Under-the-Radar Lob Threats for the 2025 NBA Draft
From Rim-Runners to Game-Changers: Why Miles Rubin, James Scott, and William Kyle Should Be High on NBA Radars
As I deep-dived through film in search of under-the-radar sleepers, I focused on prospects who fit a coveted archetype—players whose impact might not always show up in traditional stats but could earn early rotation minutes in the NBA. While the league features a variety of big men ranging from low-post scorers to versatile inside-outside threats like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert, every roster needs an athletic lob threat to space the floor vertically.
In today’s NBA, vertical lob threats are crucial to maximizing offensive efficiency. Just as elite shooters stretch defenses horizontally, vertical spacers force opponents to defend the air above the rim. This type of spacing creates unique challenges, as a well-timed lob can transform a simple pick-and-roll into an easy bucket, forcing defenders to choose between protecting the rim or covering the perimeter. With passing skills at an all-time high, the strategic use of vertical threats is driving an unprecedented number of alley-oops, adding a new dimension to modern offenses.
These bigs may not space the floor traditionally, but their ability to absorb defenders with rim dives opens up opportunities for shooters and playmakers. They expand playbooks by always being an option for a lob over the top, creating a dynamic that reshapes defensive priorities. For these reasons, having a vertical lob threat is an essential element in today’s game.
With that in mind, let’s look at some under-the-radar 2025 NBA draft prospects who can bring this unique vertical dimension to an offense.
Miles Rubin
Loyola-Chicago
Sophomore
Center
6’10” | 210
Miles Rubin is an intriguing sophomore prospect out of Loyola Chicago who, despite his impressive size and athleticism, entered college rated as just a three-star recruit. His recruitment saw offers primarily from mid-major programs like Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, DePaul, Akron, and Loyola-Chicago.