2025 NBA Draft

I have definitely jumped on the transfer wagon. Don’t like it but if it’s needed to get old and strong then do it. Whatever it takes to be big and strong - hoping Malik and Gillis and Sion can bring something to the table in terms of toughness

We probably arent making a final four without them. Foster. Proctor. Cooper. Malauch is just too young. Two freshman starters for 50% of your rotation is too high. And it isn’t like Foster and Proctor are seniors. What a sophomore and a reclassify junior so he’s young? That’s basically two sophomore and two freshman! And cooper is super young. And Malauch barely knows the game

I think people have forgotten this we are REALLY young if the transfers can’t help. Especially see a need for Brown and Gillis. We could possibly cover two guard spots even without Sion. But he helps
 
I have definitely jumped on the transfer wagon. Don’t like it but if it’s needed to get old and strong then do it. Whatever it takes to be big and strong - hoping Malik and Gillis and Sion can bring something to the table in terms of toughness

We probably arent making a final four without them. Foster. Proctor. Cooper. Malauch is just too young. Two freshman starters for 50% of your rotation is too high. And it isn’t like Foster and Proctor are seniors. What a sophomore and a reclassify junior so he’s young? That’s basically two sophomore and two freshman! And cooper is super young. And Malauch barely knows the game

I think people have forgotten this we are REALLY young if the transfers can’t help. Especially see a need for Brown and Gillis. We could possibly cover two guard spots even without Sion. But he helps
I have questions just like you. Proctor and Foster really need to step up because the only other experienced guard is James. Gillis doesn't seem to fit the description of a guard. He's more of a 3 or a 4. If we go by the media's too soon predictions for the 2025 NBA draft, we have Evans, K2, Maluach, and James mentioned as first rounders. That makes Duke very young. The presumed back court of Proctor and Foster needs to play well.

GoDuke!
 
The Athletic has a new 2025 mock by Sam Vecenie -- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/55...senewsletter&campaign=10359171&userId=6937708

Among the highlights:

1. Cooper Flagg - Duke
Flagg is one of the best two-way players I’ve seen at the high school level in a long time. Largely, that’s based on his processing ability. For a teenager, he thinks the game faster than everyone else. You see that most on defense, where he imposes his will upon the game on and off the ball.
10. Ian Jackson - UNC
He’s aggressive and physical on defense despite being skinny, and loves to guard on the ball. On offense, everything is attack, attack, attack. He’s trying to get downhill to the rim, either in transition, in ball screens as more of a primary option or off the catch, where he’ll rip through and try to get into the paint. His overall basketball IQ will need to grow; he needs to start slowing down more and coming up with a plan for his drives.
12. Donnie Freeman - Syracuse
His skill set is varied, with the ability to drive in a straight line and finish at the rim as well as score from beyond the 3-point line. He has real bounce as a leaper. His handle certainly must improve, as a lot of his shots tend to be contested attempts where he’s forced to stop in the midrange areas. He’s been one of the big risers within the scouting community over the last 12 months.
16. Kon Knueppel - Duke
What he lacks in what one may refer to as “traditional” athletic tools, he more than makes up for with polish, skill and competitiveness. He led the EYBL in scoring last year, and he’s terrific from all three levels. He knocks down shots from distance with remarkable efficiency for a teenager, and the threat of his shot from the 3 and midrange areas opens up his game as a driver. His footwork is outstanding; once he gets you on his hip out of ball screens, it’s over. Defensively, he competes, using his physical frame to his advantage against bigger opponents.
23. Jaland Lowe - Pitt
By the end of the year, Lowe had the look of a serious All-ACC threat in 2025. From Jan. 16 onward, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.2 assists and only 1.5 turnovers per game. He’s a terrific decision-maker in addition to being a spectacular passer and playmaker. If I had to pick a player to lead the ACC in assists next season, it would be Lowe.
26. Isaiah Evans - Duke
Evans is a serious upside swing who could go several different directions this year at Duke. A back-to-back North Carolina Mr. Basketball winner, Evans has a ton of intriguing tools that should make him a high-end NBA wing at some point. The question is when. He could end up being a year away and more of a 2026 prospect as his frame continues to mature.. Or, he could be ready to go from the jump as a long, athletic scoring wing who is solid defensively as well. Whatever happens this year, Evans is a good bet long-term.
30. Khaman Maluach - Duke
After seeing him at Hoop Summit, I have some concerns about his readiness for the college level. He struggled to consistently catch and finish on the move at the higher speed of the game he faced against better competition all week in practice. On defense, it’s clear Maluach is still learning the intricacies of drop coverage, where his enormous 7-foot-1 size with a 7-foot-6 wingspan potentially make him lethal in terms of taking up space. In all the tape I’ve seen, and in seeing him up close, he seems to struggle with containing the gap between the ballhandler and big. He doesn’t have a great feel yet for how to manage that space.
Also slots Tyrese Proctor in the second round at #54. No sign of Caleb Foster.

IMO, I don't see how both Evans and K2 get there as OAD prospects unless they are both better than Gillis, James, and Foster which just seems super unlikely. If -- as most expect -- one of Evans or K2 are more like the 7th-9th man on the team in terms of minutes and roles, I don't see that player as a likely OAD prospect. I sorta see this mock as Vecenie's way of hedging his bets that one of them will emerge, though he is unsure which it will be.
 
The Athletic has a new 2025 mock by Sam Vecenie -- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/55...senewsletter&campaign=10359171&userId=6937708

Among the highlights:

1. Cooper Flagg - Duke

10. Ian Jackson - UNC

12. Donnie Freeman - Syracuse

16. Kon Knueppel - Duke

23. Jaland Lowe - Pitt

26. Isaiah Evans - Duke

30. Khaman Maluach - Duke

Also slots Tyrese Proctor in the second round at #54. No sign of Caleb Foster.

IMO, I don't see how both Evans and K2 get there as OAD prospects unless they are both better than Gillis, James, and Foster which just seems super unlikely. If -- as most expect -- one of Evans or K2 are more like the 7th-9th man on the team in terms of minutes and roles, I don't see that player as a likely OAD prospect. I sorta see this mock as Vecenie's way of hedging his bets that one of them will emerge, though he is unsure which it will be.
This article seems to agree with my thinking that Maluach will need time to get up to speed with the college game. We may see more of Brown at center than some think. Then again we have another center that could sneak into the picture. As for Evans and K2 being one and done, I agree with Jason. Both would have to get big minutes for them both to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and if that happens, we won't be the experienced team Jon wants.

GoDuke!
 
This article seems to agree with my thinking that Maluach will need time to get up to speed with the college game. We may see more of Brown at center than some think. Then again we have another center that could sneak into the picture. As for Evans and K2 being one and done, I agree with Jason. Both would have to get big minutes for them both to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and if that happens, we won't be the experienced team Jon wants.

GoDuke!
Yeah, here is the second paragraph of Vecenie's write-up on Maluach:

It’s difficult to place him outside of the top 30, if only because his tools are what they are. He’s said to be a great kid and a very hard worker. But I wonder if Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown might become Duke’s preferred big man this season in important moments. Brown rightfully earned an ACC All-Defense team selection last season, and even if he’s more of a forward than a center, he has the strength and length when paired with Flagg’s elite rim protection to allow Duke to size down.
 
This article seems to agree with my thinking that Maluach will need time to get up to speed with the college game. We may see more of Brown at center than some think. Then again we have another center that could sneak into the picture. As for Evans and K2 being one and done, I agree with Jason. Both would have to get big minutes for them both to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and if that happens, we won't be the experienced team Jon wants.

GoDuke!
Look, speaking hypothetically, if you've got the experienced guys on the roster (like we do), and some younger guy outperforms them and earns his way onto the court, that's not exactly a problem. We still have the experience in practice and the locker room and to deploy on the court when it's beneficial. Experience is a strength, but it is not an end in itself - performance is.
 
Look, speaking hypothetically, if you've got the experienced guys on the roster (like we do), and some younger guy outperforms them and earns his way onto the court, that's not exactly a problem. We still have the experience in practice and the locker room and to deploy on the court when it's beneficial. Experience is a strength, but it is not an end in itself - performance is.
And, I should add, we know from last year that Jon's not going to give big minutes to freshmen who aren't ready in the hopes that they'll develop by the end of the year or in a subsequent year. Whoever plays - freshman, transfer, returner - will have to earn it through performance.
 
And, I should add, we know from last year that Jon's not going to give big minutes to freshmen who aren't ready in the hopes that they'll develop by the end of the year or in a subsequent year. Whoever plays - freshman, transfer, returner - will have to earn it through performance.
Or, perhaps, John learned from last year that he has to play promising freshmen, or they are gone. An article on my phone mentioned a Devils Den interview where Jon claimed that, counter to all the NCAA rules, all seven Duke xfers were contacted DURING the season.

But don't we think Kon and Isaiah will be much better than JD and Sean?
 
Or, perhaps, John learned from last year that he has to play promising freshmen, or they are gone. An article on my phone mentioned a Devils Den interview where Jon claimed that, counter to all the NCAA rules, all seven Duke xfers were contacted DURING the season.

But don't we think Kon and Isaiah will be much better than JD and Sean?
KK almost certainly
 
Or, perhaps, John learned from last year that he has to play promising freshmen, or they are gone. An article on my phone mentioned a Devils Den interview where Jon claimed that, counter to all the NCAA rules, all seven Duke xfers were contacted DURING the season.

But don't we think Kon and Isaiah will be much better than JD and Sean?
Oh yes, I very much think Kon and Isaiah are better and more likely to play, and perhaps will usurp minutes from the starters and transfers. What I'm saying is Jon won't give them those minutes unless he thinks it will make the team perform better right now, this season. So if Kon and Isaiah get big minutes at some point this season, Jon has decided their talent and performance outweigh the benefits gained by playing more minutes to our experienced players. And that's a good thing, because it means our team is that much better.
 
This article seems to agree with my thinking that Maluach will need time to get up to speed with the college game. We may see more of Brown at center than some think. Then again we have another center that could sneak into the picture. As for Evans and K2 being one and done, I agree with Jason. Both would have to get big minutes for them both to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and if that happens, we won't be the experienced team Jon wants.

GoDuke!

Definitely hard to envision both K2 and Evans going one and done, because that would most likely mean they both outperformed Gillis and James.

Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham both became lottery picks as bench players, but that was a very unusual situation where the starting PG (Wagner) was very underwhelming. I can’t see a situation where Mason Gillis or Sion James doesn’t at least meet expectations.

if I had to guess, I predict K2 does end up being a first rounder and Evans returns for a 2nd year (and a much larger role) and plays well enough to also become a first rounder in the 2026 draft.
 
It's really tough to see a scenario where all four of K2, Evans, James and Gillis are in the rotation - unless Jon gets really creative with something like 2 X 4-man platoon system around Flagg.

I think it's more likely that Evans and Gillis are battling for those 8th-man minutes. But even typing that sounds crazy as Gillis was the B10s sixth man of the year last season!
 
It's really tough to see a scenario where all four of K2, Evans, James and Gillis are in the rotation - unless Jon gets really creative with something like 2 X 4-man platoon system around Flagg.

I think it's more likely that Evans and Gillis are battling for those 8th-man minutes. But even typing that sounds crazy as Gillis was the B10s sixth man of the year last season!
Especially if Cooper plays any, if not most, of his minutes at SF. The wing rotation and battle for minutes at the 2/3 is surely the the most variable unknown with this team. And I don’t believe Caleb Foster is immune from falling down in the rotation with this much competition. He is somewhat insulated because he will probably soak up any minutes as the backup PG, but All 5 of those guys outside of Cooper who will play minutes at the 2 and 3 are going to be in a fierce competition all season.

And now this thread has become another minutes thread 😂
 
Really like that latest mock if it lowers expectations for big M. Especially on defense it looks to me like he has a ways to go to be a top 5ish pick.

I do worry (naturally) if we have to play Brown so many minutes at the 5 as I think he'll be overmatched against some teams and that may impact the rest of the lineup.
 
Really like that latest mock if it lowers expectations for big M. Especially on defense it looks to me like he has a ways to go to be a top 5ish pick.

I do worry (naturally) if we have to play Brown so many minutes at the 5 as I think he'll be overmatched against some teams and that may impact the rest of the lineup.

Hard for me to see an athletic 7’2 center with 3 point spacing going lower than 5. You don’t necessarily need production to go high in the draft, you just need to convince people you have the potential. I think Khaman can do that even coming off the bench.
 
Hard for me to see an athletic 7’2 center with 3 point spacing going lower than 5. You don’t necessarily need production to go high in the draft, you just need to convince people you have the potential. I think Khaman can do that even coming off the bench.
I hope you're right, my "eye test" thought that Reed Shepherd would be lucky to get off the bench at UK last year.
 
Especially if Cooper plays any, if not most, of his minutes at SF. The wing rotation and battle for minutes at the 2/3 is surely the the most variable unknown with this team. And I don’t believe Caleb Foster is immune from falling down in the rotation with this much competition. He is somewhat insulated because he will probably soak up any minutes as the backup PG, but All 5 of those guys outside of Cooper who will play minutes at the 2 and 3 are going to be in a fierce competition all season.

And now this thread has become another minutes thread 😂
I think it’ll be hilarious if everyone on here is wrong and Flagg is basically our point guard. Offensively, he might be. He did that some for the Select team, right? And Coach S was there?
 
I think it’ll be hilarious if everyone on here is wrong and Flagg is basically our point guard. Offensively, he might be. He did that some for the Select team, right? And Coach S was there?
Who was the point guard for Duke the last few years?

Jeremy Roach was not a traditional point guard for most of his time at Duke.
Tyrese Proctor shared playmaking responsibilities with 3 other guards and Kyle Filipowski last season.
Tyrese and Caleb Foster are probably going to share that role this upcoming season.

The new model is that everyone needs to dribble, pass, and shoot the ball. At least, that seems to be the plan based on the players that have been brought into the program.
 
Who was the point guard for Duke the last few years?

Jeremy Roach was not a traditional point guard for most of his time at Duke.
Tyrese Proctor shared playmaking responsibilities with 3 other guards and Kyle Filipowski last season.
Tyrese and Caleb Foster are probably going to share that role this upcoming season.

The new model is that everyone needs to dribble, pass, and shoot the ball. At least, that seems to be the plan based on the players that have been brought into the program.
Flip was a point-center in many ways last season just like I expect Cooper will be a point-forward this next season.

On Duke's 91 team - a pretty good one we'd all agree - freshman Grant was usually our second tallest player on the court at 6-8. I assume he had to guard some bigger and stronger guys during the season. But I don't think it held us back too much. They had to try and cover him on the other end of the floor...
 
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