Top 10 freshmen in 2025 NBA Mock Draft feat. Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe

The 2025 NBA Draft is expected to be loaded with talented young players, with a freshman class featuring Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe headlining that group.

These players have settled in with their respective programs, putting their talents on display as NBA scouts figure out who will not only be the best player but also the best fit for the team they represent.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo published a mock draft Tuesday, revealing their current projections for who will be drafted in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Here is what they showcased in the mock draft regarding the top freshmen.

Top 10 freshmen in ESPN's 2025 NBA Mock Draft

1. Cooper Flagg - Washington Wizards (1st pick)

The Washington Wizards, having been stuck in the lottery for the past few seasons, are in need of a new era where they can return to playoff contention. Flagg could be the player to help bring them back to relevancy.

"The Wizards, in the midst of a "deconstruction phase," would surely be thrilled to add a player like Flagg to a group of promising young prospects, who are benefiting from consistent minutes and are responding with impressive flashes of long-term ability," Givony said.

"We'll get a better read on the evolution of Flagg's ballhandling and perimeter shooting as Duke's schedule gets tougher in the coming weeks, including matchups against four Final Four contenders, but there hasn't been much to nitpick early."

While it isn't definitive Flagg would be a Wizard until the draft lottery is finalized, Washington fans can have something to be optimistic about the potential of landing the Duke freshman.

2. Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz (2nd pick)

The Jazz, still in rebuild mode after sending away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022, could have a dynamic guard in their reach with Ace Bailey.

"Bailey's combination of size, explosiveness, shotmaking prowess, defensive versatility and pure scoring instincts should keep him in the No. 1 pick conversation depending on how the season evolves, especially with his decision-making and feel for the game," Givony said.

Utah has plenty of young players on its squad like Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler, Kyle Filipowski, and Johnny Juzang. However, the Jazz are still in the search of a player who can set up everyone and Bailey could be that guy.

3. Dylan Harper - Toronto Raptors (3rd pick)

The Raptors are in rebuild mode, years removed from their 2019 title run as they have missed the playoffs for the last two seasons. Dylan Harper could be the remedy to their recent struggles.

"Part of Harper's appeal is his intrinsic versatility -- he is a talented scorer and passer and has the size (6-foot-6) and strength to defend multiple positions at a high level," Woo and Givony said.

"NBA teams will want to garner a better understanding of Harper's projection as a lead guard, his scoring in the paint and what caliber of shooter he is. (He was a career 34% shooter from 3 and 62% from the foul line in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.) He has a major platform to answer those questions at Rutgers."

The Raptors have RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and Gradey Dick leading the way at the moment. While that core has yet to show it can compete for a playoff spot, perhaps adding Harper to the equation could help Toronto get to where it wants to be.

4. VJ Edgecombe - Portland Trail Blazers (4th pick)

The Trail Blazers fully committed to rebuilding after sending star Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. While Lillard's replacement Scoot Henderson has yet to pan out, Portland could look at Edgecombe as another player it can develop into a star.

"His explosiveness and upside will be appealing to teams, especially with the way he impacts the game with his passing, defense, rebounding and transition scoring," Givony said.

"Edgecombe's streaky shooting will be a major swing skill when projecting him for the long term, and his evolving skill level and fit playing small forward in Baylor's oddly constructed roster might lead to some ups and downs, but there's quite a bit to like about him."

Portland might be stuck in the lottery due to the high level of competition in the Western Conference, but Edgecombe would be a nice prize after was seems like yet another losing season.

5. Kon Knueppel - San Antonio Spurs (6th pick)

The San Antonio Spurs are determined to surround Victor Wembanyama with as much as talent as possible to maximize his potential. Knueppel could be a player they consider pairing him with.

"Surrounding Victor Wembanyama with additional shooting will be a major priority moving forward, and Knueppel clearly fits that bill as arguably the best shooter in this draft class," Givony said.

"Knueppel's ability to shoot off screens, pull up off the dribble and spot up from deep vantage points with picture-perfect footwork and mechanics should keep him prominent in draft conversations, especially with the way he has contributed in other areas as well with his physicality, feel for the game and better-than-expected shot creation and defense."

The Spurs haven't reached the playoffs since 2019, but under the direction of Gregg Popovich and his coaching staff, the ceiling for Knueppel if the team drafts him could not be any higher.

6. Egor Demin - San Antonio Spurs (7th pick)

The Spurs are going to be active in the draft lottery with multiple picks involved. Another player they can consider selecting is Demin.

"Few freshmen have been more impressive than Demin, who is utilizing a tremendous platform at BYU to showcase his outstanding size, spectacular court vision, shotmaking prowess and all-around talent against, thus far, lower-level competition," Givony said.

While San Antonio may have plenty of talent at guard with Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell, Demin's potential with what he can provide to the team can be appealing enough for the Spurs to ignore the redundancy.

7. Khaman Maluach - New Orleans Pelicans (8th pick)

The Pelicans are awaiting the season where they can finally maximize their potential with the core of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. It hasn't panned out due to injuries, but the potential selection of Maluach could be a game-changer.

"Adding a top-shelf center prospect such as Maluach could make sense, with little frontcourt depth on the current roster," Woo and Givony said.

"Maluach has yet to see the type of size and length NBA teams would prefer to evaluate him against in Duke's nonconference schedule, but he has acquainted himself well with his rebounding and rim protection. He has provided timely finishing, benefiting from the plethora of passers surrounding him."

The Pelicans have had struggles on defense that have largely negated their potent scoring, but Malauch could fix that in time.

8. Tre Johnson - Brooklyn Nets (9th pick)

The Nets have been stuck in limbo for the past decade, either missing the playoffs or sustaining a first-round exit with their best year being a seven-game series loss to eventual champions Milwaukee in the 2021 East semifinals. In need of new blood to improve their group, Johnson could be the spark the franchise needs.

"Johnson has been scorching to start the Longhorns' season, hitting 10-of-18 3s and averaging an impressive 28.5 points per game, with one of his two outings coming against a good Ohio State team," Givony said.

"Every NBA team is looking for 6-6, long-armed wings who can make shots dynamically from anywhere on the court, giving him a big runway to build his candidacy as a top draft prospect if he can continue this momentum into SEC play."

The Nets are missing a dynamic wing player who can score and make shots at the level they need this year, despite having talented guards like Cam Thomas and Dennis Schroder. Picking Johnson could benefit them in the long run.

9. Liam McNeeley - Charlotte Hornets (10th pick)

The Hornets, trying to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, need a player they can group with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. McNeeley could be a great fit.

"McNeeley supplies plus positional size (6-7), perimeter versatility and shooting, sharp feel for the game and a strong winning pedigree," Woo said.

"Those traits have made him a natural fit at UConn right away -- he's ideal to work in the Huskies' complex offense, but also has the chops to improvise and make plays when needed. On a team that doesn't have much traditional playmaking, he'll be called upon to generate offense."

The Hornets have often been unfotaunte in past seasons, having enough talent to at least be in the mix of the play-in tournament but not enough to be seen as serious contenders. However, getting McNeeley could raise both the floor and ceiling of a team in serious need of a winning culture.

10. Drake Powell - San Antonio Spurs (11th pick)

Of the Spurs' lottery picks, this one could have them take a chance on a player who has the skillset to be effective at both ends. Powell fits the bill there.

"He's an excellent perimeter defender with great agility and length who can score and make plays in transition. Scouts will want to see him find ways to chip in and carve out a niche without heavy touches, including taking the open 3s that are presented to him, which he has looked reluctant to do at this point," Givony and Woo said.

"Powell isn't a dynamic shot creator or consistent perimeter shooter, and his ability to space the floor will be paramount in the long run."

With multiple first-round picks, San Antonio has the opportunity to build its core right now. Already boasting Wembanyama and Castle, the Spurs may be a force to be reckoned with if they play their cards right in this draft.