2025 NBA Draft

Starting 5, June 25: It's Draft Day!

The top stories and prospects going into tonight’s Round 1 of the 2025 Draft, plus highlights from OKC's championship parade.

NBA.com Staff

June 25, 2025 1:01 PM

Lights. Camera. Action.

Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft tips off tonight (8 ET, ESPN/ABC).

Cooper Flagg

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

June 25, 2025

2025 Draft In 2 Minutes: Everything you need to know before the first name is called

Consensus Mock Draft: The top 10 projected picks from a compilation of expert mocks

All-Access In NYC: The 2025 Draft class hits the Big Apple for a once-in-a-lifetime day

Parade Scenes: Super soakers, trophy walks and a speech Thunder fans won’t forget

OKC Snapshots: Epic frames from Oklahoma City’s ultimate victory lap

1. 2025 DRAFT IN 2 MINUTES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

2025 NBA Draft

Tonight is the night when dreams turn to reality.

The next generation of stars will find new homes as Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft gets underway at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. (8 ET, ABC/ESPN).

From Cooper Flagg buzz to the game’s rising international presence, let’s set the stage with the biggest storylines to know before Commissioner Adam Silver steps to the podium.

Fast-Paced, High Stakes: After introducing the two-night Draft format in 2024, this year runs it back – with each team given five minutes between picks in Round 1 and four in tomorrow’s Round 2 (8 ET, ESPN)
On The Clock: The Mavs are slotted to make their first No. 1 overall selection since 1981, after overcoming the fourth-lowest odds (1.8%) for a Lottery winner since it began in 1985
Atop The Board: Duke’s Cooper Flagg remains the projected No. 1 pick in the latest NBA Consensus Mock Draft, which compiles expert projections from around the web – more on that in Sec. 2
Full Draft Order: See which teams hold each of the 59 picks

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Trends To Watch: The 2025 Draft continues to reflect how the game is evolving, featuring a rich pool of college standouts and international talent.

First Things First: A college freshman was taken No. 1 overall for 13 straight years from 2010-22. But that streak ended with back-to-back Frenchmen hearing their name called first – Victor Wembanyama (2023) and Zaccharie Risacher (2024)
Global Game: In fact, at least two international players have been selected in the top 11 in each of the last 12 Drafts
Blueblood Standard: If Flagg does go No. 1, he’d be Duke’s fifth first overall pick – the most of any school in NBA history. Kentucky is second with three
More Dukies: Blue Devils Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach have a chance to join Flagg in the top 14 – potentially giving Duke three lottery picks in the same Draft for just the third time
Scarlet Night? Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey also have a chance to be among the top picks – which would make them just the fourth and fifth first-rounders in school history
Prospect Comps: Hear from the top Draft hopefuls as they discuss which NBA stars they see in themselves

2. CONSENSUS MOCK TOP 10: TOMORROW’S POTENTIAL STARS

Jeff Haynes + Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The 2025 Draft class is shaping up as one of the deepest in recent memory – but not everyone agrees on who will go where.

Our Consensus Mock Draft combines the top expert projections from around the web to forecast how the board could play out.

See the Consensus’ projected top 10 picks below – and what sets each prospect apart.

1. Cooper Flagg | Mavericks

Bio: Position: F | Height: 6-8 | Age: 18 | School/Club: Duke (Freshman)
A highly touted two-way wing with elite length and versatility. In his lone season at Duke, he led the Blue Devils in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4) per game

2. Dylan Harper | Spurs

Bio: G | 6-5 | 19 | Rutgers (Freshman)
A big-bodied combo guard blending crafty finishing and footwork with a natural offensive feel. The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper

3. VJ Edgecombe | 76ers

Bio: G | 6-4 | 19 | Baylor (Freshman)
A rare athlete from the Bahamas who is on the rise. Tremendous two-way potential with a defensive motor that matches his explosiveness

4. Ace Bailey | Hornets

Bio: F | 6-8 | 18 | Rutgers (Freshman)
A pure shooter who can hit from anywhere. Utilizes his length to shoot over contests and is a rangy defender on the other end

Tre Johnson, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe

Melissa Tamez + Chris Schwegler + Michael Reaves/Getty Images

5. Tre Johnson | Jazz

Bio: G | 6-5 | 19 | Texas (Freshman)
A natural three-level scorer with size and quickness. The SEC Freshman of the Year led the conference in scoring (19.9 ppg) while shooting 39.7% from 3

6. Kon Knueppel | Wizards

Bio: G-F | 6-7 | 19 | Duke (Freshman)
A knockdown 3-point shooter who can space the floor from Day 1. Brings a polished all-around offensive game and is a capable defender

7. Jeremiah Fears | Pelicans

Bio: G | 6-3 | 18 | Oklahoma (Freshman)
A shifty slasher with dynamic handles and a knack for getting downhill. Can create for himself, thrives in transition and offers exciting upside

Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, Kasparas Jakucionis, Derik Queen

Melissa Tamez + Jeff Haynes+ Michael Reaves/Getty Images

8. Khaman Maluach | Nets

Bio: C | 7-1 | 18 | Duke (Freshman)
A defensive monster with a 7-7 wingspan. Played three pro seasons in South Sudan despite learning basketball at 13 years old. A strong finisher – and he’s shown flashes of a growing outside shot

9. Kasparas Jakucionis | Raptors

Bio: G-F | 6-5 | 18 | Illinois (Freshman)
An offensive orchestrator and natural floor general from Lithuania. Jakucionis is an instinctive passer who can also score off the dribble

10. Derik Queen | Rockets (reportedly traded to Suns)

Bio: F-C | 6-9 | 20 | Maryland (Freshman)
A nimble big with a unique blend of size and touch. Soft hands, slick handles and a feel for the glass made him a problem inside at College Park

See the rest of the projected Lottery picks here.

3. ALL-ACCESS: ON THE GROUND IN NYC WITH THE 2025 DRAFT CLASS

Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images

This way to the NBA.

The 2025 Draft class dropped knowledge and bars on the media circuit Tuesday, sharing the hype as they prepare to take their place in the league.

Sky’s The Limit: Dylan Harper gave the inside look at his Rutgers teammate, Ace Bailey, saying he’d “bring the energy” in any circumstance
Harper: “Any NBA team that gets him is going to be very lucky.”

Maine United: Cooper Flagg shouted out his AAU teammates, who he’s played with since fifth grade, and said he was ready to show the world what Maine ballers can do.

Flagg: “People say, ‘Nobody comes from Maine, you can’t make it as a basketball player’ … it doesn’t matter where you’re from … it matters if you believe in yourself.”
A Local Delicacy: Flagg also reunited with high school Montverde teammate Liam McNeeley to share his thoughts on Maine’s prized lobster
Day 1 Roots: Asa Newell spoke on whether there’ll be any rivalry among the Montverde four, which also includes Derik Queen
Newell: “We have a little group chat, so we’re going to try to have that competitive nature and bragging rights. It’s going to be super special.”

Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images

Final Stops: Before one of the most memorable days of their lives, the Draft prospects suited up, gave back and soaked in the city.

Sharp-Dressed: Check out the rookie class’ portraits from the media circuit, one day before they join the NBA
Growing The Game: The class also gave back to the NYC youth, hosting an action-packed clinic at a Jr. NBA x New Era event
Back In The Big Apple: Former New York Gatorade Player of the Year VJ Edgecombe visited The Edge, taking in the NYC skyline ⬆️

4. EPIC SCENES FROM OKC’S CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE

Jason Williams

All season – no matter how late – Thunder fans would line up behind a fence at the OKC airport, waiting to greet their team after road games. Players would step off the plane and walk the line, trading high-fives in the dark.

On Tuesday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander brought it full circle – walking the line of fans at OKC’s championship parade, letting them get a touch of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Shai enjoyed more traditions during Tuesday’s celebration – the same small rituals that have connected him to Thunder Nation all season.

Team Behind Him: Before hitting the streets, OKC gathered inside a packed Paycom Center, where SGA gave one last ‘postgame’ interview – in typical Thunder style
Fan Favorite: At the parade, Shai joined the OKC faithful, signing autographs and posing for pics with fans while receiving ‘MVP’ chants
Lu Love: The crowd made sure Lu Dort got his flowers too, breaking into his trademark “Luuuu” chant as he soaked in the moment
Chet Connection: Chet Holmgren worked the crowd with his own style – high-fiving fans and dapping up everyone rocking his No. 7 jersey

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In 90+ degree heat, Oklahoma City showed out — and players returned the favor, cooling fans off with super soakers and sharing love on the mic.

JDub: “None of this is possible without you guys … We appreciate you guys and we love you guys.”
Isaiah Hartenstein: “I love y’all OKC. Y’all are amazing and made this day so fun. We did it for y’all.”
Alex Caruso: “I’m having the time of my life … The city deserves it. The fans deserve it.”
SGA: “Don’t ever forget this. Moments like this – they don’t come too often … we love you guys.”

Jaylin Williams

But the ultimate mic drop came from Aaron Wiggins, one of the longest-tenured Thunder, who captured the full scope of OKC’s championship journey.

“My rookie season, we won 24 games. 24 games,” Wiggins told the crowd. “But the best part about that year is the same people that are in this arena today, are the same people here when we were winning 24 games…
“Four years later, when they mention the Thunder organization. When they mention Clay Bennett. When they mention Sam Presti. When they mention Mark Daigneault and every single one of you in this arena – they gotta mention you as NBA champs!”

5. PARADE FRAMES: AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY IN OKC

Thousands lined the streets as the Thunder rolled through OKC with the Larry O’Brien Trophy riding shotgun.

From SGA basking in the moment — and the Oklahoma sun — to fans flooding every corner, check out some of our favorite frames from the city’s loudest victory lap yet.