The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft came and went with no shortage of drama. Cooper Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks, fulfilling expectations and kicking off the night with a bang.
Duke saw three players, including Flagg, go in the lottery, reaffirming the program’s powerhouse status.
As the lights dim on Day 1, true basketball fans know that the second round of the NBA Draft often hides future All-Stars. While the spotlight moves elsewhere, NBA front offices are gearing up to uncover hidden value on Day 2, and there’s still a deep pool of talent just waiting for an opportunity.
Who could steal the show in Round 2?
The top name still on the board is Saint Joseph‘s forward Rasheer Fleming. Ranked No. 1 among remaining prospects on several consensus draft boards, the 6-foot-9.5 stretch forward showed off his range with a 39% shooting clip from deep and a high defensive motor throughout his junior season.
His combination of rim protection, rebounding, and outside shooting makes him a modern NBA four.
Next up is Maxime Raynaud, a 7-foot-1.5 French-Swiss forward/center who played at Stanford. With a game built around finesse and versatility, Raynaud can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and pass out of the post.
Adou Thiero from Arkansas brings elite athleticism and untapped potential. At 6-foot-7.5, he explodes past defenders and has defensive tools that scouts drool over.
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner offers a throwback skill set with modern flair. At 7-foot-2.25, he’s a true interior presence with sneaky range and shot-blocking skills. Though his rebounding isn’t dominant, his ability to hold down the paint in drop coverage schemes makes him valuable to teams seeking a rim protector.
Noah Penda, a 6-foot-8.5 forward from Le Mans in France, may not wow in workouts, but his IQ and feel for the game are exceptional.
Marquette’s Kam Jones could be a sleeper backcourt addition. His feel in pick-and-rolls and efficient off-ball movement have drawn comparisons to Derrick White.
Then there’s Tyrese Proctor, the former Duke playmaker who was once projected as a lottery pick. Though his development slowed in college, Proctor still has the size and skill to develop into a high-end backup or even a starter in time.
Auburn’s Johni Broome, Missouri sharpshooter Tamar Bates, defensive ace Micah Peavy from Georgetown, and Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier round out the top remaining names. Broome brings pro-ready size and interior dominance.
Bates, who hit 94.6 percent from the free throw line last season, is a shooting specialist with a 6’10” wingspan. Peavy’s defense is elite, and if his jumper improves, he could be a Jae Crowder-type asset. Lanier is a late-bloomer with deep shooting range who could carve out a Patty Mills-style role.
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