2025 NBA Draft: CBS Sports shakes up first-round mock draft ahead of heavy conference play

The bulk of non-conference college basketball action is behind us and while many teams haven’t started to play their conference opponents for the year, some players have separated themselves from their competition.

With that in mind, CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone has overhauled his latest mock draft, revealing which 30 players he believes will hear their names called on night one based on their early-season performances.

1. Washington Wizards – PF Cooper Flagg

Despite the top of the field’s best efforts this early season, Duke forward Cooper Flagg has remained atop the 2025 NBA Draft rankings as the consensus top pick since before the season began. It doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon as his Duke team is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Poll with the potential to make a deep run this season.

Flagg has been the engine for the Blue Devils this season, leading the team in points (16.3), rebounds (8.6), assists (3.5) and blocks (1.2) per game. He also averages a team-high 30.8 minutes per game and is second on the team in steals (1.5 per game).

2. Utah Jazz – PG Dylan Harper

Dylan Harper teaming up with Ace Bailey at Rutgers this season intrigued many around the college basketball world. While the Scarlet Knights sit at 7-5 overall, it hasn’t been for a lack of scoring on their parts — particularly Harper.

Harper averages 23.3 points per game (fourth best in the country) — but does so on a 51.9 percent clip. He also does his part elsewhere on the court, logging 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game as well.

3. New Orleans Pelicans – SG Egor Demin

Egor Demin came to play for BYU‘s first-year head coach Kevin Young from Russia, and figures to be a top NBA Draft prospect this season.

During his first six games of the season, he played as well as anyone in the country averaging 15.3 points per game while leading the Cougars to a 5-1 record over that time. Their lone loss came to Ole Miss in overtime. However, he hasn’t played since Dec. 3 after suffering a knee contusion against Providence.

4. Toronto Raptors – SF Ace Bailey

Ace Bailey hasn’t let Dylan Harper have all the fun this season. His 17.6 points per game and team-high 7.6 rebounds make him a threat from anywhere on the court.

At 6 foot 10, he’s not afraid to take a 3-point shot attempt or shoot in volumes. He’s taken at least three 3-point attempts in eight of his 10 appearances so far this season and has never taken under 10 shots per game in 2024.

5. Portland Trail Blazers – SF Kasparas Jakucionis

A 6 foot 6 native of Lithuania, Illinois‘ Kasparas Jakucionis was a four-star recruit coming out of high school but has more than impressed so far this season. So far this season he’s averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 points as a true freshman.

He’s turned on the jets since Thanksgiving, scoring 20 or more points in every matchup for the Fighting Illini over that stretch. Jakucionis put up 22 points against No. 1 Tennessee on Dec. 14 after scoring his career-high (24) the last time out against No. 20 Wisconsin. Turnovers have also been an issue for the budding star.

6. Detroit Pistons – SG VJ Edgecombe

VJ Edgecombe was a Five-Star Plus+ recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 1 shooting guard overall, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Committing to play for Scott Drew and the Baylor Bears for his freshman season, he’s showcased his skills on the big stage more than once already this year.

While he averaged 11.9 points per game, he’s scored as many as 20 points per game this season (vs. Tennessee on Nov. 22). Edgecombe also averages 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this year.

7. Charlotte Hornets – PG Nolan Traore

Nolan Traore opted to stay in France over playing for major college basketball programs such as Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga and Alabama, stating that it was the “best situation” for his career.

To this point, he’s played all 13 games for Saint-Quentin Basketball this season, averaging 10.5 points and 4.9 assists for his team across 21.2 minutes per game. What he will be able to do with extended minutes at the NBA level remains to be seen.

8. San Antonio Spurs – SG Dink Pate

Dink Pate became the youngest player to ever turn pro after forgoing his senior season in high school and signing with the G League Ignite in 2023. Now on the NBA-affiliated Mexico City Capitanes, he’s averaging 10.7 points and 3.9 points this season.

Pate attempted to enter the 2024 NBA Draft but was denied due to age restrictions. Now, he’s expected to be a lottery pick one year later.

9. Brooklyn Nets – PG Boogie Fland

Boogie Fland is John Calipari’s next NBA-ready point guard. The energetic true freshman guard averages 15.3 points, 6.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game for Arkansas so far this season. He’s been held to under single digits just twice in 12 appearances this season.

Fland was the No. 1 overall point guard in the 2024 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was a part of the 2022 USA Basketball U17 National Team, and he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal with them that year.

10. Indiana Pacers – SF Kon Knueppel

Duke’s freshman class is unrivaled based on the fact that two of those players, in this mock draft, are expected to be top-10 picks. Cooper Flagg’s partner in crime, Kon Knueppel has become a fan favorite in Durham for his hustle and swagger on the court.

The Milwaukee native is averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the Blue Devils this season.

NBA Mock Draft Pick 11-30

11. San Antonio Spurs – SF Tre Johnson
12. Atlanta Hawks – SF Liam McNeeley
13. Houston Rockets – PF JT Toppin
14. Atlanta Hawks – SF Alex Karaban
15. San Antonio Spurs – SG Ben Saraf
16. Oklahoma City Thunder – PG Labaron Philon
17. Brooklyn Nets – PG Kam Jones
18. Oklahoma City Thunder – C Derik Queen
19. Oklahoma City Thunder – PF Asa Nowell
20. Orlando Magic – SF Nique Clifford
21. Orlando Magic – PF Collin Murray-Boyles
22. Utah Jazz – PF Mackenzie Mgbako
23. Houston Rockets – SF Hugo Gonzalez
24. Dallas Mavericks – C Khaman Maluach
25. Brooklyn Nets – SF Adou Thiero
26. Memphis Grizzlies – SG Jase Richardson
27. Golden State Warriors – PG Jaland Lowe
28. Utah Jazz – C Ryan Kalkbrenner
29. Boston Celtics – SG Drake Powell
30. Los Angeles Clippers – PG Tyrese Proctor