UConn/2025 NBA Draft

[aceboon]

looking way ahead but a couple of notes for the 2025 NBA draft from ESPN/Draftexpress, Jaylin and Alex were noted as some of the top returning college players to watch, and from their big board Liam is #10, Jaylin #30, Alex #34

Early 2025 NBA mock draft: Meet the contenders for the No. 1 pick, top returning players

Next year's draft class is lining up to be loaded with star power, including Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg and Airious Bailey. Let's project the order.

www.espn.com

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.

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.

 

[aceboon]

CBS big board, Liam @ #8, Alex @ #23, why was Liam "semi-polarizing"?

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

www.cbssports.com

 

[Matrim55]

CBS big board, Liam @ #8, Alex @ #23, why was Liam "semi-polarizing"?

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

www.cbssports.com

Because there's a train of thought that he's just another Doug McDermott or Duncan Robinson -- a movement shooter who can't defend and will get played off the floor by the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs.

I suspect that assessment is wrong.

 

[TheHorde]

So if 2024 was a “weak” draft class and 2025 is expected to be a “strong” draft class, why would Alex be ranked 34th? And then be considered “old” by then?

 

[ctbro1999]

I really believe Ball is gonna have a breakout season this year and will put himself in 1st round consideration in next year's draft.

 

[Waquoit]

I really believe Ball is gonna have a breakout season this year and will put himself in 1st round consideration in next year's draft.

You're not alone. I don't see it yet, I have more confidence in JStew making the leap. Then again, I didn't expect Hawkins to explode the way he did as a soph.

 

[aceboon]

Sam Vecenie posted his 2025 top 60 big board today on The Athletic

8. Liam McNeeley | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut​

It’s hard to find a better scheme and talent fit than McNeeley heading to Connecticut. He’s a 6-foot-6 sniper from distance, arguably the best shooter in the 2024 recruiting class. After Cam Spencer and Jordan Hawkins exploded within Dan Hurley’s scheme over the last two years, it’s easy to envision McNeeley as the next person in line to be the movement shooter that thrives in UConn’s offense. McNeeley is an extremely impressive mover without the ball and has a high basketball IQ that showcases itself on both ends. He knows how to find open areas behind the 3-point line, as well as curl off of screens and find the space the defense gives him. McNeeley has every chance to be a one-and-done pick in the same vein as Gradey Dick was back in 2023.

19. Alex Karaban | 6-8 wing | 22 years old | Connecticut​

Karaban declared for the 2024 draft went down to the wire with his decision but ultimately decided to return to Connecticut. I had a first-round grade on him had he stayed in the draft, as he’s a consummate professional who helps his teams win when he’s on the court. He’s an excellent off-ball defender with size who cuts off angles with his 7-foot wingspan and sharp anticipation. On the ball, he can guard 3s and 4s effectively. Offensively, he’s an excellent shooter who has nailed 39 percent of his 3s over his two years in college, seasons where he started 77 of 78 games for the Huskies as they won back-to-back national titles. He’s also an excellent off-ball mover and cutter. He looks like a decade-long NBA rotation player as long as his jumper continues to fall. Any growth that he shows this season with the ball in his hands would be icing on the cake.

 

[ToolzieFan]

So if 2024 was a “weak” draft class and 2025 is expected to be a “strong” draft class, why would Alex be ranked 34th? And then be considered “old” by then?

The alleged weakness of the 2024 draft class is all about the perceived lack of talent at the top. There are very few rookies expected to start this year, and there aren’t players considered to be likely All-NBA talents, even though several players will of course exceed expectations (hopefully ours). From Vecenie’s 2025 mock draft referenced in this thread:

NBA executives are much more enthusiastic about this one than the 2024 version. Simply put, the talent at the top of this draft is drastically better. There are at least five players in this class who would have been taken No. 1 in the 2024 NBA Draft had they been eligible.

Also:
In that vein, this list is not meant to be read in a specific order outside of the top five. Consider it more of a watch list or a guide to peruse as we go through the start of this process.

2025 NBA mock draft: Cooper Flagg is the prize, but entire class is intriguing

 

[Kenny11]

Because there's a train of thought that he's just another Doug McDermott or Duncan Robinson -- a movement shooter who can't defend and will get played off the floor by the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs.

I suspect that assessment is wrong.

Yeah. That is a strange assessment. I am not much of a high school scout but he appears to be very advanced with the ball, passing, driving etc

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Because there's a train of thought that he's just another Doug McDermott or Duncan Robinson -- a movement shooter who can't defend and will get played off the floor by the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs.

I suspect that assessment is wrong.

There’s no way he’ll leave here not knowing how to play defense.