matching top 2025 nba draft prospects with professional player counterparts: our 14 best comparisons

9 June 2025 9 June 2025

The 2025 NBA Draft is stirring up quite the buzz with an impressive crop of young talent ready to make their mark. As teams prepare to make their selections on June 25-26, comparisons between these prospects and established NBA pros help sharpen evaluations. This year, breaking down the 14 projected lottery picks reveals a thrilling array of potential and pitfalls. From Cooper Flagg’s two-way prowess echoing Jayson Tatum with a defensive flair, to Dylan Harper’s blend of size and craft reminiscent of Jalen Brunson’s game, the scouting process offers deep insights into how these newcomers might fit within NBA systems. With Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Under Armour sponsoring countless players’ journeys, and brands like Jordan Brand and Fanatics amplifying their profiles, this draft introduces names that could soon wear legacy sneakers and apparel. Let’s run through these headlining prospects and their professional parallels, spotlighting what makes each comparison intriguing — and what each player will need to prove under the bright lights.

Cooper Flagg: The Maverick’s Next Franchise Wing with Jayson Tatum Potential

Flagg sits atop the draft boards, a pick projected to land with the Dallas Mavericks. His offensive versatility mixed with defensive prowess draws inevitable parallels to Jayson Tatum — albeit with the possibility of greater defensive impact, putting Cooper in a modern Scottie Pippen mold. Flagg’s challenge lies in refining his shot creation, particularly improving his comfort in the midrange and beyond the arc. Should he harness these skills, the Mavericks might have found a franchise wing capable of starring alongside other scoring talents. Flagg is more offensively gifted than someone like Andre Iguodala was in his prime, though he still shares Iguodala’s secondary scoring and defensive acumen – a reassuring floor if a star role doesn’t materialize.

Demands consistent shot-making growth, especially off the bounce
Projects well as a two-way wing with modern defensive versatility
Could define a franchise role alongside Luka Doncic, complementing Dallas’s Nike-sponsored star lineup

Flagg’s trajectory and Mavericks’ team fit have been examined in depth on Basketball Evolution. Following the draft combine and lottery results, it’s clear teams recognize the upside—and the risks—of a player so young yet uniquely versatile.

Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey: Crafty Backcourt Prowess Meets Shooting Range

Rutgers is sending two lottery-level talents into the 2025 draft – guard Dylan Harper and wing Ace Bailey. Harper, a 6’6” tall guard, draws a high-end comparison to Jalen Brunson for his craft and positional size, although he still needs to polish his three-point shooting to reach full potential. If he falls short, expect a trajectory closer to D’Angelo Russell — effective, though lacking the consistency or defensive heft to lead a winning team. In contrast, Bailey’s offensive dynamism and shooting resemble a mid-tier Michael Porter Jr., with the handling and playmaking still needing refinement. His scoring punch positions him closer to Andrew Wiggins if he fails to become a creative offensive focal point.

Harper’s size and craft suggest a starting-caliber combo guard with defensive upside
Bailey blends size, shot-making, and range but may remain a secondary scoring option
Both players offer different skill sets for Adidas and Puma outfitted teams seeking backcourt firepower

VJ Edgecombe’s Electric Athleticism and Jeremiah Fears’ Guard Craft

Baylor’s Edgecombe offers explosive speed and athleticism similar to Victor Oladipo’s early career, with All-Star upside if he develops into a reliable on-ball creator with a consistent outside shot. At his worst, Edgecombe might resemble Jaden Ivey — still a useful perimeter contributor but inconsistent in exploitation of his physical gifts.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears fits a niche reminiscent of Monta Ellis’s energy and scoring burst, tempered by concerns over perimeter efficiency. His perimeter shooting and defensive consistency will ultimately dictate whether he becomes a foundational piece or settles into a combo guard role akin to Jerryd Bayless.

Edgecombe offers dynamic slashing ability with questions around playmaking development
Fears is a fearless scorer needing perimeter shooting work
Both players likely to dazzle in Under Armour or Reebok gear as early career highlights emerge

For a deep dive on how these players could shape their new teams, check out Mock draft insights.

Bigs with Defensive Versatility: Khaman Maluach, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Joan Beringer

The 2025 crop includes several promising frontcourt players who project as rim protectors and defenders with varying offensive upside. Khaman Maluach from Duke combines size and mobility, evoking a quicker Rudy Gobert. His defensive foundation and improving skillset make him an enticing pick for teams needing a defensive anchor.

South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles offers versatility and basketball IQ, projecting as a modern Al Horford type if he develops a three-point shot. Otherwise, he could fulfill a Xavier Tillman-like role as a dependable role player.

Joan Beringer from Europe carries Clint Capela’s athletic rim-running potential but remains early in his development. If he falters in spacing the floor, he might resemble Jaxson Hayes on the downside. His physical tools give him a strong defensive floor and a long runway to improve.

Maluach fits the archetype of a mobile, rim-protecting center with defensive upside
Murray-Boyles’ versatility emphasizes passing and multiple defensive matchups
Beringer’s upside hinges on his physical development and transition to NBA pace

Further examination of their combine performances and draft outlooks can be found on Basketball Evolution's draft combine roster details.

Sharpshooters and Playmakers: Kon Knueppel, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Egor Demin

Duke’s Kon Knueppel stakes his claim as possibly the draft’s best pure shooter and floor spacer. His offensive decision-making and playmaking have impressed, modeling a career trajectory between Desmond Bane's unexpected breakout and Joe Harris's solid shooting role. Kasparas Jakucionis of Illinois mixes savvy passing and improving shooting, drawing stylistic lines to Austin Reaves while still carrying turnovers and perimeter shooting inconsistencies. BYU's Egor Demin, an oversized playmaker with elite passing vision, projects to either a quasi-lead guard or off-ball role, with comparisons to Josh Giddey and Deni Avdija, but carries concerns over 3-point consistency and speed.

Knueppel's shooting and playmaking make him a valuable NBA spacing asset
Jakucionis demonstrates balanced guard skills with room for growth in efficiency
Demin blends size and vision but must prove shooting and agility

To see how these prospects stack up relative to others, consult NBA Mock Draft AI projections.

Scoring Wings and Stretch-forwards: Tre Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Noa Essengue

Texas's Tre Johnson channels the volume shooting and risky shot selection of past talents like Michael Redd, with a clean mechanics advantage. His ceiling includes becoming a feared high-volume 3-point threat if he can polish his inside finishing and shot efficiency. Arizona’s Carter Bryant offers defensive versatility and length with a shooting touch, fitting a Trey Murphy III-style 3-and-D mold, or possibly Royce O’Neale’s steady role player blueprint.

Ratiopharm Ulm’s Noa Essengue, although a projected mid-first-rounder, deserves mention for his motor, defensive versatility, and developing frame that might blossom into a Pascal Siakam-type starter. Even in a worst-case scenario, Essengue could carve out a role akin to that of Jarred Vanderbilt, offering hustle and toughness off the bench.

Johnson’s shooting volume is his calling card, but efficiency is a question
Bryant projects as a versatile defender with position flexibility and improving shot
Essengue combines size, effort, and mobility to fit multiple roles at the NBA level

Insights on these prospects’ fit and potential role on draft-day teams are offered by Basketball Evolution’s extensive evaluations.

Categories: NBA Basketball News