Recent changes in college basketball, particularly regarding NIL and the transfer portal, have led to an increasing number of mid-major talents being drafted. The 2025 NBA Draft showcased a variety of players, from overlooked prospects to standout mid-major athletes who seized opportunities at higher levels.
In celebration of the mid-major talents chosen this week, here’s a recap of the 2025 NBA Draft by Mid-Major Madness.
First Round Highlights
Pick 11: Cedric Coward (Washington State) – Portland; Traded to Memphis
Coward’s journey took root at Division III Willamette, where he was named Northwest Conference Rookie of the Year in 2021-22. His distinct scoring ability attracted Eastern Washington’s David Riley, who offered him a chance to play at the D1 level. Coward eventually thrived, becoming a pivotal player in leading the Eagles to successive Big Sky titles, averaging 15.4 PPG and 6.7 RPG. After transferring to Washington State, he showcased his skills despite an early-season injury, averaging 17.7 PPG in limited appearances.
Pick 18: Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida/Iona) – Washington; Traded to Utah
A key player in Iona’s 2025 National Championship run and named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, Clayton was initially under-recruited in high school until Rick Pitino offered him a scholarship. He made an immediate impact at Iona, earning All-Conference honors while leading the Gaels back to the NCAA Tournament.
Mid-Round Standouts
Pick 24: Nique Clifford (Colorado State) – Oklahoma City; Traded to Sacramento
Clifford began at Colorado but found his footing after transferring to Colorado State, becoming a two-way standout. He achieved career highs in his final season with averages of 18.9 PPG and 9.6 RPG, helping propel the Rams to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Pick 27: Danny Wolf (Michigan/Yale) – Brooklyn
Wolf turned down a walk-on offer from Michigan to pursue an Ivy League education at Yale. His exceptional performance culminated in a NCAA Tournament victory over Auburn, leading to his transfer to Michigan, where he played a significant role in reaching the Sweet Sixteen.
Additional Prospects
Pick 30: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State/Northern Illinois) – LAC
Niederhauser, originally from Switzerland, flew under the radar during his time at Northern Illinois, but he shone during his later tenure at Penn State. He led the Nittany Lions in rebounding and blocks, improving his scoring average to 12.9 PPG.
Second Round Highlights
Pick 31: Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph’s) – Minnesota; Traded to Phoenix
Fleming was often overlooked at Camden High but thrived at Saint Joseph’s, earning All-A10 First Team honors in 2025, marking him as the first Hawk drafted since 2016.
Pick 39: Alijah Martin (Florida/FAU) – Toronto
Martin played a crucial role for Florida Atlantic, earning accolades during their historic NCAA Tournament run. He contributed significantly during his transition to Florida, averaging 14.4 PPG in their national title pursuit.
