The 2025 NBA Draft showcased a significant shift in the landscape of college basketball talent transitioning to the professional ranks, with several conferences making strong statements. While traditional powerhouses like Duke and North Carolina typically dominate the ACC's presence in top draft picks, this year saw a broader distribution of talent, highlighted by the Big Ten's impressive showing with the most first-round selections. The draft also saw strategic picks by NBA teams, focusing on filling roster needs with promising young talent from across the collegiate spectrum.

Duke University emerged as a headline program in the ACC, securing a trio of top-10 picks. Cooper Flagg was the undisputed No. 1 overall selection by the Dallas Mavericks, joining an elite defensive frontcourt and expected to thrive as a two-way player. The Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel at No. 4, valuing his elite shooting and defense despite some questions about his projected ceiling. Later in the draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked Tyrese Proctor at No. 49, adding guard depth with a player known for his versatility on and off the ball. Additionally, the Hornets continued to look to Duke by selecting Sion James at No. 33, an efficient scorer who can contribute without high ball usage. From the rival UNC Tar Heels, Drake Powell, a 6’6 guard, was picked 23rd by the Brooklyn Nets, though his role on the team remains unclear despite flashes of scoring ability.

The Big Ten conference had a particularly strong year, leading all conferences with eight first-round selections. The San Antonio Spurs drafted Dylan Harper from Rutgers as the clear No. 2 pick, an efficient lead guard capable of playing both on and off the ball. The Utah Jazz took a calculated risk by selecting Ace Bailey from Rutgers at No. 5, recognizing his top-3 talent despite some pre-draft concerns. The New Orleans Pelicans acquired Derik Queen from Maryland at No. 13, securing the class's best offensive center prospect, albeit at a cost of future draft capital. Other significant Big Ten first-rounders included Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) at No. 20 to the Miami Heat, Will Riley (Illinois) at No. 21 to the Washington Wizards, Jase Richardson (Michigan State) at No. 25 to the Orlando Magic, Danny Wolf (Michigan) at No. 27 to the Brooklyn Nets, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State) at No. 30 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Later picks included Brooks Barnhizer (Northwestern) to the OKC Thunder and John Tonje (Wisconsin) to the Utah Jazz.

The SEC, often considered the most talent-rich conference, continued its tradition of producing future pros with two lottery picks. The Washington Wizards selected Tre Johnson from Texas at No. 6, an elite shot-maker expected to take pressure off Bub Carrington. The Toronto Raptors picked Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina at No. 9, adding an athletic and versatile 6’7 combo forward. Other notable SEC selections included Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) at No. 18 to the Utah Jazz after his impressive March Madness performance, and Asa Newell (Georgia) at No. 23 to the Atlanta Hawks, addressing frontcourt scoring needs. Further picks featured Johni Broome (Auburn) to the Philadelphia 76ers for frontcourt depth, Chaz Lanier (Tennessee) to the Detroit Pistons for a scoring boost, Alijah Martin (Florida) and Koby Brea (Kentucky) to the Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns respectively for shooting, and Kentucky's Amari Williams bolstering the Boston Celtics' frontcourt. Rounding out the SEC picks were Will Richard (Florida) to the Golden State Warriors and Jahmai Mashack (Tennessee) to the Memphis Grizzlies as a defensive specialist.

The Big 12 conference also saw its share of top talent enter the draft. The Philadelphia 76ers selected VJ Edgecombe from Baylor at No. 3, marking another strong showing for the Bears in the draft and adding an elite scorer to their backcourt. The Brooklyn Nets picked Egor Demin from BYU at No. 8, a 6’9 ball-handler with potential, while the San Antonio Spurs addressed their wing needs with Carter Bryant from Arizona at No. 14. Javon Small from West Virginia was picked by the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 48, providing valuable lead guard depth.

The Big East conference, which had a strong draft showing last year, continued to send players to the pros. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Thomas Sorber from Georgetown at No. 15, adding an inside scoring and defensive presence. The Charlotte Hornets made two Big East selections, picking Liam McNeeley from UConn at No. 29 as a tough role player, and Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton at No. 34, filling a crucial center need with a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Kam Jones from Marquette joined the Indiana Pacers at No. 38, providing a pure scoring option, and Micah Peavy from Georgetown went to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 40, adding a defensive wing.

Mid-major programs also demonstrated their ability to develop NBA-caliber talent, with two players making it into the first round. The Memphis Grizzlies took a risk on Cedric Coward from Washington State at No. 11, hoping his '3 and D' potential could fill a void. The Sacramento Kings selected Nique Clifford from Colorado State at No. 24, a versatile guard with the potential for a large future role. Second-round mid-major picks included Rasheer Fleming (St. Joe’s) to the Phoenix Suns, Kobe Sanders (Nevada) to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Max Shulga (VCU) to the Boston Celtics, showcasing efficient scoring and playmaking abilities from smaller conferences. Although picked, Taelon Peter from Liberty went to the Indiana Pacers at No. 54, a pick noted for not fitting immediate team needs.