Ranking 10 best NBA Draft prospects in 2025 March Madness, from Duke’s Cooper Flagg to Maryland’s Derik Queen
The NCAA tournament’s Round of 64 began a three-week period on Thursday in which all eyes are on the college basketball world.
As the tournament gets underway, here’s a look at the top 10 prospects who will take the floor during March Madness
Ranking 10 best NBA Draft prospects in March Madness
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Guard/Forward
Measurements: 6-9, 205 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 1
There won’t be many 2025 NBA Draft class lists that won’t have Flagg No. 1, so this should not come as much of a surprise. Still, it speaks volumes about what he’s accomplished in just one season at Duke.
Flagg is in line to become the first college player taken first overall since Paolo Banchero in 2022 and is the most hyped college prospect since Zion Williamson in 2019.
If you didn’t know already, the hype is real.
Flagg’s blend of elite size, athleticism, and skill has led to his averages of 18.9 points, 7,5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He’s as much of a game-changer on defense as he is on offense, and he’s a generational prospect because of it.
2. Tre Johnson, Texas
Position: Guard
Measurements: 6-6, 190 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 4
Johnson has a case to be the purest scorer in this year’s class, evidenced by his SEC-leading 19.8 points per game this season. In a historically strong year for the conference, its leading scorer is the wiry 2-guard from Dallas.
Despite being the focal point of opposing defenses, Johnson found ways to fill it up on a nightly basis. His scoring ability will translate to the next level where there’s better spacing and even more talented playmakers to set him up.
3. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor | Bahamas
Age: 19
Position: Guard
Measurements: 6-4, 180 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 3
Edgecombe is a competitor above anything else, and his fire will come with him wherever he goes. No stranger to high-level competition, Edgecombe represented the Bahamas Senior Men’s National team at 18, sharing the floor with former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton and veteran Eric Gordon.
At times, Edgecombe was the best player on the floor.
Edgecombe is averaging 15.0 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Bears this season and brings exceptional athleticism in a strong 6-4 frame. He has all of the tools to become a scary good defender at the NBA level.
4. Khaman Maluach, Duke | South
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Center
Measurements: 7-2, 250 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 6
Basketball is still relatively new to Maluach, who taught himself how to play the game just years ago. Considering how far he’s come in such a short time, Maluach’s ceiling is limitless.
Maluach’s feel for the game cannot be taught and he instinctively finds himself in the right spot at the right time. His averages of 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds might not immediately jump off the page, but he protects the rim at an NBA level and has the size and athleticism to finish above the rim.
5. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois | Lithuania
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Measurements: 6-6, 205 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 7
It’s showtime when Jakucionis has the ball in his hands, and he’s been one of the main reasons for the Fighting Illini’s success this season. At 6-6, he has exceptional size for a lead guard and fits the new mold of big guards in today’s game.
He leads his team in both scoring and assists and if Illinois is to make a run, it will be because of his exploits.
6. Kon Knueppel, Duke
Age: 19
Position: Guard/Forward
Measurements: 6-7, 217 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No. 8
Arguably the best 3-point shooter in this draft class, Knueppel has filled it up at a high clip and has picked up the slack when his other teammates are injured or sidelined with foul trouble.
To be clear, Knueppel is more than just a shooter, and he’s shown the ability to make plays and shoot off the bounce when opposing defenses run him off the 3-point line. He’s the type of player who can sway a game’s momentum with his abilities.
7. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Guard
Measurements: 6-4, 182 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 12
Fears is one of the youngest players in college basketball, but he’s been able to make an upperclassman-sized impact for the Sooners this season. He’s averaging 17.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game and has been poised in tense moments.
There’s room for improvement in the shooting department, but he’s a gamer who will be a favorite during the tournament and draft process.
8. Derik Queen, Maryland
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Center
Measurements: 6-10, 246 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 10
Queen’s been a big riser in draft talks and he’s got an outstanding freshman season to thank for it.
A member of Maryland’s heralded “Crab Five,” Queen is the modern-day version of the traditional big man. He leads the Terps with 16.3 points per game this season and pulls down 9.0 rebounds per contest. The 6-10 freshman turned in 14 double-doubles leading into the tournament, including 22 points and 20 rebounds in his college debut and a 19-point, 10-rebound performance in a Big Ten tournament win over Illinois.
9. Asa Newell, Georgia
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Measurements: 6-11, 220 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: NO 16
Newell’s a bouncy, 6-11 forward with potential to add to his repertoire. Georgia’s freshman forward is averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and has the type of explosiveness and quick bounce that comes through the television screen.
When thinking of what pro teams seek in a big man of the future, Newell meets the criteria.
10. Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Measurements: 6-3, 185 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 19
In an era of second-generation NBA players, Richardson stands to be the next. The son of retired 14-year veteran Jason Richardson, Jase is carving his own lane with his prolific exploits in East Lansing, Mich.
Richardson’s 12.0 points per game rank second on the Spartans, but it doesn’t fully encapsulate his ability to take over like he did during his 29-point performance in a comeback win over Oregon in February. He has the “it” factor
Bonus: Liam McNeeley, UConn
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Measurements: 6-7, 210 lbs.
Mock Draft projection: No 15
McNeeley wasn’t able to be as efficient as many expected, but he entered the year with the reputation of being a sharpshooter. That he’s still found ways to produce shows how complete of a player he is.
In a year of ups and downs for the Huskies, McNeeley has made his presence felt with averages of 14.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He’s a cerebral player and stands to add to the track record of pro-ready UConn products.
