April 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Roundtable
The No Ceilings crew gathers together for a roundtable on the state of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The NBA playoffs are well underway, and the NCAA Tournament is now officially in the rearview mirror as the transfer portal is set ablaze. While plenty of basketball fans around the world are tuned in to the action in the NBA and other professional leagues, other fans are looking ahead to where some of the top prospects in the world might end up practicing their craft next season.
It’s been a while since we’ve called the banners for the No Ceilings crew to put together a roundtable, but there has been seismic activity in the draft space with the early entry deadline passing and 106 players keeping their names on that early entry list. With that in mind, we gathered the group to discuss some of the recent shifts and how they might impact the 2025 NBA Draft. With that in mind, here are our answers to five questions about the current state of the draft world.
Enjoy, No Ceilings family!
1. Which player has been the biggest riser on your board in the past month?
Rucker: This is Illinois freshman Will Riley for me. I’ve been patient with wanting to get caught up on some prospects who I thought would require a lengthier evaluation than others. One of those that I targeted was Riley, as I expected the youth was going to lead to a rollercoaster of some ups and downs. The highs are THAT impressive for Riley. He’s a lengthy wing with tremendous size and fluidity, but the physical frame just hasn’t come around yet. Still, when Riley is cooking, you’ve got a gorgeous multi-level scoring option with fun potential. Riley off the bounce impressed me more than I was expecting, and yes…there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. But for a player who is still so extremely young in his development, there’s an awesome foundation of tools to groom. He’d be a player I’d be trying to get a hold of, especially if my team had multiple swings in the first round.
Stephen: I would have to go with Kon Knueppel. I feel like Kon has been one of only a few players who showed consistent growth throughout the season, and that really showed on my film dive. His ability to do work with the ball wasn’t something I was the most confident in when watching his high school / early Duke film. Watching him during the latter part of the year–particularly when Cooper Flagg was out–I was impressed with his overall game. I’m still concerned with his size and defense to a degree, but he showed me enough to have him within my Top 10.
Metcalf: This is easily Bogolub Markovic for me. A month ago, I didn’t really get it with Markovic at all. Seeing him in person at Hoop Summit, though, completely changed my impression of him. In person, his physicality, decision making, communication, playmaking, and shooting pop so much more than on tape. Previously, I didn’t think he was that intriguing of a prospect or much more than a late second round flyer at best. Now, I’d be shocked if he fell outside of the Top 40-45, and think that he has a legitimate chance to sneak into the end of the first round.
Rowan: It was a long time coming, but Walter Clayton Jr. has risen up comfortably into my first round range at this point in the cycle. Part of that is attrition by players in his range before on my board, but the bigger part of my evaluation came from just how darn good Clayton Jr. was in delivering Florida the 2025 NCAA title. He showed the kind of moxie, clutchness, and confidence that guards need at the NBA level, which, along with his stellar shooting, makes him a player who will almost certainly hear his name called in June.
Nathan: Kon Knueppel improved the back half of the season, even from when I saw him at Madison Square Garden against Illinois in February. I still have all of the defensive questions, but Knueppel’s offensive package is too much to ignore. He’s balanced, poised, and strong inside the arc. Knueppel makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands, physically imposes his will against other guards, and makes all of the hustle plays NBA teams want to see. I find it difficult not to consider him as a legitimate option after the fourth pick in the draft.
Nick: I wrote about him in my most recent article so it feels a bit like cheating, but Bogoljub Markovic is the clear winner for me in this category. I was skeptical about his place in the NBA in terms of his defense and athleticism, but the combination of a deeper dive into his film and seeing him show out in person at Nike Hoop Summit won me over. The defense was much better than I expected, and I fully expect the shot to translate.
2. Which player has been the biggest faller on your board in the past month?
Rucker: Liam McNeeley for me. I came into the year a little cool on McNeeley, then started to talk myself into the “idea” of him. That quickly has cooled off again, and McNeeley’s end-of-the-season stretch just hasn't helped out. If you’re getting McNeeley, you’re hoping he can develop into a consistent floor spacer who can make winning plays on both sides of the ball. He’s on my list to do a full deep dive on, just because this is the time of year in which any prospect who leaves me puzzled gets a further level of evaluation. At the moment, though, McNeeley has me questioning the defensive side of the ball as well as the outside shot. Right now, he seems like a late first round flier who you hope fits like a glove with your roster (which is still very possible!), rather than anything more than that.
Stephen: This won’t be a popular opinion, but I came away a little underwhelmed in my Ben Saraf’s film dive. I worry a bit about his strength and finishing at the next level. His ability to create his own shot doesn’t instill a lot of confidence. He does have decent shooting numbers overall, but the majority come from open looks. I do like his handle and vision–and maybe his height helps to cover up some of his blemishes–but I worry that he won’t be able to score or defend enough to stay on the floor right now.
Metcalf: Unfortunately, this is Boogie Fland for me. I still love his game long term, especially his playmaking, defense, and I buy the shot. The more and more I think about his at-rim finishing, though, the more scared I get. His rim pressure and finishing numbers are shockingly awful. We’ve always known that he needs to get a lot stronger, but that isn’t the only issue when the numbers are that bad. I’d still consider him as a late first rounder, but there are some really concerning indicators—no matter how much I enjoy his process.
Rowan: At this stage, with so many players choosing not to be part of the 2025 class, this section needs an asterisk, but I’ll go with Drake Powell. It’s not because I don’t see his long-term potential; I still love the physical tools, athleticism in transition, and his overall defensive mindset. I do think that he would’ve, however, benefited from another year in college to showcase his skillset. Thus, he’s probably going to be a second round pick despite the potential to fulfill his previous first round pedigree.
Nathan: I’m getting more time back to check in on overseas prospects, and I do have more questions than answers for Noah Penda. He falls into a category of prospect I’ve misevaluated before in terms of being more physically ready for the demanding asks of the NBA. Is he quick enough to create advantages on both sides of the ball? If he can’t shoot, how valuable is he to a team’s rotation? If his offensive game as a whole is going to take time to come around outside of cutting and transition finishes, does a team want to spend premium capital to take that chance? He’s slid from a Top 20 selection to closer to Top 35-40 at this point in the process.
Nick: This one is a bit tougher, but I might have bumped Alex Condon up a bit too high on my board in the previous edition, and his disappearing act offensively, even as Florida romped to the National Championship, left me a bit wary. I’m still in on Condon–I’d just hoped for a more convincing end to his season to continue to rocket up boards, instead of a quiet showing amid injury that made it easier for the doubts to creep in.
3. Every prospect goes through ups and downs on the court. Sometimes, a hot streak is a run of good luck; other times, it’s sustainable growth. Which prospect whose stock is on the rise stood out to you? Is it real, or a mirage?
Rucker: I think the Walter Clayton Jr. hype train is real. Clayton was the darling of the NCAA tournament as Florida went on to win the NCAA championship. But, some always wonder if it’s just a player getting hot at the perfect time, or if Clayton deserved the hype. After going back and watching Clayton’s film, he’s absolutely been worth the buzz. There’s some magician-like ability when it comes to his ability as a shooter. Clayton can get his shot off from a wide range of angles, and he can be off balance, moving, navigating disastrous traffic jams, it doesn’t matter. There’s some legit bucket-getting weaponry in his game. Offensively, he’s what you’d love to get at the end of the first round for a playoff-contending team. However, who says he makes it that far…
Stephen: I don’t know if I’ve seen any other stock rise like I’ve seen with Bogoljub Markovic. According to the latest $DRFT Rankings done on March 27th, consensus barely had him in the Top 50. Fast forward to Hoop Summit, and Markovic is getting discussed as a potential first rounder. Honestly, I don’t know what to make of it–nor how to weigh the performance of a player in a professional league having a good outing against high schoolers. Where did the concerns go? He is going to be at the top of my list for further analysis. Count me skeptical until the film shows me otherwise.
Metcalf: Kon Knueppel has been getting a lot of love recently, and my only reaction to that is, welcome to the party. Knueppel has been a Top 10 guy for me essentially all season, and I think the hype is very real. Now that people are diving into some of the nuances of his game, his consensus stock is rightfully rising. He isn’t a perfect prospect, but his passing, strength, and footwork make him much more than just the shooter some tried to sell him as.
Rowan: I’m buying the buzz on Joan Beringer, despite the late arrival of that buzz in the pre-draft season. Better late than never, as some philosopher once said, as Beringer is one of the most intriguing high-risk, high-reward toolsy bigs in the class. There are some shots that only Beringer and his long reach can get to with his standout athleticism, and with so much untapped potential, I’m in on his development being a big story once this draft is all said and done.
Nathan: Lately, there has been some fun buzz about Egor Demin already starting to impress in workouts with his shooting ability. He started the year much closer to the top of the draft than the middle or late first round. A slide took place throughout the season because of questions, rightly warranted, about his ability to score the basketball in the halfcourt if his outside shot wasn’t falling. Still, there’s far too much talent to pass on if he can connect on jumpers at a respectable clip. Physical development will have to take place over the next few years, but Demin has innate feel that you can’t teach, which is especially enticing given his positional size on the perimeter.
Nick: I’m with Rowan on the Joan Beringer train. Now is a good time for international prospects to stand out, with the NCAA slate all wrapped up, and Beringer appears to be this year’s biggest beneficiary of that scheduling quirk. Big men with his rare athletic tools are coveted for a reason, and Beringer could entice a number of teams with patience to draft-and-stash him earlier than might have been anticipated even a month ago.
4. On the flip side, even the best prospects go through cold spells. One of our favorite sayings at No Ceilings (courtesy of Tyler Rucker) is “it just takes time.” Which prospect are you being patient with this month?
Rucker: Khaman Maluach. I will not go down without a fight. We’re going to figure this out, and I don’t care if it takes me up until 2 AM the night before the draft.
Stephen: I’m going to go with Boogie Fland on this one. Boogie was a top recruit coming out of school, and committed to an Arkansas team that didn’t really hit their stride until the later portion of the season. That’s when Fland was out with an injury to his UCL. There was a lot of ambiguity as to whether or not he would play again. Once Arkansas was invited to the Big Dance, word came that Boogie would be back. Even on his return, he was just “okay”. But, watching him move and work on film…I just can’t give up on him. Are there red flags? Yes. Is there also reason to write this season off to chemistry and injury? Also, yes. Sometimes, a draft class gives you reason to have to rely more on the high school film as opposed to a partial college sample; see Peyton Watson and Shaedon Sharpe. I feel Boogie is the next one up.
Metcalf: I just can’t quit Labaron Philon yet. I’m fascinated to see how his predraft process goes, because he has a massive red flag in a very important aspect of his game: shooting. When you watch Philon play, his tape screams Top 10 pick. Then he takes a jumper, and you question everything you know. I can’t wait for more intel and shooting developments with him. If things start trending in the right direction, he could see a massive rise up boards as we near the draft. The very realistic flip side, though, is that his stock is still very much in jeopardy if the shot continues to struggle.
Rowan: Consider this my extended patience with Nolan Traore. I wrote about him recently, and while he still is having the same type of season I detailed in my article, I’m still on board with his talent. Traore is one of the younger point guards in the world leading his team in the way that he does, and while his shooting and defense still need a bunch of work, he’s remained on a developmental pathway that makes me bullish about his role at the NBA.
Nathan: I continue to maintain patience and buy stock in Arizona’s Carter Bryant. His end to the season went a bit quiet into the night, but the measurables and approach stood out to me on tape. Powerful frame for a modern-day forward, Bryant’s demeanor as a defense-first player is backed up by his shooting touch and underrated half-court playmaking. If he’s able to hit open threes, switch across multiple positions, and move the ball effectively, that’s everything the league is looking for. He’s the strongest upside play on the board in the mid-late lottery despite not having an overwhelmingly impressive resume in terms of counting stats and totals.
Nick: I think this is mostly because he still baffles me, but I’m remaining patient with Liam McNeeley. I really do buy into his shot, and his defense is good enough that I’m comfortable with McNeeley having a pretty high floor as a contributor on both ends of the court. I’m still struggling to wrap my mind around just how bad his finishing was, but the combination of mid-season injury and weird fit makes it easy for me to stay patient and hope to see a better version of McNeeley in the NBA.
5. Which prospect’s decision are you most surprised by re: the early entrant deadline?
Rucker: Little combo answer for me. Drake Powell and Karter Knox at first. But after seeing some of the names in, I also believe these are two players who could surprise us with some momentum up boards. There’s a legit chance for the second round of this draft to look completely different in a month than what we are expecting. Guys like Knox and Powell, who were big-time recruits out of high school and struggled this year, could start to skyrocket up boards with a solid pre-draft process. For the same reason, though, other names who might have been “on the fence” could be even more inclined to stay in.
Stephen: I would say Tyrese Proctor’s decision to 100% stay in this draft was pretty bold. The majority of boards don’t have him in the first round, so it kind of feels like Proctor is fine with going as a second rounder. With the way money is being thrown around in college basketball, I would imagine there would be more guaranteed money by staying another year and continuing to work on his game. That said, I respect any player betting on themselves. Who knows? Depending on who withdraws from the draft, maybe he can find his way into the back half of the first round.
Metcalf: Karter Knox was a pleasant surprise for me. I enjoyed the vast majority of his tape all year, and his numbers steadily improved. His baseline of shooting and defense gives him an encouraging floor. If teams are confident in his development potential, it won’t be shocking if (when) he announces that he’s staying in the draft.
Rowan: I’ll join in the chorus of voices that are surprised by Alex Karaban’s decision not to enter the 2025 NBA draft. This year didn’t see the bump that Karaban might have expected at UCONN, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. With great shooting and connective wing play, I’d have certainly looked at Karaban as a top-60 prospect in a draft class with dwindling numbers. Instead, he’ll be the veteran backbone of another great UCONN team and get another crack at his breakout season for the 2026 NBA draft.
Nathan: I’m a bit surprised that Isaiah Evans is returning to Duke this quickly in the process despite declaring as an early entrant. Yes, he physically needs to fill out his lean frame to better handle himself defensively on the wing. However, he has an NBA-ready skill set in terms of shooting basketball, which provides him with opportunities that some rookies who aren’t as offensively tilted may not have, depending on the situation in which they’d be drafted. If I were a scout for an NBA franchise, I’d want Evans in my building to fast-track the developmental process, cement a plan in place for his physical improvement, and find ways to put the ball in his hands and let him get reps. To Evans’s credit, though, he may very well have a runway to a lottery selection in 2026 should everything break right for the young wing.
Nick: I was quite surprised by Drake Powell ending up declaring and fully committing to the 2025 NBA Draft. While he showed plenty of flashes during his one year at North Carolina, I was fully expecting him to go back for another year to try to guarantee himself a place in the first round instead of going all-in on getting drafted.