Who Are the Top Five Prospects of the 2025 NBA Draft?

The 2025 NBA Draft will take place on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The 30 franchises will select from the cream of college basketball's crop, with those young men embarking on a professional career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). While this year's number one overall pick is all but guaranteed to be sewn up, there are still some supremely talented young men projected to be selected in the first five picks. Here are those five youngsters destined for stardom.

Cooper Flagg, Duke - Projected #1 Pick

The Dallas Mavericks selecting Duke's Cooper Flagg as the number one overall pick is the worst-kept secret in basketball. Every site offering 2025 NBA Draft betting odds has Flagg as an overwhelming favorite to be picked first, and it is easy to see why.

Flagg is a generational talent destined to make it to the NBA's upper echelons. During his freshman season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, impressive offensive numbers that helped Duke to a 35-4 record and a Final Four run. He chips in on defense, too, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.

The 18-year-old already fills stat sheets with his 6'9", 205-pound frame, but his pick-and-roll comfort, perimeter shot-making, and defensive versatility make the Maine native extra special. Flagg's ceiling is sky-high, and he could become the face of the NBA for years to come.

Dylan Harper, Rutgers - Projected #2 Pick

If Flagg were not such a supreme talent, Rutgers' Dylan Harper would likely have been bestowed with the honor of being the 2025 NBA Draft's number-one pick. The dynamic two-way guard has a basketball pedigree; his father, Ron Harper, won five NBA championships.

Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game during his one and only season at Rutgers. Harper's shooting is first-class, sinking 48.4% from the field and 33.3% from three.

What makes Harper stand out is not only the fact that he combines scoring prowess and court IQ with an ability to guard multiple positions, but also because he is a natural leader and performs under pressure. Rutgers finished with a disappointing 15-17 record, but it would have been worse had it not been for Harper's consistent performances and leadership on the court.

Expect Harper to be a San Antonio Spurs player next season.

Ace Bailey, Rutgers - Projected #3 Pick

The Philadelphia 76ers have the third overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, and they are widely expected to use that pick to select another Rutgers Scarlet Knights player in the shape of Airious "Ace" Bailey.

Like Flagg and Harper, Bailey enjoyed a remarkable freshman year. He played in all 30 games, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals. Impressively, Bailey scored at least 20 points in 10 games for the inconsistent Rutgers team and amassed 527 total points, the second-most by a Rutgers freshman ever; the aforementioned Harper holds the record with 564.

Standing 6'10" and with an almost seven-foot wingspan, experts are lauding Bailey's athleticism. Those same experts believe Bailey's shot selection and consistency need some refinement despite his massive college points tally.

V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor - Projected #4 Pick

V.J. Edgecombe enters the lottery conversation after a solid freshman season with the Baylor Bears, where he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors and was crowned Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Edgecombe played 33 games for Baylor this season, averaging 32.8 minutes per game. He also averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals.

The 6'5" youngster is efficient in scoring, possesses strong defensive instincts, and was key to Baylor's offensive and defensive duties. Although some scouts noted Edgecombe has cold spells, they also state he has an exceptionally high ceiling.

The Charlotte Hornets hold the number four pick. Expect them to use it to draft Edgecombe and make him only the fifth active player hailing from The Bahamas next season.

Khaman Maluach, Duke - Projected #5 Pick

There has been much discussion about who the fifth pick will be, with Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, and Jeremiah Fears all being spoken about. However, the Utah Jazz could opt to bring Duke's giant center Khaman Maluach to the NBA.

Although Maluach averaged a modest 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds for Duke as a freshman, he did enjoy a 71.2 field goal percentage plus 1.3 blocks per game. However, Maluach's sheer size makes him highly sought after.

Maluach stands 7'2", weighs 250 pounds, and has a jaw-dropping seven-foot-six wingspan and a nine-foot-six standing reach. If Maluach refines a few areas of his game, particularly if he adds a three-point shot, the sky could be the limit for the South Sudan native.

History tells us that centers with Maluach's dimensions, role awareness, and above-average mobility tend to go far in the NBA.

Conclusion

The NBA Draft is an exciting time for fans of teams with early-round picks and the community's neutrals. The excitement surrounding the 2025 NBA Draft is off the charts, thanks to the Class of 2025's incredibly talented players.

Cooper Flagg is a versatile college star who will become a Hall of Famer if he continues on his current trajectory. At the same time, Dylan Harper can follow in his father's footsteps and become a multiple NBA champion.

Ace Bailey has tons of upside and could develop into an elite-level player, while V.J. Edgecombe is a polished scorer with an extraordinarily high ceiling. Last but not least, there is Khaman Maluach, a raw giant of a player who could and should go far in the professional ranks.

Who will your team select in the 2025 NBA Draft? You only have until June 25 to wait to find out.