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NBA mock draft roundup: Cooper Flagg leads projected first-round picks before Final Four
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- NBA mock draft roundup: Cooper Flagg leads projected first-round picks before Final Four
The Final Four for the men's NCAA Tournament has arrived in San Antonio, showcasing the top players. Many will conclude their college careers at the Alamodome, battling for the chance to lift the national championship trophy.
Duke has three players projected to be top-10 lottery picks: Cooper Flagg , Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel. Auburn is led by the talented Johni Broome , a Wooden Award finalist. Rutgers boasts two standout players, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who have been included in the roundup for their outstanding performances this season.
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Here is the latest NBA mock draft roundup from USA TODAY Sports, with the Final Four at the doorstep.
More: Who win win NCAA championship? Men's Final Four predictions, national title picks
2025 NBA Mock Draft roundup
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
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Freshman, guard-forward, 6-9, 205, 18 years old
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2024-25 stats: 18.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 bpg, 48.3% FG, 37.4% 3PT, 83.4% FT
The young star is the leading scorer, rebounder, playmaker and thief of the ball for the Blue Devils. He understands how to execute plays, can make catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, and serves as an active defender on the weak side. Flagg contributions are guiding Duke to an impressive season, highlighted by winning the ACC regular-season title, the ACC tournament title, and making an appearance in the Final Four.
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2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
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Freshman, guard, 6-6, 215, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 48.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 75% FT
Harper recently declared for the NBA draft and his greatest strength at the next level will likely be his versatility, which enables him to both run the point and play off the ball. In Rutgers' only game during the Big Ten tournament, Harper scored 27 points and also recorded eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks in a double-overtime loss to Southern California.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
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Freshman, guard-forward, 6-10, 200, 18 years old
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2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 69.2% FT
Bailey might need to enhance his passing skills and improve his free throw shooting, but his size and athleticism make him a standout player. Even when scoring is challenging, he stays active on defense. In his season-ending loss to USC, he recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals and one block.
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4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
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Freshman, guard, 6-5, 180, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3PT, 78.2% FT
Edgecombe has showcased his athleticism and explosiveness, demonstrating an exceptional ability to make steals. He played significant minutes toward the end of the season, where he recorded 16 points, six rebounds, and one steal in a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Duke.
5. Kon Knueppel, Duke
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Freshman, guard-forward, 6-7, 217, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 47.7% FG, 40.1% 3PT, 91.2% FT
Knueppel has the ability to energize an offense with his impressive 3-point shooting. His efficient shooting motion allows him to be ready to receive the ball at all times. During the ACC tournament, Knueppel averaged 21 points per game, including a standout performance of 28 points against Georgia Tech. He shot 48.6% from the field, rising to the occasion while Flagg was injured.
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6. Tre Johnson, Texas
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Freshman, guard, 6-6, 190, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 87.1% FT
Johnson is a natural shooter and scorer who excels at scoring on the move. At his size, Johnson also demonstrates decent playmaking abilities. In the past two months, he has recorded three games scoring 30 points or more, including a standout performance of 39 points against Arkansas on Feb. 26.
7. Khaman Maluach, Duke
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Freshman, center, 7-2, 250, 18 years old
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2024-25 stats: 8.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 71.4% FG, 76.4% FT
Khaman Maluach is an exceptional defender and a versatile big man who thrives in pick-and-roll situations. Maluach has great hands for catching lobs, which allows him to finish with easy dunks. His soft touch around the rim, combined with his shot-blocking abilities, makes him a strong rim protector.
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8. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
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Freshman, guard, 6-6, 205, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 apg, 44% FG, 31.8% 3PT, 84.5% FT
Jakucionis is recognized for his abilities as a playmaker, scorer, and passer. Jakucionis has a keen court vision and is skilled at delivering savvy passes, often driving to the rim for layups. However, he faced offensive challenges toward the end of the season, shooting just 32.5% from the field and committing 24 turnovers in the final four games.
9. Derik Queen, Maryland
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Freshman, center, 6-10, 246, 20 years old
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2024-25 stats: 16.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 52.6% FG, 76.6% FT
Queen is a skilled power forward-center who excels at running the court and handling the basketball. He is a strong candidate for a first-round pick, possessing good hands, footwork and the mechanics to develop into a shooter capable of stretching the floor. In a Sweet 16 game against Florida, Queen scored 27 points, recorded five rebounds, and made two steals.
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10. Asa Newell, Georgia
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Freshman, forward, 6-11, 220, 19 years old
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2024-25 stats: 15.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg, 54.3% FG, 29.2% 3PT, 74.8% FT
Newell may not seem as quick and agile as he actually is, but that versatility makes Newell an immediate threat in pick-and-roll situations. Newell was one of the few standout players for the Bulldogs during their loss to No. 1 Auburn, scoring a team-high of 20 points.
Jeff Zillgitt, Lorenzo Reyes and James H. Williams contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft roundup: Before Final Four, Cooper Flagg leads list
