2025 NBA draft prospects: Top 5 UConn Huskies players to watch out

After having another banner season in the NCAA, where they won their second-consecutive national championship, UConn parted ways with key players Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer. The four cagers, who had major contributions to the Huskies' quest for a back-to-back, were picked by various teams in the 2024 NBA Draft.

With the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season drawing near, the Huskies filled the void left by Clingan and Co., and these players are set to play important roles in Dan Hurley's quest for a three-peat.

UConn's current roster - either returning for another season or acquired via the transfer portal and high school recruitment - will automatically become NBA-eligible prospects once the new season begins on November 4.

Several players in the UConn lineup could emerge as top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. Here are the top five Huskies players who could provide NBA-worthy performances in the upcoming NCAA season.

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Top five UConn Huskies prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft

#5 Tarris Reed Jr.

The six-foot-10 Michigan transfer hopes that his size and rebounding ability will help UConn's quest for a third-straight national title and boost his stock for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The 265-pound specimen averaged 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.5 minutes for the Wolverines last season. He will team up with returning big Samson Johnson in manning the paint for the Huskies.

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#4 Aidan Mahaney

Mahaney played two seasons with St. Mary's before transferring to UConn this spring. During his time with the Gaels, the six-foot-three guard averaged 13.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.3 apg. He's a steady 3-point shooter with a 37.5% clip from the outside.

Mahaney can use his time with UConn to hone his shooting abilities as he seeks to make a big impression in the 2025 Draft.

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#3 Hassan Diarra

The six-foot-two playmaker is returning for a fifth year in college with the Huskies. Diarra, who played for two seasons with Texas A&M, played all 40 games for UConn, averaging an efficient 6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg and 0.8 spg in 19.4 minutes of action. He shot 48.4% from the field, including 35.7% from the 3-point line.

Diarra is expected to start for Dan Hurley and will try to impress scouts and prove that he's an NBA-caliber player once he declares for the draft next year.

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#2 Liam McNeeley

The incoming freshman is arguably one of the biggest high school prospects that Hurley lured to UConn.

McNeeley, the No. 9-ranked player in ESPN's Class of 2024 rankings, was a McDonald's All-American who can shoot the ball from long range. The six-foot-eight forward tallied 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in his senior year.

Together with Mahaney, UConn could form a sweet-shooting duo to break rivals' zone defenses and stretch the floor, giving an easier time for their big man to operate inside the paint. McNeeley could be a one-and-done talent depending on his performance this coming season.

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#1 Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban decided to withdraw his name from the 2024 NBA Draft and returned to UConn for his third season.

The six-foot-eight junior out of Southborough, Massachusetts was a key component in UConn's back-to-back drive. This past season, he tallied 13.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.9 spg and 0.8 bpg in 31.4 minutes of action.

Karaban, who drilled 2.1 3-pointers per game in the 2023-24 season, is expected to be the top offensive option as he hopes to lead UConn to its third-straight title, which could boost his stock in the 2025 draft.