A Pair of NBA Draft Prospects

The 2024 college basketball season has started and is in full swing, so you know what that means? The 2025 NBA draft is coming soon. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help their future NBA teams.

Here are a pair of draft eligible players who are looking to get selected early in the 2025 NBA draft.

SF/SG- Cooper Flagg, Duke

• 6-foot-9 205 lbs
• 2024 stats: 3 games- 19.0 ppg, 9.7 rbg, 3.3 apg

Cooper Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, initially attended Nokomis Regional High School before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida. As a freshman at Nokomis, he became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. Flagg transferred after his freshman season to Montverde Academy, but prior to beginning of his first year at the school, he played in the Nike Elite youth Basketball League and was named the MVP of the 2023 Hoophall Classic after scoring 21 points in Montverde's 85-63 victory.

Flagg was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. After averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 blocks in his final high school season, he was named the 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Flagg was also named Mr. Basketball USA and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year. 

Flagg was the highest rated recruit in the 2024 class and announced his commitment to Duke University after considering an offer from UConn.

What to like about Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg is considered by most scouts as a possible generational talent. He can play several positions including shooting guard and both forward spots and defends all three well. Flagg can play inside or outside and can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.

He is able to use either hand when driving to the rim and has amazing body control for a 6-foot-9 player. Flagg is a relentless competitor and never backs down from any situation. He plays hard nosed defense and takes it personally when he gets beat. His footwork in the post is smooth and he is able to beat you several different ways. Flagg is aggressive in the offensive end and does an effective job of coming around picks and shooting on the run. Defenders cannot play tight man to man against his outside shot, because he will beat them off the dribble and does a good job of drawing fouls. 

Reason for concern

There really isn't much of a downside to Flagg's game, but if Draft Nation were to nitpick, there are a couple areas to improve. When dribbling the ball on a fast break his handles can be a little loose at times leading to some turnovers. When defended closely his jump shot can be inconsistent and he tends to try and draw fouls instead of following through properly. Like many other 17/18 year olds, Flagg needs to add some muscle to his upper body.

Player Comparison

Andrei Kirilenko

When watching high school tape of Cooper Flagg, Draft Nation thought he looked like Andrei Kirilenko. Flagg and AK-47 share the long wingspan and the tenacious defense they play. Flagg has a higher ceiling because of his versatility in the offensive end. Kirilenko never hit the 20.0 per game average, and Draft Nation expects Flagg to hit that routinely. 

Draft Projection

First overall pick

PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers

• 6-foot-6 215 lbs
• 2024 stats: 2 games- 22.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg

Dylan Harper grew up in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School. He averaged 15.2 points per game during his sophomore season and was named the Boys Basketball Player of the Year by NJ.com. As a junior he averaging 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while leading the Ironmen to a 29-3 record and a NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship during his senior season.

Harper's father, Ron Harper, played 15 seasons in the NBA and won five NBA championships. Harper's older brother, Ron Harper Jr., played college basketball at Rutgers and played in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors.

Harper was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, according to major recruiting services. On December 6, 2023, Harper committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers, over offers from Duke, Kansas, Indiana, and Auburn. He is the highest-rated recruit in Rutger's history.

What to like about Dylan Harper

Dylan Harper is a very athletic guard who can play either point guard or swingman. He brings a ton of energy to both sides of the ball and can be a pest on defense with his "in your face" style of play. Harper does an effective job of scoring on the move, and doesn't need much space to beat opponents to the rim. Harper can run an offense and has improved his passing and playmaking abilities at the point. He uses pump fakes well and can get the defender off the ground, leading to successful drives. Harper does a fantastic job of dribbling to set up shots and is creative getting to the rim. He has exceptional length for a guard and will be a tough defender to score on, especially as a left-hander. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Harper is a very streaky shooter that lacks the range of some of the top prospects in this class. He will have games where he cannot miss, but will also have games where his jump shot and shot selection leave coaches scratching their heads. Harper's jump shot does not look fluid and he struggles with catching a pass and going right into a shooting motion. Behind the arc Harper is still a work in progress, but once he starts connecting it will open up his driving ability even more. 

Player Comparison

Malcolm Brogdon

Harper's overall game reminds Draft Nation of Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon can create off the dribble and brings a high energy game to his team's defensive effort. Harper has a higher ceiling than Brogdon did and if he can improve his shot from the perimeter, he can be an All-Star in the NBA. 

Draft Projection

Top 5 pick