2025 Early NBA Mock Drafts
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No solo is wild
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This one is just the lottery picks. Has McNeeley 6th to....gulp...the Hornets (obviously nobody knows what the draft order will be next year).
www.cbssports.com
Way-too-early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's Cooper Flagg bucks trend, goes No. 1 ahead of Rutgers' Ace Bailey
Flagg is the favorite to snap a two-year streak of French players being selected first in the NBA Draft
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This one has McNeeley 8th and Karaban 23rd.
www.cbssports.com
Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg carries Zion-like hype, but he faces big battle to go No. 1 overall
A way-too-early look at the best NBA prospects in 2025 and the teams most likely to draft them
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This one just has 10 names to know, McNeeley in there, and 10 more names to know, Karaban in there.
www.si.com
Liam McNeeley, UConn Huskies
Flagg’s teammate at Montverde Academy in Florida, McNeeley could follow in the footsteps of Jordan Hawkins, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan as lottery picks out of UConn. He may not have the scoring upside of other top picks in this draft class, but he’s a complete player with the size, shooting ability and defensive chops to be a valuable piece from the day he steps into the NBA. He’s perhaps the best three-point shooter in the class, is a very good perimeter defender and always seems to make the right play. His high IQ and positional versatility should be a perfect fit in UConn’s offensive scheme.
2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg Headlines Talented Upcoming Class
The 10 names to know heading into the 2025 draft cycle include a pair of players headed to Rutgers.
Actually McNeeley would be an excellent add for the Hornets. That could push them into actual contention with Ball and Miller.This one is just the lottery picks. Has McNeeley 6th to....gulp...the Hornets (obviously nobody knows what the draft order will be next year).
Way-too-early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's Cooper Flagg bucks trend, goes No. 1 ahead of Rutgers' Ace Bailey
Flagg is the favorite to snap a two-year streak of French players being selected first in the NBA Draft
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At least one of these people finally dispels the notion he's a bad defender. I watched a lot of McNeeley's games and despite not having ideal lateral quickness he's shown he's a very good defender.This one just has 10 names to know, McNeeley in there, and 10 more names to know, Karaban in there.
Liam McNeeley, UConn Huskies
Flagg’s teammate at Montverde Academy in Florida, McNeeley could follow in the footsteps of Jordan Hawkins, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan as lottery picks out of UConn. He may not have the scoring upside of other top picks in this draft class, but he’s a complete player with the size, shooting ability and defensive chops to be a valuable piece from the day he steps into the NBA. He’s perhaps the best three-point shooter in the class, is a very good perimeter defender and always seems to make the right play. His high IQ and positional versatility should be a perfect fit in UConn’s offensive scheme.
2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg Headlines Talented Upcoming Class
The 10 names to know heading into the 2025 draft cycle include a pair of players headed to Rutgers.
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Jaylin Stewart, F, UConn
Stewart logged spot minutes on UConn's title team as a freshman last season, but looks like a person of interest for NBA teams, considering the way coach Dan Hurley's program has developed talent. Set to step into a bigger role on the wing as the Huskies aim to compete for a third straight championship, Stewart has the size and length (6-7, 205) to be effective on the defensive end and in transition and also offered some limited catch-and-shoot flashes in the minutes he got.
He'll be one of the youngest sophomores in college next season, and with his excellent frame and situation, there's certainly a chance he pops with a larger role. It remains to be seen exactly how he'll fit on a roster that will include a handful of new faces, but the pieces are there for him to take the next step as a big contributor.
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Alex Karaban, F, UConn
One of the 2024 draft's true tough stay-or-go calls, Karaban chose to remain at UConn and pursue a third championship rather than turn pro. His outstanding feel, catch-and-shoot ability and on-court intelligence makes him a pivotal player for the Huskies, and the type of player who is capable of adding value without needing the ball much. While not an exceptional run-jump athlete, Karaban is also a defender who uses his size (6-8, 220) and anticipation to his advantage.
He has a number of fans already in NBA front offices who will likely be interested in drafting him in a year and it will be curious to see if UConn expands his role on the offensive end.
One of the 2024 draft's true tough stay-or-go calls, Karaban chose to remain at UConn and pursue a third championship rather than turn pro. His outstanding feel, catch-and-shoot ability and on-court intelligence makes him a pivotal player for the Huskies, and the type of player who is capable of adding value without needing the ball much. While not an exceptional run-jump athlete, Karaban is also a defender who uses his size (6-8, 220) and anticipation to his advantage.
He has a number of fans already in NBA front offices who will likely be interested in drafting him in a year and it will be curious to see if UConn expands his role on the offensive end.
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Can our three top nba prospects all start? Hell yes assuming stew can guard opposing wings. At 6’7 205 he’s the ideal size for an nba wing so he needs to show he’s athletic enough to do it. Ideally you want your five best players on the floor as much as possible.
Starters:
Mahaney / Stew / McNeeley / AK / Harris
Bench:
Diarra / Nowell / Ball / Ross / Johnson
Starters:
Mahaney / Stew / McNeeley / AK / Harris
Bench:
Diarra / Nowell / Ball / Ross / Johnson
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Huskyforlife
Akokbouk
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I think we’ll see that lineup for stretches. But Diarra still starts.
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For each of Stewart, Ball, Mahaney and McNeeley to be happy with their minutes, Mahaney is going to have to show that he can play the 1 more effectively than Diarra and Newell. Maybe that will happen, but there is a good chance it won’t. And the fight for minutes at the 2/3 is going to be absolutely brutal.This one just has 10 names to know, McNeeley in there, and 10 more names to know, Karaban in there.
Liam McNeeley, UConn Huskies
Flagg’s teammate at Montverde Academy in Florida, McNeeley could follow in the footsteps of Jordan Hawkins, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan as lottery picks out of UConn. He may not have the scoring upside of other top picks in this draft class, but he’s a complete player with the size, shooting ability and defensive chops to be a valuable piece from the day he steps into the NBA. He’s perhaps the best three-point shooter in the class, is a very good perimeter defender and always seems to make the right play. His high IQ and positional versatility should be a perfect fit in UConn’s offensive scheme.
2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg Headlines Talented Upcoming Class
The 10 names to know heading into the 2025 draft cycle include a pair of players headed to Rutgers.
I would not be surprised if we play the first half of the year with no one but Karaban getting more than 24 minutes a game, before figuring out who we’re really going to be relying on in the post-season and having folks disappointed with their minutes. And the bar for Newell to get into the lineup more than Stewart and Ball did last year is going to be set really, really high.
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Jaylin Stewart getting NBA Draft hype after averaging just 9 minutes per game is pretty amazing.
Each Championship team has featured a sophomore that made an incredible leap. 2023 was Hawk. 2024 was Karaban. I expect Stewart to be that sophomore breakout next season.
Each Championship team has featured a sophomore that made an incredible leap. 2023 was Hawk. 2024 was Karaban. I expect Stewart to be that sophomore breakout next season.
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It's the Hurley effect. Under a normal development plan, guys like Stewart and Solo would be considered solid rotation pieces. Under Dan Hurley's system, it's expected that they contend for all conference spots and NBA draft picks
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With 3 2/3s on the floor at all times: Karaban, Stewart, Ball, Mahaney, McNeeley and Ross share 120 minutes.
Karaban gets 30, Stewart 20, Mahaney 20, Ball 20, McNeeley 20. That leaves 10 for Ross or all of them fighting for the remaining 10.
Imagine this UConn problem, who wins this game?
Samson
Karaban
Mahaney
Ball
Hassan
vs.
Tarris
Stewart
McNeeley
Ross
Nowell
Isaiah Abraham is there too!
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I made this very point before. This team is 10 deep, and may be 11 deep if Ross takes the next step. I am surprised to see NBA overnight on Stewart after barely playing last year. This probably means I was wrong to think that some of you are over rating him. But I am equally surprised to see no love for Ball, who looked great while Castle was out early last year. And I will die on this hill: Abraham is going to shock a lot of people....next year!!! Give me a dude who rebounds and plays superior D.
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It'll be a fun puzzle to solve.
IMO, Johnson/Reed (5) and Nowell (1) are the only guys with distinct positions while everyone else in our rotation can play multiple positions. However, no matter who's on the court, the ball will move smoothly and, considering his wrap as a defensively-minded coach, I was shocked how beautiful the halfcourt offense looked last season. It's honestly the most aesthetically UConn has played ever.
Working on my UConn roster preview, as we speak!
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I don't think Stewart, McNeeley and AK can start togethert. One of Stewart or McNeeley has gotta sit for Diarra. Not enough ballhandling.
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that was my thinking for the past 2+ months but if stew is going to live up to a first round projection as an NBA wing then he needs to: 1) defend opposing Gs/Ws and 2) handle the ball competently.
stew is smaller than i thought. 6'7 205 is SG/SF size in the nba so he needs to show off his guard skills. i thought he was like 6'8 215 and a tweener SF/PF.
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Agree with you but if or when an opportunity for Small Ball presents itself with AK at the 5.. And with two ball handlers on the floor like Diarra and/or Mahaney and/or Ball and/or Nowell.. Could be an explosive offensive lineup. Lots of flexibility for Dan based on matchups and game situation with Stewart/McNeeley/AK
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I'd be shocked if he's getting any minutes at SG. I don't think it's good for the team or for him individually for his NBA hopes
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I think we’d see McNeeley at the 2 well before JStew
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That is my point as to how we’re likely to start the season. And that it’s going to be a Herculean task to keep Steward, McNeeley, Ball and Mahaney happy being on the bench half the game.
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I'd be concerned if they would be unhappy being on the bench half the game, considering that only the 5 starters last year played over 20 minutes per game. Same is true of the 2023 team
Karaban and one of Samson/Reed are locks for the starting 5. So everyone except 3 other guys will likely spend around half the game on the bench, unless Hurley starts going 9-10 deep. I'm sure this was part of the agreement when Hurley was recruiting them
He hasn’t done anything to warrant being drafted yet. Was basically a bench piece once castle was full strength. He has plenty of talent but played tentatively and scared last year. I think he will need 2 more years to be NBA ready.