February 2025 Scouting Roundtable
The No Ceilings crew gathers to discuss some of the biggest 2025 NBA Draft story lines as March Madness approaches.
The buzz around the 2025 NBA Draft is really starting to heat up. As the NBA season winds down and March Madness approaches, the countdown to draft day is continuing to pick up steam.
Plenty of prospects have already staked their claims to be drafted in June before the attention ramps up around the college basketball world. The 2025 NBA Draft class is rounding out as college and international seasons come to a close, but there is still plenty of time for prospects to get on a heater and make their names known before workout season begins.
We here at No Ceilings have been evaluating some of these prospects for many years now, but the end of the year is a good time to reflect on the 2025 NBA Draft landscape before the inevitable shakeup generated by various Cinderella teams and players. Without further ado, here is the No Ceilings crew’s scouting roundtable for February 2025.
1. Which player has been the biggest riser on your board in the past month?
Rowan: Jase Richardson might not have been the biggest riser regarding slots on my draft board, but he elevated himself into a different tier over his past month of play. After a sleepy Big Ten California trip with two losses, Richardson elevated his game immensely, including a 29-point eruption at Oregon and a 21-point elimination at Michigan. While there’s more to his game that could come on as a scorer, I’ve seen enough from Richardson in his limited role at Michigan State to put him comfortably as a first-round draft prospect and one who, despite his youth, could contribute in a specific role to an NBA team sooner than later.
Nick: I was slower to catch on to the Rasheer Fleming hype train than some of my colleagues this draft cycle, but I’m there with the rest of the crew now. His incredible defensive flexibility is intriguing enough on its own, and when paired with his excellent three-point shooting, the offensive baseline is easy to see. He’s been an incredible developmental story over the past three seasons at Saint Joseph’s, and it’s all really coming to fruition in his junior year. If he continues to excel on both ends of the floor, he might hear his name called in the lottery on the first night of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Rucker: Khaman Maluach. Coming into this draft cycle, I thought that Maluach was going to be one of my most challenging evaluations personally. There are always these types of prospects who I just realize are going to require a full slate, more than ever. Maluach has had plenty of flashes, going back to the beginning of the year. But role and situation have played a big part in this year. Diving back into the previous foundation, paired with this year, has got me buying back in. Maluach has started to have a solid little stretch recently, averaging 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in his last four games while shooting 67.9% from the field. The combination of freakish size, length, and two-way upside is something that should offer a higher floor than expected, and I think the tournament will be a big opportunity for Maluach to make some noise.
Albert: Maxime Raynaud is the guy for me. Heading into the season, he wasn’t really on my radar as one of the top bigs in the class, but with the season he’s having, I’ve had no choice but to move him up my board. With the combination of productivity, size, and outside shooting ability, you can’t help but wonder how much better his game will look on the next level with better talent around him. He’s been a beast on the boards for a Stanford team that needs it, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game, and has a total rebounding percentage of 19.6% and a beastly 30.6% on defensive rebounds. If you’re playing Stanford and you miss a shot, you’re pretty much not going to see an offensive rebound. For a seven-footer, the touch that he has as a shooter is very good, and it’s going to be really exciting to see how a smart NBA coach uses his versatility on the offensive end of the floor. He’s only shooting 32.9% from three, but he’s taking the most per game of his career at 5.4 attempts per game, and his form passes the eye test.
Jam: Jase Richardson. Initially believed to be a multiple-year prospect, Richardson has blossomed into Michigan State’s best player and NBA prospect and a legit one-and-done player. Since entering the starting lineup early February, his impact on the game has been undeniable. He’s a disruptive two-way guard with feel, projectable shooting, and NBA bloodlines. There are understandable concerns about him being a bit undersized (6’3”) as an ancillary guard, but there appears to be more to tap into as a lead guard that NBA teams should explore.
Rich: Yaxel Lendeborg. Before the year, I had heard some buzz and didn’t see the optimism. Now, as one of four players with a conference BPM of 12.5. The others are Ryan Kalkbrenner, Johni Broome, and Cooper Flagg—which is an elite group. Yaxel has been a dynamic playmaker all year, he rebounds well, and he has taken a step forward defensively while maintaining his shooting upside. There’s a real chance Yaxel could be the steal of the Draft.
Metcalf: Will Riley. Riley got off to a scorching start to the season as he was making everything, but that unfortunately faded. He had a long stretch where the shot wasn’t falling, and he was struggling to make an impact at all. There was always (and still is) potential for him to be a multiyear college player because of his lack of strength, which was exacerbated when he wasn’t making shots. These last six weeks or so, though, Riley has been really impressive across the board. It’s been far more than “just” shooting as he continues to compete on defense, has improved as a rebounder, and continues to grow as a passer. He’s still not a guarantee to declare this year, but he’s done wonders for his stock in my eyes.
Corey: I’ve always liked Carter Bryant’s game a lot. He’s had a large contingent of fans dating back to his junior year of high school when we saw him lace up for the Portland Generals scrimmage squad at the Nike Hoop Summit. Every time I’ve watched Arizona this season, he has popped. But up until recently, I wasn’t sure he was going to be a one-and-done guy. I’m still not 100% on if he’ll declare, but his uptick in playing time and the production he’s shown has been enough to make me feel confident that he is in the discussion as a Top 20 prospect in this class. Strong 6’8” wings with length and legit two-way ability don’t grow on trees.
2. Which player has been the biggest faller on your board in the past month?
Rowan: For a few months, I’ve tried to be “diamond hands” with Igor Milicic Jr., but no longer. He’s been solid in conference play, as he’s up to 40.0% from deep in SEC play, but there has been too much inconsistency from Milicic Jr. to still have him as a borderline first-round prospect. He’s still in my Top 60, given the athletic, versatile package he brings to the table, but unless he closes his season strong in more ways than shooting the basketball, there won’t be enough to safely project him as more than a second round prospect.
Nick: I’m also selling my Igor Milicic Jr. stock; the shooting has been good, as Rowan noted, but the rest of his game just hasn’t been there consistently at a high enough level for me to hold onto more stock than having him as a late second round flyer. The overall skill set is still intriguing, and he very well could look more like his believers had hoped down the stretch, but the rest of his offensive game, besides the shooting, needs to be at a higher level for him to see the floor consistently at the NBA level.
Rucker: BYU freshman Kanon Catchings for me. I’m a very big fan of Catchings for the future, but I just don’t think he’s ready for the jump just yet. Catchings still has a long way to go when it comes to the game coming around on a consistent level. After getting to see him in person, I think the frame is definitely at least a year away. Catchings is extremely skilled and has a great foundation with his size and fluidity. I think another year would do wonders for his development.
Albert: My answer might not be in line with the spirit of the question, but I did want to address the fact that I’ve moved Ace Bailey down from two to three on my board. Until I had to submit my latest draft board, I’ve always had Bailey at two, but I’m now at a point where I think I was just being stubborn. I’ve moved Dylan Harper above him, and it’s not because of anything Ace has done. I still love all the qualities he brings to the floor, I’m not nearly worried as much about his defense or play–making ability. I just couldn’t deny the greatness of his teammate. Dylan is a Cade Cunninham-type of prospect—like our very own Corey Tulaba said early on in the process. Once again, it’s not because I like Ace any less than I did before; it was just time to acknowledge how influential Cade is and will be as a primary ball-handler in the NBA.
Jam: Miles Byrd was a Top 20-ish prospect for me, but I currently consider him more of a mid-to-late second round selection because of his significant drop in 3-point shooting throughout the season. Byrd came out shooting the ball well-showing real progression on a critical swing skill on top of more volume. Now, he’s shooting 31.7% from deep on 5.9 3PA. I still buy his valuable defensive playmaking production and instincts on a rangy 6’7” frame, but Byrd must make a sustained leap as a shooter to solidify himself as a consensus Top 60 prospect.
Rich: Egor Demin. I just haven’t seen enough that makes me confident in any one trait beyond his passing + size to help him win defensively. I think his archetype can only be maximized on very few teams, and those teams are playoff teams that are probably out of his range.
Metcalf: Alex Karaban, unfortunately. The team defense has been solid, but his lack of athleticism combined with his shot disappearing has been a major struggle. It’s really concerning how much his scoring efficiency has dropped off. He has risen up the opposing team’s scouting reports since last year, but he’s still an older college player who shouldn’t be having this much trouble. An eFG% of 52.5, a three-point percentage of 34, and an eFG% of 40.8 against top-50 competition is shockingly bad.
Corey: I was a little cooler on Miles Byrd than consensus, but I think he is closer to returning to school than the first round at this point. The defensive playmaking at the college level has been cool and all, but his frame is a ways away from defending wings on a nightly basis at the next level and his offensive efficiency is in the toilet. 38/32 shooting splits just do not scream NBA-ready. As far as I’m concerned, he isn’t even the most interesting prospect on his own team.
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 on a hot streak stood out to you? Is it real, or is it a mirage?
Rowan: Kon Knueppel earned my respect this month not by improving on his already-great scoring but by flashing the other elements of his game while Duke navigated ACC play. Shooting 42.8% from deep on 4.0 attempts per game may be the most important thing that Knueppel does for the Blue Devils, but his passing and swiping skills have also shown a sustainable bump. Knueppel’s assist numbers are more consistent this month than last, representing his comfort in handling the ball within Duke’s offense. He’s also averaging over a steal a game, showing more commitment to reading the passing lanes. While the scoring is easy to count on, it’s a big boon for Duke to also be able to watch Knueppel’s game round out at the perfect time.
Nick: Kon Knueppel is my answer here as well. I didn’t waver much, but I did waver slightly after he started the season ice-cold offensively and looked…bad defensively. The shooting uptick and exceptional playmaking during this recent run are clearly the drivers of his stock going forward, but he’s looked slightly better defensively as well during this stretch–not to the point where I expect him to reach even average defensively any time soon, but the effort on that end goes a long way when paired with his size.
Rucker: Maryland freshman Derik Queen. The splits throughout the year have been intriguing, with a bit of a roller coaster in certain areas. But right now, Queen is having one of his best stretches of the year, and the timing couldn’t be better. In his last five games, Queen is averaging 19.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 61.5% from the field. It’s obviously interesting, given the skills and production that Queen has put on display throughout his freshman campaign. The consistency has been the last piece of the puzzle that has needed to come around consistently. It will be interesting to see how Queen finishes up the year.
Albert: It’s no surprise that we’re listing a ton of Duke guys, with the streak they’re on. He hasn’t had crazy, eye-popping stat lines, but I want to acknowledge that Khaman Maluach looks way more comfortable now than he did early on in the season. I think this applies to the whole Duke roster, but Maluach, especially, looks like he’s found his groove and looks very comfortable in his role. Playing off of Cooper Flagg, rolling to the rim as a vertical threat, and offering a ton inside as a defender and rebounder, Maluach is blossoming into his game. Maluach looks like a bonafide lottery pick in the upcoming draft with a highly translatable skill set, and the upside is that he will one day incorporate the outside shot into his game as well. The stat lines may not look gaudy now, but I fully expect him to be a huge part of Duke making some noise in the tournament.
Jam: Isaiah Evans. There is an infectious joy that he plays with and brings to Duke on top of his lethal shooting, microwave scoring, NBA positional size, and defensive tools. When he’s given the opportunity to play significant minutes, he usually produces and we see why the Top 10 preseason buzz was legit. If his minutes continue to trend in the right direction down the stretch, expect his name to continue to rise.
Rich: Milos Uzan. Over the last month (11 games), he has had just one game of single-digit scoring, compared to nine of his prior 17 games. In that span, he is averaging 14.6 PPG, 4.4 2.8 RPG, APG, and 1.1 SPG with only a little over one turnover per game on 51% shooting and 52% from three. I think this is a real flash of what his upside is, as he has unlocked a new level of confidence in his game that seems translatable to the NBA at 6’4”.
Metcalf: I understand that this is cheating, but it’s Cooper Flagg. Even though he’s been the best prospect in this draft class since the day he joined it, he continues to just get better. He leads one of the best teams in the country in nearly every statistical category, and his numbers keep improving. He is so much fun and so clearly the top pick in this draft.
Corey: I feel like every time I turn on a Duke game lately, I look at the box score to see Isaiah Evans with a stat line that looks like: 16 mins, 5/7 3PA, 17 PTS. He’s been scorching the net every time he gets in the game, even if it’s only in limited minutes. On the season he’s playing 13.3 mpg and shooting 45.8% on 4.0 threes per game. Not per 40 or 100: in those 13 actual minutes. He’s getting up over 18 3PA/100 on a 3PAr of 82.8. He’s got a role, and he’s filling it to a T. I love how competitive he is, and although I don’t expect he’d maintain that kind of three-point volume and efficiency with more minutes, I am very confident that he is a real deal shot maker.
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?
Rowan: It hasn't been his best showing after coming into the season more bullish on Hunter Sallis. Most of his struggles can be attributed to his three-point percentage falling off a cliff from last year’s aberration. Still, Sallis has only marginally improved as a driver, passer, and defender while playing a high-usage role. However, I’m not ready to be out on Sallis, as he’s playing in an unsatisfying context at Wake Forest. The pieces haven’t jelled as well as the Demon Deacons would’ve helped, leaving the team unlikely to make March Madness pending a big run. Due to his unfortunate circumstances, I’m willing to give Sallis more of a pass as a draft prospect, although he’s now on the cusp of first round worthiness.
Nick: Jeremiah Fears is a popular answer here for a reason–he’s been pretty rough recently, but he’s also talented enough that it’ll take a lot more than that to really derail his outlook. His handle is special, his scoring gifts are apparent, and he’s shown plenty of passing flashes as well. It’s been a bad couple of months for him in terms of the ball going into the basket, but the underlying skill set is strong enough that Fears’s stock probably won’t slide all that much.
Rucker: Oklahoma Sooners freshman Jeremiah Fears. One of the most pleasant surprises, and overall “overachievers” of this year, Fears was on an ultimate heater after the first 13 games of the year. That was before Oklahoma walked into a buzzsaw, which saw the team struggle with a vicious schedule. Despite some disappointing numbers, I thought the film was better than expected with Fears. It seemed as if it was only a matter of time before Fears had himself a bit of a “bounce-back” game. That’s just what we got this past weekend when Fears posted a 27-point, 10-assist performance against Mississippi State while going 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. There’s still an opportunity for Fears to end the year strong. That would go a long way towards throwing a gasoline barrel toward his stock and getting him heating up once again.
Albert: Liam McNeeley is having a very good freshman season, but I think it’s getting lost because UConn is having a very weird season. I don’t think anyone saw the decline from some of UConn’s returning upperclassmen, and them not having a reliable ball-handler hasn’t helped. Despite their struggles, Mcneeley has had a very strong season and may be slightly flying under the radar. He’s averaging 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on shooting splits of 40.7/34.3/86.1. The efficiency isn’t as high as some thought it would be, but when you turn on the tape you can see that he’s a shooter, and those numbers will only go up moving forward. When NBA teams bring him in for workouts, there will be much to love about his game, frame, and IQ, making him highly desirable to lottery teams.
Jam: He might not be the lottery, one-and-done caliber prospect that was once expected, but I’m staying patient with UNC’s Drake Powell. He’s still equipped with the tools and encouraging skillset of a 3-and-D wing. At 6’6”, Powell is shooting 36.6% from three (2.4 3PA) and producing 1.3 stocks per game.
Rich: Jeremiah Fears. He’s 18; he was always going to have ups and downs. The flashes are still there and he still generally makes good decisions on most of his shot attempts, even if they don’t amount to makes.
Metcalf: Jeremiah Fears. The scoring numbers have been BRUTAL since January 1st. I don’t care. He’s so young, has absurd levels of creation responsibility, and playmaking numbers haven’t dropped off. Still a lottery talent to me and someone I expect to go around that range on draft night.
Corey: I will probably be the last guy on this island, but I am staying patient with Egor Demin. I know the efficiency is what it is; I know the struggles against Big 12 comp, but I watch the kid play, and he does stuff as a playmaker that makes me say “wow” like freaking Owen Wilson just about every game. And despite the three-point shots not going in, I love that he is still confident enough to take them at the volume he’s taking them at. I think the shot looks very workable; this isn’t a shot that needs overhauling. I also think the creation concerns are a little overblown. He may not be a Luka iso bag work guy, but he can get downhill with a ball screen just fine; when he gets there, he finishes at a good clip, and he can spray the ball out to teammates in any spot on the floor once he touches the paint. Ultimately, I’m just not in panic mode with a 6’9” guy who has a special skill.
5. Which game next month are you most excited to watch?
Rowan: Michigan vs. Maryland. A great matchup between the duo of Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin against freshman wunderkind Derik Queen. This Kaiju clash should shed more light on a handful of players who could get drafted this summer.
Nick: Oklahoma vs. Texas is the pick for me. Tre Johnson and Jeremiah Fears are both lottery-level talents, and it’ll be fascinating to watch them go head-to-head.
Rucker: Oklahoma vs. Texas. Big opportunity for both Tre Johnson (Texas) and Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) to leave one last impression for NBA Draft fans.
Albert: The Duke express has been fun to watch. I’d like to see more.
Jam: Maryland vs. Michigan. In Derik Queen and Danny Wolf, two of the most skilled and unique bigs in the class clash. There won't be too many college games like this (if any) where we’ll see bigs initiating offense and operating ball screens as the screener and handler on both sides. I’m very interested in how far apart Queen and Wolf will be on big boards. Also, Maryland’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice are two intriguing guards with NBA qualities.
Rich: Tennessee vs Alabama. It’s the only regular season matchup between the two, and it’ll be a great matchup for all of Alabama’s prospects against the best defense in the country.
Metcalf: Michigan vs Michigan State on 3/9 to close out the season should be a ton of fun. For starters, it could decide who wins the Big Ten regular season title. Also, I’m fascinated to see if Jase Richardson can continue to grow as a creator. The off-ball scoring and play-finishing stuff has been fantastic, and it popped in a big way in these teams’ first meeting. If he can continue to showcase a bit more passing and playmaking up to this game and during this game, it’ll do wonders at cementing him as a 2025 prospect. Finally, who doesn’t love a good rivalry game?
Corey: I’ll be at multiple days of the Big East Tournament, so just looking forward to heading to the world’s most famous arena to get eyes on guys like Liam McNeeley, Kam Jones, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and some sleepers like Chase Ross, Jackson McAndrew, Daiyln Swain, Ryan Conwell, and Jahmyl Telfort.