This week’s Team USA practices have given many their first look at the prize prospect of the 2025 draft, Cooper Flagg, playing against America’s best players. Seeing the 17-year-old hit a pull up three over Anthony Davis or drive past Jrue Holiday and finish over Bam Adebayo has been eye opening to say the least. His stellar play was not a surprise to many in the draft community who have been eyeing Flagg and his fellow 2025 draft prospects for years. This year we finally get to see the stacked 2025 class which features three potential superstars in Flagg at Duke, and both Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper at Rutgers. Nobody will be complaining about the quality of the 2025 class like they were during this year’s draft, and teams are almost certain to end up tanking for these stars this year, looking at you Brooklyn, who has already traded for their own first round pick. This class has a chance to be one of the greatest ever, primarily due to the potential superstar prospects at the top, with three players that almost certainly would have been the first overall pick had they been eligible for this year’s draft. Now that many of us have seen Flagg’s electric potential in action, I figured it’d be as good a time as any to give an introduction to him and the other two potential stars from this stacked and potentially historic 2025 NBA draft class.
Cooper Flagg
SF 6’ 9” 205 lbs. Duke University
Flagg is well on his way to be the next NBA superstar from Duke. What makes him special is that he doesn’t seem to have a hole in his game. His mix of size, length, shooting touch, handling ability and rim protection is not fair. He can shoot over the top of any defender and has elite range, although his jumper can be streaky. He is also a great shot blocker and could end up thriving in a Giannis type defensive role where he is able to roam down low and pick up blocks while helping. The moment he reclassified to this 2025 class he was the best player in the class and will have a chance to rival Victor Wembanyama’s hype. He is a true can’t miss type of prospect.
Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey
SF 6’ 8” 200 lbs. Rutgers University
Ace Bailey is the most explosive player in this class and was the best player before Flagg reclassified. He has elite length and athleticism and although Flagg might be a more complete player, Bailey will dominate SportsCenter’s Top 10 with his high-flying game. He blends his highlight dunks with a great combination of ball handling, shooting ability, and improving playmaking. The Tracy McGrady comparisons have already been made, but I tend to keep gravitating back to that comp due to his wiry frame, athleticism, and shot making ability. His elite vertical and wingspan also let him dominate defensively especially as a shot blocker. He should absolutely dominate, especially with the benefit of playing with the best guard in the country as his teammate. Bailey, the greatest recruit in Rutgers history, is sure to have the RAC rocking like never before.
Dylan Harper
PG/SG 6’ 6” 220 lbs Rutgers University
Harper is my personal favorite player in the class and should dominate at Rutgers and fit with Ace Bailey tremendously. Harper is an incredibly smooth offensive guard with great size, an elite handle, great playmaking, and crafty self-creation. The comparisons for the lefty will likely end up being James Harden, as both rely on being a strong guard that can hit tough shots, finish at the rim, all while using this lethal scoring ability to create for teammates. Harper also has deep range and has shown that he is capable of hitting clutch shots. He can play either guard spot or seamlessly fits with Ace Bailey, as Harper gives the playmaking that allows for Bailey’s athleticism to shine. Their transition offense should be deadly, likely ending with many alleyoop lobs. The son of Ron Harper and brother of Rutgers great Ron Harper Jr. Dylan quickly committed to Rutgers, and now with the help of Ace Bailey has Rutgers looking to have their best season of my lifetime.
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