Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks has been called the most hyped rookie since LeBron James. But while Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, dominates the headlines, the 2025 NBA Draft class runs much deeper. Several first-year players taken outside the top five will shape their team’s storylines for the better.
Here are five rookies selected outside the top five ready to make noise of their own in the NBA, which begins its regular season Tuesday:.
Johnson might not have the same media buzz, but few teens have entered the NBA with his scoring resume. At Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Johnson averaged nearly 24 points as a sophomore, torching defenders with a blend of silky pull-ups, NBA-range threes, a dependable handle and polished footwork that drew comparisons to Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. He continued to show his scoring prowess in his lone season at Texas, averaging 19.9 points and hitting 39.7 percent from three.
Washington desperately needs a first-option perimeter creator, and Johnson walks into a green-light situation. His isolation scoring and off-the-dribble shot-making fit perfectly beside Bilal Coulibaly’s defensive length. For a team that has searched in vain for a championship first option for decades, Johnson could finally be it. If he adapts to NBA pace, Johnson could average 20 points as a rookie.
2. Forward Carter Bryant | San Antonio Spurs (14th)
If Victor Wembanyama stays healthy, the Spurs’ rebuild will officially turn into a dynasty watch this season. Bryant adds to the Spurs overrunning cup. A 6-foot-8 forward with a smooth handle and deep shooting range, Bryant joins one of the most promising young cores of the 21st century. His off-ball instincts and unselfishness make him the ideal complement to Wemby’s gravity and De’Aaron Fox’s downhill playmaking.
The Spurs have built multi-positional forwards around Wemby, who can shoot and think the game two plays ahead. Bryant, who will turn 20 on Nov. 26, brings both these qualities, along with a calm poise that belies his age. Get ready for a steady stream of “how did the Spurs get him too?” reactions.
3. Forward Mohamed Diawara | New York Knicks (2nd round, 51st)
Shoutout Walt Perrin (again). The Knicks found a gem in the second round with Diawara, the 6-9 French forward whose combination of defensive range and relentless energy made him one of Europe’s most intriguing young prospects. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan and elite lateral quickness, Diawara can switch across four positions and protect the rim.
What makes Diawara stand out isn’t just his defense, but his growing confidence as a short-roll playmaker. He has shown flashes of processing speed and passing vision that let him keep the offense flowing.
Diawara’s motor and unique offensive game could make him an instant fan favorite and earn spot minutes in year one. There’s glimpses of a young Pascal Siakam and Lamar Odom in his game.
Every few years, a seven-footer comes along who redefines what size and skill look like. Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center from China, is that dude. Comfortable initiating offense from the elbow, he reads the floor like a guard hitting cutters and initiating dribble hand-offs.
In Portland, Hansen joins a promising young nucleus that includes Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara — forming one of the most intriguing under-25 frontcourts in the league. His blend of vision and finesse fits perfectly with the Blazers’ evolving up-tempo style and gritty defensive identity. With Yang, the Blazers have a new dimension with a playmaking big who can facilitate offense, allowing Henderson to attack off-ball in inverted pick and roll sets.
The big question is If he can adapt to the NBA’s physicality. But with Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams as the center rotation, his growing pains can be mitigated while earning real rotation minutes.
5. Guard Ryan Nembhard | Dallas Mavericks (undrafted)
Nembhard didn’t hear his name called on draft night, but that may turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes of the 2025 class. The Mavericks wasted no time signing him to a multi-year deal, betting that his floor general instincts and composure will translate immediately.
At Gonzaga, Nembhard ran one of college basketball’s most efficient offenses. He’s not the biggest (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) or fastest guard, but his ability to control tempo and make the right read feels straight out of Jalen Brunson’s playbook.
Dallas sees Nembhard as a stabilizer while Kyrie Irving rehabs an ACL tear. He has the advantage of playing within the league’s largest and deepest rotation to hide his stature. If he finds rhythm early, don’t be surprised to hear whispers of “Brunson 2.0” in Dallas.
