According to ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony, there’s no need to overthink the top spot in the 2025 NBA draft rankings.
Givony released his list of the top 100 prospects for next year’s draft on Wednesday, and Duke freshman [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag] predictably took the top overall spot.
“The 17-year-old’s versatility on both ends of the floor will make him an impact player from Day 1 despite his youth,” Givony wrote. “He’s already one of the best teenage defenders you’ll find with his exceptional combination of intensity, instincts and explosiveness.”
Flagg made his debut in a Blue Devils uniform at the Countdown to Craziness, and his defensive prowess lived up to the hype. Between his 6-foot-9 frame and exceptional agility, he looked comfortable meeting assignments on the perimeter and along the inside. He can guard each of the first four positions on the floor, and he might average at least one steal and one block per game this season.
The real cause for optimism came on the offensive end. The only question about Flagg, if you can count it, was whether he could develop into a complete scorer, and he’s made extreme strides in that department. The Maine native can finish through contact and take advantage of his speed against interior defenders, but he also showcased some neat ball-handling to create space for himself in the midrange.
Flagg was one of three Blue Devils inside Givony’s top 10, joining fellow freshmen Kon Knueppel (sixth) and Khaman Maluach (eighth).