The race for NBA Rookie of the Year was practically settled in late January and early February. Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ all-world teenager, put together four consecutive eye-opening games from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5.

He scored a then season-high 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, followed by 34 points against the Houston Rockets, 36 against the Boston Celtics, and 32 against the San Antonio Spurs. Four impressive performances against four playoff teams. Flagg showed up and showed out and proved to the basketball world that he’s more than capable of carrying a franchise. After all, he is the Maine Event.

Flagg’s 49-point outing on Jan. 29 came against his chief rival in the rookie race, Kon Knueppel. Knueppel spoiled his former Duke Blue Devils teammate’s night with 34 points, including the clinching free throws with 4.1 seconds left to give the Hornets a 123-121 victory.

Even though Knueppel got the win, the game felt more like a coming-out-party for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Flagg did more than enough to win the Rookie of the Year award. Years from now, we’ll look back and have a good laugh at how this was even a discussion.

Flagg is a generational talent. Guys like him don’t come along every year. Knueppel is a specialist. It’s easier to find a player with his skill set.

Flagg was the front runner to start the season, made a big move since the All-Star break, and he put an exclamation point to his rookie campaign with a 51-point burst against the Orlando Magic on April 3. The 19-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points.

The Dallas Mavericks forward followed up his historic game with a 45-point effort against LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers on April 5. Flagg is the first rookie to score at least 40 points in back-to-back games since Allen Iverson in the 1996-97 season.

Flagg ranks in the top five in all the meaningful statistical categories. He is first in points (21.2), fourth in rebounds (6.7), second in assists (4.6), third in steals (1.2), and fifth in blocks (0.9).

About the only stat that Flagg doesn’t dominate is wins and losses. His Mavericks are in the bottom tier of the Western Conference and bound for the lottery again. The Mavs have been decimated with injuries and haven’t been whole all season.

All-Star guard Kyrie Irving missed the entire season while recovering from an ACL injury and center Dereck Lively was also sidelined for the season due to a foot injury that required surgery. All-Star center Anthony Davis, the main piece the Mavs received in the Luka Doncic trade, was traded to the Washington Wizards just ahead of the February trade deadline. The move was largely seen as a reset for the the Mavs to build around Flagg.

Despite all of Flagg’s spectacular performances and impressive statistics, many basketball pundits — including highly respected experts such as Bill Simmons and Steve Aschburner — are not convinced that Flagg is the top rookie in the 2025-26 season.

Simmons and Aschburner are on the Knueppel side of the rookie debate. They both believe Knueppel deserves to win ROY because he’s had the better season based on his impact for the playoff-bound Hornets.

Charlotte had more than doubled its victory total from last year and put together a top-five offensive rating thanks to the threat of Knueppel’s outside shooting.

Aschburner wrote on NBA.com:

Aschburner’s argument about winning being a major factor in postseason awards isn’t wrong but it is flawed. If we’re putting all our eggs on team standings then VJ Edgecombe deserves to be in the ROY conversation because the Philadelphia 76ers wouldn’t be in the playoffs without Edgecombe’s contributions. As a matter of fact, an strong case could be made that Edgecombe has had a larger impact on his team because he’s had to fill in as the No. 2 option behind Tyrese Maxey due to all the injuries the Sixers have dealt with all season.

It is true that the addition of Knueppel has made the Hornets better. He has quickly established himself as one of the elite shooters in the NBA, breaking Keegan Murray’s mark for most 3-pointers made by a rookie. He leads the league in total 3-pointers made, averaging 3.4 per game, and he ranks in the top 10 in 3-point percentage (42.7%).

There’s no question Knueppel has had a significant impact on the improved Hornets. But Kon is a role player. He’s the third or fourth option on the Hornets. He has far less responsibilities on offense and defense. By contrast, there is a ton of responsibilities on Flagg’s plate.

Flagg is not only the primary playmaker but he’s also asked to make plays on defense. Flagg is asked to do more with less talent around him. Knueppel is mainly a 3-point specialist who has to rely on his teammates like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges to get him shots.

Over 80% of Knueppel’s 3-pointers made have been assisted, primarily by Ball. Flagg, on the other hand, creates 51% of his shots on his own through post-ups and dribble drives. He is the focal point of the Mavericks offense while Knueppel is the floor spacer on the Hornets.

Here’s a question for all basketball media types: Would you pay money to see Kon Knueppel? Or would you rather pay money to see Cooper Flagg? Would you pay money to watch Knueppel shoot 3s or would you pay money to watch Flagg pull off a highlight-reel play?

We know what most of them would say.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. He hosts a sports podcast on YouTube @onemanfastbreak1.

Erik Reynolds scored in the wrong basket. Jaylen Clark tossed the ball off the backboard on what could have been a highlight reel but turned into an awkward layup. Danny Wolf boinked a pass off teammate Drew Timme’s head. A mic’d-up Liam McNeeley referred to one of the game officials as “Mr. Referee.” And Noa Essengue became an internet meme after being on the wrong end of a vicious dunk.

Welcome to NBA Summer League basketball. It’s a playground for entry-level basketball professionals to experiment and practice their craft. There were plenty of Shaqtin A Fool moments for sure. It was the kind of basketball game only hardcore hoopers would embrace.

It wasn’t all Shaqin A Fool moments in Vegas. There were some impressive moments, including walk-off, buzzer-beating 3-pointers by Jamaree Bouyea and Riley Minix.

The 26-year-old Bouyea was on a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, while the 24-year-old Minix was on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. They embody what the summer league is all about. It’s about second chances and competing for a contract.

Here are some key takeaways from all the action at the Las Vegas Summer League.

The NBA has a new Flagg-bearer
Cooper Flagg, forward, Dallas Mavericks — Flagg called his summer league debut “one of the worst games of his life.” If that’s Flagg’s worst game, then the league is in a heap of trouble. The top pick in the draft was a bit harsh in critiquing his overall performance because it wasn’t that bad.

It took one game for Flagg to figure out the NBA game. Two days after his debut, he faced the Spurs and Dylan Harper in a marquee matchup. Flagg didn’t disappoint as he dropped 31 points on the same number of shots (21) he took in his first game and made it look easy. He played 31 minutes and looked like a superstar. He commanded the stage like a rock star, and he understood the assignment. He made the proper adjustments on his shot, especially the 3-ball, and put together one of the best performances in the Vegas Summer League in front of a big crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center. He commanded the stage, met the moment, and lived up to the hype.

Flagg also looked a lot more comfortable running point. He was matched up against Carter Bryant, and he won more battles than he lost. Bryant’s sole job was to shadow Cooper all over the floor when he’s in there, and it took away his legs on offense as the Spurs’ rookie went 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range. The Mavs saw enough of Flagg and shut him down after two games.

About What We Expected
Dylan Harper, guard, San Antonio Spurs — The No. 2 overall pick in the draft didn’t make his summer league debut until Day 3 of the Vegas summer league. It was worth the wait, especially for Spurs fans, who saw what the scouts saw when Harper hit the floor in Vegas. He looked every bit of the 6-6 frame he was listed at, and he played with remarkable poise for a young player. He’s deliberate with his moves and doesn’t get rushed. It will be interesting to see how Spurs coach Mitch Johnson will utilize Harper, given that the Spurs have a full house in the backcourt with DeAaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

Tre Johnson, guard, Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson is a professional bucker-getter with efficiency. In his debut, Johnson scored 18 points on 7-for-13 from the field and made three 3-pointers. The sixth overall pick followed that up with another strong showing, going 7-for-11 from the field and finishing with a team-high 21 points. The Wizards need help in several places, and Johnson will certainly help in scoring.

Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, Toronto Raptors — The Raptors were one of the best teams in the summer league, and Murray-Boyles was a big part of their success. Murray-Boyles, the ninth pick in the draft, brought the same type of defensive intensity he displayed at South Carolina to the summer league, especially on the defensive end. CMB handled the speed and physicality of the NBA game like a seasoned pro. He looks like he can immediately play in a regular NBA game.

Derik Queen, forward, New Orleans Pelicans — Flagg’s former high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.) appeared nervous in his first game. The 13th overall pick couldn’t get into any type of rhythm early against the Timberwolves. Turnovers were an issue as he committed seven turnovers, five of them coming in the first half. He lost the ball while bringing the ball up. He lost the ball while trying to make a spin move. Once he settled in, he played better, finishing his debut with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Queen put up a double-double in his first three games and flashed an ability to be a hub on offense. He’s a capable ball handler as a power forward, and Pels summer league head coach Corey Brewer didn’t hesitate to have Queen bring up the ball and initiate offense. Even though he shot just 43.8% from the field, he did average a double (14 and 11).

Exceeded Expectations
Joan Beringer, center, Minnesota Timberwolves — Beringer made his mark 10 minutes into his pro debut while going up against New Orleans Pelicans second-year pro Yves Missi. Beringer, the 17th pick in the draft, finished with a then-record seven blocks, had eight rebounds, and was 5-for-6 from the field (all in the paint). The 18-year-old, 6-11 Frenchman, who played professionally in Slovenia this past season and won the Slovenian Cup, showcased an ability to run the floor and rebound in traffic, but the most impressive part about his game was his ability to protect the rim. He had two blocks on the Pels’ first possession of the game, including one against Jeremiah Fears. “He’s very active, but he doesn’t waste any motion,” T-Wolves coach Chris Finch said about Beringer, who only started playing basketball in 2021. The sky is the limit for him, and the T-Wolves may have found a diamond in the rough.

Liam McNeeley, forward, Charlotte Hornets — When he’s not chopping it up with referees, McNeeley is chopping down defenders with an array of NBA-level shot creation and playmaking. The former UConn standout displayed an ability to splash 3-pointers (3-for-5 in his debut) as well as put the ball on the floor and score off the bounce. He knows how to use his 6-8 frame to create space and absorb contact, as he went to the line five times. McNeeley looked comfortable in an NBA setting, even with being mic’d up. Part of being an NBA player is dealing with distractions. The 29th pick in the draft appeared relaxed and wasn’t fazed at all by the extra attention. That bodes well for him going forward.

Nique Clifford, forward, Sacramento Kings — Clifford, the 24th pick in the draft, was the among all the 3-&-D wings in the summer league. He averaged 18-6-5 in 27 minutes of action, shot 58.3% from the field, and 52.9% from 3-point range. He is 23 and looks every bit of an older rookie, but he is a good fit for the Kings. He stays in his lane and understands what is required of him. He was easily one of the standouts of the summer league.

Yang Hansen, center, Portland Trail Blazers — From the moment he set foot on the floor, the 20-year-old center from China was an instant summer league favorite. He showcased nifty ball handling and passing, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd. He moves so well that sometimes you forget that he’s a 7-footer. Yang wasn’t perfect and admitted his conditioning needed to be better, but his court awareness and soft hands are elite. The fans love him, and his teammates love him. He’s got a likable personality.

Yang and fellow rookie Caleb Love built up a nice chemistry, playing off each other and doing a lot of non-verbal communicating. Yang is far from a finished product, but he displayed Jokic-like dexterity at the high post. Yang was easily the best passing big in the summer league. He was directing traffic, which is impressive for a rookie still learning NBA terminology. Give credit to general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups for taking a big swing in drafting Yang. The bold move could have a big payoff. It’s too early to tell if Yang will be the next Bill Walton, but the Blazers are certainly going to be a popular team in China. Blazers will add 680 million more followers this season.

Work In Progress
Jeremiah Fears, guard, New Orleans Pelicans — The seventh pick in the draft flashed some of the skills that made him an electrifying prospect coming out of Oklahoma. But he also flashed some concerning habits. There were times when Fears played too much Me-Ball, which resulted in a ton of turnovers and bad shots. He hunted for his shots and lacked court awareness.

In a game against the Lakers, he forced the issue a lot. The me-ball approach led to 5-for-21 shooting (23%) and zero assists. For a point guard not to have an assist in a game is wild. On several occasions, Fears drove the paint without a clear plan and got stuffed at the rim. His worst outing came against the Blazers, where he instigated a dustup with Sidy Cissoko that resulted in ejections. Fear is only 18, and it showed. He has some work to do in terms of being more mature and acting more professional.

Khaman Maluach, center, Phoenix Suns — If there’s a definition of a “work in progress” player in summer league, it’s Maluach. The size is undeniable. He’s every bit of the 7-1, 250-pound frame he came in at. But the basketball skills are lacking. Jordan Ott and the Phoenix Suns coaching staff have some work ahead of them in developing Maluach into a starting NBA center. Maluach has to clean up a lot of things, especially shot selection. He has to understand what his strengths are and amplify them. He doesn’t have the necessary feel for the game yet, and all his warts showed up in his matchup against second-year pro Alex Sarr. Maluach couldn’t get into rhythm and, for some odd reason, fell in love with the 3-point shot. He took and missed two early 3-pointers in his debut, and one of them was heavily contested. Maluach played a decent game against Joan Beringer, playing him to a stalemate.

Kasparas Jakucionis, guard, Miami Heat — Jakucionis must love the rims in Las Vegas better than the rims in San Francisco. The 20th overall pick, who couldn’t make a 3-pointer at the California Classic, turned it around when he arrived in Vegas, earning praise from Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra for the way he responded following a rough start. Jakucionis said the NBA game style is “different,” and he’ll need to adjust to regain his footing. The Heat summer league coaching staff moved him off the ball on several occasions, so playing off-ball might be a better fit for him instead of point guard.

Dalton Knecht, guard, Los Angeles Lakers — The Lakers’ first-round pick in 2024 was having an up-and-down summer heading into Vegas, and the rims in Vegas weren’t kind to the former Tennessee shooting guard. In his first two games, he averaged 11.5 points and shot an atrocious 29% from the field and 26.7% from 3-point range. The 3-point shot is supposed to be his specialty, and he couldn’t check that box. Bronny James had a better summer league than Knecht, which tells you everything about Dalton’s summer. If Knecht is going to be part of the Lakers’ rotation, he’ll need to be more consistent.

Carter Bryant, forward, San Antonio Spurs — Despite playing a limited role at the University of Arizona, where he averaged just 6.5 points per game and started five games as a freshman, Bryant was selected 14th overall in the draft. So far, Bryant looks like a JAG. Just a guy. Bryant was underwhelming in the California Classic, and his struggles continued in Las Vegas, where he couldn’t find the rim (3-for-24 from 3-point) in three games. He finally got going in the fourth game, making 4-for-6 3-pointers and finishing with 16 points. He disappears for long stretches, which is what frustrated many Wildcat fans, and he has a hard ceiling. Bryant can still be an effective role player alongside Victor Wembanyama, but don’t expect anything more.

Biggest Loser
Noa Essengue, forward, Chicago Bulls — Noa Essengue became part of NBA Summer League lore but not in a good way. Pacers second-year pro Johnny Furphy authored the dunk of the Vegas Summer League when he threw down a soul-snatching slam on Essengue’s head. What made it worse for Essengue was his facial expression after getting dunked on, and it got widely shared on social media. This was not the way you wanted to start your NBA career.

Essengue finished with 21 points in that same game, but no one will remember his stat line because it was overshadowed by the “orgasm face” meme (props to Ryan Clark for the term). You know it’s bad when two “SportsCenter” anchors, Nicole Briscoe and Ryan Smith, could barely do the highlights without laughing. Essengue, 18, was the No. 12 overall pick. He’s French but played last season in the Bundesliga with Ben Saraf for Ratiopharm Ulm. He skipped one of the Bundesliga finals games to fly to New York City to attend the NBA draft. Ulm went on to lose to Bayern Munich. It’s going to take an unbelievable rookie campaign for the Bulls for Essengue to escape THE viral moment in Vegas.

Mixed Reviews For Nets’ First-Rounders
Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf, four of the five first-round picks by the Nets, all took part in the Vegas summer league. And not surprisingly, the group needed more time to develop.

Demin, the eighth overall pick, looked the most NBA-ready. Demin has great positional size (6-8) for a guard and plays with a good amount of confidence. The biggest question mark for Demin was his 3-point shooting, but he quickly answered it by knocking down four threes in his second summer league game, and then swished three clutch 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the game against Orlando for the Nets’ only win in summer league.

Wolf (27th pick) couldn’t find his shot, but he contributed in other ways, such as rebounding and playmaking. He is comfortable handling the ball at 6-11, which makes him a candidate for multiple actions at the high post or wing. Wolf played his best game against Orlando (18 points), taking advantage of the absence of Drew Timme.

Traore (19th pick) showed an ability to blow by defenders, but couldn’t consistently finish at the rim. The same can be said about Saraf (26th pick), who played well in the German Bundesliga, helping Ratiopharm Ulm reach the finals, but the NBA is several notches higher than the Bundesliga.

The Nets would be foolish to play all their rookies this upcoming season, so we could see Traore and Saraf playing in the G League.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

The first time Cooper Flagg touched the ball, two L.A. Lakers defenders ran at him in a rare double team shortly after tip-off. It was the type of attention Flagg commanded both on the court and inside the Thomas & Mack Center as the main event of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The teenager from Newport, Maine, and the second-youngest No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft certainly didn’t disappoint in an 87-85 Dallas Mavericks victory over the Lakers. He knew a lot of eyes were glued to him, and he gave the fans who packed UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center a good show — for about a half.

After missing his first two shots, Flagg delivered a highlight-reel dunk on a fast break for his first basket as a member of the Mavs. He followed it up with a pull-up jumper from the corner over Dalton Knecht. Then, there was a sequence in the second quarter when Flagg posted up on the wing while being guarded by LeBron James’ son, Bronny James. It caused a few oohs and aahs from the pro-Laker crowd on the first night of the Las Vegas Summer.

A determined Flagg kept bumping Bronny with each dribble, but the second-year Lakers guard stood his ground and came close to causing a turnover but was called for a foul.

On the very next play, Flagg posted up Bronny again and this time he elevated over him and drained a turnaround jumper. Flagg turned to a few of Mavs teammates sitting courtside, including Kyrie Irving, and gestured something that got them all riled up.

Tickets for courtside seats were selling for $2,500, so Kyrie and Co. got their money’s worth.

Flagg finished the first half with 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting, playing predominantly as a point forward and initiator on offense. That was Mavericks coach Jason Kidd’s plan all along. He wanted to see how Flagg handles ball pressure.

“He’s shown that he can handle the press,” Kidd said of Flagg during a halftime interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

Kidd continued: “When you have someone like Cooper who can handle, who can shoot, who can pass you want the ball in his hands. He’s a great decision-maker. He did that at Duke and also in high school. He’s gonna have some mistakes; he’s gonna throw [the ball] in the stands. We all do. But I think just his poise as an 18-year-old is incredible.”

Flagg played 16 minutes in the first half, which is highly unusual for a rookie playing in his first pro game, especially a rookie who hasn’t played a meaningful game in four months. He tallied a total of 32 minutes and fatigue factored in his second-half struggles as he went 0-for-6 from the field, including two air balls from the mid-range where he normally excels.

“The coaches have a lot of confidence in me,” Flagg told reporters after the game. “They’ve been telling us to experiment and try some new things. I was trying to be aggressive, which was new for me, too. I would say it might be one of the worst games of my life.”

It wasn’t the “worst game” of Flagg’s basketball career, but his 5-for-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from behind the 3-point line, was dreadful. But the shooting stroke will improve as he gets more fit and gets used to playing 30-plus minutes against NBA competition.

Flagg was relatively absent much of the second half until the final minute of the game gave the Mavs the lead for good. However, he made a key block to snuff a layup that ignited a fast break that led to a 3-pointer by Ryan Nembhard — on an assist from Flagg — that gave the Mavs an 87-85 lead.

Flagg only cares about winning, and the block and the assist on the game-winning 3-ball are the kind of winning plays he’ll be doing for the Mavericks. He can impact the game in so many ways, and he doesn’t have to score to impact the game.

He’ll have more good days ahead than bad days.

He is the Maine Event. The Great White Hype. The next Larry Legend.

Everything you’ve heard, read, or seen about Cooper Flagg is true. He’s the real deal.

Flagg has been on the radar of practically every NBA executive ever since his buzzy performance as a then 17-year-old against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was just a simple three-day scrimmage in Las Vegas, but it was more than enough to convince many basketball decision-makers that Flagg is worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

While playing for the USA Select Team, Flagg made some eye-opening plays against a U.S. Olympic squad loaded with NBA stars and all-world defensive players. He made a 3-pointer over Anthony Davis. On the next possession, he had a putback plus an and-one over Bam Adebayo. A few moments later, he connected on a turnaround jumper over Jrue Holiday.

Even though Flagg was fresh out of high school when he was invited to the USA Basketball camp, he certainly didn’t look out of place or intimidated.

Kevin Durant told HoopsHype that Flagg looked like a “hell of a player,” someone who will only get better with more experience. “Seventeen years old coming in here playing like he’s a vet almost. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign,” Durant said.

After a one-year pit stop at Duke where he had an incredible freshman season — powering the Blue Devils to the Final Four and sweeping all the major college basketball awards — Flagg is ready to take his talents to the NBA. He is a unique, generational talent who has the potential to become one of the faces of the league.

OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best prospects in the 2025 NBA draft (the list is updated through April with the expectation that these players are declaring for the draft).

1-Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Scottie Pippen
Scouting report: Flagg is such a unique talent that evaluators are finding it difficult to frame an accurate NBA comp for him. Some observers compare him to Andrei Kirilenko, some say it’s Grant Hill or Scottie Pippen because of the similarities in body type. Flagg is a huge Larry Bird fan. It’s ironic both Flagg and Bird lost in the national championship game in their final collegiate games. Bird lost to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State squad in 1979 and Flagg fell short against Houston in 2025. When Flagg was in elementary school in his hometown of Newport, Maine, his parents gave him DVDs chronicling Bird’s career. From that point, Flagg was hooked on Larry Legend. “What we tried to instill in our kids is that however you can have an impact on winning, that’s the most important thing,” Cooper’s mom Kelly told Yahoo Sports. Just like Bird, Flagg doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. He’ll do whatever is required to win a game. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said when your best player doesn’t care about statistics and only cares about winning, it is contagious. Flagg led Duke in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). He made 38.5% of his threes and shot 84% from the free-throw line. What separates Flagg from other prospects is his defensive instincts. Flagg (measured at 6-8, 221 pounds at the NBA combine) uses every bit of his 7-foot wingspan and 40-inch vertical to lock down his opponents, whether it is out in the perimeter or near the basket. He has remarkable timing in blocking shots, a skill set that sets him apart from other wing players. “He makes hard plays look easy,” ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg said.

2-Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Paul George
Scouting report: Airious “Ace” Bailey is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA draft. His baseline NBA comp is probably Shaedon Sharpe but his ceiling could be Paul George. And Paul George would agree. If George had to pick between Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, he’d choose Bailey. “I think Ace is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside. I think Ace has a little bit more upside to him,” George said. Ace and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Bailey and Harper had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons for Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Bailey is a gifted athlete who can score at all three levels. He is bouncy but wildly inconsistent offensively. He is a tough one-on-one cover because of his size and elite athleticism, and he’s got the perfect frame (6-8, 202) to be a solid wing player. Scouts love his shot-making ability, but scouts are terrified of his shot selection. He chooses a higher degree of difficulty over simplicity. He takes a ton of bad shots, which is a tough habit to break. He’ll need to clean that up and prove to teams that he can play inside a structured system.

3-VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Victor Oladipo
Scouting report: According to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, Edgecombe hasn’t fully realized how good he can be at the next level. Fraschilla thinks Edgecombe’s ceiling is Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, but a more realistic comparison is Victor Oladipo. Edgecombe is an ultra-athletic 6-4 off-ball wing who plays with the same fearlessness as Wade and Oladipo. He is nearly unguardable when he puts his head down and drives to the basket. Part of the frustration with Edgecomb was that he was a little passive and deferred too much despite his well-rounded game. Edgecomb has to understand his natural tools. He has above-average athleticism and must know when to hunt for his shot when the right moment arises. In two games against NCAA tournament runner-up Houston, Edgecomb averaged 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and was 11-for-19 from the field. Before moving to the U.S., Edgecombe spent his childhood in the Bahamas. He’ll be following in the footsteps of other Bahamian ballers in the NBA, including Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton.

4-Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Jalen Brunson
Scouting report: Dylan Harper is a triple-double threat whenever he steps on the court. The son of former NBA player Ron Harper is a big combo guard (6-5, 213) who can fill up a stat sheet. And just like his father — a four-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers — Dylan uses his big frame to get to his spots without getting rushed. Harper is a bigger version of Jalen Brunson. He is not an explosive athlete but plays under control. He is crafty, uses angles well, and is comfortable on ball screens. Like most lefties, he tends to lean on his strong hand a little too much and declares his initial move. Dylan recorded the first triple-double for Rutgers since 1983 when he produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a victory over Columbia. Harper and Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Both had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The disappointing Rutgers season might be a dark cloud hanging over Harper during the draft process.

5-Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
NBA comparison: Norman Powell
Scouting report: Tre Johnson is the archetype of what NBA execs are looking for in a wing. He is big (6-5), has good length (6-10 wingspan), and can score at all three levels. Johnson, 19, averaged 19.9 points per game in his one-and-done season at Texas. He showcased his creative shot-making ability against stout competition in the SEC. Johnson could be a Normal Powell-type professional scorer with room to grow into a solid combo guard. He might have the best mid-range jumper in this draft class, and he uses his size to score over defenders on dribble handoffs and mid-post isolations. Tre moves well without the ball, capable of being a catch-and-shoot threat. He shot 37% from 3-point range, which should make his transition from college to pro pretty easy. With a name like Tre, he should be able to knock down threes. He does struggle guarding his position, but his size will help him mitigate that weakness. Tre claims to be a “big basketball nerd,” which is a plus. NBA teams love to hear that. He has shown good work habits and is willing to go the extra mile to improve his game.

6-Derik Queen, forward-center, Maryland
NBA comparison: Elton Brand
Scouting report: When Maryland needed a basket to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, coach Kevin Willard asked his players in the huddle during a timeout who wanted to take the last shot. Freshman Derik Queen delivered a strong message. “Give me the motherf******* ball,” he said. Willard drew up a play for Queen and the 20-year-old from Baltimore delivered in the clutch as he banked in the game-winning shot as time expired. The buzzer beater showcased Queen’s repertoire. He flashed his crafty handle in a crowded space while making a tough, contested shot. He’s the ideal 4-man or small-ball 5 as he can trigger the offense from the mid-post. You can envision him being used as an offensive hub out of “horns” sets. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism but he has outstanding footwork for a 6-9 big and he has great touch around the basket comfortable using either hand. The 3-pointer is not in his tool box yet, but with more reps — he was a 75% free throw shooter at Maryland — he’s capable of extending his range. He does need to remake his body (weighed 247 at the combine) when he gets to the NBA, but with proper training and a more disciplined diet he should be able to tone his body. The Big Ten freshman of the year was a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in the tourney, averaging nearly a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) for the season. The other cool nugget about Queen is that he was Cooper Flagg’s high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.).

7-Walter Clayton Jr., guard, Florida
NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
Scouting report: Maryland coach Kevin Willard said Walter Clayton Jr., 22, reminded him of Steph Curry “a little bit of how good he is off the dribble.” It might be absurd to compare Clayton to the greatest shooter in basketball, but he does look the part. Clayton — named the most outstanding player of the 2025 Final Four after leading Florida to a national title — might be closer to Jamal Murray than Curry. Like Steph and Jamal, Clayton shoots the ball well off the bounce and stays balanced even under duress with a quick release. He is also supremely confident and isn’t afraid of taking (and making) big shots — check out the video from the Elite Eight when Clayton dropped two dagger 3-pointers in the final 1:50 to advance the Gators to the Final Four.

When he is rolling, few can contain Clayton. He led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Clayton was a highly recruited high school football safety, but turned down offers from Notre Dame and Georgia. His football background shows in his game. He doesn’t shy away from physicality and plays through contact.

8-Egor Demin, guard-forward, Brigham Young
NBA comparison: Josh Giddey
Scouting report: The 6-9 point-forward with a 6-10 wingspan flashed some of his immense potential with a near triple-double (11-8-8) in BYU’s upset win over third-seeded Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Many Demin detractors point to his shooting woes (27% from 3-point range) as a major red flag, but it is hard to ignore the other brilliant facets of his game. Demin plays with remarkable poise for a 19-year-old and relies on his great instincts to make the right play. He has above-average handles for a 6-9 player and throws dazzling passes in traffic. He is creative with the ball and does not get rattled when trapped. His court vision and decision-making out of pick-and-rolls are elite. He’s able to whip passes over and around defenders. Defensively, his great positional size makes him an ideal defensive helper or low man helper around the basket, and he has enough lateral quickness to keep up with twitchy guards. Demin was born in Moscow and played one year in Europe for Real Madrid. He’s a plug-and-play prospect despite his age and inconsistent jumper.

9-Maxime Raynaud, forward-center, Stanford
NBA comparison: Lauri Markkanen
Scouting report: Raynaud is a skilled 7-footer who made a big jump from his junior year to his senior year at Stanford. He bumped up his points from 15.5 to 20.2, raised his rebounds from 9.6 to 10.6, and improved his blocks from 0.8 to 1.4. These are significant bumps that cant’ be overlooked. It means his arrow keeps point up and he’s developing at a really good pace. The Frenchman could be an ideal pick-and-pop center at the next level. He shot 36.7% of his 3-pointers as a junior and 34.7% as a senior. He’s not a banger so he’ll need to bulk up and add more muscle to his 236-pound frame. He does have a nice post-up game to go with his face-up jumper. He prefers to stay out in the perimeter, but he has decent touch around the basket and can score with either hand. Like most bigs, he lacks lateral quickness which could expose him against strong one-on-one players. Raynaud boosted his draft profile with a strong showing at the NBA combine in Chicago, especially during the 5-on-5 scrimmages. He projects more of a 4-man rather than a 5-man, but he can play both spots. He could really shine if paired with a physical center who can cover up for his shortcomings.

10-Danny Wolf, forward-center, Michigan
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
Scouting report: Many mock drafts have Wolf slotted in the mid-to-late first-round range. The 20-year-old versatile big man is a unique prospect who could blossom into an outstanding pro. Wolf is a 6-11, 250-pound big with guard-like skills, exactly what teams are looking for in a 4- or 5-man. He can be a hub on offense as a “point center” because he is comfortable handling the ball in space, and his size allows him to see over the defense. He takes calculated risks as the trigger man on pick-and-rolls. He’s also a strong rebounder, averaging 9.7 boards during his sophomore season at Yale and his junior season at Michigan. He plays with a lot of energy and has a consistent motor, which bodes well for his defensive projection. Here are some concerns: He is prone to turning the ball over, shot just 49% from the field, and does not protect the rim despite his large frame. He also shot under 60% from the free throw line at Michigan, but he did shoot 71% at Yale, which could mean it is a correctable weakness. Despite the drawbacks, Wolf might be worth the risk because the reward could be great.

11-Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
NBA comparison: Julius Randle
Scouting report: Murray-Boyles raised his draft stock after a strong sophomore season at South Carolina. He improved in every major statistical category and made second-team all-conference in a very competitive SEC. Murray-Boyles, listed at 6-7, was forced to play center for an underwhelming Gamecocks team that finished 12-20 overall. But he will likely be slotted as a big forward in the NBA. CMB plays bigger than his size and brings a ton of physicality. He uses his 240-pound frame to carve out space in the paint (shot 58% from the field) and has decent handles for a power forward. As a bonus, CMB plays hard on the defensive end and could potentially be a strong perimeter and post defender because of his wingspan and quick feet. His defense could become his calling card at the next level and make him part of a rotation.

12-Ben Saraf, guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Bundesliga)
NBA comparison: Goran Dragic
Scouting report: Israeli guard Ben Saraf is the best international prospect in a weak international class. The 19-year-old played a year for Ratiopharm Ulm in the very competitive Bundesliga in Germany. He plays with a ton of energy and passion. He’s listed at 6-5 but lacks strength. He relies on his craftiness to shed defenders, but he’s got a solid handle that allows him to get to his spots. He’s got decent body control and has enough athleticism to score over and around bigger defenders. He has plenty of international experience playing for Israel’s national team, and he was named MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He didn’t shoot the 3-ball well in his first season with Ulm (22.2%), so whoever drafts him will have to work with his shooting form. Despite his shortcomings as a long-range shooter, Saraf has all the intangibles to be a solid pro. NBA scouts got a sneak peek at Saraf in 2024 as he scored 16 points and made three 3-pointers in a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome have they eyes on an NCAA tournament title run. (Getty Images)

Jack Gohlke and DJ Burns weren’t household names at the start of March Madness last year. By the time the tournament reached peak interest, Gohlke and Burns became major headlines.

Gohlke starred in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA men’s tournament, spearheading tiny Oakland University to an upset victory over Kentucky. Gohlke finished the game with 32 points, making 10 3-pointers. Burns’ tournament celebrity status lasted two weeks as he powered North Carolina State to its first Final Four appearance since Jim Valvano’s Cinderella run in 1983. Burns’ big moment came in the Elite Eight when he scored 29 points to knock off ACC rival Duke.

Who will be this year’s Gohlke and Burns? A closer look at new potential March Madness heroes. OMFB picked eight players who could be major difference-makers in the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. These are not necessarily the best pro prospects — although Flagg and Queen are high on most experts’ mock drafts — but they may deliver the shining moments in this year’s Big Dance.

Cooper Flagg
Duke’s NCAA championship hopes hinge on Flagg’s ankles. He’s only got one healthy ankle entering the tournament, and that may be good enough. The Blue Devils have a good roster, but they have a great roster with Flagg in the lineup. Flagg was the engine that drove Duke to the No. 1 seed in the East Region. He finished the regular season leading the team in points (18.9), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.1), blocks (1.3) and steals (1.5). There is no one on Duke’s roster who can provide that same type of productivity.

Johni Broome
Three years ago, Auburn was ranked No. 1 and was among the favorites to win the NCAA title. Bruce Pearl’s squad was then led by a fabulous freshman, Jabari Smith Jr., who was selected third overall in the 2022 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Pearl and the Tigers enter the field of 68 in 2025 with another big-time forward, Johni Broome. Broome, a fifth-year senior who started his college career in 2020 at Morehead State before transferring to Auburn, was the SEC player of the year and led the conference in rebounds (10.6) and blocks (2.3).

Walter Clayton Jr.
The Florida Gators are among the favorites to cut down the nets in San Antonio. The SEC tournament champions have the talent and depth to make a deep tourney run. They have a top-10 offense and top-10 defense. It all starts at the point with Walter Clayton Jr. When he’s rolling, there is no team in the West Region that can keep up with the Gators. Clayton led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line.

Derik Queen
Queen is the reigning Big Ten freshman of the year and a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in college basketball. Queen nearly averaged a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) during the regular season. He and senior Julian Reese form one of the best frontcourt duos in the nation. This might be Queen’s only tourney appearance as he’s expected to go high in the NBA draft.

L.J. Cryer
The 23-year-old fifth-year senior certainly has loads of experience. He was a member of Baylor’s 2021 national championship team and started 37 games last season for the Houston Cougars. He came back for his super senior season (thanks to the COVID eligibility rule) with hopes of helping coach Kelvin Sampson reach the Final Four. The Cougars have a balanced offense and a rugged defense. Cryer, who averaged a team-leading 15.2 points while shooting 42.2% from the 3-point line, is the head of the snake on both ends.

Chaz Lanier
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes leaned on All-American Dalton Knecht to provide much of the firepower offensively for the Vols last season and this season he has leaned on fifth-year senior Chaz Lanier. Barnes’ teams have historically been very stout defensively. His previous Achilles’ heel has been on the offensive end. Knecht fixed that Achilles’ heel last season and Lanier continues the same formula in 2025. Lanier is a knock-down shooter who can heat up like a microwave oven. He set the Vols single-season record for most 3-pointers, becoming only the third Tennessee player to make over 100 3s in a season. The SEC newcomer of the year is shooting 40% from 3-point range.

Braden Smith
Point guard Braden Smith had some massive shoes to fill this year after the departure of two-time NCAA player of the year Zach Edey. Smith didn’t dominate the Big Ten like Edey did a year ago, but he did manage to lead Purdue back to the NCAA tournament. Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn formed a potent 1-2 punch for Matt Painter’s Boilermakers. Smith is one of the steadiest guards in the country, averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range.

Jase Richardson
The last time Michigan State won a national championship, Jase Richardson’s dad, Jason Richardson, played for coach Tom Izzo. Jase may not be the slam dunk prowess of his NBA dad, but what he brings to the table is shooting. Izzo has a well-balanced squad that had just two players average over 10 points per game. Jase Richardson was second on the team in points (11.6) and second in 3-point percentage (38.8%). If Jase gets hot, Izzo and the Spartans might make a Final Four trip.