2025 NBA Draft: Top 10 Point Guards

The 2025 NBA Draft level guard class is top-heavy, headlined by one clear-cut, can’t-miss expertise in Dylan Harper. Behind him are two potential All-Stars in Jeremiah Fears and Nolan Traore, together with a dynamic late-game nearer in Walter Clayton. Past that, the depth drops off, with just a few intriguing second-round sleepers however no ensures. It’s not a very deep group total, however the prime tier (3-4) gives actual long-term worth.

Harper initiatives as one of many most secure bets amongst lead guards within the 2025 class due to his sturdy bodily instruments, mature flooring recreation, and management intangibles. At 6’6” and 215 kilos, he brings a uncommon mix of energy, poise, and composure to the backcourt. Robust, aggressive, and unselfish, Harper elevates these round him and embraces defensive challenges—hallmarks of a new-era lead guard. He has superior taking pictures skill for his age, good decision-making, and infrequently forces the difficulty offensively. Although not a high-end vertical athlete, he compensates with tempo, craft, and elite really feel. His recreation is regular, environment friendly, and ready-made for professional basketball, with the best flooring of any level guard prospect on this class. Whereas Rutgers’ inconsistency barely dimmed his highlight, Harper was nonetheless a transparent influence participant, and there was even a short stretch early within the course of—earlier than Cooper Flagg’s perimeter shot totally got here round—the place some evaluators floated Harper because the potential No. 1 total choose. The son of a longtime NBA veteran, he brings superior poise and maturity to each possession. Whether or not as a place to begin guard or high-level connector, Harper seems to be like a right away contributor with long-term starter worth.

Coming off a real breakout season, the powerful Chicago flooring normal blends toughness, scoring punch, and a balanced scoring-plus-passing method that units him other than most teenage lead guards. The Extra time Elite platform gave Fears the runway to showcase a refined deal with, lightning change-of-pace strikes, and a decisive pull-up recreation that retains defenders guessing. Although he isn’t an explosive leaper, his first-step burst and physique management let him carve out paint touches and manipulate assist rotations. His imaginative and prescient is superior—he retains the ball hopping with out over-dribbling—but he can nonetheless shift into assault mode when a lane opens. The clear swing talent stays three-point consistency: his mechanics are clear, however fluctuating percentages permit defenders to duck underneath screens, capping his risk degree. Defensively, he competes with trademark Chicago toughness, however restricted measurement curbs his switchability in opposition to greater guards. Nonetheless, that chip-on-the-shoulder mentality fuels two-way potential, and if the jumper improved, Fears has a excessive ceiling. As an upside level guard who can rating, facilitate, and run in transition, he gives intriguing long-term upside—and the balanced offensive profile to earn early rotational minutes.

Traore (pictured) is without doubt one of the most intriguing worldwide prospects and guards within the 2025 class and has the instruments to emerge as one of many true steals of the mid-lottery. He struggled taking pictures early within the season, which uncovered areas in want of polish, notably in half-court settings. However what separates him is his uncommon velocity mixture—he’s arguably the quickest guard within the class with the ball in his arms. His north-south burst, lengthy strides, and live-dribble explosiveness permit him to interrupt down defenses in transition and assault gaps with relentless power. He additionally brings huge defensive potential, within the mould of previous French lottery level guards, however seems to have higher all-around talent and the arrogance to deal with the soar to the NBA recreation extra rapidly. Defensively, he performs with an edge, utilizing his size and quickness to strain opposing guards and power turnovers. Whereas his exterior shot stays inconsistent, he’s proven indicators of progress each as a pull-up shooter and a catch-and-shoot possibility. He’s nonetheless studying to handle tempo and increase his playmaking reads, however the bodily basis and motor are plain. If the jumper stabilizes, Traore might develop right into a dynamic two-way lead guard with all star potential.

The lynchpin of Florida’s NCAA-title run, Clayton is an explosive scorer with real NBA vary who repeatedly buried huge photographs in strain moments. Compact but highly effective at 6’3”, he thrives off the dribble, attacking greater defenders with confidence and leveraging his fast, high-release stroke each off motion and in pick-and-roll pull-ups. He’s recognized for his clutch shot-making skill, typically rising to the event late in video games—a trait that enhances his enchantment as a possible bench scorer on the subsequent degree. Whereas not a pure level guard, Clayton has turn into a extra keen passer and is studying to regulate tempo. Nonetheless, his decision-making and assist-to-turnover ratio require additional refinement. Defensively, his energy permits him to compete in opposition to bodily guards, however he’ll want to enhance his lateral quickness and close-out self-discipline. Together with his battle-tested mentality, deep taking pictures, and talent to rise in huge moments, Clayton profiles as a high-confidence, high-leverage shot maker with actual NBA utility. If his playmaking and protection proceed to enhance, he might develop right into a dependable combo guard who develops right into a starter,

A clean combo guard with good measurement and really feel, Proctor made strides throughout his junior season at Duke, even when the leap many anticipated didn’t totally materialize. At 6’5”, he sees over defenses, operates comfortably in pick-and-roll, and performs with a managed tempo that displays his maturity and understanding of the sport. His finest attributes stay his poise, decision-making, and willingness to share the ball. He’s extra of a rhythm shooter than a deep-range risk, and he nonetheless struggles to persistently strain the rim—his lack of vertical explosiveness limits his ending in visitors. Defensively, he has the size and instincts to be strong, however his competitiveness and toughness might be examined on the subsequent degree. These issues had been magnified in Duke’s NCAA Match loss, the place Proctor had a late-game meltdown that included a number of key errors and indecisive performs, elevating authentic questions on his confidence in clutch moments. He’ll have to show he can reply higher underneath strain and take command when the stakes are highest. Nonetheless, his IQ and unselfish method give him high-floor worth as a secondary ball-handler who can play off a main creator. If he turns into extra assertive and sharpens his edge, there’s rotation or starter upside.

6. Ben Saraf 6-6 200 PG/SG Israel 2005Age: 19.2 | Peak (barefoot): 6′5″ | Wingspan: 6′7.5″ | Weight: 202 lbsStanding Attain: 8′6″ | Max Vert: 31.5″2024–25 EuroCup Stats: 12.8 PPG, 4.6 APG, 2.2 RPG, 22.2% 3PT, 78.0% FT

A artful Israeli combo guard and assured scorer, Saraf is without doubt one of the extra intriguing worldwide backcourt prospects within the class and is gaining early second-round enchantment. Presently enjoying within the European finals with Ratiopharm Ulm, Saraf has impressed together with his clean deal with, superior footwork, and fearless shot-making. Although some view him extra as a taking pictures guard, he’s listed right here as a degree guard (with Kasparas Jakucionis slotted on the two) resulting from his rising on-ball tasks. Whereas not an explosive athlete and possessing a slender body, Saraf compensates with timing, contact, and the power to create area utilizing change of tempo and angles—notably in pick-and-roll and isolation actions. He’s able to producing offense with out elite separation, however his exterior shot stays inconsistent—simply 22% from three this season, down from 29% final 12 months. He flashes imaginative and prescient however should turn into a extra dependable facilitator and decision-maker in structured units. Defensively, he struggles in opposition to faster guards and lacks the bodily instruments to modify or deal with contact persistently, with inconsistent effort at instances. Nonetheless, his scoring instincts, creativity, and worldwide polish give him an actual shot at listening to his identify early within the second spherical, particularly if he continues to develop as a playmaker and commits extra totally on the defensive finish.

A dynamic playmaker with vertical athleticism, Small brings scoring instincts and offensive aptitude however continues to wrestle with gaining constant separation—notably in isolation. Now coming into his senior 12 months at West Virginia following earlier stops at East Carolina and Oklahoma, he’s proven spectacular leaping skill off two toes, main to spotlight finishes in transition and on cuts. Nonetheless, his skill to beat defenders off the dribble within the half courtroom stays restricted, typically counting on contested jumpers. His deal with is regular, and he’s able to pulling up off the bounce, however his effectivity and deep taking pictures consistency nonetheless depart room for enchancment. As a passer, Small exhibits strong instincts and might function in pick-and-roll, although he’s extra scorer than true facilitator. Defensively, he’s restricted by measurement and lateral quickness, and will wrestle to carry his personal in opposition to greater or extra explosive guards. Regardless of the bodily limitations, Small performs with confidence and competitiveness. He’ll have to refine his separation instruments and off-ball worth to stay, however he’s a doable second-round or two-way prospect with scoring punch and vertical pop with potential to thrive in the precise system.

8. Sean Pedulla 6-1 180 PG Ole Miss Sr.Age: 22.8 | Peak (barefoot): 6′1″ | Wingspan: 6′2″ | Weight: 199.0 lbsStanding Attain: 7′10″ | 2024–25 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 3.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 39.2% 3PT, 82.5% FT

A troublesome, underrated creator with good really feel, deal with, and imaginative and prescient, Pedulla enters the draft as a seasoned senior after transferring to Ole Miss from Virginia Tech, the place he quietly put collectively a extremely productive school profession. Recognized for his poise and steadiness, he’s a talented ball-handler who persistently makes the precise reads, particularly out of the pick-and-roll. His imaginative and prescient and timing permit him to handle the move of an offense, and he’s comfy in late-clock or strain conditions, typically delivering key passes or well timed pull-up jumpers. Whereas his flooring recreation is polished, his bodily profile poses issues—at 6’1” with a slight body and common athleticism, he struggles to complete over size and gives restricted defensive versatility. He’s extra fast than quick and lacks vertical pop, traits that will restrict his upside in immediately’s NBA. Nonetheless, Pedulla’s toughness, management, and understanding of the sport give him an actual shot to carve out a task as a change-of-pace reserve guard. If he can show himself defensively and knock down photographs persistently, he might stick as a reliable, low-mistake possibility on a two-way contract or deep roster spot.

Nembhard is a high-IQ flooring normal with wonderful imaginative and prescient and poise who enters the draft as some of the skilled and polished lead guards obtainable. A real pass-first level guard with sturdy bloodlines—he’s the youthful brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard—he performs with the identical calm demeanor, superior really feel, and management qualities. His deal with is tight, his passing is well timed, and he excels in pick-and-roll play, persistently organizing the offense and making sensible reads. He’s run high-level methods at each Creighton and Gonzaga and acts as an extension of the coach on the ground. Nonetheless, his measurement—simply 6’0” and 175 kilos—makes sticking within the NBA an actual problem. He could be focused on switches, struggles to complete over size, and lacks the defensive versatility groups typically demand from rotation guards. His taking pictures has improved however stays streaky, particularly past NBA vary. Nonetheless, his older brother has exceeded expectations within the league, and Ryan is lower from the identical material—powerful, clever, and unselfish. If he can show himself defensively and knock down open photographs persistently, Nembhard has an opportunity to carve out a long-term position as a gradual backup for a playoff-caliber group.

A powerful, compact scoring guard with elite three-point taking pictures contact and a tough-minded method, Sears emerged as some of the environment friendly and impactful backcourt gamers in school basketball throughout his senior season at Alabama. Constructed low to the bottom however with wonderful core energy and stability, he shot over 40% from three on excessive quantity, repeatedly hitting momentum-swinging photographs and displaying deep vary with confidence. Whereas not a real lead guard, he’s a succesful decision-maker who retains the ball transferring and infrequently turns it over. His mature flooring recreation and taking pictures gravity give him speedy offensive worth, particularly as a secondary possibility. Nonetheless, his measurement stays a limiting issue—at 6’1”, he lacks positional versatility, isn’t a vertical risk on the rim, and will wrestle to defend a number of positions on the NBA degree. He’ll have to show he can deal with defensive strain and play successfully off the ball to maximise his match. Nonetheless, Sears’ energy, poise, and perimeter taking pictures make him an interesting second-round goal with taking pictures, low-mistake, and in a position to contribute in stretches.