Thu Feb 27 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## 2025 NBA Draft Poised to Feature Youngest Class in Recent History

**Indianapolis, IN** – The 2025 NBA draft is shaping up to be a historic one, with a projected average age of 19.6 years for the top 30 prospects—significantly younger than previous drafts. This youth movement is a stark contrast to the 2024 draft, which boasted the oldest average age in recent memory at 21.2 years.

Leading the pack is Duke’s Cooper Flagg, projected as the number one pick, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday. Several other top-five prospects, including Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and Kasparas Jakucionis, are all still teenagers. Only six players within ESPN’s top 30 possess multiple years of college experience.

According to a Western Conference scout, this year’s class offers higher potential despite the youth. “There was no Cooper Flagg last year, or a Harper or Bailey,” the scout said. “There’s a lot more upside in these prospects.”

While the draft order is subject to change, the current projections suggest a historically young first round. This year’s draft class also includes six international prospects within the top 30.

ESPN’s analysis focuses on fifteen standout freshmen, highlighting their strengths and areas needing improvement. For example, while Cooper Flagg excels offensively, scouts point to his ball-handling and perimeter shooting as needing refinement. Similarly, Dylan Harper’s shooting consistency is a key area for development, while Ace Bailey’s shot selection requires attention. Other prospects, like VJ Edgecombe and Kasparas Jakucionis, show promise but need to prove they can overcome physical limitations at the NBA level.

The article concludes by assessing other promising freshmen, noting that while some, like Jalen Queen, have offensive strengths, defensive concerns remain. Ultimately, this year’s draft presents a unique challenge for NBA teams—a wealth of young talent with high upside, but also requiring significant development. The coming weeks of the NCAA season will offer crucial insights into how these young stars will fare under pressure.

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