Can you feel it? Your heart racing and your chest filling with anticipation as it approaches? I know I can. The NBA Draft is only 2 days away, and the Utah Jazz have a big decision to make. A decision that could significantly impact the future of this franchise. Since the draft is right around the corner, I wanted to do a quick little recap of each prospect’s strengths and weaknesses and do it in the order of my personal draft board for 2025. I’ve spent countless hours evaluating the draft this year, watching around 2-5 games a day during the college season, watching a decent amount of some prospects’ high-school games, listening to great minds on social media platforms, on top of months and months of diving into the analytics and historical probabilities. The draft is something I am extremely passionate about, so I definitely have some hot takes. This is not going to resemble a consensus big board at all, but I hope you respect and enjoy my thoughts. Enjoy!

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#1 – Cooper Flagg | W/F | Duke

Strengths: Cooper Flagg can do everything you want him to on the basketball court. He showcased his dominance and versatility on both ends of the court by scoring off the dribble and asserting himself physically on offense, and then, on defense, switching between 1-5 and being a terror as an off-ball defender. He encapsulated what it means to be the No. 1 overall pick and is the best collegiate prospect since Anthony Davis, who was drafted over a decade ago.

Weaknesses: I do not have any gripes about Cooper Flagg’s game. One of the few things I could see as a potential weakness is his delegation. He is a team player at heart, but sometimes he shares the ball a bit too much. He has the ability to be “THE GUY” and lead his team deep into the playoffs, so I would like to see a little bit more selfishness in his game — in my opinion, he will be the only “GUY” to come out of this draft. That’s all I have. He is a legitimate beast and will dominate in the years to come.

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#2 – Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers

Strengths: Harper’s game is rather complex, but he makes the complexity look silky smooth. His ability to take guys off the dribble, play with controlled changes of pace, and use his physicality and handle to score at the rack is 1 of 1 in this draft. Dylan has showcased that even on a bad team that he can be efficient with his movements, make the right reads, and not be afraid of the moment. He is the No. 2 guy in this draft due to the fact that he will be partnered up with Wembanyama for a long time, and I could not imagine a better guy he could be next to. Victor will be able to spread the floor and give Dylan Harper the runway to do what he does best, and that is be an aggressive paint scorer.

Weaknesses: Harper has struggled immensely with his shooting off the bounce, and it has been a glaring weakness in his game even since high school. I would argue that Harper’s improvement since high school hasn’t taken as much of a jump to where he is now, almost like a plateau. Dylan’s game also suffers from overconfidence and hero ball. You could argue that it is a great thing to see in a 19-year-old, and I could easily be swayed. Although I believe that not getting his team involved as much as he should in tight moments could lead to late-game blunders and missed opportunities. I am very interested to see how he operates in close games, especially now that he doesn’t have to be the best guy on a team because he has Victor Wembanyama.

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#3 – Kon Knueppel | G/W | Duke

Strengths: Kon Knueppel is one of the smartest basketball players in the draft this year. He doesn’t force shots, he doesn’t force bad passes, and he does the dirty work. People have been stereotyping Kon as your typical white boy shooter, which he is fantastic at, but Kon is so much more than that. Kon can attack closeouts and score in the paint efficiently, he is able to operate and score in the pick and roll, and his footwork down low is exceptional. Kon will be able to fit in NBA systems instantly by how he relocates off the ball, cuts, and comes off shooting actions. The scalability of Kon is, marginally, the best in the class — with the exception of his Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg. He may not be the most athletic guy on the court, but he will beat you with his strength, rebounding, hustle, and intelligence, making Kon the perfect scalable guy to have next to your No. 1 or 2 option. You may not think of him as a scorer, but he is going to be a guy who drops a quiet 20, 5, and 5. You’ll have to rewatch the game to see him do it — The Silent Assassin.

Weaknesses: The athleticism is a legitimate concern. I worry that NBA defenders will be able to top lock him and make him a non-factor in some games offensively, like Auburn did early in the season. A lot of the time, Kon relies on savviness and craft in the paint because he plays off of two feet, the question being: How will it translate to the NBA, and will the learning curve be too massive to overcome? I’m not necessarily worried about the defense; he gets there, and he contests shots at a high rate, even better than some others in this class. However, NBA teams are going to profile him and try to pick him apart. They will see a stocky white boy with a neutral wingspan and attack him. Kon has to be ready to take on that challenge night in and night out for multiple years to start. We know he can hold his own at times, but how consistent can he be on that side of the floor?

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#4 – VJ Edgecombe | G/W | Baylor

Strengths: VJ is an uncanny athlete. His ability to run in transition and rise above/score is a true feat. Offensively, you are getting a guy who is a scary threat off the ball because of his speed, abilities to cut, go for lobs, spot up from distance, and be a quick and connective passer when the ball finds his hands. Edgecombe has all of the ancillary skills that you would want. He rebounds tremendously for his position on both sides of the ball, and he has developed into a reliable playmaker both on and off the ball with a low turnover rate. Defensively, he is special on that side of the court, but not to where he can be — it’s scary that he isn’t to his full defensive potential yet. He breaks up a plethora of plays game by game. He is a phenomenal “free safety” defender, meaning when given the green light to roam around the court freely on defense, he’s going to break up passing lanes, pick pockets as a weak-side help defender, and chase down blocks that your average shooting guard wouldn’t be able to. Once he breaks up plays, we go back into what he is good at, transition offense, where he may catch a lot or slam it home with vengeance on top of anyone who foolishly stands in his path. VJ Edgecombe will be able to impact games at a high level without the ball in his hands. To me, he is the 3rd most scalable player in this draft.

Weaknesses: VJ has to figure out his on-ball skills, both defensively and offensively. His handle is 2 years away from being 2 years away, limiting his scoring capabilities, which will hinder his athleticism. Anthony Edwards is a scary athlete because he has a handle that allows him to get to beat his opponent and dunk on top of others. Without a handle, Edgecombe will need to find a way to not be as invisible in the halfcourt as he has in previous games this past year at Baylor. We talked about his defense already, and VJ has a great foundation to build on. However, the on-ball defense has got to be better and more disciplined. If VJ can stay in front of his man and guard with his chest rather than relying on his hands more times than not, then he could very well find himself being in the realm of a Dyson Daniels (maybe not as imposing) type of defender in the league.

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#5 – Derik Queen | F/C | Maryland

Strengths: Queen is one of the unique prospects in this class. It is not often that you have the chance to draft a 6’10 forward who has a guard-like handle and can be a scoring threat from 10 feet out. Queen has shown to be someone who isn’t afraid of the moment and doesn’t care about stereotypes, but is someone who knows how to play basketball the right way, and with a force. I find him to be a PF at the next level, and that is what he has been in college, the majority of the time. Queen has Drummond-like hands — quick, strong, and disruptive — which he uses to poke balls loose and create deflections defensively. His soft touch and grip strength also translate well as a finisher and passer in tight spaces.

Weaknesses: Athleticism, athleticism, and athleticism. Having tested as one of the worst athletes at the NBA Draft Combine, Queen has turned a lot of scouts off. His defense is a concern if he is going to be guarding 4s or 5s at the next level. Like Kon, it will be interesting to see how teams try to take advantage of Queen’s poor athleticism and verticality. As stated earlier, the on-ball creation is very enticing. However, Derik’s shooting %’s from distance are underwhelming. The FT% and touch around the rim are promising indicators, but if the shot does not develop, I fear that he may find himself in jeopardy of not landing a long-term second or third contract.

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#6 – Collin Murray-Boyles | F/C | South Carolina

Strengths: CMB is the best defender in the draft, IMO. His defensive foot speed, combined with his disciplined hands, rotations, and recovery, just makes him a terror on that side of the floor. He can guard 1-4 and some 5s, making him a valuable piece to any franchise that drafts him. He found his way to impose himself on the interior as a scorer and offensive rebounder in the toughest conference in college basketball. Lastly, on one of the worst teams in the SEC, he somehow found a way to have a neutral assist-to-turnover ratio. I believe that with the right fit, CMB can change the direction of a team in a positive direction by impacting the game in a variety of ways. Outside of shooting the basketball, he does everything you would want him to at a very high level.

Weaknesses: Murray-Boyles is someone who will not likely be able to shoot the ball from distance in the NBA. At his size, being a non-shooter makes it very tough to stick around in the league. Although with an improving FT%, I wouldn’t rule it out completely, despite the odds not being in his favor.

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#7 – Noa Essengue | F | Ratiopharm Ulm

Strengths: Essengue is a long, mobile forward who thrives in transition and brings relentless energy on both ends. He’s an elite finisher around the basket, converting at a high clip thanks to his fluid athleticism and ability to change direction downhill. Defensively, he offers real versatility — he can switch, guard in space, and disrupt passing lanes with his length. He rebounds well, plays with toughness, and has flashed intriguing playmaking instincts in short-roll situations. He is one of the youngest prospects in the class and has been steadily improving throughout the years. One of my favorite things about Essengue is that he gets to the line, displaying that he is not afraid to play through contact. I believe his handle is underrated and has a legitimate chance of developing, more than Edgecombe’s handle. He is the closest thing we have seen to a Giannis in this draft in terms of a toolsy 6’10 forward with raw, malleable potential, and a realistic chance of developing into something special.

Weaknesses: Essengue is still raw offensively — his jumper is inconsistent and lacks confidence, particularly beyond the arc. He struggles to create his own shot in the halfcourt and can be overly reliant on straight-line drives. His frame needs to fill out, especially if he’s going to battle at the four or small-ball five. While he shows flashes as a passer, decision-making under pressure is hit-or-miss, and he can get sped up when the floor shrinks.

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#8 – Khaman Maluach | C | Duke

Strengths: Maluach is a true 7-footer with elite length, making him one of the most physically gifted bigs in the class. He has the size and timing to impact shots around the rim and contest without fouling, even if he’s not a Gobert-style anchor. Offensively, he thrives as a lob threat and pick-and-roll finisher, converting at a high rate around the basket with soft hands and a massive catch radius. He runs the floor hard, rebounds on both ends, and has the tools to switch in space more than most centers his size. While he didn’t showcase much perimeter skill at Duke, he flashed some shooting touch in Africa, and it’s possible there’s more to his offensive game than what Duke prioritized — focusing on winning and tightening up his fundamentals over expanding his role. He is a gifted offensive rebounder due to his giant frame and body, generating 2nd chance points for his squad. He started basketball later than most, and watching his jump from how he played in Africa to where he is now makes me optimistic for what Khaman can become.

Weaknesses: Maluach is still raw and has a long way to go developmentally. He can get pushed around by stronger bigs and doesn’t always play with a low center of gravity. Offensively, he didn’t show much in terms of passing or decision-making, often functioning as a low-usage finisher rather than a creator. His feel on that end is still developing, and he’ll need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game.

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#9 – Asa Newell | F/C | Georgia

Strengths: Newell is a versatile forward with a projectable modern skill set. He’s agile and quick for his size, showing real mobility on the perimeter and upside as a switchable defender. His second-jump ability is outstanding, allowing him to contest shots and clean up misses with energy. Offensively, he is a worm in space and can find his way to the rack as a cutter and offensive rebounder. I believe that Asa did not get to showcase his full offensive potential this year, based on what I have seen from him in FIBA play and flashes at Montverde, due to poor guard play at Georgia. I do believe he will be able to stretch the floor as well. Not if, but when Asa becomes a reliable shooter from distance, it will be hard to keep him off the floor being a 2-way player at his size. There’s real optimism about his defensive upside and how he fits into a modern frontcourt. With the double-big lineups making an appearance in the NBA Playoffs this year, I think Asa can provide a dynamic that can be valuable for a team.

Weaknesses: Newell didn’t show much in terms of self-creation, often relying on simple actions or being set up by others. He’s caught in the tweener zone — not quite strong enough for full-time reps at the five, but not skilled enough yet to consistently punish mismatches at the four. Offensively, he leans heavily on a hook/push shot in the paint, which may not translate against NBA length. His biggest question mark is his playmaking — he rarely had the ball in his hands to make decisions, and it’s unclear whether that was by design or due to limitations in his vision and decision-making.

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#10 – Ace Bailey | F | Rutgers

Oh man, oh man, where do I begin with Ace Bailey… Just to preface, he was ranked this low before all of the drama broke out. This is not recency bias.

Strengths: Bailey is a tough shot-maker who consistently hits contested looks at a high rate, showcasing advanced shot-making for his age. He’s a fluid athlete with real defensive upside, using his length and vertical pop to contest shots and guard multiple positions. He rebounds the ball extremely well for a wing and has the ability to elevate over defenders on both ends. His shooting mechanics are clean, and there’s every reason to believe he’ll develop into a reliable three-point shooter at the next level. I think if he buys into a role, he could be a very impactful player as the 3rd best guy on a championship team.

Weaknesses: Bailey’s shot selection is a major concern — he settles for tough looks far too often, largely because his handle is still developing and he struggles to create separation. He rarely gets to the rim and had one of the lowest rim frequency rates among top prospects, with over half of his makes at the rim being assisted. His passing IQ leaves a lot to be desired, often opting for contested shots over simple reads. There’s a noticeable tunnel vision to his game, and unless he’s willing to buy into a role and make quicker decisions, that mentality could stall his development at the next level. He is a sink-or-swim prospect — he is in the pool with winter clothes but has a life vest on, meaning he has a lot of baggage to his game, but he also has some redeeming qualities that could save his life in the NBA.

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#11 – Tre Johnson | G/W | Texas

Strengths: Johnson is an electric shooter with deep range and real confidence — he’s one of the best shot-makers in the class. He’s deadly off movement, flying off screens and relocating with purpose, and he can knock down jumpers off the catch or the dribble with ease. He makes smart reads when attacking closeouts, showing a balanced mix of scoring and passing off the bounce. His handle is solid enough to get into pull-ups, and he’s shown real poise creating space and making defenders pay from all over the floor. The leading scorer in the toughest conference in the NCAA as a freshman has teams and fans drooling over what Tre Johnson can become.

Weaknesses: Despite his physical tools, Johnson hasn’t shown much defensive impact — he gets beat off the dribble too easily and tends to ball-watch off the ball, leading to breakdowns. His rebounding is underwhelming, especially given his frame and length. While he tested well athletically, that functional athleticism rarely translated in-game — he didn’t consistently use it to defend, make plays above the rim, or even get to the rim. Offensively, he can be a bit of a ball-stopper; while not to the degree of someone like Ace Bailey, the ball often sticks when it gets to him, which can bog down the flow. There’s also concern his scoring may not scale to winning — Tre risks becoming an empty-calorie guy who puts up points without moving the needle. I believe that he will become someone who is a great off-ball mover and shooter. Instead of Devin Booker, Rip Hamilton, or Allan Houston, I believe he will be more likened to a Buddy Hield, Malik Monk, or Norman Powell type of player.

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#12 – Joan Beringer | C | KK Cedevita

Strengths: Beringer is an athletic lob threat who thrives as a play-finisher around the rim. He’s a strong shot blocker with good timing, and his mobility allows him to cover ground defensively and stay active in pick-and-roll coverage. His assist-to-turnover ratio has improved, showing progress in reading the floor and making simple decisions. As a mover and rim-runner, he fits well in modern schemes, and if paired with a capable pick-and-roll guard, his skill set could scale quickly. Centers who can block shots and catch lobs tend to carve out NBA roles, and Beringer checks both boxes. His coordination looks really solid, and I believe that with his measurables, and depending on the team, he could find himself becoming a top 20 big in the league.

Weaknesses: Beringer is still in the early stages of his development and needs to add strength to hold his own physically. His thin frame can be a liability when battling more physical bigs, and he isn’t yet comfortable creating offense outside of lobs or being fed down low. Defensively, his timing and tools are there, but he can be overzealous, leading to foul trouble and inconsistent positioning. Right now, he profiles more as a role-playing energy big, similar to a young Ed Davis. I believe there is more to his game and that it can be unlocked depending on his teammates.

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#13 – Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois

Strengths: Jakucionis is a scalable guard who can be paired with a star very nicely. He plays with poise, makes timely decisions, and thrives in pick-and-roll situations — especially when paired with a spacing big like Ivicic, who helped give him clean driving lanes and clearer reads. He’s shown the ability to absorb contact and embrace physicality when attacking the paint, which he needs to do more of, finishing with craft and toughness. As a passer, he’s not afraid to take risks, often threading tight windows or making advanced reads that lead to high value looks. He fits naturally alongside other creators or in more structured offenses. I enjoy watching him rebound the ball on both sides of the ball. He is another guy who is not afraid of the moment, having some clutch shots and leading his team to a win.

Weaknesses: Jakucionis likely won’t provide much defensive value — his lateral mobility is limited, he doesn’t fight through screens well, and he lacks the burst to stay in front of quicker guards or recover when beaten. Despite his size, he plays below the rim, with only one dunk all season (in transition), which is a glaring concern for a 6’6” guard. There have also been moments — like a couple of separate game-winning layups where he was the primary defender — where his inability to contain drives proved costly. Offensively, while he’s a creative passer, he can be overzealous, forcing tight reads that sometimes lead to unnecessary turnovers. I view Jakucionis as more of a regular season player because I think other teams will eat him up for lunch.

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#14: Walter Clayton Jr | G | Florida

Strengths: Clayton is a dynamic shot-maker who can score at all three levels. He’s especially dangerous off the catch and on movement — his shooting mechanics are clean and repeatable, and he has deep range. He’s comfortable in pick-and-roll situations, showing the ability to pull up, snake into floaters, or find the open man. He’s a crafty finisher who can absorb contact and convert tough layups in traffic. Clayton plays with poise, rarely rattled, and brings a confident, composed presence in clutch moments. He doesn’t need the ball constantly to be effective and makes smart reads as a playmaker. Not to mention the championship DNA, I find that to be rather important.

Weaknesses: Clayton is more of a scoring guard than a true point guard, and questions remain about how well he can run an NBA offense full-time, even while assuming he will be starting off the bench as a second-unit guard. Defensively, he’s a mixed bag — he competes, but his size and lateral quickness limit his ability to stay in front of quicker guards or contain on switches. While he’s efficient, he doesn’t put a ton of pressure on the rim, and his shot diet leans heavily on jumpers. It will be interesting to see how WCJ’s career unfolds.

END OF LOTTERY – RAPID FIRE!

#15 – Drake Powell | W | UNC

Strengths: Athletic, scalable wing who defends multiple positions and embraces a low-usage role. High defensive upside with real lateral quickness and effort.

Weaknesses: Low usage, the on-ball offense remains a question. He is still raw, with most of his upside tied to defensive impact.

#16 – Nique Clifford | W/F | Colorado State

Strengths: Big, athletic wing who rebounds well, defends multiple positions, and plays with energy. The shot has developed over the years. Thrives in transition and shows flashes as a slasher and connective passer.

Weaknesses: Played against mid-major competition, which clouds the projection a bit. May struggle to stand out against NBA-level athletes. Older prospect.

#17 – Max Shulga | G | VCU

Strengths: Underrated combo guard with size, feel, and shooting touch. Smart decision-maker who can run offense or play off the ball. Knockdown shooter with real versatility as a scorer and passer. Scalable.

Weaknesses: Lacks burst and vertical pop. Not an elite athlete and struggles to separate in tight spaces. Mid-major comp adds questions about NBA translation. Older prospect.

#18 – Jeremiah Fears | G | Oklahoma

Strengths: Shifty, confident lead guard who ran the show as a young player in the SEC. Crafty with the ball, can score at all three levels, and showed leadership, carrying a team to the tournament in a brutal conference. Irrational confidence.

Weaknesses: Ball-dominant and can play with blinders on. Inconsistent decision-making and efficiency leading to a high TO rate. Still developing physically and defensively — can get hunted and struggles to stay in front. Questions about the archetype leading to success.

#19 – Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State

Strengths: Skilled combo guard with smooth shot-making and a strong feel for the game. Plays with control, makes smart reads, and can operate on or off the ball. Solid defender who competes and has good instincts.

Weaknesses: Undersized at 6’1 with shoes. Questions about league utilization. Probably should be higher, but midgets scare me.

#20 – Thomas Sorber | C | Georgetown

Strengths: Strong, skilled interior big with soft touch and impressive passing feel. Physical rebounder with good hands and defensive instincts. Wingspan.

Weaknesses: Lacks vertical pop. Limited mobility and hasn’t shown a reliable jumper. Foot Injury.

#21 – Rasheer Fleming | F | St. Joe’s

Strengths: Long, high motor forward with a 7’5” wingspan. Good spot-up shooter, active rebounder, and versatile defender who racks up stocks. Knows his role.

Weaknesses: Limited handle and creation. Mid-major comp. Most of his shots were assisted.

#22 – Cedric Coward | W | Washington St.

Strengths: Long, skilled wing with a smooth jumper, good feel, and defensive tools. Finishes well and moves smartly off the ball.

Weaknesses: Only played six D1 games this year — small sample and limited comp. Can be sloppy with the ball.

#23 – Ryan Kalkbrenner | C | Creighton

Strengths: Elite rim protector with great size and timing. Efficient finisher with soft touch and improving floor spacing. Anchors a defense in drop coverage.

Weaknesses: Limited mobility and strength. Struggles to switch on the perimeter and can get moved off his spots. Older prospect.

#24 – Adou Thiero | F | Arkansas

Strengths: Athletic forward with good length and switchable defender traits. Plays with effort, moves well in transition, and shows upside as a rebounder and versatile defender. Handles the ball enough to play as a secondary initiator.

Weaknesses: Offensive game is raw — limited shot creation. Can be overzealous with the ball at times. Can be over reliant on athleticism at times, more than skill, but has flashes of finesse.

#25 – Hugo Gonzalez | W | Real Madrid

Strengths: Athletic, physical wing with great motor and defensive upside. Attacks closeouts, runs in transition, and competes on both ends. Good rebounder.

Weaknesses: Jumper is inconsistent, but developing, and shot creation is limited. Can be wild on drives and overly aggressive defensively. Played limited minutes.

#26 – Carter Bryant | F | Arizona

Strengths: Big wing with clean shooting mechanics and positional size. Can hit spot-ups, rebound, and defend across multiple spots.

Weaknesses: Extremely assisted scoring diet — rarely creates for himself, even at the EYBL level.

#27 – Sion James | G | Duke

Strengths: Strong, physical wing who defends multiple positions and makes smart reads. Improved shooter and plays well off the ball.

Weaknesses: Limited creation. Mostly a role player on offense and may struggle to generate looks at the next level.

#28 – Hansen Yang | C | Quindao Eagles

Strengths: Center with soft touch and impressive passing feel. Developing shot and protects the rim with length.

Weaknesses: Limited mobility. Struggles in space and hasn’t faced NBA-level speed or physicality.

#29 – Rocco Zikarsky | C | Brisbane Bullets

Strengths: Massive 7’4” center with elite size and mobility for his stature. Natural lob threat and rim-finisher with efficient touch at the basket. Shot-blocking instincts and solid interior defense.

Weaknesses: Extremely raw — limited skill outside of dunks and roll plays. Below-average foot speed and struggles defending in space or pick-and-rolls. Minimal playing time and unproven outside NBA-level competition.

#30 – Egor Demin | G/F | BYU

Strengths: Tall, smart playmaker with great vision. Handles pick-and-rolls well and makes the right reads.

Weaknesses: Poor outside shooter, lacks burst, and struggles to finish through contact. Needs to add strength and consistency. Struggles to bring the ball up the court and has a loose handle.

END OF TOP 30 – REST OF BOARD BELOW!

#31 – Maxime Raynaud | C | Stanford
#32 – Will Riley | W/F | Illinois
#33 – Johni Broome | C | Auburn
#34 – Ben Saraf | G | Ratiopharm Ulm
#35 – Jamir Watkins | F | Florida State
#36 – Alex Toohey | F | Sydney
#37 – Danny Wolf | F/C | Michigan
#38 – Noah Penda | F | Le Mans Sarthe
#39 – Kobe Johnson | F | UCLA
#40 – Javon Small | G | West Virgina
#41 – RJ Luis Jr | W/F | St. Johns
#42 – Liam McNeeley | W | UConn
#43 – Kam Jones | G | Marquette
#44 – Nolan Traore | G | Saint Quentin
#45 – Dylan Cardwell | C | Auburn
#46 – Amari Williams | C | Kentucky
#47 – Yanic Konan-Niederhouser | C | Penn State
#48 – Brice Williams | W/F | Nebraska
#49 – Chaz Lanier | G | Tennessee
#50 – Ryan Nembhard | G | Gonzaga
#51 – Bogoljub Markovic | F | OKK Beograd
#52 – Chucky Hepburn | G | Louisville
#53 – Clifford Omoruyi | C | Alabama
#54 – Eric Dixon | W/F | Villanova
#55 – Hunter Sallis | G | Wake Forest
#56 – Vladislav Goldin | C | Michigan
#57 – Tyrese Proctor | G | Duke
#58 – Grant Nelson | F/C | Alabama
#59 – Dink Pate | W | Mexico City
#60 – Koby Brea | W/F | Kentucky

[RENO RODEO RELEASE]

The scores were close in bareback tonight with several rides within a few points of each other. However, it was Kade Sonnier (No. 25) who earned the victory lap tonight with his 84-point ride on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Miss Major.

With a throw of 4.4 seconds, Marc Joiner (No. 42) secured the fastest time of the night in steer wrestling, and the third fastest time of the week.

Team ropers Cyle Denison (header) and Lane Mitchell (heeler) roped their steer in 4.2 seconds, claiming the top spot of the night. Their throw was only .2 seconds off of the Reno Rodeo arena record. 

Zac Dallas (No. 8) delivered a powerful performance in saddle bronc with an 88.5-point ride on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Blue Angel, giving him the highest mark on the week so far. 

Veteran tie-down roper Riley Pruitt had the quickest throw of the night at 8.7 seconds. 

Breakaway roping proved challenging with only four successful catches, but Oregon cowgirl Josie Goodrich stole the show with a lightning-fast 2.9-second run.

In a barrel racing field packed with top WPRA competitors, Whitley Sharp rose to the occasion, clocking a 16.99-second run — the fastest of the night and the second fastest of the event so far.

Unranked bull rider Riley Shippy put himself on the map tonight with an 89.5-point ride on Big Bend Rodeo’s Bangarang, all but confirming his spot in the finals this Saturday. 

Official results will be posted here once approved by the rodeo secretary: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ac263ea5/3qJCjV1Qd0KaySK2txytPA?u=https://prorodeo.com/result/2025/reno-rodeo/16059?resultsTab=text

School size often matters in high school sports.Classifications prove valuable in creating conferences and deciding champions. When selecting the top athletes in Northwestern Pennsylvania, however, school size is of minimal concern.Karis McElheney recently graduated from Jamestown High School in a class of 22 students. Kamden Kramer, meanwhile, was one of more than 500 spring graduates from McDowell High School.One attended the smallest high school in D-10. The other attended its second largest.Both garnered a premier award at Monday’s Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

McElheney won D-10 Girls Athlete of the Year and Kramer received D-10 Boys Athlete of the Year. The pair of track standouts headlined a show which recognized the area’s top athletes at Warner Theatre.

McElheney, Kramer named top athletes

McElheney traded Jamestown purple for the blue of Greenville during each school year. The switch was made out of necessity — Jamestown runs co-operative programs with Greenville in both cross country and track and field.

When McEleheny won a PIAA track championship in the 800 meters, her blue-and-gold uniform read Greenville. Jamestown, though, got its moment Monday.

“(Greenville) has always made me feel like I was part of the family,” McElheney said. “(The co-op) allowed me to make more friends, more teammates and more opportunities. I just really appreciate that.”

McElheney graduates with four PIAA medals in cross country and nine in track and field. She’ll run collegiately at Youngstown State University.

Kramer, meanwhile, will run collegiately at the University of Dayton. The D-10 Player of the Year in boys’ basketball, he logged D-10 titles in cross country and track to bookend a sparkling senior year.

“I wish I could play every sport in high school but, obviously, you need to pick and choose,” Kramer said. “It’s a pretty special feeling to know that people recognize what I did.”

Seneca’s Kuhl wins top rookie

Brenna Kuhl turned heads by scoring 39 goals for the Seneca girls’ soccer team as a freshman. After spring track season, however, all in D-10 knew Kuhl’s name.

Kuhl received District 10 Rookie of the Year after a freshman campaign which saw her win four D-10 track and field medals, including a 400-meter championship which set a new Class 2A meet record. This after her 39 goals and 12 assists helped power Seneca to a 19-1 soccer campaign and D-10 team title.

“I worked all year for it,” Kuhl said. “I wanted to start the year off with a bang. That first goal on the soccer field and first win in track, it felt great.”

Courage, Lifetime award winners

Titusville’s Abbie Colie won the James Conner Courage Award.

Diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma during her senior basketball season, Colie became a source of inspiration for teammates and opponents alike. She also played volleyball and softball for the Rockets.

“A lot of people think it’s all sad all the time, but you don’t have to let it be,” Colie said. “When I was losing my hair, we shaved it into a mohawk. We took control where we could and made it fun.”

Longtime girls’ basketball coach Nick DeSantis won the Lifetime Achievement Award after more than three decades in local hoops.

A career which started in 1990 at Collegiate Academy took DeSantis to Central, McDowell and Iroquois. He won 286 games in 25 seasons at Central, where he was the only girls’ head basketball coach in school history.Varsity Cup winners, top teams and moreFairview captured the Small-School Varsity Cup after a scholastic school year which saw the Tigers win a total of six region titles, three D-10 crowns and one PIAA championship. McDowell, with its 10 region and 16 D-10 titles, won the Large-School Varsity Cup.Fairview girls’ golf won Girls’ Team of the Year and Grove City cross country won Boys’ Team of the Year. Both were PIAA champions.Therese Brown of Cathedral Prep cross country/track won Girls Coach of the Year and Ben English of Grove City cross country was Boys Coach of the Year.Jason Kipnis, a two-time Major League Baseball All-Star who played nine seasons for the Cleveland Indians, was Monday’s celebrity guest.

Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino.

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Three years ago, UW-River Falls football coach Matt Walker and the Falcon football program hosted their first UWRF Minnesconsin Mega Camp for high school players in the Upper Midwest hoping to catch the eye of college coaches. After this year’s event, they may have to change the name.

Last Thursday’s Minnesconsin Mega Camp attracted over 1,000 players, not only from Minnesota and Wisconsin, but from 27 different states and eight different countries. On hand to scout the campers were coaches and staff from 63 different college programs representing every level from the Power 4 Division 1 to FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA schools.

“It’s a cool, catchy name and we’ll keep it,” Walker said about the Minnesconsin name, “But when you start getting kids globally and recruits from Arizona and places like that flying in, that’s awesome.”

The first camp in 2023 resulted in over 800 offers from college programs to campers, including over 100 from Division I programs and over 250 from Division II. Walker said it’s too soon to tell how many offers will come out of this year’s camp, but noted there was plenty of talent to choose from.

“This was by far the most talent we’ve had at the camp,” he said. “It was incredible, and I know kids are gonna walk out of there with Power 4 offers.

Walker said the camp is also a prime opportunity to show off the UWRF program and facilities to hopeful recruits.

“We don’t lie about it,” he said. “Part of it for us is a recruiting process. We’re the host, so let’s showcase our piece a little bit.”

Walker and his staff use the check-in process as a tour of the Falcon Center facilities. After registering inside Page Arena, the campers’ go to the Knowles Center to get measured for height. They work their way to Hunt Arena to receive their numbered T-shirts, then down the hall to the UWRF locker room to be weighed, before exiting through the expansive Falcon Center weight room out and onto the David Smith Stadium turf.

“By the time they come out of there they’ve seen our entire building,” Walker noted.

Once campers get out on the field they are put through standard combine testing, which includes collecting verified numbers in the vertical jump, broad jump, 40 yard dash, and pro agility run.

“We’re actually live updating the college staff so they have a QR code that takes them to a file where they’re getting live results as kids are finishing their testing,” Walker explained.

After combine testing inside David Smith Stadium, campers head over to the UWRF intramural fields for more traditional football work, including agility and one-on-one drills.

“For safety’s sake, we’re not doing anything beyond a one-on-one,” Walker said. “The last thing we want to do is get kids hurt.”

This year’s camp was broken down into three waves for the first time, with Big Guys (offensive and defensive lineman), starting at 11:30 a.m., Specialists (kickers, punters, long snappers) at 1 p.m., and Skill (quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back, linebacker, defensive back) beginning check-in at 2:45 p.m.

“So by the time the skill kids are done with their combine and ready to head out to the field, the big guys have finished their camp completely,” Walker said. “It probably couldn’t have gone smoother.”

All of that work requires a mountain of volunteers, and Walker said he has no problem getting people to help out.

“My kid and his friends are running combine cards to plug in the data,” he noted. “My daughter’s friends are handing out T-shirts. You’ve got current players helping, and I brought our committed players in to let them be around each other and get to know each other and they volunteered to come in and work some of the check in. You got your current staff and high school coaches that’ll help you out. Then the visiting college staff will do some of the timing because it takes so many stop watches.”

While football is the main focus of the camp, Walker said there are also spillover benefits for both the university and community.

“It’s the single biggest visit day of not just the summer, but of the year,” he pointed out. “You’re bringing in 1,000 families and they’ve got four hours to kill. They’re not always sitting there watching. They’re walking around campus. They’re walking downtown. Some of them are staying overnight. So there’s got to be benefits to the community and the campus.”

UWRF’s Minnesconsin Mega Camp has grown into one of the largest in the country, and according to Walker, “the one” in the Upper Midwest. But as successful as this year’s camp was, Walker said he’s already thinking about how he can make things even better for next year.

“I can’t imagine it being better than what we did. It was awesome,” he said. “But less than 24 hours from the camp being over I already made notes for next year, how we can make some tweaks and make this thing even better. It’s a really cool thing.”

The 25. And number 3 Alright Oh. I was Hey Yeah And Yeah the

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Looking back at Cooper Flagg’s Maine high school highlights ahead of NBA draft

Updated: 4:58 PM EDT Jun 23, 2025

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Less than three and a half years ago, Cooper Flagg led Nokomis Regional High School to its first state basketball championship as a freshman and was named Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year.On Wednesday, the 18-year-old from Newport is expected to be chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after leading Duke to the Final Four and winning most major national player of the year awards.Maine’s Total Coverage has picked out a number of the top plays from Flagg’s freshman season, in which he averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game for a Nokomis team that finished 21-1.Flagg finished with a game-high 22 points and 16 rebounds in the Class A championship game against Falmouth High School. He won the state title alongside his twin brother, Ace, and their older brother, Hunter.Watch Cooper’s Maine high school highlights in the video player above.Less than a month after winning the state championship, Cooper and Ace announced that they were transferring to Montverde Academy, a national powerhouse in the Greater Orlando area.The Flagg twins played with the Maine United AAU team after their first season with Montverde. Before their second season, Cooper announced he was reclassifying from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024 — making him eligible for this year’s NBA draft. Ace decided to remain in the class of 2025, and he is set to begin his freshman year at the University of Maine this fall.Cooper and Ace did, however, return to their home state in January 2024 as part of a two-game showcase called “The Maine Event,” which is also one of Cooper’s nicknames.Maine’s Total Coverage also featured highlights of Cooper Flagg from The Maine Event in the video player at the top of this article.Cooper Flagg led Duke with averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game in his lone season with the Blue Devils.Duke listed Flagg at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds but at last month’s NBA draft combine, he was measured at 6 feet, 7.75 inches tall without shoes and weighed in at 221 pounds.The NBA draft begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and the Dallas Mavericks hold the top pick.

PORTLAND, Maine —

Less than three and a half years ago, Cooper Flagg led Nokomis Regional High School to its first state basketball championship as a freshman and was named Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

On Wednesday, the 18-year-old from Newport is expected to be chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after leading Duke to the Final Four and winning most major national player of the year awards.

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Maine’s Total Coverage has picked out a number of the top plays from Flagg’s freshman season, in which he averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game for a Nokomis team that finished 21-1.

Flagg finished with a game-high 22 points and 16 rebounds in the Class A championship game against Falmouth High School. He won the state title alongside his twin brother, Ace, and their older brother, Hunter.

Watch Cooper’s Maine high school highlights in the video player above.

Less than a month after winning the state championship, Cooper and Ace announced that they were transferring to Montverde Academy, a national powerhouse in the Greater Orlando area.

The Flagg twins played with the Maine United AAU team after their first season with Montverde. Before their second season, Cooper announced he was reclassifying from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024 — making him eligible for this year’s NBA draft. Ace decided to remain in the class of 2025, and he is set to begin his freshman year at the University of Maine this fall.

Cooper and Ace did, however, return to their home state in January 2024 as part of a two-game showcase called “The Maine Event,” which is also one of Cooper’s nicknames.

Maine’s Total Coverage also featured highlights of Cooper Flagg from The Maine Event in the video player at the top of this article.

Cooper Flagg led Duke with averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game in his lone season with the Blue Devils.

Duke listed Flagg at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds but at last month’s NBA draft combine, he was measured at 6 feet, 7.75 inches tall without shoes and weighed in at 221 pounds.

The NBA draft begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and the Dallas Mavericks hold the top pick.