The lasting impression of Cooper Flagg is a heartbreaking one: riding on a golf cart, looking blankly ahead, likely replaying his missed foul-line jumper in the dying moments of the Final Four semifinals. However, this image will soon shift to one of Flagg beaming as he walks on stage to become the top overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Team executives around the league are in unanimous agreement: this is one of the most talent-laden drafts in recent memory. Flagg stands out as the consensus top pick; he’s an athletic forward brimming with potential. However, he isn’t the only player with franchise-changing ability in this draft class. Rutgers is set to send two acclaimed prospects, contributing to what is viewed as one of the strongest pools of American talent in years.
With months to go, many factors will impact the draft landscape, including the draft combine in mid-May, individual workouts, and possible trades. The order of selections may experience significant changes on lottery night. In the meantime, here’s Sports Illustrated’s initial mock draft for June.
The Jazz are positioned to secure the transformative player they have sought after. Flagg has solidified his status as the top pick for several months. Scouts admire his defensive capabilities; he’s an incredible shot blocker and has the agility to guard multiple positions. Although his three-point shooting was inconsistent throughout the regular season, he excelled in this area during the NCAA tournament, shooting 50%, leading to a strong belief in his potential reliability at the next level. He is widely regarded as a safe choice.
Harper, a 6’6″ left-handed guard with a talent for penetrating to the rim, exhibits similarities to James Harden, possessing both the lineage (son of former NBA player Ron Harper) and the skill set to become a star. His dribbling skills and quick acceleration stand out. While his three-point shooting was mediocre at 33.3%, it’s not fundamentally flawed. I would personally choose Flagg at the top, but for the guard-needy Wizards, Harper represents more than just a backup option.
The spotlight now shifts slightly from the Thompson brothers, but Rutgers’ Bailey and another star are strong candidates to land in the top three. Bailey has proven to be a prolific scorer, reminiscent of Michael Porter Jr., and with a bit more squinting, you might even see Kevin Durant in him. He is capable of scoring at all three levels and possesses a rapid release along with explosive finishing ability at the rim. A combination of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Bailey could lead to a potent scoring trio in Charlotte.
Jakucionis brings a touch of Ricky Rubio’s flair with his impressive 6’6″ frame and dynamic playmaking ability. Although he struggles with turnovers—averaging 3.7 per game, with six in the NCAA tournament—his instincts are undeniable. The Pelicans, potentially moving on from CJ McCollum and facing a season without Dejounte Murray for a stretch, are in need of a lead guard. Jakucionis fits that need perfectly.
