5 Wildcats crack ESPN's list of 100 best prospects ahead of 2025 NBA Draft

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Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) reacts after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Will a Kentucky player hear his name called on NBA Draft night in June? A handful of Wildcats are in the mix as we’re just a few months out.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony released an updated look at his top 100 prospects for this year’s draft. Five Kentucky players cracked the list, although none were among the top 50. This is the first update since late January.

Koby Brea, who was included as the 58th pick in Givony’s most recent NBA Mock Draft, was the highest-ranked ‘Cat by a significant margin. Notably, starting point guard Lamont Butler, who has been battling a shoulder injury for over three months now, was not mentioned as a current top 100 prospect.

ESPN’s top 100 2025 NBA Draft prospects

No. 53 | SG/SF Koby Brea (Age: 22.3) Up 6 from last update
No. 78 | C Amari Williams (Age: 23.1) Up 3 from last update
No. 86 | SG Otega Oweh (Age: 21.7) Up 6 from last update
No. 91 | SG/SF Jaxson Robinson (Age: 22.3) Down 13 from last update
No. 93 | PF/C Andrew Carr (Age: 23.1) Down 2 from last update

Brea’s draft stock continues to rise as he fills in for Robinson, who was ruled out for the season following wrist surgery earlier this month. Since Robinson left the lineup and Brea took over a starting role, the Dayton transfer been excellent for head coach Mark Pope — and he only appears to be getting better.

In those seven games without Robinson, Brea is averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 34.9 minutes per game on shooting splits of 55.4/44.7/100. UK is 5-2 in that span. His playmaking, driving abilities, and defensive effort have made him a multi-faceted player. It’s not shocking to see his name mentioned in NBA discussions before the rest of his teammates.

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Meanwhile, Williams and Oweh jumped a few spots compared to the last update. Williams is unique as a massive seven-footer with elite rebounding skills and a unique playmaking touch for a big man. But a lack of outside shooting is going to hold him back in NBA talks. Oweh, only a junior, will likely need another year of development (particularly with his finishing) in college before making the professional leap.

Robinson’s stock dropped a bit due to his absence on the floor. He was considered a possible second-round pick before coming to Kentucky last offseason and was in similar conversations throughout the season when healthy. Once he returns to full strength, he’ll look to work his way back up the board. As for Carr, he’s not elite at any one skill but is average to above average in nearly every category.

The 2025 NBA Draft consists of 59 total picks across the two rounds. It is scheduled for June 25-26 in Brooklyn, NY.