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2025 NBA Draft Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addict4sneakers,
- Start date
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Feel like Chet is what folks wanted to think Poku could be.
Frame still worrisome though.
Frame still worrisome though.
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Ranking Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons and the No. 1 men's college basketball recruits in the ESPN era
As we approach the early-signing period for men's college basketball, we are taking a moment to look back on the best No. 1-ranked prospects in the ESPN recruiting era.
Last cycle, Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren was the No. 1-ranked prospect. This time around, it is Kentucky commit Shaedon Sharpe. Overall, we have ranked college basketball recruits since the Class of 2007.
Player rankings are based on many criteria, including their performances, production, potential and projection. To select the best of the best was a challenging process, and it made us remember their giftedness. With so much star power to choose from, the likes of Brandon Jennings (200
, Harrison Barnes (2010), Jahlil Okafor (2014) and Marvin Bagley III (2017) missed the cut.
The selections below were based on a combination of their high school and college careers, along with their draft selection and their NBA career. Greatness leaves no doubt. These five are the best of the best.
1. PF Anthony Davis
Class of 2011
Kentucky Wildcats
Davis was special because he could post big numbers with his low-post and face-up jumpers, as well as using his length to rebound for second-chance points. No one back in the 2011 class had elevated their game like Davis. He had gone from a relative unknown to the top prospect in the country and a McDonald's All American.
During his time at Perspectives Charter (Chicago), he had a seven-inch growth spurt that began after his sophomore season. Davis had guard skills, an enormous wingspan and standing reach, and extreme mobility, although he was very thin. He averaged 32 points, 22 rebounds and 7 blocks per game as a high school senior.
Part of Kentucky's No. 1 recruiting class, Davis led the Wildcats to a 38-2 record and the 2012 national championship, tallying 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists and 3 steals in the title game as he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He was selected No. 1 in the NBA draft months later, helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2019-20 NBA championship and was named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team.
2. C Kevin Love
Class of 2007
UCLA Bruins
Love came up in the game when post players who can dominate the paint were highly coveted. I coached him as a rising senior at the prestigious ABCD camp in New Jersey. Even back then, he was a worker in drill situations and his outlet passes to start fast breaks were impressive. A big-bodied post player with natural strength, his advanced skill and rebounding prowess stood out.
But what made him special was his tremendous understanding of the game with a great self-awareness of his strengths. He won a couple of state championships at Lake Oswego High school in Oregon, was named Gatorade's national player of the year and finished as the state's all-time leading scorer in boys' basketball history with 2,628 points.
His production level and impact in his one year at UCLA was off the charts. His 23 double-doubles are tied for fourth most by a freshman. He led UCLA to a Final Four and was the first freshman since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1996 to be named Pac-12 Player of the Year. (Deandre Ayton and Evan Mobley have since won it.) He won gold at the 2012 Olympics, and he has won one NBA title, been a five-time All-Star and been named to the All-NBA team twice in 14 years. But perhaps most telling of his work habits, he was the NBA's most improved player in 2011.
3. PF Ben Simmons
Class of 2015
LSU Tigers
When Simmons landed in the States as a sophomore in January 2013, he was an immediate difference-maker. He led Montverde Academy in Florida to three straight GEICO National championships, and was named MVP in his last two years and also the McDonald's, Naismith and Gatorade player of the year.
He was a matchup problem because he had a power forward's size with the mindset and skill of a point guard. Defensively, he showed the ability to cover every position, point guard through center. His passing ability was some of the best in recent memory, and he drew comparisons to Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway as a playmaking guard.
His 23 double-doubles as a freshman were tied for the fourth most by a freshman, although his LSU team did not qualify for the NCAA tournament. Simmons became the first player in SEC history to finish in the top five in points, rebounds and assists, and while his free throw percentage was low, his 199 free throws were the most in a season since Pete Maravich. He became the second player in LSU history (Shaquille O'Neal) to be drafted first overall, and he is a three-time All-Star and two-time first-team all-defensive player with the Philadelphia 76ers.
4. SF RJ Barrett
Class of 2018
Duke Blue Devils
I remember seeing Barrett score 18 points and make four clutch free throws in a win over Huntington Prep when he was a freshman at Montverde Academy. He was energetic and aggressive with his drive, rebounding and defense. He had enormous success under coach Kevin Boyle and led undefeated Montverde to the GEICO national title, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the championship.
Barrett reclassified to the 2018 class and flourished under coach Mike Krzyzewski. He holds Duke's freshman records in total points (860), scoring average (22.6 ppg), minutes played and 20-point games. He, along with Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish, led the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight, and Barrett was selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. After averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds as a rookie, he is averaging better than 18 points and 5.7 rebounds in his third year.
"First, his confidence off the bounce has been noticeably better," his trainer, Drew Hanlen, told ESPN. "He's shooting off the bounce more consistently and looking more confident when the ball is in his hands. Second, his defense. He's done a great job slowing down star players so far this year."
5. SF Andrew Wiggins
Class of 2013
Kansas Jayhawks
Wiggins made a name for himself with NBA-caliber skill at a young age. He displayed elite vertical bounce, a fast first step to the basket, an ultra-quick second jump and the eye-popping ability to elevate over defenders. He was named Gatorade, McDonald's and Naismith player of the year.
At the college level, he was at his best in finalizing plays in transition, midrange jumpers, short shots in the paint, post-ups, basket cuts at the rim and second-chance opportunities. Kansas' opponents had no answer for him, and he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
After the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted him first overall, he earned the NBA's Rookie of the Year award and is the franchise's third-leading scorer. Currently with the Golden State Warriors, the 26-year-old Wiggins is coming off a season in which he shot a career-best 38% from beyond the arc.
As we approach the early-signing period for men's college basketball, we are taking a moment to look back on the best No. 1-ranked prospects in the ESPN recruiting era.
Last cycle, Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren was the No. 1-ranked prospect. This time around, it is Kentucky commit Shaedon Sharpe. Overall, we have ranked college basketball recruits since the Class of 2007.
Player rankings are based on many criteria, including their performances, production, potential and projection. To select the best of the best was a challenging process, and it made us remember their giftedness. With so much star power to choose from, the likes of Brandon Jennings (200
, Harrison Barnes (2010), Jahlil Okafor (2014) and Marvin Bagley III (2017) missed the cut.The selections below were based on a combination of their high school and college careers, along with their draft selection and their NBA career. Greatness leaves no doubt. These five are the best of the best.
1. PF Anthony Davis
Class of 2011
Kentucky Wildcats
Davis was special because he could post big numbers with his low-post and face-up jumpers, as well as using his length to rebound for second-chance points. No one back in the 2011 class had elevated their game like Davis. He had gone from a relative unknown to the top prospect in the country and a McDonald's All American.
During his time at Perspectives Charter (Chicago), he had a seven-inch growth spurt that began after his sophomore season. Davis had guard skills, an enormous wingspan and standing reach, and extreme mobility, although he was very thin. He averaged 32 points, 22 rebounds and 7 blocks per game as a high school senior.
Part of Kentucky's No. 1 recruiting class, Davis led the Wildcats to a 38-2 record and the 2012 national championship, tallying 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists and 3 steals in the title game as he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He was selected No. 1 in the NBA draft months later, helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2019-20 NBA championship and was named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team.
2. C Kevin Love
Class of 2007
UCLA Bruins
Love came up in the game when post players who can dominate the paint were highly coveted. I coached him as a rising senior at the prestigious ABCD camp in New Jersey. Even back then, he was a worker in drill situations and his outlet passes to start fast breaks were impressive. A big-bodied post player with natural strength, his advanced skill and rebounding prowess stood out.
But what made him special was his tremendous understanding of the game with a great self-awareness of his strengths. He won a couple of state championships at Lake Oswego High school in Oregon, was named Gatorade's national player of the year and finished as the state's all-time leading scorer in boys' basketball history with 2,628 points.
His production level and impact in his one year at UCLA was off the charts. His 23 double-doubles are tied for fourth most by a freshman. He led UCLA to a Final Four and was the first freshman since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1996 to be named Pac-12 Player of the Year. (Deandre Ayton and Evan Mobley have since won it.) He won gold at the 2012 Olympics, and he has won one NBA title, been a five-time All-Star and been named to the All-NBA team twice in 14 years. But perhaps most telling of his work habits, he was the NBA's most improved player in 2011.
3. PF Ben Simmons
Class of 2015
LSU Tigers
When Simmons landed in the States as a sophomore in January 2013, he was an immediate difference-maker. He led Montverde Academy in Florida to three straight GEICO National championships, and was named MVP in his last two years and also the McDonald's, Naismith and Gatorade player of the year.
He was a matchup problem because he had a power forward's size with the mindset and skill of a point guard. Defensively, he showed the ability to cover every position, point guard through center. His passing ability was some of the best in recent memory, and he drew comparisons to Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway as a playmaking guard.
His 23 double-doubles as a freshman were tied for the fourth most by a freshman, although his LSU team did not qualify for the NCAA tournament. Simmons became the first player in SEC history to finish in the top five in points, rebounds and assists, and while his free throw percentage was low, his 199 free throws were the most in a season since Pete Maravich. He became the second player in LSU history (Shaquille O'Neal) to be drafted first overall, and he is a three-time All-Star and two-time first-team all-defensive player with the Philadelphia 76ers.
4. SF RJ Barrett
Class of 2018
Duke Blue Devils
I remember seeing Barrett score 18 points and make four clutch free throws in a win over Huntington Prep when he was a freshman at Montverde Academy. He was energetic and aggressive with his drive, rebounding and defense. He had enormous success under coach Kevin Boyle and led undefeated Montverde to the GEICO national title, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the championship.
Barrett reclassified to the 2018 class and flourished under coach Mike Krzyzewski. He holds Duke's freshman records in total points (860), scoring average (22.6 ppg), minutes played and 20-point games. He, along with Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish, led the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight, and Barrett was selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. After averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds as a rookie, he is averaging better than 18 points and 5.7 rebounds in his third year.
"First, his confidence off the bounce has been noticeably better," his trainer, Drew Hanlen, told ESPN. "He's shooting off the bounce more consistently and looking more confident when the ball is in his hands. Second, his defense. He's done a great job slowing down star players so far this year."
5. SF Andrew Wiggins
Class of 2013
Kansas Jayhawks
Wiggins made a name for himself with NBA-caliber skill at a young age. He displayed elite vertical bounce, a fast first step to the basket, an ultra-quick second jump and the eye-popping ability to elevate over defenders. He was named Gatorade, McDonald's and Naismith player of the year.
At the college level, he was at his best in finalizing plays in transition, midrange jumpers, short shots in the paint, post-ups, basket cuts at the rim and second-chance opportunities. Kansas' opponents had no answer for him, and he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
After the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted him first overall, he earned the NBA's Rookie of the Year award and is the franchise's third-leading scorer. Currently with the Golden State Warriors, the 26-year-old Wiggins is coming off a season in which he shot a career-best 38% from beyond the arc.
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Edit*
Last edited:
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always a good idea to change a the number 1 picks jumpshot after summer league
always works out great.
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Hmm, as excited as the recent draft classes have been... not quite sure this class is cut from the same cloth. I like a handful of names but still learning more
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Long Beach, pls rise
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This is definitely a down year. I definitely like the potential of 2023 more as of right now.
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Hadn't really seen Zeng play before until this game. He's got some **** w/ him
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Duren and Griffin being a full year younger than everybody else is intriguing.
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Hardy at 8????
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Thought he jumped off the screen when those random AAU games were on ESPN last summer or whenever that was. Not familiar with this class yet, but he seemed like a top 5 type talent there.
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Duren and Bates looking decent so far, opponent doesn't seem like a pushover
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Emoni Bates being able to play college but not be eligible for the draft is dumb as hell.
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The SI article on him made it seem like he'll apply for a waiver to be eligible for 2022.
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Paolo looks like a force. Kinda like a taller Julius Randle?
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Not watching but chet has 11 pets, 9 boards, 4 assists and 5 blocks by halftime
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Mark Williams really stands out on the court.
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Vecenie didn't have Keels in his Top 100?? He looks infinitely better than this TyTy kid who he had at 7.
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Watson really 0-6 against Cal St Bakersfield. wut
Big disappoint
Big disappoint
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Banchero at 250 lbs doesn't seem like he should be able to face up from the perimeter like that with his footwork. Looked like bigger Tobias Harris vibes on a few buckets
I do see the Randle thing, kind of see Beasley in there too
Keels plays like a football player
I do see the Randle thing, kind of see Beasley in there too
Keels plays like a football player
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