Big Board 3.0: The Race for No. 1 Is Over, but the Draft Is Just Getting Started
Breaking down my Top 25 prospects with full transparency—what I love, my concerns, and how the 2025 NBA Draft class is shaping up.
We’re now in the middle of February, the trade deadline has passed, and All-Star Weekend is here. While some teams are still battling for playoff positioning or a shot at the Play-In Tournament, others have shifted their focus toward the top of the lottery and what is shaping up to be a strong 2025 NBA Draft class. I’ll be honest—this class isn’t quite as strong as I initially expected heading into the season. But it’s still a deep, talented group with several prospects who have seemingly come out of nowhere to emerge as potential first-round picks, while some highly touted freshmen have seen their draft stock take a hit.
My top three remains unchanged, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ freshman duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey leading the way. But in my eyes, the real intrigue starts at No. 4.
Of course, this list is fluid, and evaluations will continue to shift leading up to draft night. But here is Part 1 of my Top 75 prospects—starting with my Top 25—where I’ll be fully transparent about each player, breaking down what I like and voicing my concerns, whether they’re minor or significant. This is simply my honest assessment of where things stand as of now.
1. Cooper Flagg
Duke
Freshman
Combo Forward
6’9” | 205
Age on draft night: 18.5
Big Board 2.0 Rank: 1
Cooper Flagg has been as good as advertised—but to be honest, he’s been even better than I expected. He currently leads Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and you can see the steady improvements he’s made to his offensive game throughout the season. Flagg has consistently shown up in big games, delivering on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s been dominant, but it’s his offensive versatility, competitive fire, athleticism, and skill set that have truly stood out. The fact that he came into the season with immense hype and has not only met but exceeded expectations—while leading Duke to a 21-3 record—is a testament to just how good he actually is.