2025 NBA Draft Top 100 Rankings: The Final Big Board (And Some Hot Takes)
Okay, let’s be real—the 2025 NBA Draft is basically here. Like, days away. And man, the buzz around this year’s class? Insane. We’ve spent months picking apart the top prospects, but here’s the thing: the last few weeks have turned everything upside down. Late risers crashing the top 10, “sure thing” lottery picks suddenly looking shaky—this draft’s got more drama than a reality TV show. So here’s my take on the biggest surprises, where Duke and Rutgers guys land (because, let’s face it, everyone’s obsessed with them), and my final Top 100 big board before the big event on June 25-26.
Top 10 Shakeups: Who’s Up, Who’s Down
The Guys Nobody Saw Coming
Player A: Three months ago, scouts had him pegged as a mid-lottery guy. Now? Dude’s practically glued to the top three. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why—his combine numbers were stupid good, and that 42% from three in workouts? Yeah, GMs are sweating over that.
Player B: This one’s wild. Before March, he was a “maybe” first-rounder. Then he drops 30 in the Tournament, and bam—top-7 talk. One East Coast scout put it perfectly: “He’s exactly what teams want now: a guy who can guard three positions and still knock down shots.”
The Fallers (And Why It Matters)
Meanwhile, two guys who were top-10 locks? Not so much anymore. One’s got teams spooked over medicals (always a red flag), and the other just… didn’t show up in workouts. Classic case of “workout warriors” vs. “game players,” you know?
The International Wild Card
Then there’s this 19-year-old French kid who came out of nowhere into the top 5. Generational playmaker, they’re saying. Which, sure—but let’s remember how that worked out for some past “generational” Euro prospects. *cough* Darko *cough*
Duke vs. Rutgers: The Prospect Showdown
Duke’s Dynamic Duo
Player 1: Blue Devils’ point guard, top-5 lock. Some scout actually compared him to CP3 in terms of passing, which… okay, that’s a lot. But the tempo control? That’s real.
Player 2: Big man who went nuts in March. Late lottery now, mostly because he suddenly learned to shoot (37% from three last 15 games). And that 7’4″ wingspan? Yeah, that helps.
Rutgers’ Dark Horses
Player 3: Nobody cared about this guy in January. Now? Potential top-8 pick because he’s 6’9″ and switches like prime Mikal Bridges. A GM actually called him “this year’s Bridges,” which—if true—some team’s getting a steal.
Player 4: Deep sleeper alert: 40-inch vert, improved handles, could go 20-30. The kind of pick that makes fans go “who?” now and “why didn’t we take him?!” later.
The Full Big Board: Lottery to Late Picks
Lottery (1-14)
Top three’s still messy, but it’s basically the French kid, Player A, and some Kentucky scorer who never misses. Picks 4-14? Choose your own adventure: high-risk/high-reward projects or safe rotation guys.
First Round Gems (15-30)
Keep an eye on the Gonzaga stretch-four at 17—”unicorn potential” is getting thrown around, which usually means either superstar or bust. And the Miami guard at 22? Someone said he’s got “Dame vibes,” which… let’s pump the brakes.
Second-Round Steals (31-60)
March Madness hero at 35 (23 years old, so… mature?), plus some raw Big Ten center at 48 who might be Giannis or might be out of the league in two years.
Deep Cuts (61-100)
G League guys, overseas stash picks—like this Serbian big at 72 who passes like Jokic (but, you know, probably isn’t Jokic).
What You Need to Know About This Class
Good: Guards. So many guards. Like, 8-10 future starters deep. And international talent? Five of the top 20.
Bad: Big men outside the lottery? Basically nonexistent. Only two true centers are first-round locks.
Juicy Subplot: Spurs have picks 4 and 8—could jumpstart their rebuild. And OKC’s sitting pretty with 12, 24, and 30. Sam Presti loves his draft picks more than his morning coffee.
How to Watch (And What to Expect)
When: June 25 (First Round) & June 26 (Second Round)
Where: ABC (first night) and ESPN (both)
Streaming: ESPN App, NBA League Pass
Buckle up for Woj bombs, trade rumors, and at least one “wait, they took WHO?!” moment. It’s tradition.
Final Thoughts
No clear-cut superstar? Maybe. But this draft’s deep, unpredictable, and honestly—kind of fun. Between Player A’s rise, Duke doing Duke things, and Rutgers crashing the lottery party, June’s gonna be wild. So who’s your sleeper pick? Let the arguments begin.
Source: ESPN – News
