2025 NBA Draft Big Board 3.1: Top 10 position rankings amid Finals

The 2024-25 NBA season is nearing a conclusion, with the Finals already underway. That puts the draft even closer to taking place, marking the start of a new era for several teams looking to add young talent to the roster.

The NBA Draft Combine and offseason workouts have given teams the final set of datapoints they need before making selections on June 25 and 26. As that draws closer, how they view each player becomes more clear.

The withdrawal deadline for international is set for June 15, with all college players already in or out. Almost completely set, the rankings of each player are now starting to solidify.

Here is how the Top 10 prospects at each position stack up entering the NBA Draft. The most clear picture yet of how each player stacks up against their peers.

Top 10 Point Guards

1. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Dylan Harper shows off the kind of traits which are hard to bet against, boasting great size as a lead guard with scoring punch to complement his facilitation. The team’s ups and downs, mixed with injuries at Rutgers kept him from moving into elite prospect conversations but did nothing to dissuade interest. He is the clear second prospect in the draft class.

Read more on Dylan Harper here.

2. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Kasparas Jakucionis brings great size and ability to fill the box score in multiple categories while handling the ball. Turnover concerns paired with a streaky shot have dropped his stock from its highest point, but teams able to use him in on-ball and off-ball reps early in his career will likely get the most out of his skillset.

3. Nolan Traore, France
Nolan Traore has moved up and down the board over the past year, going from the Top 5 conversation to the lottery fringe after a difficult start in Europe. While he has shown the major ups and concerning downs, promise remains high for what the lead guard could become. Given the amount of time it takes many young guards to adjust to professional competition, his late-season surge should rebuild stock.

Read more on Nolan Traore here.

4. Egor Demin, BYU
Egor Demin enters the NBA Draft as the best passer in the class, combining vision with creativity which at times led to turnovers when it crossed the line. However, the inability to repeat his 3-point success from early into the latter portion of the season forces teams to consider how many ways he can create offense. Given his size, off-ball reps are also an interesting possibility for any interested team.

5. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears built up quite the highlight reel during the early portion of the college season, but struggled in a big way after the calendar turned. In efficiency has plagued his game at times, between missed shots and turnovers. However, between the athletic flashes and his young age, there is plenty promise he can grow into the game and become a force.

Read more on Jeremiah Fears here.

6. Walter Clayton, Florida
Walter Clayton was the late-riser and classic March Madness star who sees a big boost on draft boards, but it was no fluke. The run highlighted the heights of his game, which brings big-time offensive value through 3-point shooting and shot creation. Proving he could stick at point guard was as valuable as anything he showed, finding teammates when needed in big games.

Read more on Walter Clayton here.

7. Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Tyrese Proctor has continued to showcase his skillset at the college level, slowly growing his stock as a versatile backup guard. He has shot the ball at a high level from the 3-point line, getting reps on-ball and off-ball during the last few years. With good size, he also provides versatility on defense, where he holds up well in space.

8. Javon Small, West Virginia
Javon Small had a breakout season after transferring, taking over a larger role than even he expected for a successful team. He will not be asked to take on the offensive burden again, but projecting what he can do defensively with that extra energy is intriguing even for a small guard.

9. Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Ryan Nembhard has continued to add value for himself, showing that even as an undersized guard he can facilitate offense and play perimeter defense. Improved 3-point shooting makes him a projectable backup for teams which can overlook the measurements.

10. Chucky Hepburn, Louisville
Chucky Hepburn is among the most disruptive perimeter defenders in the NBA Draft class, giving him a chance to climb into the second round if a team believes that he develop elsewhere. An undersized guard, he must prove his offensive worth to earn a rotation spot.

Top 10 Shooting Guards

1. Tre Johnson, Texas
Tre Johnson has been a polarizing prospect throughout the evaluation process, but his combination of size and scoring punch have brought him closer to the top of the board. The ability to continue his upward trajectory as an offensive playmaker, as well as promise he could improve on defense, provide the type of star outcomes worthy of a high pick.

Read more on Tre Johnson here.

2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
VJ Edgecombe comes into the NBA Draft as an intriguing wing prospect, brining great length for his size. Among the best two-way players in the class already, his lack of projection needed should intrigue plenty teams hoping he can keep his baseline value while adding to the flashes he has showed throughout his career of stardom.

Read more on VJ Edgecombe here.

3. Kon Knueppel, Duke
Kon Knueppel added value during his freshman season at Duke, not only by playing the sidekick role to Cooper Flagg, but by dispelling common assumptions about his game. While he is not a top-end athlete, he held up on defense with promise he can bring value on that end. His biggest asset is of course the 3-point shot, but upside getting to the basket moves him up the board.

Read more on Kon Knueppel here.

4. Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Jase Richardson is a fascinating NBA prospect who does not bring great size, but whose winning impact become undeniable during the college season. A transition to the starting lineup kickstarted the offense and allowed him to unlock more, although the ability to translate into a professional role remains a question.

5. Ben Saraf, Israel
Ben Saraf is a talented offensive player, creating shots for himself throughout the season in Europe. Inefficiency from the perimeter has held him back from truly shooting up draft boards, and questions about his ability to translate high usage into off-ball reps and a limited role present a challenge for evaluators.

Read more on Ben Saraf here.

6. Adou Thiero, Arkansas
Adou Thiero showed major growth on offense this year, showing an ability to get to the rim and begin knocking down 3-pointers. This all adds to his solid defensive base, which provides him with a platform to grow off as a two-way wing. However, limits in his offensive packages remain and restrict his ceiling at the next level.

7. Neoklis Avdalas, Greece
Neoklis Avdalas is a fascinating wing prospect in the draft class, bringing great size and length to the position without losing mobility. He shows flashes that he could shoot the ball well, while also having upside which could be unlocked. On defense, he might not be elite, but the size helps him become versatile in his usage.

8. Kam Jones, Marquette
Kam Jones made a big leap up draft boards this season, taking over on-ball reps for his team. The ability to work off the dribble and create for others helped bring him into the mix as an NBA prospect given his status as a small guard. While there is versatility given his background, the most valuable path forward is more work as a lead guard.

9. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Chaz Lanier made the leap to the top level of college basketball last season, bursting onto the scene with his offensive punch. While his defensive impact is limited, he showed a willingness to compete throughout the year, adding to the value his offensive package provides. There is upside as a bench scorer and a floor as a shooter from the corner.

Read more on Chaz Lanier here.

10. Ben Henshall, Austalia
Ben Henshall enters the NBA Draft after carving out a role for himself in Australia last season. He is a high-level competitor on both ends, also bringing versatility with on-ball and off-ball guard reps. There is still plenty left to develop on both ends, but the core traits are there to build off while learning his role moving forward.

Read more on Ben Henshall here.

Top 10 Small Forwards

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg has pulled away from the field as the top prospect, leaving no doubt he will go No. 1 overall on draft night. His incredible defensive traits which transcend the position he plays were on display in bursts throughout his time at Duke, and he continued to make strides on the offensive end. Continued growth as a shooter ultimately has him among the top young players in the sport.

Read more on Cooper Flagg here.

2. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Ace Bailey has run away with the title of most polarizing prospect in the NBA Draft this season, with a huge gulf in opinions. The shot-making ability is undoubted, but questions about his overall efficiency and ability to play within the construct of most professional schemes leave some worried. While there is a tempting upside, there is also a floor which losers the overall value.

Read more on Ace Bailey here.

3. Carter Bryant, Arizona
Carter Bryant is a player who proves that traits matter in draft conversation, along with the ability to fill a role. While he did not star in his freshman season, he delivered what was asked off the bench and showcased a baseline value which many NBA teams value for the position. Upside is also present for one of the youngest wings in class.

4. Cedric Coward, Washington State
Cedric Coward appears to be a fast-riser on NBA Draft boards, especially given the lack of college tape this season due to injury. His measurements certainly helped, but his overall game brings the same shooting and defense combination which every team looks for in role players. Whether overlooked or out of sight, he is now in the mix to come off the board early.

Read more on Cedric Coward here.

5. Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Nique Clifford added value throughout the college basketball season, taking himself from the second-round conversation into the first-round mix with improved shooting. He adds offensive punch to his game which already included solid defensive value and big rebounding for his position, along with come playmaking required for his team.

6. Liam McNeeley, UConn
Liam McNeeley has seen his draft stock fall since the start of the season, in part due to the injury he sustained and the drop in results his team displayed. The clear positive comes with his competitive fire, which was on display in the gulf in results his team showed based on his availability. Inconsistent results in the box score hurt him, however.

7. Noah Penda, France
Noah Penda promises to enter the NBA after establishing his worth on defense during his European basketball run. While he is known for gambling at times, the body-type and disruption stats speak for themselves on that end. Developing an offensive game with positive value is the next step in cracking into an NBA rotation.

Read more on Noah Penda here.

8. Will Riley, Illinois
Will Riley is a high-powered offensive prospect, who is also one of the youngest players in the class this year. He slowly grew into his role in college, ending his freshman year with offensive firepower worthy of watching. The defense remains a work-in-progress, but he possesses all the physical traits needed to add strength and improve there.

9. Alex Toohey, Australia
Alex Toohey has gone through the NBA Draft process multiple times now, showcasing the clear growth in his game this season. He provides a strong floor to his game, holding up on both ends with solid floor-spacing and off-ball movement helping build his stock as a potential role player in any professional setting.

Read more on Alex Toohey here.

10. Drake Powell, North Carolina
Drake Powell brings some of the best defensive tools in the draft class to the table, projecting as a high-level wing stopper in the NBA. The project he must invest in comes offensively, where he put up solid percentages on low volume as a freshman. Repeating the results on higher output remains a major question mark given the lack of increased role he saw.

Read more on Drake Powell here.

Top 10 Power Forwards

1. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Collin Murray-Boyles has drawn some big comparisons throughout the draft process, and is among the most interesting players to project and predict his value. He immediately enters the league as a versatile and disruptive defender capable of guarding many positions at a high level. The concern is his offensive package, which leaves much to be desired unless he develops a perimeter jumpshot.

Read more on Collin Murray-Boyles here.

2. Noa Essengue, France
Noa Essengue is an analytics darling with his ability to produce defensively in Europe, while getting high-efficiency looks on offense. Currently best suited around the rim, the ability to develop consistency on the perimeter will be a major key to his growth. Big performances late in the season have him on the rise, building even more hope he can unlock his potential.

Read more on Noa Essengue here.

3. Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s
Rasheer Fleming proved everything he could at the mid-major level, shooting the ball at a high level in a variety of roles while showcasing his ability to play defense. In a league which places big value on two-way wings and stretch forwards, he could quickly enter a rotation, even if he does not boast the potential upside of others.

4. Asa Newell, Georgia
Asa Newell has the potential to blossom into a valuable frontcourt player, given his unique combination of size and mobility. To maximize his skillset, Newell will need to translate his offensive touch to the 3-point line and stretch the floor. He can then serve as the second big in defensive sets who is able to roam and deter opponents.

Read more on Asa Newell here.

5. Lachlan Olbrich, Australia
Lachlan Olbrich comes to the NBA Draft out of Australia, having previous college basketball experience at UC Riverside in 2022-23. Still a developing prospect, he shows the physical tools needed to reach the second-round conversation, even without big production behind him.

6. Izan Almansa, Spain
Izan Almansa made the move to Australia to continue his development this season and has seen some mixed results which keep him on the fringe of the draft boards. He still has plenty upside which comes out in flashes but has shown few long signs he is reaching the potential he previously showed.

7. Grant Nelson, Alabama
Grant Nelson is a player who has gotten onto the fringe of NBA talks multiple times now, and will be in the mix again after concluding his college career. The unique offensive skillset for a tall forward makes him valuable, even if he struggles to consistently turn skill into production.

8. Eric Dixon, Villanova
Eric Dixon has incredible college pedigree, which starts with his impressive 3-point numbers. The challenge will be finding the spaces where his production can translate to the NBA game, and staying on the floor defensively whether as a small-ball center or power forward.

9. Arthur Kaluma, Texas
Arthur Kaluma plays with a certain edge which will have him on the fringe of NBA conversations. He has seen ups and downs on both ends of the floor, but has enough on both ends to interest teams in his long-term fit as a role players who can fill minutes.

10. Nate Santos, Dayton
Nate Santos shows potential to develop into a stretch forward who sticks on an NBA roster if he can adjust to the increase in competition level quickly and round out his game. They key to unlocking his potential and warranting a draft pick comes with improved defensive instincts.

Top 10 Centers

1. Khaman Maluach, Duke
Khaman Maluach brings intrigue given his size and athletic traits on display at Duke, paired with promise he can stretch the floor. While it has not been on display publicly, his ability to sell teams on pick-and-pop upside could shoot his value up in the final month. Meanwhile, rim protection and rim-running still provide him plenty value to offer.

2. Derik Queen, Maryland
Derik Queen has a wide range depending on the team, which comes as no surprise given his unique skillset. The offensive package is impressive to say the least, with footwork and shot-making ability from the center position. Age – even as a freshman – and the need to build sets around him limit the market. Meanwhile, to convince teams to overhaul things to his benefit, more defense is needed.

Read more on Derik Queen here.

3. Joan Beringer, France
Joan Beringer is an athletic big who has performed well in Europe this season. He will not be mistaken for a floor-spacing center anytime soon, but has good value as a rim-runner and rebounding force capable of working the pick-and-roll. His stock has a wide range, depending largely on the type of offense interested teams want to run.

Read more on Joan Beringer here.

4. Danny Wolf, Michigan
Danny Wolf comes to the professional ranks after making an interesting two-big lineup work in college. The success of different jumbo lineups across the NBA could make him a valuable commodity for certain franchises looking to add frontcourt versatility. The ability to shoot and pass from the top of the key give immense offensive value, even if rim protector of guarding in space will never be his strength on defense.

Read more on Danny Wolf here.

5. Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
Thomas Sorber raised his NBA stock throughout the college season with his ability to provide efficient offense, particularly showing upside as a pick-and-roll piece at the next level. With some versatility on the table, even if not at the 3-point line, the offense is enough to complement his defensive value. Shot blocking and disruption again fit the professional game well.

6. Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
Maxime Raynaud has one of the most impressive stories in the NBA Draft, going from walk-on to late-rising prospect at center. He has shown an ability to produce offensively for years and Stanford, providing an interesting backup big option for NBA teams. A strong pre-draft process has further led to excitement about his ability to jump levels.

7. Johni Broome, Auburn
Johni Broome put together a monster season in college basketball, expanding his offensive game to include a much wider range of skills to complement his defense and rebounding strengths. Despite a lack of athletic traits, his defense brings few question marks, giving him a chance to establish himself quickly in a backup big role.

Read more on Johni Broome here.

8. Rocco Zikarsky, Australia
Rocco Zikarsky is one of the tallest prospects in the draft class, and while his wingspan does not stretch far beyond his height, he is still a force as a rim-protector. Injuries over the past year have limited his ability to build an offensive package, but he has high upside and already fills the frame well before getting into the league.

Read more on Rocco Zikarsky here.

9. Bogoljub Markovic, Serbia
Bogoljub Markovic is an interesting offensive prospect, coming in undersized for a center. He offers the ability to stretch the floor on offense, putting up impressive numbers in Europe. The largest question moving forward centers on his ability to hold up defensively at center, without pushing him to forward reps.

Read more on Bogoljub Markovic here.

10. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
Yanic Konan Niederhauser saw a massive jump up the board during the pre-draft process, going from fringe entry to real prospect in the mix for selection. After transferring to the top level of college basketball, he did not get the public attention his stats likely deserved given the team struggles to compete with high-level teams.