[ad_1]
Every year the NBA draft is littered with one-and-done freshmen from the college basketball ranks. While most of those players were ranked in the top ten of their recruiting class, there are always outliers.
Last year the first college player selected in the draft was Reed Sheppard, a Kentucky guard who was ranked 73rd overall in his recruiting class, and fifth among his own team. Pitt point guard Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington, who went No. 14 overall to the Washington Wizards, was No. 91 in the class.
So who will it be this year? We know Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe are basically locks to go in the lottery in 2025, but what other freshmen, perhaps outside of the top 50, could be joining them?
Below is a look at ten potential sleepers in the 2025 draft class, who are all ranked outside the top 50 according to 247Sports’ latest class rankings:
1
Tomislav Ivisic, Center, Illinois
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Illinois Fighting Illini
Conference: Big Ten
247 Rank: 51
The twin brother of former Kentucky and now Arkansas forward Zvonimir Ivisic, Tomislav is also a 7-footer with shot blocking and three point shooting ability – the most attractive traits to NBA teams for big men.
Big Z is hoping a healthy and strong sophomore season will land him in the NBA, and if Tomislav gets enough playing time in coach Brad Underwood’s system he could join his brother.
These two will get a chance to face each other on Thanksgiving when Illinois and Arkansas square off in Kansas City in a neutral site game.
2
Mercy Miller, Guard, Houston
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Houston Cougars
Conference: Big 12
247 Rank: 55
Mercy Miller was an early commit who rocketed up the rankings after committing to Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars. Playing at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, Miller thrived alongside many other high level D1 athletes, and his athleticism and toughness make him a perfect fit for Sampson’s system in the Big 12.
3
Daniel Jacobsen, Center, Purdue
Syndication The Columbus Dispatch
Team: Purdue Boilermakers
Conference: Big Ten
247 Rank: 57
Death. Taxes. Purdue having among the tallest players in all of college basketball. Matt Painter knows how to get the most out of size, remember Zach Edey wasn’t even a ranked prospect, and in this case Daniel Jacobsen is a talented big man from New Hampshire who had offers from Wisconsin, Clemson, Minnesota, and Creighton. Things should go well for him in West Lafayette.
4
Elijah Moore, Guard, Syracuse
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Syracuse Orange
Conference: ACC
247 Rank: 58
All sorts of powerhouse programs, including Alabama and Arkansas, offered Elijah Moore, but the Bronx native chose to stay in-state and head out to Syracuse to play for coach Red Autry.
Moore is an undersized two but possesses a ton of upside as a scorer, and should help replace Judah Mintz in Syracuse’s backcourt right away as a freshman.
5
Julius Halaifonua, Center, Georgetown
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Georgetown Hoyas
Conference: Big East
247 Rank: 59
Halaifonua was a late commit to Georgetown who reclassified to join the team in 2024-25. A seven-footer with great ball skills who can facilitate an offense, Halaifonua is a consistent jump shot away from being a highly regarded draft prospect. If that shows up in his first season under Ed Cooley, he could end up being a one-and-done.
6
Vyctorius Miller, Guard, LSU
William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Team: LSU Tigers
Conference: SEC
247 Rank: 84
Miller is a project, so being a 2025 draft prospect might be a stretch, but he is an absolute bucket getter with solid length and ball handling skills.
He needs to work on decision making and defense, but if those things shine through in Year 1 it would not be a surprise to see him test out the waters – and for NBA teams to take a chance on him thanks to his scoring ability.
7
Darrion Sutton, Forward, Georgia Tech
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Conference: ACC
247 Rank: 101
Sutton was a huge get for Damon Stoudamire at Georgia Tech, as he is prioritizing keeping high end local talent in the area. The 6’8 wing starred at Overtime Elite and is from Atlanta, and chose to stay nearby rather than go to Michigan, Arkansas, Rutgers, or Creighton who all made offers.
8
Sammie Yeanay, Forward, Grand Canyon
[Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Star-Banner]
Team: Grand Canyon ‘Lopes
Conference: WAC
247 Rank: 102
Bryce Drew is building a powerhouse at Grand Canyon, who will soon be competing with Gonzaga and St. Mary’s in the WCC. Yeanay is the latest success story on the recruiting trail, a 6’8 forward who was initially committed to Arizona State and held offers from Florida and Alabama before staying in state and joining the ‘Lopes.
He’ll have an opportunity to compete for minutes right away and could raise his profile significantly under coach Drew.
9
Mikey Lewis, Guard, St. Mary’s
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Team: St. Mary’s Gaels
Conference: WCC
247 Rank: 127
The Gaels lost star guard Aidan Mahaney to UConn in the transfer portal, and Lewis looks like the immediate beneficiary.
Mahaney himself started and was an instant contributor for the Gaels, so there’s little reason to think Lewis, who starred at Prolific Prep and had offers from Ole Miss, Illinois, Cal, and Arizona State, won’t be able to do the same.
10
Zion Sensley, Forward, Santa Barbara
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Santa Barbara Gauchos
Conference: Big West
247 Rank: 131
We go from a player at St. Mary’s to a player who decommitted from St. Mary’s in Sensley, a 6’8 wing who will now join the Gauchos of Santa Barbara.
Coach Joe Pasternack has helped quality prospects thrive in recent years, including former Auburn big man Yohan Traore, and Sensley is the type who could step into a big role right away and turn some heads.
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #College #Basketball #freshmen #sleepers #NBA #draft #radar
Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-freshmen-under-radar-college-basketball/