With the Mavericks profitable the NBA Draft Lottery — and the correct to pick out Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 choose — let’s take our first stab at projecting how the draft will play out now that the order is ready.
Under is my two-round mock. You could find this mock, plus scouting experiences for each single prospect within the 2025 NBA Draft Information, which you’ll be able to discover right here.
Congratulations to the Mavericks, you gained the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes! That is the primary time because the odds had been flattened in 2019 {that a} workforce with such low odds (8.4%) moved all the way in which as much as the primary choose, making it considerably of a miracle for the Mavericks, particularly after buying and selling Luka Dončić simply three months in the past. And what a prize Flagg is for the franchise. Flagg is a do-it-all ahead who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates higher as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s each the perfect offensive and defensive prospect on this draft class, making him the most secure No. 1 choose in ages. It’s his progress as a shot creator that can resolve if he reaches his All-Star flooring or soars to his Corridor of Fame ceiling.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo trying to find his subsequent franchise, the query now will probably be whether or not the Spurs commerce this choose to land the Greek Freak or not. Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, because the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 man earlier than profitable 5 titles as a task participant. Like his father, Harper has a high-floor with the ability, poise, and playmaking instincts to dictate the sport at his tempo. He clearly has expertise, however the Spurs simply traded for De’Aaron Fox and have already got Stephon Fortress. There’s an excessive amount of overlap with Harper, which means the Spurs may look to commerce down or out.
After a disastrous season, the Sixers get to maintain their top-six protected choose. However drafting Bailey would increase severe questions concerning the path of the franchise. On one hand, he’s a ridiculous shot-making machine, able to splashing contested jumpers from each spot on the ground and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. At his dimension, he matches subsequent to Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain within the years to come back. However can the Sixers afford to attend when the clock is ticking on the Joel Embiid period? Bailey’s capturing consistency, plus his uncooked edges as a shot creator and defender, want sanding down to show him right into a full-on star. It will not be a shocker if the Sixers look to commerce down (or out) with a workforce badly hoping to land Bailey.
Edgecombe is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Edgecombe wants to enhance his shot creation to turn into extra of a main creator, however that’ll matter much less in Charlotte so long as LaMelo Ball stays wholesome.
Knueppel brings greater than only a sharpshooter’s stroke to the the Jazz because of his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and artful scoring really feel. Pairing him with Lauri Markkanen works as a result of Knueppel can merely match with anybody. There might be some untapped upside in him too, since he’s obtained a slick midrange bag and power scoring inside. To turn into a participant that takes over video games although, he’ll want to beat his common athleticism.
As crushing as it’s for the Wizards to get leapfrogged within the draft, possibly it may find yourself a blessing in disguise. The Wizards had been final in offensive score this season, so they’re badly in want of a scoring punch from somebody like Johnson. At Texas, Johnson confirmed he’s a clutch shot-maker who can catch hearth from everywhere in the flooring, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. However he must proceed growing his level guard abilities whereas additionally honing his shot choice and dramatically enhancing his protection.
The Pelicans badly want some extent guard of the longer term, and Fears has the abilities to turn into that for them as a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking type and a knack for coming by means of as a clutch shooter. He was one in all school basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it confirmed along with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. However he has a really feel for shot creation and a deal with that lets him get anyplace on the ground, so he might solely want time to emerge as a star.
Queen is a burly large with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin strikes, and artful finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to ship Maryland to the Candy 16. From early in his profession with the Nets, he could make an impression with these inside abilities. The query is how lengthy, if ever, it’ll take to translate his velvet contact to the perimeter. If he does that, he has an offensive star upside. However his inside scoring, playmaking chops, and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential. These traits alone make him an intriguing match for a workforce with a clear slate just like the Nets.
Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing photographs on the rim and shadowing fast guards on the perimeter. Within the long-term he might be the anchor of the Raptors’ protection. However past dunking lobs, he’s a piece in progress on offense with an absence of seasoning as a screener, shooter, and creator. He additionally grabbed zero rebounds in his last recreation at Duke. Such a uncooked skill-set ought to come as no shock because the South Sudan native didn’t begin enjoying basketball till he was 13. Persistence may repay for the Raptors although.
Jakucionis is a slick shot-creator with a artistic passing gene and a fearless scoring means, carving up defenses with artful finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. However as a freshman he’d comply with up these highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype prepare. The Rockets have so many alternative shot creators that he may lean into his strengths as a shooter and develop his level abilities in a mimized function. However they don’t have the man, so there’d actually be stress on KJ to turn into the offensive engine.
The Blazers trended approach up on protection within the second half of final season, so taking Murray-Boyles would function a double-down on the workforce’s newfound identification. Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way in which he locks down each place, makes use of his ninja-quick palms to swipe on the ball, and inhales rebounds. He’s a particular defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking really feel. Bettering his jumper would transfer him out of tweener territory and into All-Star standing.
Richardson is a talented combo guard with a deadly midrange recreation and a poised pick-and-roll really feel, wanting like he downloaded the expertise of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Pairing Richardson with Josh Giddey may make for a deadly two-man mixture since Richardson is so potent transferring with out the ball. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s top or dunk contest athleticism although, so his smaller stature may cap his upside. However the Bulls have a ton of size and flexibility that might mitigate that concern on protection, and sufficient shot creation on offense to let Richardson thrive off ball whereas choosing his spots as a creator.
Essengue is a toolsy ahead with a fluid deal with, dynamic ending bundle, and extremely versatile protection. That’s why he has vital attraction for the Hawks, as a result of any workforce may use a 6-foot-9 prospect with upside throughout the board. However Essengue isn’t a consensus high choose as a result of long-term means hinges on the jumper clicking. Over three consecutive years, he’s gone from a hackable nonshooter to a participant making 24.4% of his 3s and 70.1% of his free throws. If it doesn’t proceed progressing, his protection should maintain ascending to a degree that forestalls Quin Snyder from preserving him off the ground.
14. San Antonio Spurs (by way of Atlanta): Egor Demin, G, BYU
Demin has a uncommon means at his dimension to make dazzling passes. At 6-foot-9, he’d add a novel ingredient to the Spurs’ frontcourt. However he’s no assure to thrive within the NBA. At BYU, Demin struggled to shoot and create his personal shot towards prolonged defenders, making him extra of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a positive factor. However the Spurs have already got a main creator in De’Aaron Fox, so Demin might be definitely worth the threat since he can develop slowly as a creator whereas leaning into his present strengths as a cutter, screener, and defender.
The Thunder have a behavior of choosing uncooked forwards, whether or not it’s Ousmane Dieng or Aleksej Pokuševski. Bryant could be an analogous kind of threat. Past his slicing, he wants to enhance as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage video games. And that is precisely what he did to shut his freshman yr at Arizona, making 45.5% of his 3s within the convention event and NCAA event. Past scoring, Bryant is a rangy, athletic ahead who tasks as a extremely versatile defender.
The Magic ranked twenty fifth in 3-point makes an attempt and final in proportion. It’d be a shocker in the event that they didn’t draft somebody who can shoot at this spot. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with excellent instincts transferring with the ball, and the contact to splash from deep ranges. Although he doesn’t mission as a main shot creator, his really feel as a connective passer provides him the ability to suit into any kind of offense.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (by way of Detroit): Nique Clifford
Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does all of it. He defends a number of positions, crashes the boards, and scores from in every single place. The Timberwolves may use that kind of dynamic means from a task participant, since Clifford can supply some creation and passing on high of his foundational abilities. And plus with Nickeil Alexander-Walker set to hit free company, Minnesota would possibly want somebody who’s prepared prior to later.
Newell has springs in his legs, usually slamming lobs and swatting photographs. Though his self-discipline displays his youth, his energetic type suggests he’ll sometime turn into a extremely versatile defender. Pairing him with Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson would make for fairly an thrilling basis in Washington.
Traoré oozes upside along with his dimension, blazing pace, and shiftiness off the bounce. And it’s beginning to manifest into precise manufacturing: In his final recreation, he dropped 21 factors with seven assists to solely two turnovers. And he continued to shoot the heck out of the ball too. Over his final six video games, he’s made 50% of his 3s. And over his final 10 video games, he’s made 82% of his free throws. Inefficient scoring and erratic decision-making are the large issues with Traore, but when he retains this up there’s an opportunity he gained’t even make it to this choose for Brooklyn to pair with to pair with Derik Queen.
Pat Riley mentioned he has no plans to retire and that “80 is the brand new 60,” so it’s exhausting to think about the Warmth going with a uncooked mission within the draft. Which is why Penda makes a ton of sense; he performs with a veteran’s thoughts and a profitable mentality, providing connective playmaking, switchable protection, and high-level really feel. He’ll want to enhance his jumper to stay long-term, however his unselfish recreation and defensive utility give him a powerful basis that might assist Miami win video games instantly.
After taking Knueppel with their lottery choose, the Jazz go along with Riley right here so as to add much more versatility to the roster. Riley has dynamic driving means and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. However his jumper is streaky, and his protection is unreliable since he’s so lean bodily and lacks fundamentals. However Utah can afford to be affected person.
Coward has gone from a Division III participant to a possible first-round choose in only a few years behind his fast improvement right into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. Together with his 7-foot-2 wingspan, Coward is among the quick risers all through the pre-draft course of with workforce executives from a number of groups believing he gained’t final till the late first spherical or the early second as they as soon as had hoped. Even having him go twenty second to the Hawks might be too low since he’s a high-floor participant with intriguing upside because of his passing imaginative and prescient and intriguing pull-up capturing.
With Myles Turner coming into free agent this offseason, the Pacers might be in want of a middle. Even when he does return, Raynaud may function a backup heart or give Indiana a flexible possibility for a two-big look. Raynaud has leveled up yearly at Stanford, turning right into a participant who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a easy deal with, and makes eye-popping passes. As a gifted passer who additionally gives strong protection, there’s little motive to assume the Frenchman gained’t carve out an NBA function.
Lendeborg fills the stat sheet in each class, exhibiting off athletic shot creation, dominant rebounding, and versatile protection. There actually isn’t something he can’t do, it’s only a matter if what he does in a weaker convention can translate to the professionals. Some NBA groups hope he returns to highschool, since he’d face a a lot increased degree of competitors as a Michigan switch. However what if he will get promised by a workforce reminiscent of OKC, the place he’d be in a fantastic participant developmental program? It’d be a troublesome alternative for Lendeborg, and positively the Thunder could be smart to take an enormous swing with one or two of their firsts.
Pettiford is a combo guard with a sniper’s contact, raining 3s and deadly floaters whereas flashing playmaking savvy and a bulldog mentality on each ends. However his smaller dimension means he’ll want to wash up his shot choice and decision-making to max out his recreation on the subsequent degree. In Orlando, these flaws might be masked since he’d have dimension within the backcourt subsequent to him with Jalen Suggs and size throughout each different place.
Wolf is a 7-footer who ran level for Michigan, enjoying a slick type with dangerous passes and step-back jumpers that made him a spotlight manufacturing unit. However he’s additionally a turnover machine and his capturing numbers are shaky, making him extra of a uncooked wager who wants time to show he can match his flash with substance. The Nets are precisely the kind of workforce that may be smart to take a swing for the fences with him.
The Nets have 5 high 36 picks. Are they actually going to maintain all these? I doubt it. However no matter what Brooklyn does, drafting one or a number of guards may make some sense since this roster is a clear slate. Saraf has sufficient dimension that he may play with others if his capturing comes alongside. However for now, his greatest ability is his playmaking as a lefty shot-creator who depends on guile, footwork, and physique management.
Al Horford turns 39 this summer season and Kristaps Porzingis can’t keep on the ground. The Celtics want to begin fascinated about the way forward for the middle place, and Sorber may completely be a steal at this a part of the draft. Sorber is unlikely to take part in on-court exercises attributable to a foot damage that ended his freshman yr at Georgetown after simply 24 video games, however he nonetheless tasks as a first-round choose attributable to his brick-house body and the throwback skill-set to match. He units robust screens, scores with soft-touch finishes, and has gritty drop-coverage instincts.
Clayton may find yourself a lot increased than this after main Florida to a nationwide championship, relying on how his week goes on the NBA Draft Mix. However he slips on this mock as a result of lots of the groups drafting forward of the Suns have already got smaller guards, or maybe go for a youthful participant. This might work to Phoenix’s benefit since Clayton may are available instantly as a fearless shooter with the flexibility to take a shot at any second. In a possible post-Kevin Durant period (and hopefully post-Bradley Beal period) there’d be a necessity for extra scoring within the years to come back subsequent to Devin Booker.
Assuming Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are each again in Los Angeles, the entrance workplace might want to search for upgrades across the edges. Ben Simmons did a strong job as a backup heart, however his scoring allergy was a extreme limitation. That is why Fleming would have such vital attraction since he drains spot-up jumpers and brings power on protection, swatting photographs and snagging boards. Though he has some actual warts as a ball-handler, the Clippers want his different optimistic qualities far more off the bench.
SECOND ROUND
Would possibly it’s time to discover a low-cost large man? Each Naz Reid and Julius Randle have participant choices this summer season, and Rudy Gobert will probably be 33 subsequent season with solely two assured seasons remaining on his contract. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting photographs along with his big wingspan and dunking every thing in sight. It’s a bit unusual he isn’t a greater rebounder. However as a brilliant senior, he’s additionally developed some sneaky passing and capturing abilities that trace at increased upside, making him a worthy gamble regardless of his age for a win-now workforce like Minnesota.
If the Celtics are certainly going to make large strikes to chop down on their wage quantity this offseason, then they may want extra athletic wings. Thiero matches the invoice as a slasher with a jacked body and an explosive first step. He has extreme limitations on offense as a shooter, but when he’s ready to determine the shot then his size and flexibility would make him a basic 3-and-D function participant.
The Hornets had been twenty eighth in 3-point proportion final season, so discovering extra capturing is a should on this draft. Marković is a contemporary stretch ahead who additionally gives ability as a passer and publish scorer. However to deal with the trials of the NBA and turn into a optimistic defender, he wants so as to add a ton of muscle.
One other shooter right here for Charlotte. Brea tasks as a capturing specialist who has a transparent path to turning into a rotation participant due to his extremely wanted ability. However in an effort to keep away from being a weak hyperlink on protection, he’ll must make enhancements to his athleticism.
The Sixers may use extra wing protection and Powell is a switch-everything defender who performs with a excessive motor. If his spot-up jumper interprets he checks all of the packing containers to be a 3-and-D function participant at a minimal. With out the assure of a jumper, he at the least has a chiseled body that he makes use of to barrel into defenders on the rim and to comprise opponents when he’s on protection.
Brooklyn will doubtless consolidate a few of its 5 picks this yr. But when the Nets maintain this choose, Gonzalez may match anyplace as a high-motor wing with nice defensive instruments and a slashing type on offense. If his jumper and deal with develop, he might be a flexible two-way starter. However he barely even performed off the bench abroad.
That is Detroit’s lone choose on this draft. How will the Pistons construct on what was such a promising step ahead this season? Including one other creator subsequent to Cade Cunningham would make sense, particularly somebody like Philon, who’s a shifty level guard with a buttery floater, superior pick-and-roll playmaking, and a misleading deal with that lets him management the tempo. His feathery contact teases untapped capturing potential, however he’s obtained to show it to turn into an offensive maestro. Subsequent to Cade, there’d be much less stress on being the person and he may as an alternative thrive as a supporter.
The Spurs will want connectors of their core headlined by Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Fortress, and De’Aaron Fox. Somebody like Uzan, who has lengthy been a high-IQ combo guard who knits groups collectively along with his playmaking abilities and defensive hustle. After transferring to Houston, he honed his jumper to provide him an excellent stronger skill-set to excel for a few years within the NBA.
After choosing Maluach within the lottery, it wouldn’t harm so as to add a wing to the roster like Byrd. At San Diego State, Byrd made an incredible statistical impression turning protection into offense frequently. However he’s obtained a unfastened deal with and a shaky jumper, making him extra of a uncooked mission with loads to show. The Raptors ought to be the kind of workforce prepared to take a swing on him, given they aren’t in a win-now state of affairs.
Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade abilities as an off-ball motion scorer and shooter. However his athletic ceiling and protection will decide if he’s greater than only a backup. Studying from Khris Middleton may find yourself one of many nice blessings of his profession.
What’s turn into obvious watching the Warriors with out Stephen Curry is the necessity for extra dependable shot creation. Jones gives artful combo guard abilities with superior shot creation and a blossoming playmaking really feel. However his so-so athleticism and streaky capturing paint him as only a cog slightly than the uncommon star upperclassmen set to enter the league. That’s completely fantastic for the Warriors, so long as he’s capable of finding higher consistency as a shooter.
It’s the top of an period in Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox is gone. Domantas Sabonis might be subsequent. It’s time to take an enormous swing as an alternative of enjoying it secure: Beringer is a middle however has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to construct on for years to come back. He started enjoying basketball solely three years in the past, which makes him a uncooked mission, but additionally makes his pure abilities all of the extra spectacular. There’s an opportunity he doesn’t even make all of it the way in which to Sacramento, however somebody is at all times sure to fall.
Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who performs larger than his dimension and impacts the sport along with his toughness, rebounding, and defensive grit. He looks as if precisely the kind of energizer that Danny Ainge has traditionally beloved to have coming off his bench. However his positional tweener standing, streaky capturing, and restricted creation means complicate his means to carve out a specialised function.
Yang is a large Chinese language 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes nicely, and cleans the glass. However how a lot his gradual ft and lack of capturing vary may be improved will decide whether or not he can stick within the execs. For Oklahoma Metropolis, a workforce that doesn’t want something particular, it will make sense to have him within the developmental pipeline.
After lacking out on bigs within the lottery, the Bulls could be lucky to have a prospect of Condon’s caliber fall all the way in which to the forty fifth choose. Condon is a high-octane Aussie large with a relentless motor, versatile protection, and the playmaking pizzazz for no-look dimes. However most fashionable bigs want both a dependable jumper or immense inside dimension, leaving him as a little bit of a tweener at this stage. With Nikola Vucevic and Zach Collins having just one yr remaining on their contracts, Condon may develop behind the scenes.
To date on this mock the Magic have drafted some extent guard (Pettiford) and a wing (McNeeley). Each of them can shoot. Right here, they get a combo guard in Lanier, who transferred to Tennessee after 4 years at North Florida and instantly thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. With out nice dimension or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-round prospect. However the Magic have these areas coated already by different gamers on their roster.
The way forward for Giannis Antetokounmpo loomed over the draft lottery, making this mid-second rounder really feel like an afterthought for Milwaukee. However with or with out Giannis, the franchise’s restricted property means hitting these picks issues loads. With Damian Lillard sidelined for many if not all of subsequent season, Fland would make some sense as some extent guard who boogies across the flooring with shifty handles, pick-and-roll poise, and shot-making upside. Whether or not he sticks within the NBA may hinge on whether or not he improves as a paint finisher whereas additionally mastering his jumper off the dribble.
Williams is doubtlessly transferring to Kansas, the potential top-ranked workforce within the nation this season. Nevertheless it’s an enormous week for him on the NBA Draft Mix. If he excels, he might be out of vary for the Grizzlies. If not, it’s exhausting to think about him staying within the draft. But when he does, then Memphis could be a powerful mutual match. Williams is a broad-shouldered wing with the flexibility to slip from level guard to energy ahead, at all times exhibiting the flexibility to make a optimistic impression it doesn’t matter what his workforce wants. A scarcity of top-end athleticism places him in a task participant bucket, however he brings greater than sufficient profitable qualities.
Down 3-1 to the Pacers, this season is heading for a crash touchdown end for Cleveland. Ty Jerome is an unrestricted free agent this summer season and it might be extremely tough to maintain him, so discovering a task participant that may additionally deal with a bit bit might be a precedence within the draft. James is a flexible defender who units a tone along with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he’s labored exhausting to turn into a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. And he brings far more than capturing as a artful playmaker who retains the ball transferring. However with out the deal with of a main creator, it’s essential he sustains his newfound success as a shooter.
Mitchell Robinson is a superb inside defender, however his limitations as a free throw shooter can put a pressure on the Knicks’ offense. New York wants one other choice to play at heart. Broome is a brilliant senior who brings a ready-made recreation as an inside finisher with a passing really feel and tone-setting protection. Although his shaky jumper hasn’t progressed as a lot as NBA groups would hope, enjoying subsequent to Karl-Anthony Cities would enable Broome to take the inside function.
James Harden can’t be the one supply of playmaking for The Clippers. They want somebody that may enable him to function off-ball, if he’s prepared. Nembhard is a wonderful flooring common who excels in pick-and-roll conditions and made nice progress as a scorer throughout his senior yr. Together with his small stature, he has pure limitations that put a cap on his upside. However maybe a stout Clippers protection may assist mitigate that concern.
Dixon is a burly ahead who brings a toughness and physicality to the sport. As Villanova’s all-time main scorer, he confirmed versatile scoring abilities, however within the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a restrict on the kind of utilization he can obtain. The professionals outweigh the cons for a workforce in want of a tone-setter just like the Suns although.
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Utah’s fourth and last choose on this mock lands them Proctor, a former projected lottery choose who had three up-and-down years at Duke. However his progress as a junior gives loads of room for optimism. Proctor is a tall combo guard with nice passing imaginative and prescient that was anticipated to go one-and-done, however has taken till his junior yr to look prepared for the NBA. At this level, he’s sharpened his jumper and turn into an excellent higher defender.
Watkins is a flexible participant who can run the present, slash to the paint, and change throughout positions on protection. These versatile qualities appear tailor made for Indiana’s multi-creator offense. However the improvement of his jumper is caught in quicksand, which raises questions on his means to excel in a much less distinguished on-ball function.
Because the Lakers construct out their roster round Luka Dončić, they’re going to wish rugged wings like Luis who can set a tone on protection along with his versatility and depth. At this level of the draft, each participant has their flaws although. Luis obtained benched in St. John’s last recreation as a result of his shaky capturing and decision-making on offense grew to become such a difficulty. If he can enhance these issues although, his downhill attacking type may turn into an asset.
Ružić tasks as a knockdown shooter with passing really feel, although at solely 18 till October he’s extremely uncooked bodily. With so many younger gamers already on the roster, the Grizzlies may stash him and let him proceed to develop abroad.
Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian ahead who grinds on protection and likes to dish the ball round. However his scoring comes and goes along with his streaky jumper since he’s not somebody who generates a lot of his personal photographs. After taking so many extra dependable shooters earlier within the draft, it wouldn’t harm Orlando to roll the cube on somebody who exhibits flashes although.
If the Cavaliers make an enormous change this offseason by buying and selling Jarrett Allen, they may use one other large on the roster to proceed permitting for two-big lineups. Almansa is an completed worldwide large who tasks as a flexible offensive hub and prolific rebounder, although prior to later his manufacturing might want to begin matching his flashes of upside.
The Rockets want somebody who can get a bucket within the half courtroom; Williams is an enormous wing who thrives on making powerful midrange jumpers and motion 3s off the catch. He’s an older prospect at age 24, however nonetheless belongs on the draft radar due to his sparkplug scoring skill-set.