2025 NBA Mock Draft: BYU's Egor Demin off to fast start, makes jump to No. 3; Duke's Cooper Flagg at top

One month of action in the college basketball season has netted us some small, some medium and some big changes across the NBA Draft landscape for the 2025 cycle. Cooper Flagg remains entrenched as the No. 1 prospect, though it's an increasingly tight race for No. 1 with Dylan Harper Jr. and Egor Demin emerging in the discussion. Fellow five-stars Ian Jackson and Jalil Bethea have yet to pop like the no-doubt one-and-dones many expected. And college vets -- among them Kam Jones and Ryan Kalkbrenner -- have played their way into the first round conversation with big seasons.

My latest mock draft below is an update to the first of the season filed in early November just ahead of the 2024-25 season. Those projections initially. came from preseason hopes and hype but are now comprised of a mix of tape analysis and data.

As you'll see, Flagg indeed remains at No. 1 -- as he was in July in my first mock and as he was last month -- but behind him and Harper Jr. is BYU fast-rising frosh Egor Demin in what looks like a clear top three that have begun to separate themselves. Harper Jr.'s freshman teammate, Ace Bailey, remained in the top five while Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis moved up -- again -- this time to round out the top five.

The mock below has NBA teams in positions based on SportsLine projections, however, team needs are not taken into account in the mock given how early it is in the NBA season. You can think of the below as a hybrid prospect rankings with projected team landing spots. Teams are likely to change over the next few months, as are pick protections and eventually trades.

Mock Draft

Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1 Cooper Flagg PF Duke • Fr • 6'9" / 205 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PPG 15.9 RPG 9 APG 3.6 3P% 22.2% There's no wavering here on Flagg as the No. 1 prospect even as Dylan Harper Jr. and Egor Demin have looked exceptional this season in making their case as No. 1 pick contenders. He's anchoring Duke's elite defense at 17 years old and averaging 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, and looks like the clear-cut best defensive prospect in this class.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Dylan Harper PG Rutgers • Fr • 6'6" / 215 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 23.3 RPG 4.8 APG 4.4 3P% 36.4% No freshman has been more productive this season than Harper Jr. has been for Rutgers. He leads all freshmen in scoring and is fourth nationally among all college players in that category.

Round 1 - Pick 3 Egor Demin SG Brigham Young • Fr • 6'9" Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 13.3 RPG 4.6 APG 5.8 3P% 38.5% BYU first-year coach Kevin Young has a young star to build around in Demin, who hails from Russia. He's a silky shooter with a reliable shot who has excellent positional size and good passing vision.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Ace Bailey SF Rutgers • Fr • 6'10" / 200 lbs Projected Team Toronto PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 17.9 RPG 7.1 APG 0.6 3P% 35.1% There's a chance Bailey could blossom into a top-two talent in this class if he continues to build out his skill set at Rutgers. His shot-making skills in almost any situation at his size give off shades of Kevin Durant.

Round 1 - Pick 5 Kasparas Jakucionis SF Illinois • Fr • 6'6" / 205 lbs Projected Team Portland PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 16.1 RPG 6.1 APG 5.6 3P% 42% Preseason hype for Jakucionis has been matched by in-season production. He's leading the Illini in scoring and assists and has craftiness and size at the guard spot that makes him dynamic as an offensive weapon.

Round 1 - Pick 6 VJ Edgecombe SG Baylor • Fr • 6'5" / 180 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 11.9 RPG 5.9 APG 3.1 3P% 26.3% Edgecombe hasn't lived up to expectations this season for Baylor as he's struggled to find his shot and isn't playing with the same pace and confidence he did while at LuHi. There's still plenty to like here with his long-term prospects as a twitchy athlete who can get downhill.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Nolan Traore PG France • 6'4" / 175 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 10.3 RPG 1.8 APG 4.7 3P% 23.3% Traore has transitioned from a starter to an off-the-bench piece for Saint-Quentin and seen his playing time reduced after some early-season struggles. Improvement hasn't been there with his outside shot, though his playmaking and passing is what has always been his biggest selling point.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Dink Pate SG G League Ignite • 6'8" / 210 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 8.0 RPG 2.9 APG 3.8 3P% 21.4% Pate is in the midst of a strong season in the G League, building off his credentials as a potential lottery pick. His shot creation and ability to get to the cup as a do-it-all guard is what I love most, and he's showed some improvement with his vision and passing as well.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Boogie Fland PG Arkansas • Fr • 6'2" / 175 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15.5 RPG 3.6 APG 5.7 3P% 39.6% As an 18-year-old freshman, Fland is leading Arkansas in assists and is second in steals while making nearly 40% of his 3-pointers, showcasing his versatility as a two-way threat. Watching him pressure the ball on defense is a sight to behold.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Kon Knueppel SF Duke • Fr • 6'7" / 217 lbs Projected Team Indiana PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 12.2 RPG 3.5 APG 3.3 3P% 34.5% The scouting report on Knueppel -- a natural scorer who wins with skill and finesse but doesn't have elite athletic upside -- has mostly proved true this season. His polish has translated to big production as Duke's second-leading scorer and assist man.

From Chicago Bulls Round 1 - Pick 11 Tre Johnson SF Texas • Fr • 6'6" / 190 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 19.9 RPG 2.6 APG 2.2 3P% 43.3% Johnson was someone I was higher on than consensus coming into the season, thus no change here in his projection despite him seemingly being a riser this season. He's someone who can score it from all three levels as a certified flamethrower dating back to his time in high school and that has translated well in his freshman season at Texas.

From Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 - Pick 12 Liam McNeeley SF Connecticut • Fr • 6'7" / 210 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 13.6 RPG 6.1 APG 2.1 3P% 33.9% UConn hit on yet another five-star freshman in McNeeley, who is coming off a career-best 26-point explosion vs. No. 8 Gonzaga over the weekend where he showed off his versatility as a scorer, passer and rebounder. His all-around skill set and selfless style makes him a perfect Husky and a plug-and-play type prospect at the NBA level.

From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 13 JT Toppin PF Texas Tech • Soph • 6'9" / 225 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 18.6 RPG 11 APG 1.1 3P% 28.6% Coming off an All-MWC season as a true freshman at New Mexico, Toppin leveled up to Texas Tech and has leveled up his game in the process. He's averaging the third-most points per game among Big 12 players and leading the league in rebounds.

From Sacramento Kings Round 1 - Pick 14 Alex Karaban SF Connecticut • Jr • 6'8" / 225 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 15.6 RPG 5 APG 3.1 3P% 42.4% Karaban had the profile of a first-round pick last year before returning to school, and as a junior he is now playing a bigger role while averaging more points, assists, blocks and steals per-40 -- and shooting a career-best 42.4% from 3-point range.

From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 - Pick 15 Ben Saraf SG Israel • 6'5" / 200 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 13.3 RPG 2.9 APG 5.0 3P% 25.0% A big multi-threat guard from Israel, Saraf is a creative playmaker with excellent passing vision and natural scoring instincts. He went for 16 points, two steals and two assists in an October exhibition vs. the Trail Blazers to help earn some notoriety.

From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 16 Labaron Philon PG Alabama • Fr • 6'4" / 177 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 11.5 RPG 4.1 APG 3.8 3P% 24% An advanced finishing package is what has stood out to me when watching Philon. He can get to the cup and score with either hand with his body contorted all sorts of ways. He plays fast but not rushed and I love how he dictates the pace.

From Milwaukee Bucks Round 1 - Pick 17 Kam Jones PG Marquette • Sr • 6'5" / 205 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 20.1 RPG 4.7 APG 6.4 3P% 41.2% Jones has been one of the most productive players in college basketball this season as a senior and taken his game to a new level for Marquette as a shooter while soaking up a major role as a passer. His new role has unlocked previously-unrealized potential when he played next to Tyler Kolek.

From Miami Heat Round 1 - Pick 18 Derik Queen C Maryland • Fr • 6'10" / 246 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 17.3 RPG 8.4 APG 2.2 3P% 12.5% Maryland is scorching teams this season in no small part because of Queen's instant impact as a true freshman big man. He's had four double-doubles in the early going (including a 22-20 game in the opener), and recently had his most complete games of the year against top competition when he had 26 points, 12 boards and two blocks in a close loss to No. 8 Purdue. His passing gives him the slight edge for me over the likes of Asa Newell and Khaman Maluach.

From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 19 Asa Newell PF Georgia • Fr • 6'11" / 220 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 16 RPG 6.4 APG 1.2 3P% 21.7% The rebounding instincts and consistently ability to fight on the offensive glass is Newell's biggest and best strength right now. He's top-30 in offensive rebounding rate as a true freshman and feasting as a dangerous transition big who can finish at the rim.

From Denver Nuggets Round 1 - Pick 20 Nique Clifford SF Colorado State • Sr • 6'6" / 200 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 17.3 RPG 10.6 APG 3.2 3P% 37% The decision for Clifford to come back to school didn't make sense to me until I watched him this season. He's on a mission and playing in a different stratosphere for CSU. He's someone who can play in the NBA a long time as a 3-and-D wing.

Round 1 - Pick 21 Collin Murray-Boyles PF South Carolina • Soph • 6'8" / 245 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 4th PPG 15.9 RPG 9.6 APG 2 3P% 33.3% A bit of an old-school power forward with an advanced creation package in the post, Murray-Boyles is so far building off what was already a promising start to his college career as a freshman last season. He's also ventured out a bit taking more 3-pointers than last season, showing off some stretch big skills I wanted to see from him as he develops.

From Minnesota Timberwolves Round 1 - Pick 22 Mackenzie Mgbako PF Indiana • Soph • 6'9" / 222 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 5th PPG 13.9 RPG 5.1 APG 1.5 3P% 42.9% The Mike Woodson era at Indiana feels like it's quickly approaching an end, but lost amidst a disappointing season has been Mgbako's progression as a sophomore. His true shooting percentage is up to 62.8% on the year and he's improved across the board as a rebounder, passer, shot-blocker and shooter.

Round 1 - Pick 23 Hugo Gonzalez SF Spain • 6'6" / 205 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 8th PPG 6.5 RPG 2.3 APG 1.3 3P% 31.3% Gonzalez finally peeked out from behind a limited role with 25 minutes Sunday in his best game of the season for Real Madrid, scoring 14 points and adding five rebounds and two assists. He's a big guard who should be in the mix in this range with room to grow if he can build off that big performance.

Round 1 - Pick 24 Khaman Maluach C Duke • Fr • 7'2" / 250 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 8 RPG 4.7 BPG 0.8 3P% 33.3% Maluach's size and shot-blocking instincts are right now his best traits as a prospect. The way he can move and defend in space at his size gives him a chance to be a true terror on defense for a long time. The question long-term is what else he can add beyond that.

From New York Knicks Round 1 - Pick 25 Adou Thiero SF Arkansas • Jr • 6'8" / 220 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 9th PPG 18 RPG 5.9 APG 2 3P% 23.8% Once just a fringe starter at Kentucky, Thiero has been "the guy" for Arkansas this season enjoying a true breakout. He's always been a bulldog defender but has grown into a bigger role as a scorer and managed to add to his defense as a true playmaker on that end.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Jase Richardson SG Michigan State • Fr • 6'3" / 185 lbs Projected Team Memphis PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 10.3 RPG 2.6 APG 2 3P% 50% The son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, Richardson has burst onto the scene as a true freshman despite not being considered a one-and-done. He's still not in the Spartans' starting lineup but so far has been their best payer, leading the team in PER, BPM and Win Shares.

Round 1 - Pick 27 Jaland Lowe PG Pittsburgh • Soph • 6'3" / 175 lbs Projected Team Golden St. PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 16.5 RPG 5.4 APG 5.5 3P% 26.8% The sophomore leap we hoped for has so far come true with Lowe, who has a chance to be one of the best playmakers in this class. Hopefully his 3-point shooting will course-correct back to his freshman average, as he's struggled from distance this season.

From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 - Pick 28 Ryan Kalkbrenner C Creighton • Sr • 7'1" / 270 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17.4 RPG 8.3 APG 1.3 3P% 33.3% The three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year is still on pace for his best of five collegiate seasons with Creighton. His defense and shooting skills could be of value to a team in this range.

Round 1 - Pick 29 Drake Powell SG North Carolina • Fr • 6'6" / 195 lbs Projected Team Boston PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 6th PPG 5.7 RPG 3.6 APG 0.9 3P% 40% The counting stats haven't yet -- and may not -- pop for Powell as a freshman this season at UNC. But he's a fun scout who does a few things each game that stick out. A two-way wing real upside you won't frequently find this late in drafts.

From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 30 Tyrese Proctor PG Duke • Jr • 6'6" / 183 lbs Projected Team L.A. Clippers PROSPECT RNK 30th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 11.7 RPG 3.7 APG 1.9 3P% 41.5% Armed with an improved jumper and better consistency as a finisher, Proctor has played his way back into the first round mix after failing to live up to lofty expectations the last two seasons.