2025 NBA Draft: Ranking the best forwards, featuring consensus No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Height: 6-8 • Weight: 221 • Class: Freshman • Age: 18.5
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Flagg is a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
Height: 6-8 • Weight: 203 • Class: Freshman • Age: 18.8
Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 239 • Class: Sophomore • Age: 20
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Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.
Height: 6-9 • Weight: 198 • Age: 18.5
Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn't, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor.
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 215 • Class: Freshman • Age: 19.5
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Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he's raw as a ball-handler, he's a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimum, he has the baseline skills to be a great role player with the upside to someday be much more.
You can find the entire Big Board, plus a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
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