2025 NBA Draft: ESPN releases new first-round mock after National Championship, March Madness

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Tournament came to an end on Monday evening. Florida stood above the competition, crowned national champions after a hard-fought battle with Houston in the finale.

Now that the madness has subsided once again, it’s time to turn our attention to the 2025 NBA Draft. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo forecasted where the stars of this season’s tournament will end up at the next level in their latest mock draft.

Check it out below. Players like Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. and Auburn’s Johni Broome need a home at the next level. Here’s where they could end up in the NBA. 

1. Utah Jazz: Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke

There’s no doubt Cooper Flagg will be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While some have theorized that he could return to Duke, he certainly made his mark on the Blue Devils throughout the 2024-25 season, and he’ll use lessons learned from their Final Four run to excel at the next level, with whichever team wins the NBA Draft Lottery.

Givony: “It’s difficult to see Flagg not declaring for the draft at this point considering the No. 1 pick is at stake, and the Jazz would surely be thrilled to add a player with his versatility and star power to pair with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler in what would quickly become a formidable front-court.”

2. Washington Wizards: Dylan Harper, SG/PG, Rutgers

Rutgers disappointed by missing the NCAA Tournament, but it wasn’t due to Dylan Harper. The nation missed out on seeing one of the best players in the country on full display, but the NBA took notice of his impressive abilities throughout his time in Piscataway, where he averaged 19.4 points per game.

Woo: “There are questions about just how good a shooter Harper is (he averaged 75% from the line and 33% from 3), something he can help answer in pre-draft workouts. He’ll likely be tough to pass on at this spot and would be a strong fit with the Wizards, who could use a playmaker in his mold.”

3. Charlotte Hornets: Airious “Ace” Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers

Dylan Harper might’ve been the leader of Rutgers this past season, but Ace Bailey was right on his level. He averaged 17.6 points per game, and the formidable duo will make noise in the NBA. It’s just a shame the Scarlet Knights couldn’t do more with both players during the 2024-25 season, but their futures are bright regardless.

Woo: “Though he’s probably not ready to contribute to winning immediately, landing with a patient NBA team that can afford him the time he needs should help. There could be some duplication in Charlotte with Brandon Miller, but Bailey’s upside is tempting.”

4. New Orleans Pelicans: VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor

VJ Edgecombe willed Baylor to the NCAA Tournament with his 15.0 points per game. The Bears ran into a buzzsaw in Duke, but NBA teams saw enough from the star guard that he’ll be a premier selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Givony: “The Pelicans need some star power to build around and could pair two of the league’s most tantalizing talents alongside each other in Edgecombe and Zion Williamson, which would make New Orleans an exciting team to watch next season.”

5. Philadelphia 76ers: Tre Johnson, SG, Texas

Texas didn’t have their best season, and Rodney Terry paid for it, but it wasn’t due to Tre Johnson. The guard excelled when on the court, averaging 19.9 points per game in the SEC. He wasn’t the reason the Longhorns underachieved, and the 76ers would love to turn in a draft card with his name on it in June.

Givony: “The Sixers, already eliminated from the postseason, would be thrilled to keep their pick after a miserable season and could have interest in adding a 19-year-old wing who’d bring plenty of scoring power.”

6. Brooklyn Nets: Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma

Jeremiah Fears helped Oklahoma get to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost a tough one against UConn. His 17.1 points per game was an impressive mark during his time with the Sooners. He dropped 20 against the Huskies, but it wasn’t enough to get past the 1st Round in March.

Givony: “The Nets have a significant void in their backcourt. Fears’ youth and talent could make him a player they’d want to closely study.”

7. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

During his freshman season in Durham, Khaman Maluach was one of the unsung heroes for Duke. He averaged 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, and was on the receiving end of a ton of alley-oops. He could be even more impressive in the right system in the NBA.

Givony: “His ability to anchor a defense with his 7-foot-6 wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition is clearly valuable, and the Raptors have a clear need for a player in that mold with his long-term projection.”

8. San Antonio Spurs: Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke

Kon Knueppel was fantastic throughout his freshman season with Duke, but he kicked it up a notch during the NCAA Tournament. While the sting of falling in the Final Four is still fresh, the future is bright for the guard, and he would create an awesome duo with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio.

Woo: “Duke’s Final Four exit wasn’t reflective of his contributions, and the constant demand for perimeter shooting has kept his draft stock strong. The Spurs could use a wing in his mold to help steady their young roster and space the floor for their stars.”

9. Portland Trail Blazers: Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois

Illinois took care of business against Xavier in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament, but they fell in the 2nd Round to Kentucky. Kasparas Jakucionis did all that he could, coming one rebound shy of a triple-double in the 1st Round. He’ll hope to continue his growth in the NBA.

Woo: “There’s still plenty to like long term with his intangibles and ability to play both backcourt spots, keeping him in the lottery picture amid an intriguing group of guards. The Trail Blazers could benefit from adding his decision-making and unselfish style to their backcourt mix.”

10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina

Lamont Paris claimed Collin Murray-Boyles is receiving NIL offers of over $2 million from an SEC team for next season, but that NBA money is different. If it works out where he’s drafted in the top ten by the Houston Rockets, that would be an awesome situation for the soon-to-be-former Gamecocks star.

Woo: “The pre-draft process will allow him to demonstrate room for growth as a jump shooter, something that will be essential to maximizing his value in the pros. His intangibles and potential versatility could make him a strong fit with the Rockets, who could use another big to help do the dirty work.”

ESPN NBA Mock Draft — Pick Nos. 11-30:

11. Miami Heat: Derik Queen, C, Maryland
12. Chicago Bulls: Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
13. Dallas Mavericks: Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
14. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento): Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan State
15. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija
France 
16. Orlando Magic: Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
18. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin
19. Washington Wizards (via Memphis): Danny Wolf, PF, Michigan
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers): Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
21. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia
22. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota): Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid
23. Miami Heat (via Golden State): Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany
24. Indiana Pacers: Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
25. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers): Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State
26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York): Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB
28. Boston Celtics: Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida
29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland): Alex Condon, C, Florida
30. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City): Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph’s

Round 2 — Pick Nos. 31-59:

31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington): Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans (France)
33. Charlotte Hornets: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans): Alex Karaban, PF, Connecticut
35. Philadelphia 76ers: Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford
36. Brooklyn Nets: Bennett Stirtz, PG/SG, Drake
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia ACB (Spain)
38. San Antonio Spurs: Johni Broome, C, Auburn
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland): Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami): Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee
42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago): Milos Uzan, PG, Houston
43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas): Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke
44. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento): Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech
45. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta): JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech
46. Orlando Magic: Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette
47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit): John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin
48. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee): Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
49. New York Knicks (via Memphis): Eric Dixon, C, Villanova
50. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers): Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State
51. Phoenix Suns (via Denver): Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS Adriatic (Serbia)
52. LA Clippers (via Minnesota): Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State): Sion James, SF, Duke
54. Indiana Pacers: Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky
55. Los Angeles Lakers: Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston): Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston): Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Braden Smith, PG, Purdue
59. Houston Rockets (Oklahoma City): Johann Grunloh, C, Vechta (Germany)
Note: The New York Knicks forfeited their 2025 second-round pick.