2025 NBA Draft Superlatives
With the 2025 NBA Draft now officially in the books, the No Ceilings crew hands out their Draft Superlatives.
The 2025 NBA Draft is now officially in the books, after a wild two-day affair that saw a lot of surprises after a relatively expected start. Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were the headliners, as expected, but there were plenty of intriguing fits and trades galore as teams positioned themselves for the future.
We here at No Ceilings have had a ton of fun all year long with this draft class. Now, though, it’s time to put a bow on it before we move on to the next crop of prospects. We have a way-too-early 2026 Mock Draft for all of you later today. Before that, it’s time for our 2025 NBA Draft superlatives.
1. Who was the biggest “riser” of the draft?
Jam: It’s difficult to go with anyone other than Hansen Yang, who was largely expected to be selected in the second round, not just outside the lottery at #16. Although he’s equipped with an enticing mix of size, skill, and feel, there are real questions about his limited athleticism and defensive value. Yang is a major upside swing for a Blazers team that’s still figuring out its identity and foundation.
Maxwell: To avoid further Hansen Yang slander, I’ll go with Drake Powell. I loved him coming into the year. At no point during this season did I think, “this guy HAS to be a first round pick.” He went ahead of a lot of guys who I felt much better about. Still, I see the vision even if I don’t necessarily believe in it. I worry about his handle and the jumper mechanics; however, he competes, has long arms, finishes with authority, moves the ball just fine, and takes open jumpers.
Stephen: Not gonna get cute here–it’s Hansen Yang. I know some other folks on the crew have said this as well, but Yang could yield some Top 20 value in this class, despite your laughter. The CBA is such an unorthodox league to scout, but so is the NBL and OTE. Standouts have emerged from both of those leagues, despite efficiency and defensive concerns. When it comes to scouting those unconventional leagues, you have to focus on traits. Yang has ‘em. Huge, smart, aptitude–all qualities Hansen has shown throughout his young basketball career. Everyone would have laughed at Denver if they took Jokic at 16…
Metcalf: YANG GANG. Let’s mix it up, though, and go with a DEEP cut: Taelon Peter. The 6’4” guard from Liberty is a gunner. He has awesome shooting numbers, isn’t shy about putting up shots, has solid dunk numbers, and doesn’t do much else. He wasn’t on most boards, but he has some awesome numbers—big win for the analytics community.
Rowan: While Hansen Yang is the clear #1, let’s not discount the emergence of Jeremiah Fears either. He wasn’t a popular name after his reclass, but his domination on the ball for Oklahoma was undeniable. He’ll have a lot of room to develop in New Orleans without feeling as much defensive focus as he had for the Sooners, which should help him stay on his developmental ascent.
Nathan: To avoid saying Hansen Yang for the 20th time, I’m going to go with another player who rose quite a bit from preseason all the way to draft night. Walter Clayton Jr. was not on any preseason draft boards, yet turned himself into the 18th pick in the draft after turning in a stellar season at Florida. His combination of shooting, on-ball defense, and playmaking solidified him as one of the most sought-after guards in the draft. The Utah Jazz have some logjam to figure out in the backcourt, but there isn’t another guy on the roster quite like Clayton, who has a winning pedigree, competitive motor, and real skill. He’s one of my favorite picks in this year’s draft.
Nick: Hansen Yang is going to be a popular pick here, but he’s a popular pick for a reason. While his immense size, passing skills, and fluidity in the post are certainly intriguing, this was a shocker of a pick this high in the draft. Portland moved back in the draft and might have been able to move back further and still get their guy, though reported interest from Brooklyn might have convinced the Trail Blazers to make the swing here. Even with that interest from the Nets in mind, this was the biggest stunner on both nights.
Rucker: I’m going with Cedric Coward. Coming into the season, there was some hope that Coward could become an intriguing sleeper who could creep into early second round conversations. After a couple of games into the 2024-25 NCAA season, Coward looked like a guy who could make some noise in the first round with a strong rest of the year. After a season-ending shoulder injury, Coward’s stock remained a mystery. Then, a strong pre-draft process saw him turn into a lottery pick. From D-III to the lottery: what an awesome story.
2. Who was the biggest “faller” of the draft?
Jam: Danny Wolf. A projected Top 20 pick with a real chance at the lottery, Wolf fell to the 27th selection via the final of five first rounders by the Nets. The appeal of a dribble-pass-shot big with feel like Wolf aligns with the modern NBA offensive skill set that all teams would love to have. Maybe it was the concern over his turnovers, perceived need for high usage to be effective, or his lack of vertical pop. Whatever the reason, Wolf should have the opportunity to see significant minutes for Brooklyn this season and begin to show that his draft slide was a mistake.
Maxwell: I really liked Noah Penda, and I was surprised to see him fall to the second round. I get it—the lack of athleticism and shaky shooting results are scary. Time and time again, though, the most valuable role players are proven to be two-way wings. Given Penda’s instincts, passing, and defensive disruption, he has a chance to be one of those dudes. I didn’t get it.
Stephen: Unfortunately, there are a number of players you could go with for this question. I think it’s Rasheer Fleming. Look, I had him 11th on my board, so his falling out of the first round and 20 spots later than I had him broke my heart a little bit. How could NBA teams not value a 6’9”+ hard-nosed defender who shot 37% on over 100 contested threes? Getting him on a second round contract is an absolute steal.
Metcalf: Kasparas Jakucionis falling into the Heat’s lap at 20 is wild to me. Someone always inevitably falls, but Jakucionis is someone I had a Top 10 grade on. He’s a perfect fit in Miami, can do a bit of everything, and is the exact type of person you want to bring into a locker room. I know that Jakucionis had a lot of fans, but it must’ve been a case where he was just perpetually #2 on most boards after a certain point.
Rowan: Count me in on Jakucionis. The length of the season caught up to one of the early season’s freshman stars, which highlighted some of his shooting and athleticism. Still, like it always seems to happen, he fell to the Heat, who have made a habit of letting the board fall to them and being successful. With some defensive improvement, Jakucionis could be the point guard of the Heat’s future.
Nathan: I was pretty surprised that Kasparas Jakucionis fell to 20th, let alone to the Miami Heat. He was a projected lottery talent all year, and we had no intel indicating that there was a fall coming in terms of where he was previously projected. Jakucionis has some questions in terms of his burst attacking and breaking down defenders one-on-one, but he was one of the best pick-and-roll prospects in the class with shooting touch and passing flair as a 6’6” guard. The Heat may have gotten one of the steals of the draft, something it feels like we in the media say every year.
Nick: This is Kasparas Jakucionis for me. I had him eighth on my board, so I did NOT expect him to drop all the way out of the lottery and down to Miami at #20. While there are some concerns about his shooting and athleticism, Jakucionis’s passing and command of the game were worthy of a Top 10 pick in my book. Instead, he slides to Miami and is my instant frontrunner for steal of the draft.
Rucker: Kasparas Jakucionis for me, pretty easily. Coming into this draft, there was an expectation that there could be a bit of a fall for some players in the Top 10. It wasn’t based on talent, but more of some fits could see some other players slide through the cracks. Jakucionis, unfortunately, became the victim of the draft day fall, and he landed in an outstanding spot. He was a Top 10 player for me coming into the draft, and I think Miami Heat fans will be thrilled with his game.
3. Who projects as the best UDFA target given how the draft fell?
Jam: R.J. Luis Jr. I’ve long been a fan and refuse to let his last collegiate game sour his draft stock and evaluation. He’s an athletic and disruptive two-way wing who can defend multiple positions, including at the point of attack, and he can also thrive as a play finisher and slasher. The jumper is inconsistent, but I’m buying his shotmaking prowess and mechanics as indicators of him being able to hit enough threes to keep defenses honest. An easy priority target on a two-way deal.
Maxwell: My answer is Viktor Lakhin, though I’ll acknowledge that he is both currently injured and has a checkered injury track record. If the medicals are clear, though, I’d give him a guaranteed deal. He’s the rare big who can shoot and pass while still protecting the rim defensively, and he’s super fluid laterally. That’s immensely valuable. In the non-injury category, I’ll go with Brice Williams, who is long, smooth, smart, and can shoot.
Stephen: For me, it’s Hunter Sallis. Look, I know his three-point percentage took a fall this year, but Wake Forest went from 40th in team three-point percentage to 359th! That doesn’t fall at the feet of Sallis! Outside of his outside shot, Sallis was just as good–if not better–in the rest of his game. He is a creative ball-handler who can score in a multitude of ways. Some NBA teams have a great opportunity to get a nice look at a scoring option!
Metcalf: There are a lot of good names left, but I’ll just go with my highest remaining player: Lamont Butler. I think he could be this draft’s Scotty Pippen Jr. I love the way Butler defends, he gets to the rim whenever he wants, is an adept playmaker out of those situations, and improved as a low-volume shooter. He’s one of the guys I’d be very happy about potentially growing into a solid backup PG, especially once his shoulder heals and he can put both hands over his head.
Rowan: I’m with Jam on R.J. Luis. He’s a wing who can play on both ends, led his team to a great season through his play on defense, and can do enough with his shot and the ball to be successful. I’ll be curious to see where he lands, as a team could be in line for a big pickup after the chaos of draft night.
Nathan: By my rankings, I’d say Brice Williams was a surprise name to see in the undrafted group. He’s a 6’7” wing shooter who can handle the ball, and he has enough size, length, and strength to offer some form of defensive aptitude. He took on a high-volume role at Nebraska and got better every year in college. An older prospect, I’d still say he has quite the value to get him on a two-way deal.
Nick: My top UDFA choice would be Payton Sandfort. Sure, he had a down year shooting-wise at Iowa, and that’s his main selling point. However, his shooting numbers were much closer to expectations after an ice-cold November. He’s one of the most versatile shooters in the class, able to get up shots off movement, off the dribble, in transition, or spotting up. He has the requisite size at 6’7” to play on the wing; even though his defense is certainly a concern, I’d be willing to buy in on him as a heat-check shooter off the bench for any team with a solid defensive foundation.
Rucker: Ryan Nembhard for me. I think Nembhard has all of the tools to be a “man, we overthought that one” type of prospect. Look, I understand that the size is an obvious question in today’s game. However, Nembhard can flat-out play basketball. He’s one of the best playmakers and table setters in this class. I’m betting on him finding a way to stick.
4. “Ladies and gentlemen, we got him!” Which selection screams best “fit” for its team’s fanbase?
Jam: Cedric Coward fits like a glove in Memphis. After losing an elite shooter and tough defender in a foundational piece like Desmond Bane, Coward enters Grind City as one of the top 3-and-D-plus wings in the draft. Expect him to contribute immediately and eventually develop into a long-term starter on the perimeter alongside Morant and Wells. Credit to GM Zack Kleiman and the front office for identifying and trading up for their man.
Maxwell: I adore the Ace Bailey fit in Utah. Will it work? Maybe not. But it’s a team that’s simultaneously thin at his position, gives him a runway to stardom, and still has enough proven players that you don’t have to dump too much on his plate too soon. I think it’s a great move for everyone involved, even if it’s risky.
Stephen: It’s Cedric Coward for me. For one, Memphis obviously identified the fit–and that’s what matters most–but he is an amazing floor spacer. This keeps driving lanes open for Ja, and doubles minimizes doubles for Triple J. Defensively, he’s no slouch. He’s shown that he can block shots at a rate similar to Khaman Maluach. He is a VERY intentional and determined player, which would be welcomed in Memphis. PLUS, that dude from Target told Chris Vernon that Cedric is the best player in the draft!
Metcalf: Carter Bryant falling to the Spurs at 14 is a match made in heaven. Bryant is an incredible person and a hell of a player. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in this class with fantastic physical tools. Offensively, he should complement the stars perfectly. He is the exact 3-and-D wing that the Spurs needed.
Rowan: I’m more bullish on Kon Knueppel’s fit than most, but it seems like a great place for him to develop at the right pace. The Hornets need players who can space the floor, create off of side actions from LaMelo’s ball pressure, and Knueppel did that with aplomb next to Cooper Flagg this season. Expect that to continue for a Charlotte team that needs an offensive identity.
Nathan: I love Jase Richardson’s fit with the Orlando Magic. I was skeptical of him as a prospect until the very end, but the best way for Jase to return significant value is to put him alongside multiple big wings/forwards that can screen for him in order to unlock his driving game. Richardson is great at getting downhill off ball screens, and he’s an excellent mid-range jump shooter, with a nice floater to boot. Not to mention the Magic have enough size and defensive versatility to insulate him on that side of the ball. This is one of the spots in the NBA where we could see Richardson return more value than expected.
Nick: Carter Bryant to the Spurs caused plenty of eye rolls around the NBA–and plenty of cries of “the Spurs have done it again” in a way that recalls the Spurs of 10 years ago, who could do no wrong in the eyes of the Internet. Still, the pick generated those eye rolls for a reason; Bryant is a great shooter, solid multi-positional defender, and incredible connective piece whose biggest knock in many minds was his relatively small role in comparison to some of the other top picks. That won’t matter for San Antonio, especially with Dylan Harper on board, and Carter Bryant has a better chance to develop into the best version of himself in San Antonio than he would almost anywhere else.
Rucker: Tre Johnson for me, folks. Shout out to my Washington Wizards family. Look, the Wizards are building a team from the ground up. They are taking the long-term approach and chipping away each draft cycle. After an impressive haul last year, the Wizards land one of the best bucket-getting machines in this class. Johnson is a relentless worker who is obsessed with his craft. Pairing a dangerous floor spacer alongside Bub Carrington is a perfect recipe to start cooking with in the kitchen.
5. Which team had the best overall haul of the draft?
Jam: It was practically a flawless victory for Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson and the rest of that front office. Critical needs in their shooting and defense were addressed without reaching or sacrificing upside.
Kon is an elite-level shooter with feel, ball skills, and playmaking upside. McNeely brings that coveted marriage of positional size and shooting. Sion James is a tough and competitive 3-and-D wing with an NBA-ready body who will do whatever it takes to win. Finally, Kalkbrenner, the four-time Big East Player of the Year, instantly gives Charlotte a formidable rim protector and play finisher. As long as the injury bug doesn’t aggressively hit, Charlotte is bound to take a collective leap forward into the playoff mix.
Maxwell: The Dallas Mavericks got Cooper Flagg.
Stephen: It has to be the Charlotte Hornets, right? Kon Knueppel could have been the third pick in the draft, and the Hornets got him with the next pick. Liam McNeeley shot above 40% in high school and played in a tough spot at UConn. Sion James has that built-in chemistry with Knueppel and can be a real 3-and-D guy. Ryan Kalkbrenner had a TON of first round projections, and gives the Hornets some defensive identity. Not a bad way to jumpstart this rebuild!
Metcalf: When you get the best player by far, you get this award. Congrats, Dallas, on stumbling into success.
Rowan: The Spurs walked away with a future cornerstone at guard and forward, which should help their future playoff team around Wemby. Dylan Harper will have to play more off the ball than he has in years, but talent trumps role in this case. Bryant gets to pair with Jeremy Sochan for a tandem of wings that won’t give up many points on the perimeter. Just those two players are enough for me to see them as the biggest winners of the two-day event.
Nathan: I loved what the Utah Jazz did in getting Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. in the first round, but boy, did the Charlotte Hornets turn a corner with solid drafting through both rounds. Getting Kon Knueppel, who was third on my board, and following that selection up with another no-nonsense shooter in Liam McNeeley, who adds rebounding and gets off the ball quickly, was a great get late in the first. Then, to come back on the second day and grab Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner was excellent work by the Hornets front office after the Mark Williams trade. You can see a synergistic element to all of these selections on the perimeter. Shooters that can move the ball, work off other lead handlers, and defend their position at an average to above-average level. And replacing Williams with one of the most experienced big men in the draft was a great move. This ain’t your grandfather’s Charlotte Hornets!
Nick: This is a tough one for me, because I really like what a lot of teams did (shoutout to my favorite team, the Sacramento Kings, who got great value in the Nique Clifford trade and then selected a player at #42 who I had much higher on my personal board in Maxime Raynaud), but I think I have to go with the Charlotte Hornets here. Getting Liam McNeeley at #29 was a steal, and getting Ryan Kalkbrenner at #34 one day after trading away Mark Williams instantly takes some of the sting out of that trade. Kon Knueppel made a ton of sense for them at #4 after VJ Edgecombe went off the board, but my favorite Charlotte selections were the ones they made later in the draft.
Rucker: The Spurs would be the pick for me, but I want to focus on another team here. The Charlotte Hornets: now THAT is how you put together a draft class. Charlotte did a fantastic job in this draft of adding key elements to their roster. They added some great players on the perimeter in Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley in the first round. Then, Charlotte got some legit rotation pieces in Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second. That’s how you add toughness and start to build an identity with your roster. Hornets fans should be thrilled. THIS is how you start taking steps forward with your rebuild.