The official start of the 2025 NBA predraft period kicks off this Saturday in Chicago. Around 120 aspiring players, including notable prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, and Walter Clayton Jr., are expected to gather for the NBA Draft Combine, the G League Elite Camp, and various agency-hosted pro days.
Next Monday brings the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), which will determine the final order for the first round. The draft itself is scheduled for June 25-26 (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The team fortunate enough to secure the top pick and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg will undoubtedly dominate discussions for the roughly six weeks following the lottery. Meanwhile, the remaining 29 franchises will be intensely evaluating the rest of the promising draft class beyond the talented Duke freshman.
Taking place at Wintrust Arena, the combine and Elite Camp will put players through a series of activities, including drills, physical measurements, athletic testing, medical evaluations, team interviews, and organized 5-on-5 scrimmages.
The combine represents a critical opportunity for players to enhance their draft position in front of hundreds of NBA executives, coaches, owners, and agents. It`s often seen as the unofficial beginning of the NBA free agency period, as teams start discussions and lay the groundwork for potential deals that can be announced once the formal window opens on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
There`s considerable anticipation surrounding this important week on the NBA calendar. Points of interest include which players might significantly boost their draft stock, who might opt to withdraw from the draft, and which prospects will become prime targets for private team workouts immediately following the combine.
Who is ready, or willing, to make a jump?
Every year, certain players use the combine as a platform to elevate themselves firmly into the first round or, in hindsight, demonstrate that they should have been drafted much higher.
Recent examples of NBA players who significantly helped their standing during the combine include Jalen Williams, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Nembhard, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Huerter, and Donte DiVincenzo. Derrick White, Pascal Siakam, and Kyle Kuzma also showcased flashes of the impact players they would become at the next level during their combine appearances.
However, the combine isn`t always the sole indicator of future success. Consider Jaylen Wells from Washington State last year: he wasn`t initially invited but was added due to late withdrawals. His shooting performance during the two-day combine (5-for-18 with 0 assists and 3 turnovers) certainly didn`t suggest he would finish third in this season`s NBA Rookie of the Year voting after being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round.
This unpredictable aspect is why many prospects choose not to participate in the scrimmages, fearing that a poor showing could negatively affect their draft standing. While attending the combine and participating in drills, interviews, and medical exams is mandatory, the 5-on-5 games are optional.
Over the past few years, many players projected as late second-round picks or potential undrafted free agents have declined to compete in scrimmages. This has caused frustration among NBA executives attending the event, who spend over a week in Chicago and want to maximize their evaluation opportunities. This creates friction between teams and agents, who often believe that less exposure is better for clients whose weaknesses could be highlighted.
In the past, agents of top prospects could strategically share medical information only with teams they preferred, but this practice is no longer permitted.
Some players who are in the process of `testing the waters` regarding the draft will have little choice but to compete in 5-on-5s. They face important decisions by the May 28 NCAA withdrawal deadline on whether to remain in the draft pool or return to college.
Some of the notable players facing `stay or go` decisions include: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Alex Condon (Florida), Drake Powell (North Carolina), Cedric Coward (Duke), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Boogie Fland (transfer portal), Labaron Philon (Alabama), Isaiah Evans (Duke), Darrion Williams (transfer portal), Miles Byrd (San Diego State), Karter Knox (Arkansas), PJ Haggerty (transfer portal), Jamir Watkins (transfer portal), and RJ Luis Jr. (transfer portal).
The choices these fifteen players make will significantly influence the landscape of next year`s college basketball season. A team like Duke, for example, would look considerably different depending on the decisions of their players exploring the draft. Similarly, numerous schools are patiently awaiting commitments from highly sought-after transfer portal players such as Williams, Haggerty, Watkins, and Luis. If these players do not receive favorable feedback at the combine, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities could provide an attractive alternative for returning to college for another year.
Five players to watch at the combine
Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB/Michigan
No. 26 in ESPN`s Top 100
Yaxel Lendeborg emerged as one of the top prospects in the transfer portal following a standout season at UAB and has since committed to Michigan. He`s among several college athletes navigating the predraft process with the option of returning to school for potentially lucrative NIL opportunities, giving him leverage to seek a favorable NBA situation. His decision to turn pro will depend heavily on the level and nature of NBA team interest, something a strong combine showing could influence. Lendeborg`s physical tools (6-foot-9, 240 pounds), developing skillset, and all-around production are expected to translate well in the combine environment. NBA teams are eager to see how he performs, while Michigan remains hopeful for his return, which likely hinges on the feedback he receives this week.
Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas
No. 42 in ESPN`s Top 100
After missing a significant portion of Arkansas` SEC schedule due to a thumb injury, Boogie Fland returned to play a limited role in the NCAA tournament before entering the transfer portal, where he has multiple college options. NBA teams are interested to see how he performs in the 5-on-5 setting, which typically favors guards, allowing Fland to remind scouts of his crafty offensive game and scoring ability. Despite lacking ideal size (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) and certain physical measurables, he is still just 18 years old and possesses a strong pre-college reputation. He is expected to draw attention in what might be a combine session with fewer top-tier players competing. Fland`s solid start to the season and the context of his missed games make him an intriguing prospect. Like many players truly testing the waters, he may need an exceptional performance to feel confident about his NBA prospects relative to the financial and playing time opportunities available should he stay in school. Fland, along with his Arkansas teammate Karter Knox and Auburn`s Tahaad Pettiford, are among the younger players facing similar decisions.
Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech
No. 46 in ESPN`s Top 100
Currently in the transfer portal without a commitment for next season, Darrion Williams has been participating in NBA workout circuits while considering his options. A series of strong performances during the NCAA tournament significantly raised his profile as a prospect, and there is high demand for his services in the college ranks, including the possibility of returning to Texas Tech. This is another instance where Williams` play at the combine could heavily influence his draft range, likely requiring some level of draft guarantee from an interested NBA team to keep him from returning to college. Williams offers a versatile skillset and strong basketball IQ, capable of playing both forward positions and even initiating offense due to his playmaking ability. While his athleticism, frame (6-foot-6, 225 pounds), and defensive metrics might not be elite by NBA standards, the success of players like Atlanta`s Georges Niang provides a potential blueprint for how he could fit into a rotation. A strong showing in scrimmages would certainly help his cause, but returning to college to work on his physique and improve his jump shot (34% from 3-point range last season) is also a viable and realistic path to potentially boosting his stock for the following year`s draft.
Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
No. 47 in ESPN`s Top 100
After entering the year with some first-round buzz, Rocco Zikarsky`s progress seemed to stall in his second NBL season, as his minutes increased but his overall production declined. Standing at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, the young Australian center still possesses impressive physical attributes, displaying good coordination for his size and the ability to contest shots effectively around the basket. However, his struggles to consistently impact games and secure a larger role, partly due to difficulties keeping pace with faster-paced contests, led NBA teams to adopt a wait-and-see approach regarding his draft timeline. Still only 18 years old, he has ample time to develop as he becomes more comfortable in his imposing frame. NBA front offices have been intrigued by his size and unique background for several years: Zikarsky comes from a family of elite swimmers; his 6-foot-10 father won a bronze medal for Germany in the 1996 Olympics, and his 6-foot-1 mother was an Australian champion ironwoman. Zikarsky, the tallest player listed as invited to the combine, has a platform to remind teams why he warrants a developmental investment. This year`s NBA playoffs, where centers like Rudy Gobert (Minnesota) and Steven Adams (Houston) have demonstrated significant impact, serve as reminders of the value of having size on the roster, even as a situational option in certain matchups. Zikarsky needs continuous experience, but players with his physical profile are rare. Given this year`s draft is not considered deep at the center position, coupled with an expectation that many college players will return for better NIL opportunities, Zikarsky has an opportunity to improve his standing with a strong performance.
Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State
No. 51 in ESPN`s Top 100
Miles Byrd`s physical tools and defensive capabilities have made him an intriguing sleeper prospect for NBA front offices throughout the San Diego State Aztecs` season. As a young sophomore who turns 21 in early September, he recorded impressive averages of 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game from the wing position. He has shown flashes of his potential as a passer, but his offensive game is still developing. He will need to add muscle to his 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame. However, his late-blooming progression has earned him favor among front office personnel. Although Byrd shot just 30% from 3-point range last season, he attempted nearly six shots from beyond the arc per game. Historically, he has been a solid free throw shooter, which offers optimism for potential improvement in his key perimeter shooting skill. The main question is how early a team would be willing to invest in his developmental upside, especially with the option for him to return to San Diego State still on the table. A positive showing in the combine scrimmages, where he will need to compete physically and display his defensive playmaking, could help him secure a guaranteed draft deal, which might be necessary to keep him in the draft pool this year.
Agency pro days: Gauging waning interest
Following two days of 5-on-5 scrimmages, agents will take center stage on Thursday and Friday, hosting their own pro days. These sessions feature structured routines specifically designed to highlight their clients` strengths while minimizing exposure to any perceived weaknesses.
In the past, teams would travel across the country to attend these individual workouts. However, rule changes have now consolidated them under one roof in Chicago, with an additional designated session scheduled at the Los Angeles Lakers` practice facility from May 20-21.
NBA teams hold mixed views regarding these agency-run workouts. Some executives appreciate the opportunity to sit courtside and observe prospects, including many of the top-ranked players in the draft pool. They can see their physical attributes, athleticism, and shooting technique up close – aspects they might otherwise have limited opportunities to evaluate.
Conversely, other teams see these workouts primarily as an excuse for agents to prevent players from participating in competitive scrimmages, opting instead for showcase-style drills. Among high-level decision-makers, NBA attendance at these pro days has significantly declined over the past few years, as executives no longer feel pressured by the fear of missing out on crucial observations. Consequently, lottery-level prospects participate less frequently, which can negatively impact other clients from large agencies who often rely on top prospects to draw significant team attendance to the gym.
It will be interesting to see how teams perceive the evolution of pro days this year. Regardless of whether teams publicly acknowledge it, some prospects have undeniably boosted their draft stock in the past simply by demonstrating their physical talent and abilities in front of a considerable NBA audience during these events.
Top prospects at the G League Elite Camp
The G League Elite Camp is scheduled to begin this weekend, with approximately 45 players set to attend the two-day event. Typically, the top five to eight performers from the scrimmages at this camp earn an invitation to transition to the main NBA Draft Combine later in the week. Notable examples of players who successfully made this leap and went on to have strong NBA careers include LA Clippers guard Terance Mann and Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (both in 2019), and Oklahoma City Thunder wing Aaron Wiggins (in 2021), all of whom were eventually drafted.
Other alumni of the G League Elite Camp, such as Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Vince Williams Jr., and Jose Alvarado, did not receive a call-up to the main combine but still developed into impactful NBA players.
Many players, including Andrew Nembhard, Dillon Jones, and Marcus Sasser, have participated in the G League Elite Camp, subsequently withdrawn from the draft, and later became NBA draft picks, leveraging the feedback and experience they gained while in Chicago. Some of the key prospects expected to play at this year`s G League Elite Camp include Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne), Amari Williams (Kentucky), Caleb Love (Arizona), Caleb Grill (Missouri), and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State).