The upcoming 2025 draft class is stacked with top-end talent this year, and it’s time for the On The Clock duo to do what they do best. Everybody’s excited for Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe, but who are some other guys we should be excited about? Caleb and I have done our homework and scoured the nation to choose ten incoming freshmen apiece, who we will reveal throughout the week in a 4-part series.

Julian’s List: 

1. Julius Halaifonua C, Georgetown: This guy might sneak under the radar, given he’s a late reclass who committed to Georgetown less than a month ago. Still, Ed Cooley’s Hoyas should be ecstatic to have landed him. The towering Kiwi is one of the most polished big-man prospects I’ve ever seen. He has high-level footwork on both ends of the floor, making him a bonafide post machine and allowing him to defend pick and rolls. He is one of the best-passing bigs in the class, comparable with Derik Queen and Jayden Quaintance. This is all before I talk about his scoring ability, which includes a deft touch around the rim with an array of jump hooks and floaters, along with an advanced jump shot for a 7’0″ center. He might be the best prospect you don’t know about.
   • How it Goes Well: While Georgetown’s backcourt is chock full of transfer riches, the same can’t be said about the frontcourt. After a fairly unproductive season, Halaifonua’s competition for frontcourt roles is gone outside of the returning Drew Fielder. Halaifonua’s biggest asset is his ability to operate as a passer on the perimeter. If Ed Cooley consciously decides to get him touches and play through him, he could be a focal point of the Hoyas offense.
   • How it Goes Wrong: There are a couple of ways it goes poorly for Halaifonua. From an Xs and Os perspective, Halaifonua could need help adapting to the Big East’s physicality and demanding nature. He’s a bit more of a finesse big at times, and although I believe he’ll be able to adapt, his path to failure is one of inability to utilize his strength. The other scenario is twofold: First, Drew Fielder takes a massive leap and claims the starting role. As I mentioned before, Fielder got minimal minutes last season, and his competition for frontcourt spots is gone. The other side of the coin is that along with a Fielder leap, Halaifonua gets the same treatment that Fielder received as an incoming 4-star recruit last season. I don’t believe either of these should happen. Halaifonua is too talented, but it’s a possibility that can’t necessarily be ruled out.
2. Naas Cunningham SF, Alabama: Naas may be a swing for the fences this upcoming season. He has some inconsistencies and is walking into one of the most complete rosters in the country at Alabama. That being said, when Naas has it going, he has the aura of an NBA small forward at 6’8″. He’s almost guard-like in the way he moves with the ball. He’s at his best when receiving the ball in motion, allowing him to utilize his quick elevation and length to get shots over just about anyone. His movements are incredibly fluid, almost entering a flow state for one dribble pull-ups or the occasional step back 3.
   • How it Goes Well: Naas stays engaged at all times and adjusts to what will likely be a much more simplified role. Unlike his time in OTE, most plays will likely not be drawn up for him, so he’ll need to get comfortable picking and choosing, as well as being able to hit open looks off the catch. 
   • How it Goes Wrong: Naas could easily get buried in this stacked Alabama rotation. With two solid returning frontcourt players in Jarin Stevenson and Grant Nelson and the addition of highly touted freshman Derrion Reid, Naas will likely be competing with Moussa Diabate to sure up that last forward rotation spot off the bench.
3. Drake Powell SG/SF, UNC: Drake Powell might be the best player nobody’s talking about. The 6’6″ Northwood graduate could easily end up as a top 5 pick when it’s all said and done. Powell displays elite knockdown shooting and an advanced sense of court vision. He’s both a willing screener and displays the playmaking ability to be a pick-and-roll facilitator. His motor, tough shot-making, strength, and athleticism give him elite perimeter versatility. He could be switchable 1 through 3 defensively, depending on how you view his ability to guard slightly taller wings.
   • How it Goes Well: Drake needs to showcase his two-way impact and off-ball prowess. Elliot Cadeau and RJ Davis are very ball-dominant and leave much to be desired defensively. Seth Trimble, while promising, has not seemed to show enough these past couple of seasons to prove he can’t be supplanted. If Drake can be a high-value role player who can knock down shots and become a sustainable third option, alongside Hubert Davis’ tendency to run three-guard monty, he could easily find himself starting. 
   • How it Goes Wrong: First and foremost, the UNC frontcourt faces a bit more of a logjam than the backcourt. Davis brought in 3 big-name transfers at forward: Tyzhaun Claude, Ven-Allen Lubin, and Cade Tyson. Although I believe Powell is certainly capable of playing shooting guard, there’s a chance Davis either doesn’t see it that way or decides to run two forwards alongside his small backcourt rather than a G/F hybrid like Powell. If this is the case, he should still see some minutes, but it could drastically affect his draft stock.
4. Karter Knox SG/SF, Arkansas: It looks like Karter wanted to play for John Calipari, and he got his wish after spurning the Wildcats for the Razorbacks in the wake of Cal’s departure from Kentucky. Knox is built like a tank. He packs 225 pounds into his 6’6″ frame and uses his size and strength to bully his way into the lane. I’ve been reluctant to make player comps in this article, but the combination of a sturdy frame, lethal jump shooting, and elite defensive prowess make it challenging not to throw a Desmond Bane comp on Knox. He plays with force and explosiveness but blends it gracefully and with balance.
   • How it Goes Well: Knox has a roadmap similar to Powell’s regarding playing time, but there’s one key difference. Knox is by far the best shooter vying for frontcourt minutes. (Powell has to contend with Cade Tyson at UNC) Although Trevon Brazile, Adou Thiero, and Billy Richmond are dynamic and bring elite athleticism to the table, none of them are as prolific from beyond the arc as Knox. He will likely need to settle into a bit more of a 3-and-D role, but he could provide the Razorbacks with a lethal transition option or an extra floor spacer in the halfcourt.
   • How it Goes Wrong: Knox struggles on the glass, and Kentucky is hampered by size. Knox will get minutes off the bench even in the worst-case scenario, but ideally, he should be able to start. Suppose Kentucky is having issues defensively, and Cal wants to improve their effort on the glass. In that case, I see Knox being replaced by either Thiero or Brazile to sure up rebounding and defensive issues. If this is the case, it’s likely that transfer Melo Sanchez will nab the 5th starting spot due to his experience. This may be how Arkansas starts the season, but I assume Knox quickly plays his way into a starting role.
5. Jeremiah Fears SG, Oklahoma: As tempting as it was to group Fears with his high school backcourt mate Vy Miller, their games are unique enough to give each their flowers. Fears is capable of becoming a lead guard at Oklahoma, with a lightning-quick first step that gets him past bigger guards and eye speed that matches his foot speed. Fears is a legitimate playmaker who can dissect defenses and make high-level reads for a player his age. He’s a tenacious defender who hounds opposing guards and uses his speedy hands (yet again, I know) to pickpocket defenders or scoop up a loose ball.
   • How it Goes Well: Fears can dominate in the halfcourt. Oklahoma brought in 5 guards with a combined 25 years worth of experience. They’re not likely to be engaging in track meets. Although Fears excels in transition and is used to a high-octane pace at both ends from his years at Compass Prep, he will have to adjust to an array of methodical halfcourt sets. His vision and ability to generate advantages using his speed should set him up for offensive success, and his defensive tenacity is his way of generating opportunities for himself to thrive in transition. 
   • How it Goes Wrong: Fears struggles to shoot, makes poor decisions, and Oklahoma thrives. Fears is not the worst perimeter player to enter the college ranks, but calling him anywhere near prolific would be a big stretch. He will need to be able to thrive on the perimeter, especially given what he’s up against for minutes. He will also have much to prove for coach Porter Moser to feel comfortable putting the ball in his hands over guys with experience getting it done at a high level in college. There is certainly a world where he gets buried on the depth chart, especially if the experienced guards are leading Oklahoma to success in a packed Big 12.

Be on the look out for part two of this article, where Caleb breaks down the next five underrated impact freshman!