College basketball season is just around the corner and soon all the prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft will be on display.
This is an incredibly strong draft class that features a very talented incoming freshman class, a strong international class and plenty of very talented returning college players. There are a number of talented sophomores who could be breakout stars this season and put themselves squarely in the NBA draft conversation. The following ten players are ones to watch for a big breakout sophomores seasons.
Jaylen Stewart – SF – UConn – Stewart is an impressive athlete who showed some really nice flashes in limited minutes for a very deep UConn team last year. Going into his second season he’ll be in line for more minutes and I think he’ll emerge as a legit 2025 draft prospect. UConn still has a lot of depth on the wing, with Karaban returning and incoming freshman Liam McNeeley joining the team but Stewart should get plenty of touches.
TJ Power – SF – Virginia – The 6-7 Duke transfer is a highly skilled wing with a sweet outside shot. Power saw limited minutes last year for the Blue Devils but should be in line for a bigger role at Virginia and will get a chance to show why he was such a highly rated recruit.
Brandon Garrison – PF/C – Kentucky – The Oklahoma State transfer and former McDonald’s All American will turn heads at Kentucky this season. He’s not the biggest player at about 6-9 but is a superb athlete who is strong, quick and coordinated. Garrison plays an all around game and impacts both ends. He rebounds the ball at a high level, can defend in the post and scores in a variety of ways. He’s not a first-option type of offensive player but is a good play finisher, scores on dunks and put-backs and has some post moves as well. I don’t see him on a lot of mock drafts but I’m a believer in his ability and think he deserves more draft buzz.
Aaron Bradshaw – C – Ohio State – After an up and down, injury-plagued freshman season at Kentucky Bradshaw has lost some of his luster as a NBA prospect. But he still has all of the talent and ability that made him a 5-star recruit and he should be in for a breakout season, his first with the Buckeyes. Bradshaw has an intriguing mixture of size, length, mobility and ball skills. He lacks ideal strength/bulk but he has a frame that will continue to add weight over the coming years. I project Bradshaw as a possible second round pick but if things go right for him at Ohio State he could put himself back in the first round conversation.
MacKenzie Mgbako – SF – Indiana – Mgbako is a big time talent with a feathery jumper and great size. He didn’t put it all together last year but showed some nice flashes. This year he’ll have an expanded offensive role and should come in and hit the ground running. Look for him to surprise to the upside.
Carey Booth – C – Illinois – The Notre Dame transfer and son of Nuggets GM Calvin Booth, Carey joins a loaded Illinois team where he’ll fight for minutes with incoming freshman centers Tomislav Ivisic, Morez Johnson and a host of other talented players. Booth is a springy and mobile center who is built very much like his old man but with a bit more bulk/strength at the same stage. He might need a few more years in school before jumping to the league but he’s got a NBA skill set and could be in the 2025 draft conversation.
Tarris Reed Jr. – C – UConn – The Michigan transfer is a very skilled and effective post player who uses his strength to carve out space in the lane and score around the rim. He’s a vastly underrated player in my opinion and has a chance to have a NBA career. I’m excited to see what kind of minutes he gets this year for Dan Hurley and the Huskies. If the minutes are there he could be a sneaky name for the 2025 draft.
JT Toppin – PF – Texas Tech – Topping brings his high energy and big production to Texas Tech after a very strong freshman season at New Mexico. He is a terrific rebounder who gives great effort, reads the ball of the rim well and puts in a lot of work to get in position. He’s also a productive offensive player who flashes inside out ability. Don’t be surprised if his buzz keeps growing and he shows up in more first round mocks.
Jordan Burks – SF – Georgetown – The Kentucky transfer didn’t see big minutes last year but showed impressive flashes. He’s a wiry 6-9 athlete with all the tools and ability and the minutes should be there for him this year at Georgetown. I’m a big believer in his talents and think he has a legit NBA future.
Jackson Shelstad – PG – Oregon – Fellow Duck sophomore Kwame Evans is the bigger name (and better prospect) but Shelstad is a stud who should be a breakout player this year at Oregon. He’s undersized but plays with big heart and is a gamer. He’s a talented shot-maker a good passer and a very pesky defender. He could be one of the more excited players in the country this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in school for his junior and even senior seasons but this year he should start to get some more attention from NBA scouts.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for a look at some underrated incoming freshmen – article coming soon!