NBA Draft 2025: 3 risers, 3 fallers, 3 names I'm monitoring

As the 2025 calendar year flips, who are some of the biggest risers and fallers in the pre-draft process?

With the 2025 NBA Draft cycle flipping over to the new year, I continue to assess my board with sample of four months of international play and two months of college basketball. I work off my initial big board post in October to identify who’s rising and falling. I also have some names I’m monitoring for stock stagnation or small-sample theater.

3 risers:

1. Khaman Maluach, Duke, Big. Maluach won’t wow anyone with raw numbers, — averaging 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in just 18.6 minutes per game, but he’s still an impressive prospect that warrants top-five consideration. His process and tools pop and align with a coveted rim-runner/protector archetype that’s had immediate success the past few years (Dereck Lively and Yves Missi). He’s enormous, and his size activates his skillset on both sides of the floor. He’s a machine on the glass. He keeps his arms and hands active when patrolling the paint and altering shots. He’s not paint-bound either, as he possesses the mobility to defend out in space, which would shine brighter in NBA coverages. His offensive role has been relatively simple, but he’s been a remarkable play-finisher for Duke, shooting 79.2% from the field (82.2% on 2’s). Maluach is still raw — he needs to improve his hands and bulk up. However, his motor and tools help me buy into his NBA translation as a high-level starting big man.

2. Noah Penda, France, Forward. Penda is a big forward that tests the theory of 1-5 defensive versatility. He’s nimble enough to cover guards, while having the strength and build to defend up to the 4 and 5 (6’8”, 225 pounds). His defensive versatility is amplified by his event creation, as his quick hands and anticipation lead to plenty of steals and blocks. Offensively, he’s a quick processor that makes sound decisions as a next-action creator, but he’ll ultimately need to improve on his jump-shot to have a significant role on that side of the floor — has shot 36.2% from 3 this year, per RealGM, but historically trends as a sub-30% shooter. Nonetheless, teams are always gunning for big wings that can defend at a high level and make smart decisions. He’s a first-round talent right now, but shooting consistency could lead to a second jump up the boards.

3. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma, Guard. The guards have been highest risers in this class, and Fears has been party-crasher in lottery conversations. He’s been a catalyst for Oklahoma’s fast start as the floor general. He’s so good at touching the paint with his weaving and gear-shifting downhill. From there, he can slice defenses with his passing and finishing, while also generating free throw attempts. He has real shot creation upside as well from all three levels, too. While he has to sharpen his turnovers and outside shooting, his tools are so tantalizing — especially considering he won’t turn 19 until NBA training camp — and he possesses serious star potential as a lead guard. How he leads Oklahoma through SEC play could catapult him even higher up the board.

3 fallers

1. Nolan Traore, France, Guard. Once looked as a challenger for the “best point guard in the class” conversation, Traore has slipped while peers have risen up the boards in collegiate play. Running as a lead guard with Saint Quentin, his offensive struggles are on display — as his ability to touch the paint is essentially nullified by his subpar finishing and absent jumper. In addition, he’s a solid passer that can map the floor well, but is a bit sped up and still routinely turns the ball over. He can turn it around, but other guards look more enticing as potential franchise point guards over Traore.

2. Drake Powell, North Carolina, Wing. I’m still cautiously bullish on Powell because of his defensive activity. He flies around the floor, anticipates events with his assertiveness and quick hands, and defends bigger than his size. However, he’s been a relative zero offensively, as his shooting is a severe limitation to his upside and more significant playing time. He’s slipped from a lottery prospect with “top-5” upside to one that’d benefit from returning.

3. Rocco Zikarsky, Autstralia, Big. Zikarsky hasn’t had the much opportunity with the NBL, surpassing the 20-minute mark just once. His size is appealing, specifically as a rim-protector and a rebound. However, his lack of polish limits his scheme versatility on both sides of the floor, as he doesn’t have the mobility or skill to be malleable to most matchups.

3 prospects I’m monitoring

1. Hugo Gonzalez, Wing, Spain. Gonzalez is deep in Real Madrid’s bench behind a veteran squad, so his universal stock has slipped simply due to exposure. He has had moments where the game looks pretty fast for him. However, his motor and feel should keep him in first-round conservations. Offensively, he’s comfortable initiating actions as a secondary playmaker — a plus at his size. Defensively, he gives real effort and isn’t afraid to chase blocks — a strength but a detriment. If he can break through Real Madrid’s depth chart, he can regain some momentum as a lottery prospect. Otherwise, he’ll likely be in “draft-and-stash” conversations.

2. Jase Richardson, Guard, Michigan State. Richardson is a fascinating prospect who could be a wild card for the 2025 class. He’s not a primary ball-handler, but he’s a 6’3” guard that’s an incredible processor and smart ball-mover. He stays in motion as a passer, driver, and spacer. His offense is wildly efficient (77.3% at the rim, 54.5% from 3), but his 3-point volume is a bit low (2 attempts per game, 22 total)— though offers smooth, repeatable mechanics. He generates turnovers with his length, tenacity, and anticipation. However, he’s 7th in total minutes for Michigan State. Would it almost be beneficial to return simply for a larger role? If not, he can be a smart “pre-draft” candidate for a contender, as he yields first-round value and could be a winning role player as a team’s third guard.

3. Derik Queen, Maryland, Big. Queen has been a popular riser among draft circles. His offensive feel shown in grassroots has quickly translated into incredible production. His offensive skillset is remarkable — as he can put the ball on the deck, has smooth footwork, a feathery touch inside, and has dabbled with expanding his range. His passing chops are to be monitored, which could make him the perfect Delay/Zoom action big man. He has another rise in him, as he’s outside my lottery due to his defense. He’s not the quickest in space, and he has too many instances where he jogs around defensively or doesn’t protect the paint. Is it effort or conditioning centric? That’s to be determined. Nonetheless, Queen’s emphatic start to his collegiate career has made him an intriguing big man prospect.

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