In a highly anticipated event, the 2025 NBA Draft unfolded at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, showcasing the next generation of basketball talent. With emotional moments and family celebrations, the first round featured a diverse array of players, each bringing their unique stories and skills to the league.
Kicking off the draft, the Dallas Mavericks made headlines by selecting Cooper Flagg from Duke University with the first overall pick. Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, shared a heartfelt moment with his family, including his mother Kelly, a former collegiate player herself, and his twin brother Ace. This selection marks a significant step for the Mavericks as they look to build a new era around Flagg’s promising potential.
The San Antonio Spurs followed suit, choosing Dylan Harper from Rutgers University as the second pick. The 19-year-old guard, celebrated for his strong family ties, was supported by his mother Maria, who coached him through his formative years. The Spurs aim to harness Harper’s talent and family legacy as they continue their quest for championship success.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected VJ Edgecom from Baylor University with the third overall pick. Hailing from Bimini, Bahamas, Edgecom’s journey to the NBA is deeply rooted in pride for his homeland, as he acknowledged the toughness and determination that shaped his game. His emotional embrace with his mother Bendra highlighted the significance of this achievement for his family.
The Charlotte Hornets opted for another Duke player, selecting Coniple at fourth overall. Coming from a basketball family, Coniple’s selection reinforces the Hornets’ commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.
The Utah Jazz took Ace Bailey from Rutgers University with the fifth pick, a decision that solidifies their future with a player who was a standout in the Big Ten. Following this, the Washington Wizards picked Trey Johnson from the University of Texas at sixth, showcasing the guard’s versatility and family support.
Jeremiah Pierce from Oklahoma was chosen by the New Orleans Pelicans with the seventh pick, while the Brooklyn Nets welcomed Jaor Demond from Brigham Young University at eighth. Demond’s selection marks a historic moment as he becomes the first player born in Russia to be drafted since 2013.
At ninth, the Toronto Raptors selected Colin Murray-Boils from South Carolina, followed by the Houston Rockets who picked Kaman Malawatch from South Sudan at tenth. Each of these players brought their own narratives of resilience and ambition to the stage.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Cedric Coward from Washington State University at eleventh, while the Chicago Bulls welcomed Noah Essen from France at twelfth. The Atlanta Hawks selected Derek Queen from Maryland at thirteenth, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the draft and the impact of these young athletes on their communities.
The San Antonio Spurs made another pick at fourteenth, selecting Carter Bryant from Arizona, a player noted for both his talent and character. The fifteenth pick saw the Oklahoma City Thunder draft Thomas Sorber from Georgetown, a testament to his family’s inspiring journey from the Liberian Civil War to the NBA.
The Memphis Grizzlies took Yang Hansen from China at sixteenth, who is noted for his impressive stats in the Chinese Basketball Association. The draft continued with the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Yoan Biranji from France at seventeenth, followed by the Washington Wizards picking Walter Clayton Jr. from Florida at eighteenth.
The Brooklyn Nets concluded their impressive first round with selections at nineteenth and twentieth, adding Nolan Trare from France and Casperis Yakuchonis from Lithuania, respectively. The Jazz continued to build their roster, selecting Will Riley from Illinois with the twenty-first pick.
The Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans rounded out the first round with selections at twenty-second and twenty-third, respectively, picking Drake Powell from North Carolina and Asa Newell from Georgia. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Nick Clifford from Colorado State at twenty-fourth, while the Orlando Magic picked Jace Richardson from Michigan State at twenty-fifth.
The Brooklyn Nets continued their strong performance in the draft with picks at twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh, selecting Ben Saraf from Israel and Danny Wolf from Michigan, both of whom received raucous applause from the crowd.
The Boston Celtics selected Uko Gonzalez from Madrid at twenty-eighth, followed by the Phoenix Suns choosing Liam McNeely from Connecticut at twenty-ninth. Finally, the LA Clippers wrapped up the first round by selecting Yannik Conan Neerhouser from Switzerland at thirtieth.
As the first round concluded, the excitement in the Barclays Center was palpable, setting the stage for the second round to follow. The 2025 NBA Draft not only highlighted the athletic prowess of these young players but also their rich backgrounds and the supportive families that have propelled them to this momentous occasion. The future of the NBA looks bright as these new talents prepare to make their mark in the league.