Unlocking Hidden Gems: The Most Promising Stars Poised to Explode in the 2025 NBA Draft’s Second Round

So, the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has wrapped, and while the spotlight has shifted, the real treasure hunt is just beginning. Ever wonder why some of the greatest NBA legends—think Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, or Manu Ginobili—weren’t snatched up in Round 1? It’s a curious thing because they flourished out of the second round, proving that real gems often hide just beneath the surface. Just like them, this year’s second round is stacked with underrated talent primed to make an impact. Our NBA Draft model has scoured the data and flagged some standout prospects who might just redefine value—players who impress not only with highlight reels, but with skills often overlooked: versatility, passing smarts, and defensive prowess. If you’re ready to dive deeper beyond the obvious picks and uncover who might be the next game-changers, stick around — the second round is where the savvy scouts make their moves. LEARN MORE.

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is over, but there are still some potential gems available. Here are the best remaining players according to our model.

NBA fans often tune out in the second round, but that’s a mistake.

Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green and Manu Ginobili were all taken in the second round. Just three years ago, Andrew Nembhard went with the first pick of Round 2. He was integral in the Pacers’ run to the 2025 NBA Finals.

With that in mind, here are the best players available after the first round according to our NBA Draft model.

Amari Williams, Kentucky (Our Model’s No. 5 NCAA prospect)

Williams was never likely to go in the first round, but our model loves his passing and ability to get to the foul line – two skills that are often underrated when evaluating draft prospects.

The Kentucky big man is projected by the model to be the second-best defensive prospect in the draft. He’s flashed versatility on that end and could be a nice plug-and-play center capable of defending in multiple schemes. He got more disciplined around the rim during his time in college and is good at using his length to alter shots. He’s worth a flier in the second round.

Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s (No.8)

It was shocking to see Fleming fall out of the first round. He may not have played in a power conference, but he’s 6-foot-8, shot 39% on 3s and showed a lot of promise on defense. He would fit into any team’s plans.

Tamar Bates, Missouri (No. 9)

Bates has flown under the radar as a four-year college player, but it’s easy to see why the model likes him. The Missouri guard shot 50.8% from the field, 39.7% on 3s and 94.6% from the line. He’s 6-5 with a wingspan over 6-10.

It’s not hard to see Bates carving out a role as a shooter off the bench if he adds weight to his frame.

Ace Baldwin, Penn State (No. 13)

Count Baldwin among the players who is a better shooter than his 3-point percentage would indicate. He shot just 31.6% on 3-pointers but hit 92.7% from the free-throw line on 5.5 free-throw attempts a game. The Penn State senior was also a defensive playmaker with 2.4 steals per game.

Baldwin is undersized at 6-0 and a fifth-year senior, so he was always unlikely to go in the first round. But he should hear his name called in the second round.

Sion James, Duke (No. 19)

James was the unsung hero on Duke as a guard with some size (6-5) who had great shooting indicators (41.3% from 3, 81.0% from the free-throw line). He also showed some potential as a secondary playmaker and brought a physical edge to both sides of the ball.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton (No. 20)

Kalkbrenner is a physical, defensive-minded center who also had a 49-point game this past season.

He should be able to contribute right away as a backup center who can finish around the rim and make opponents think twice about taking the ball to the basket.

Johni Broome, Auburn (No. 23)

Broome may not be the dominant force in the NBA that he was in college, but he has enough skill to be a role player and contribute right away.

Adou Thiero, Arkansas (No. 24)

Thiero missed time at the end of the season that could’ve improved his NBA Draft stock, but the 6-6 guard broke out in his first season at Arkansas, averaging 15.1 points on 54.5% shooting from the field.

He’s not a good shooter, but is an explosive athlete with defensive upside.

Kobe Johnson, UCLA (No. 25)

Johnson is the type of prospect that goes unnoticed because his strength is having no real weaknesses. He’s a passable shooter, driver and ball mover on offense and a solid defender with a nuanced understanding of what offenses are trying to do.

John Tonje, Wisconsin (No. 29)

At some point, a team may decide it’s worth taking a chance on a player with Tonje’s resume. He was a second team AP All-American as a senior and averaged 19.6 points at Wisconsin. His shooting ability would be a welcome addition to any team.

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The post The Best Available Players Heading Into the Second Round of the 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on Opta Analyst.