at the rim and above the rim. I love big guards, and big on-ball guards will be important looking ahead in the NBA. Most teams will fall in love with him heading into the draft. I think he has a good understanding of the game at an early age. He’s been fairly talented and beaten up on some older guys his age.”

Traore, who recently turned 18, has active hands defensively and generates turnovers (1.62 steals). He isn’t much of a rebounder, could cut down on his turnovers a tad (3.2), and could improve his three-point shooting (.300), but there’s a lot to like about his game.

“I like the idea of Traore being like Jamal Murray, who can play in pick-and-rolls and play off the ball at times either as your point or shooting guard,” the executive added. “He can score and really shoot it from deep. He passes better than people think. He plays level-headed but with a fire and intensity.”

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(Duke: Center, Freshman, 7-2)

Best rank: 3 / Worst rank: 19

The youngest player at the Olympics, Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach doesn’t turn 18 until September.

Maluach’s massive size and strong frame make him difficult to move in the post, where he can make hook shots and convert lobs. He’s an excellent rim protector as a shot blocker and rebounder. Offensively, his faceup game and range are growing and could become more consistent with time.

“Maluach can stretch the floor and protect the rim in that same mold of Myles Turner but he’s a little more mobile,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I want to see him playing with Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt and how he defends in space and moves his feet. I think those things are going to be important. He’s got to get more strength in his legs and his base to guard some of the bigger NBA guys. If you play him in a drop, it’ll be hard to score on him.”

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(Baylor: Wing, Freshman, 6-5)

Best rank: 4 / Worst rank: 7

VJ Edgecombe impressed for the Bahamas during their Olympic qualifying games this summer despite failing to qualify. On a roster featuring NBA players Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon, the recently turned 19-year-old was frequently the best player on the court.

Below are the scouting reports from the NBA executive and two scouts who spoke with HoopsHype.

NBA Scout 1: “Edgecombe is an athletic three-level scorer who can create his shot. He shoots it from three, mid-range, and can pull up. Edgecombe can really get it and go in transition and, from the halfcourt, explode going downhill and attacking the basket relentlessly. He plays with some tunnel vision and needs to buy into defense. He’s somewhat of an undersized two-guard. He has to continue to make others better.”

NBA Scout 2: “When you understand Edgecombe’s fluid motions, sweet shooting stroke, and versatility to play any position on the perimeter on both sides of the ball, you understand why he’s highly revered. His commitment to Baylor seems to fall in line with the last two shooting guards. He’s the best athlete at his position, and an argument could be made that he’s the best athlete in the class.”

NBA Executive 1: “VJ is still working on his shot and is more of a set shot type of guy. The athleticism is fairly similar. I think he’s got that dog mentality. Defensively is where I think he’s going to excel initially. As the offense comes along, he’ll be a guy you can play off the ball as a spot-up guy who’s a slasher and cutter who gets out in transition. He’s going to play physically and is athletic. He’ll play the passing lanes. The skill level has to improve a fair amount to be an elite NBA player. I think he’ll be a role player initially. For him to make that next step into elite status, he’s got to have the skills come together. He plays a lot off his competitiveness and hard-nosed basketball.”

The comparisons for Edgecombe from the NBA talent evaluators included Zach LaVine, Will Barton, and Michael Dickerson.

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(Texas: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 5 / Worst rank: 8

Tre Johnson is considered one of the better scorers in this class. While he can make three-pointers off the dribble, he loves the mid-range area where he takes pull-up jumpers and uses a step-back dribble to create space. Against smaller defenders, he’ll occasionally post up with his back to the basket.

“Johnson is a dynamic guard who’s effective from either guard position,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He does a good job of using his size, skill, and length to take advantage of all opponents. He’s an underrated passer who can impact the game without scoring. He needs to add bulk and strength for optimal effectiveness at the highest level.”

Johnson is a good rebounder for his position but must commit more overall on the defensive side of the ball.

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(UConn: Wing, Freshman, 6-7)

Best rank: 7 / Worst rank: NR

UConn will have a dynamic shooting forward tandem with incoming freshman Liam McNeeley and two-time champion Alex Karaban returning.

“McNeeley has the ceiling of Wally Szczerbiak and the floor of Matt Harpring,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s one of the best shooters in his entire class. He’s not blessed with blazing speed and athleticism but isn’t a snail. McNeeley has an elevated basketball IQ that allows him to play well off the ball using screens. The lack of burst limits his isolation strengths, but he’s still effective in pick-and-roll situations. Ultimately, he should be utilized as a floor spacer as a third or fourth option.”

As the scout alluded to, McNeeley isn’t just a shooting specialist. He moves off the ball well as a shooter off curls and can occasionally get downhill off dribble penetration while looking for open teammates.

“McNeeley is a professional shooter,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I think he’s going to be pretty good. You can compare him to a smaller version of Sam Hauser, with a little more ball-handling and feel to his game. He gets his shots up quickly, will play smart, and won’t be a disaster defensively.”

McNeeley isn’t long or athletic, but he makes up for it defensively with a sturdy base and a good IQ to position himself by taking the right angles on defense.

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(Real Madrid: Wing, International, 6-6)

Best rank: 4 / Worst rank: NR

Hugo Gonzalez is a good athlete with a strong frame and high motor who handles the ball well and is shifty while being a willing passer as a secondary creator. The Spanish wing will look to improve his three-point consistency.

Defensively, Gonzalez is disruptive and creates turnovers with active hands while being an effective communicator and help-side rotational defender on the perimeter. He’s also an active shot blocker and rebounder for his position.

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(BYU: Guard, Freshman, 6-8)

Best rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR

Egor Demin has the height of a forward but the slender frame of a guard. He handles the ball well for his size, can break down the defense, and makes plays for others with his vision and passing ability. Demin can also create space using fakes and jab steps.

Demin is a good rebounder for his position and showed active hands while playing overseas last year (2.12 steals per game). His three-point shot must improve after shooting 18.6 percent beyond the arc last season.

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(Miami: Guard, Freshman, 6-4)

Best rank: 11 / Worst rank: 15

Jalil Bethea is one of the top players in his high school class following a McDonald’s All-American selection as a three-level scorer and is a good athlete with speed. Betha moves laterally and shows flashes of being an impactful defender.

“Bethea is known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Bethea’s a threat off catch-and-shoot, moving without the ball, and off the dribble from the perimeter, which puts him in rare company in this class. His size could limit his effectiveness at the NBA level against taller and more physical defenders. He could be like Malik Beasley.”

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(Joventut Badalona: Forward, International, 6-10)

Best rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR

Michael Ruzic is a lanky forward with good length who moves fluidly for his size. Ruzic plays with a high IQ and can face up against his defender. His shooting from beyond the arc (.406) and foul line (.800) intrigue NBA executives.

Ruzic isn’t athletic vertically, but he’s been able to defend smaller wings and some guards with his quickness on the perimeter during switches. Defensively, Ruzic goes over screens and is an active hedger when defending pick-and-rolls. His slender frame makes it difficult for Ruzic to box out and protect the rim.

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(Orange Academy Ratiopharm: Forward, International, 6-10)

Best rank: 10 / Worst rank: NR

The Adidas Next Generation Tournament Most Valuable Player, Noa Essengue is a French forward who moves fluidly for his size, thrives at getting to the rim and finishing strongly, and is a versatile defender. He’s a decent ball handler for his size who attacks when defenders try to close out, but he could improve his overall decision-making as a playmaker for others. His three-point (.254) and foul shooting (.587) also need further development.

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(North Carolina: Wing, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR

North Carolina freshman Drake Powell is coming off a McDonald’s All-American campaign and rounds out the lottery in the first HoopsHype aggregate mock draft for 2025.

Powell’s ceiling was compared to three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive guard Eddie Jones by an NBA scout who spoke with HoopsHype.

“Powell is capable of being effective from all three perimeter positions and is comfortable as a facilitator,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Powell’s a physical and gritty two-way player whose game last spring and summer rose amongst the top of his class. Powell is talented, but he’s a jack of all trades, master of none. He must continue to work on his perimeter skills and shooting because his consistency will dictate where he’ll be maximized in college and potentially the NBA.”

In addition, Powell is an elite athlete with long arms, a sturdy frame, and can jump out of the gym. Defensively, Powell has great lateral quickness and a high motor, which helps him compete effectively.

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(North Carolina: Guard, Freshman, 6-5)

Best rank: 9 / Worst rank: 28

North Carolina incoming freshman Ian Jackson is coming off a McDonald’s All-American campaign.

Jackson thrives at putting pressure on the ball on both sides of the court while attacking the rim on offense in the open floor and off-ball screens and as an on-ball defender. His shooting is inconsistent at times. Physically, Jackson has a strong, wiry frame.

“In some ways, Jackson reminds me of Lonnie Walker,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Jackson is an aggressive wing scorer who scores in several ways off the bounce. He’s a sneaky athlete with a knack for getting to the foul line. It’ll be interesting to see his contrasting style intertwine with the Carolina system. Jackson must improve doing more with less from his offensive arsenal without pounding the basketball in small spaces.”

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(South Carolina: Forward, Sophomore, 6-7)

Best rank: 13 / Worst rank: NR 

Collin Murray-Boyles is a rising sophomore to monitor after earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors as a freshman and recently turning 19 years old in June.

Murray-Boyles is a combo forward who is the size of an NBA small forward but primarily uses his strength at 240 pounds more than verticality and is more effective around the rim than spacing the floor.

Despite being undersized in the paint, he can get to the basket off the dribble and isn’t afraid of contact to crash the offensive boards and finish in the paint.

If Murray-Boyles is going to become an effective NBA player, he’ll need to improve his shooting beyond the mid-range area and free throw efficiency (.667).

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(Arizona: Forward, Freshman, 6-8)

Best rank: 14 / Worst rank: NR

Carter Bryant is the nephew of former McDonald’s All-American, Missouri alum, and former NBA assistant coach Travon Bryant.

Bryant boasts a 7-foot wingspan and strong frame, runs the floor well, and can jump explosively with verticality.

Offensively, Bryant has touch at the foul line, which suggests he can become a more effective outside shooter over time. He thrives in the mid-range area, can handle the ball well for his size, and is a willing passer.

Defensively, Bryant is more of a four than three at this stage and is an effective shot blocker.

“Bryant is a strong, compact power forward who’s been trying to become a small forward,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Bryant finishes well through contact and knows how to be productive on the offensive side. He can stretch the defense beyond the three-point line while still beating his man off the dribble. However, he struggles with his perimeter defense.”

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(Brisbane: Center, International, 7-3)

Best rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR

The youngest NBL Next Star in league history, Rocco Zikarsky is a physical center who thrives as a rim protector and rebounder with the strength to hold his own on the block against opposing big men. Zikarsky has good instincts and is a capable weakside shot blocker.

Offensively, Zikarsky primarily operates in the paint and can dunk in traffic. He’s also a lob finisher on pick-and-roll sets as the rolling big man. Occasionally, he can face up and attack off the bounce within two dribbles.

At the NBA level, the big question will be whether he can guard in space against better athletes and improve his shooting range.

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(Oregon: Forward, Sophomore, 6-9)

Best rank: 8 / Worst rank: NR

Kwame Evans was one of the top recruits of the Class of 2023 and has a chance to be one of the top rising sophomores at Oregon.

Evans has good positional size and moves fluidly as a disruptive defender. On the ball, Evans stayed in front of small players on the perimeter, showed quick hands to poke the ball loose with effective timing to block shots, and the leaping ability for an effective second jump.

Offensively, Evans is a willing ball mover and predominantly focused on spot-ups, acting as a rolling pick-and-roll forward and scoring on putbacks. Evans must improve his three-point shot consistency (.267), and that will be the swing skill that determines his draft stock this season.

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(Duke: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR

Duke freshman Isaiah Evans has a long and lanky frame but can light up the scoreboard in a hurry.

“Evans has the upside of Brandon Ingram with the floor of TJ Warren,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “His thin frame doesn’t stop him from scoring the ball at a highly efficient rate. Evans operates at his best from the wing and is among the elite with his length and scoring prowess. Evans is also a willing passer and an underrated rebounder. Looking ahead, Evans needs to add strength (not necessarily bulk) to his body and pay more attention to defensive details.”

Evans can get his shot off over the top of defenders and primarily operates out of the mid-post area, but sometimes settles for contested jumpers, which will need to improve with his shot selection. As a shooter, Evans has a nice touch on his shot. With the ball in his hands, Evans moves fluidly and creates off the dribble effectively with an unselfish ability to find his teammates as a passer.

As he grows physically, he projects as a solid defender due to his size, length, and lateral quickness.

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(Syracuse: Forward, Freshman, 6-9)

Best rank: 15 / Worst rank: NR

Donnie Freeman has NBA-caliber size to play the forward position with touch on his jumper and the mobility to become a versatile two-way player if he realizes his potential.

Offensively, he can finish at the rim, stretch the floor beyond the arc, and rise over contesting defenders in the mid-post and mid-range areas.

Freeman will need to add more strength to his lean frame in his freshman season so as not to get knocked off his spot defensively and become a better rebounder. He also needs to work on his creativity off the dribble on offense.

“Freeman showed early prominence in the WCAC Catholic League but truly went up another level once he transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Freeman is blessed with strong physical tools and an athletic presence. He’ll be able to play immediately in college. His growth mentally as a player will be more important to his development.”

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(Illinois: Wing, Freshman, 6-8)

Best rank: 14 / Worst rank: NR

Illinois landed Canadian five-star forward Will Riley, who was originally part of the Class of 2025 but intends to re-classify and join the Fighting Illini this season.

“He is the consummate positionless basketball player who has all the tools offensively,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said upon signing Riley. “Will has the ability to score it at all three levels, and he gives us another action player who can make plays for others and himself based on matchups. He is skilled, has a great midrange and float game, and extremely high basketball IQ.”

Riley played well in the spring on the EYBL circuit and is the highest-ranked Illinois recruit since Dee Brown from the Class of 2002, who was No. 19 overall. Riley was also MVP of the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star Weekend and caught the attention of talent evaluators there.

Riley has strong positional size and is effective in isolations. He attacks the lane off the dribble and finishes well, which is complemented by his outside shot and mechanics. Riley will need to continue to add strength to his frame to remain similarly effective at the college and pro levels.

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(Alabama: Wing, Freshman, 6-8)

Best rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR

Derrion Reid, a McDonald’s All-American, thrives as a strong finisher around the basket because of his strength and touch at the rim. Reid has shown flashes of expanding his range beyond the three-point arc, but not consistently. His outside shot will be a swing skill to monitor during his freshman season.

Defensively, Reid has the size, strength, and lateral quickness to defend both forward positions. His active hands and feet should allow him to also guard on the perimeter if caught in a switch on defense. Reid is also a solid rebounder for his position.

“At best, Reid can be Harrison Barnes, and at worst, he could be Derrick Williams,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Reid has a strong and sturdy frame for a high school prospect. He thrives in transition situations where he plays off reads and reactions. It’ll be interesting to see how he’s utilized in Nate Oats’ NBA-friendly system in college. He needs to continue to strengthen his basketball skills without the ball while improving his outside shooting.”

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(Duke: Wing, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 17 / Worst rank: NR

Kon Knueppel comes from a family of hoopers. His father, Kon, was a Hall of Famer and scored over 2,000 career points at Wisconsin Lutheran College, while his mom, Chari, is the all-time leading scorer in UW-Green Bay history with 1,964 points.

Knueppel is known for his efficient three-point shooting and is a good passer for his position. He lacks athleticism and will be attacked defensively by opposing scorers.

Knueppel could become a multi-year college player, with Duke having several other players to feed on offense, giving him time to develop.

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(Iowa State: Forward, Sophomore, 6-8)

Best rank: 15 / Worst rank: NR

As a freshman, Milan Momcilovic tied a school record for the most starts and appearances in a season (37) and earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors.

Momcilovic can stretch the floor from either forward spot on catch-and-shoot three-pointers or mid-range jumpers and posts up against smaller defenders.

Momcilovic makes up for a lack of athleticism with pump fakes and crafty footwork on offense, but he’s a liability on defense and is a poor rebounder for his position.

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(Illinois: Guard, Freshman, 6-6)

Best rank: 18 / Worst rank: NR

Kasparas Jakucionis has outstanding natural size and playmaking ability as a point guard who thrives in pick-and-roll action and controlling the pace offensively.

The Lithuanian guard lacked lateral speed and had problems defending faster guards and recovering on closeouts overseas, but still managed to average 1.91 steals per game.

His shooting beyond the arc could improve (.327) and is worth monitoring closely for NBA executives, given his exceptionally high free throw percentage (.942).

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(Arizona: Center, Sophomore, 7-2)

Best rank: 19 / Worst rank: NR

Motiejus Krivas was highly effective in limited minutes as a freshman for Arizona, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in only 12.2 minutes per game. As a sophomore, he’s expected to thrive with more playing time and be an impact contributor as an inside scorer and rebounder. Offensively, Krivas posts up well with great hands and has a soft touch around the rim with respectable range away from the basket and at the foul line (.778).

Defensively, he’ll be challenged in pick-and-roll action on the perimeter and must prove he can be a sustainable rim protector. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan and nearly 9-foot-2 standing reach, Krivas has the physical tools to be an imposing rim protector.

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(Mexico City Capitanes: Guard, G League, 6-8)

Best rank: 13 / Worst rank: NR

Dink Pate will join the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League next season and will be an intriguing player to monitor. Pate has exceptional size as a point guard who can initiate an offense, has good ball-handling skills, and aggressively attacks the paint. His athleticism also stands out with his body control as he attacks the paint and off the dribble.

The 18-year-old guard must show NBA talent evaluators that he can improve his shooting after struggling from the field (.348) and beyond the arc (.214). After shooting nearly 73 percent from the foul line, there’s a palpable upside that Pate can improve as a shooter over time.

“Pate is a physically imposing and explosive playmaker capable of controlling the game on both ends and from both guard positions,” former G League Ignite general manager Anthony McClish told HoopsHype. “He’ll be a fitting grand finale to the lineage of Ignite prospects dating back to the inaugural 2021 class.”

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(UConn: Forward, Junior, 6-8)

Best rank: 20 / Worst rank: NR

UConn’s Alex Karaban was a projected second-round pick before returning to school to chase a three-peat with the Huskies this season.

Karaban projects as a stretch forward at the pro level and led the NBA Draft Combine in two shooting categories: Off-dribble college break left (90 percent) and on-the-move college non-stationary shooting (84 percent) after shooting 38.9 percent from downtown in back-to-back seasons at UConn.

In his junior season, Karaban will become an offensive focal point but also wants to show he’s more of a playmaker than just a shooter to NBA executives.

“It’s about screening, cutting, and whether that’s a cut I make or a screen I give to someone else,” Karaban said at the combine. “It’s about creating shots, distracting the defense, and moving the defense a bit. Those are things that don’t necessarily show up in the stats.”

More: Karaban among top prospects who withdrew from 2024 NBA draft

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(Duke: Guard, Junior, 6-5)

Best rank: 28 / Worst rank: NR

After earning ACC All-Freshman honors, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor marginally improved as a shooter from the field (.381 to .423) and beyond the arc (.320 to .352) as a sophomore but failed to make the gigantic leap some expected. Defensively, the physical tools are there to be a solid on-ball defender.

As a junior, all eyes will be on the combo guard as the team’s floor general to bring along a talented but young Duke team featuring a talented freshman class, including Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Darren Harris.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.