Who will challenge Cooper Flagg for the top pick?

The 2025 NBA Draft is still a long way off, with the college season less than a month away, but it’s never too early to talk about who the No. 1 pick in the draft will be.

As things currently stand, Cooper Flagg is the favorite to get the top pick in the draft, but don’t think that’s set in stone yet as Flagg still has to earn it at the college level.

Since this draft is very heavy at the top, there are a few players who could compete for the first overall pick. Let’s take a look at who could be number one in June.

The player who has the best chance of competing for the No. 1 overall pick is Ace Bailey of Rutgers. The 6-foot-3 dynamic small forward possesses an impressive combination of positional size, elite explosiveness, creative shot creation, strong shooting ability and defensive ability. He has things that can’t be taught and has arguably the highest ceiling in this draft.

Bailey will likely draw a lot of comparisons to Paul George, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. If the superstar talent can prove he is a better offensive decision maker with better shot selection and passing, then he is very likely to be the top pick in 2025.

It would be crazy if three French players were voted No. 1 overall three years in a row, but if it happened, Nolan Traore would be the reason why. In 2023 it was Victor Wembanyama, in 2024 it was Zaccharie Risacher and in 2025 it could be Traore. The 6-foot-5 point guard has shown superstar qualities and has already shone for Saint-Quentin in the LNB Pro A league at the start of the season.

He is an elite shooter who dominates the half court with his great combination of agility, speed and great changes of speed. Traore’s deceleration and acceleration is something special and that should not be taken lightly. The French point guard always finds a way to get to the rim and is a walking paint touch at all times. If he can continue to shoot the ball well and show he’s better between games, then his name could be the first to be called in 2025.

Dylan Harper, Bailey’s teammate at Rutgers, also has a legitimate chance of becoming the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It may be shocking to some that Rutgers has two players in the conversation for the top overall pick, but they are legitimately elite prospects that need to be taken seriously. Harper is a 6-foot-6 combo guard who will likely serve as the offensive initiator for Rutgers as a true freshman.

He is a skilled left-handed hitter who has very good court vision, is creative and plays very well out of the pick-and-roll. His playing skills have improved significantly over the years, making him a point guard, but he is also a natural scorer, allowing him to play on the wing when needed. His versatile offensive skills make him a highly touted prospect, and if he can prove he is a more versatile defender and a positive player on the field, he could be the top pick in 2025.

Last, but certainly not least, is VJ Edgecombe, who will be a true freshman for the Baylor Bears next season. The 6-foot-6 wing has explosive athleticism that allows him to apply a lot of pressure while driving downhill and in open areas. He has great physical and athletic ability and when he gets to the NBA it will be clear that he is one of the purest elite athletes in the entire league.

More than just an elite athlete, he shows promising abilities as a goalscorer and versatile defender. Edgecombe has made progress as an outside shooter and is well on his way there. The next step for him is to show that he is a capable playmaker who has a much better feel for the game than he is given credit for. If he can do that, Edgecombe has a chance to become the top pick in this year’s draft.

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