2025 NBA Draft Landscape After March Madness

With the Florida Gators cutting down the nets as NCAA champions, NBA front offices are now fully focused on evaluating this year's draft class. The tournament served as a proving ground for several prospects:

Top 5 Projected Picks Breakdown

1. Cooper Flagg (Duke)

   • Strengths: Elite two-way versatility, NBA-ready defensive instincts, improved perimeter shooting (60.0% TS)
   • Areas for Growth: Consistency against physical defenders, late-game decision making
   • NBA Fit: Utah Jazz could pair him with Lauri Markkanen to form a formidable frontcourt

2. Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

   • Scouting Report: Jumbo playmaker (6'6") with advanced P&R instincts, though shooting remains a question (33% 3PT)
   • Player Comparison: Cade Cunningham meets Jalen Brunson
   • Team Fit: Washington's need for backcourt creation makes this a natural pairing

3. Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

   • Unique Skillset: 6'10" wing with guard skills, though efficiency fluctuated (54.0% TS)
   • Development Timeline: Will need patient organization to maximize potential

NCAA Tournament Standouts

• Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida): Championship guard boosted stock with 30+ point tournament explosions
• Derik Queen (Maryland): Sweet 16 run showcased elite offensive skills for a big
• Kon Knueppel (Duke): Proved to be more than just a shooter with improved playmaking

International Prospects Rising

• Joan Beringer (France): 7'1" rim protector drawing comparisons to young Rudy Gobert
• Noa Essengue (Germany): Versatile big shooting 35% from 3 in German BBL

Draft Strategy Considerations

Teams with Multiple Picks:

• Brooklyn Nets (4 first-rounders) could package selections
• San Antonio Spurs continue rebuilding with two lottery picks

Positional Needs:

• Point guard depth drops off after top 10
• Wing shooters remain premium assets
• Traditional centers losing value to versatile bigs

Second Round Sleepers

1. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton): Elite rim protector with improved range
2. Alex Karaban (UConn): Championship pedigree with stretch-4 skills
3. Koby Brea (Kentucky): 40%+ 3PT shooter with NBA-ready off-ball movement

Note: Draft order reflects ESPN's BPI projections as of April 7, 2025