The 2025 NBA Draft small forward class offers both elite talent at the top and impressive depth throughout, rivaling the shooting guard group as one of the strongest positional groups in the draft. Headlined by projected high lottery picks like Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, (pictured) and Egor Demin, this year’s small forward crop includes a mix of explosive athletes, elite shooters, and polished two way wings capable of impacting the game on both ends. As many as eight small forwards could hear their names called in the first round, with a handful of experienced, battle-tested prospects in the second round mix who could stick thanks to versatility, and NBA-ready roles.
2. Kon Knueppel
SG/SF Duke Fr.
Age: 19.7 | Height (barefoot): 6′5.0″ | Wingspan: 6′6.25″ | Weight: 219 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′5.5″ | Max Vert: 36.5″
2024–25 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 TOPG, 45.8% 3PT, 84.3% FT
Knueppel is one of the most polished and dependable offensive wings in the 2025 class, known for his elite shooting touch, mature feel, and high basketball IQ. As a freshman at Duke, he knocked down 45.8% from three and emerged as a reliable shot-maker and connective playmaker, thriving in a system that benefited from his decision-making and unselfishness. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but he compensates with excellent footwork, craft, and positional strength. A legendary high school gym rat who quickly became a breakout college star, Knueppel consistently outsmarts and outworks more physically gifted opponents. If Ace Bailey is a swing for the fences, Knueppel is the plug and play, solid swing for contact with less upside, but a far higher floor. His lack of burst may limit his superstar ceiling, but don’t bet against him: his skill level, toughness, and feel give him significant upside in his own right. He’s shaping up as a top-10 pick with a real chance to leapfrog flashier names, and despite not being a standout athlete, remains one of the class’s most entertaining players because of how effectively he overcomes his physical limitations.
3. Egor Demin
SF/SG Real Madrid (Russia) 2006
Age: 19.3 | Height (barefoot): 6′8.25″ | Wingspan: 6′10.25″ | Weight: 203.2 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′9.5″ | No-Step Vert: 26.5″ | Max Vert: 32.0″
2024–25 Stats (BYU): 5.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 41.0% FG, 26.1% 3PT, 70.0% FT
Demin is a long, fluid playmaker whose vision and feel are among the best in the class, drawing comparisons to the likes of Josh Giddey and a smaller Toni Kukoc. At 6’9” with a lean but balanced frame, he brings an advanced understanding of the game, operating with impressive poise, timing, and court vision. Though he lacks top-end explosiveness, he’s extremely smooth with the ball, navigating pick-and-rolls, changing pace, and controlling tempo in a way that’s rare for his size and age. While his freshman year at BYU was inconsistent scoring-wise, highlighted by poor three-point numbers, he’s considered a solid shooter going back to his time at Real Madrid, and it’s no surprise he’s surprised in this area in pre-draft workouts. His passing skills, IQ, and instincts make him a unique long-term bet as a point forward, especially if his shot stabilizes. He’ll need to prove he can handle the NBA’s physicality and speed on both ends, but his feel, tools, and international pedigree make him one of the more intriguing long-term prospects in the 2025 class.
4. Drake Powell
6-6 200 SG/SF North Carolina Fr.
Age: 19.8 | Height (barefoot): 6′5.25″ | Wingspan: 7′0.00″ | Weight: 200.4 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′7.00″ | No-Step Vert: 37.5″ | Max Vert: 43.0″
2024–25 Stats: 7.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 48.3% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 64.8% FT
Powell is a long, explosive wing with elite defensive potential and emerging offensive polish. A former five-star recruit, he brought toughness and versatility to a deep North Carolina team, often guarding the opposing team’s best scorer. At 6’6” with a 7-foot wingspan and a 43-inch max vertical, Powell stands out as one of the most athletic perimeter defenders in the class, boasting quick feet, strong closeouts, and excellent anticipation both on and off the ball. He’s capable of switching across multiple positions, contesting shots at the rim, and disrupting passing lanes. Offensively, Powell remains a work in progress but showed clear growth, knocking down nearly 38% from three on limited volume and finishing plays in transition with long, fluid strides. His mechanics are clean on spot-ups, though his free throw percentage raises questions about shooting consistency long-term. While not a primary creator, he flashed connective playmaking instincts and took care of the ball, though he must become more assertive to unlock his offensive upside. Powell may never be a go-to scorer, but his rare athleticism, defensive mindset, and flashes of skill give him real two-way value and late first appeal as a high-upside developmental wing.
5. Carter Bryant
SF/PF Arizona Fr.
Age: 19.6 | Height (barefoot): 6′6.50″ | Wingspan: 6′11.75″ | Weight: 214.8 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′10.00″ | No-Step Vert: 30.5″ | Max Vert: 39.5″
2024–25 Stats: 6.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 46.0% FG, 37.1% 3PT, 69.5% FT
Bryant is the epitome of a boom-or-bust wing prospect, an explosive 6’8″ athlete with a smooth stroke and prototypical 3-and-D frame, yet still raw and inconsistent. With a 6′11.75″ wingspan and a 39.5″ max vertical, he passes the eye test from a highlight reel standpoint, elevating for dunks, spotting up from three, and sliding laterally on defense. But for all the flashes, he often leaves you wanting more from a competitiveness and consistency standpoint. Was he held back by role or covered up by Arizona’s depth? That likely depends on your view of him coming into the season. Offensively, he’s shown touch (37.1% 3PT) and finishing ability, but his feel, motor, and decision-making remain question marks. He’s not yet a reliable shot-creator or playmaker, and his impact tends to come in spurts. Still, the raw tools are enticing, and his green-room invite signals lottery-level buzz. If he lands in the right system with a developmental runway, he could exceed his draft slot, but expectations must be tempered. He has starter-level upside, but teams must determine whether he’s wired to get there.
6. Liam McNeeley
SF UConn Fr.
Age: 19.7 | Height (barefoot): 6′6.75″ | Wingspan: 6′8.5″ | Weight: 214.6 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′3.5″ | No-Step Vert: 30.5″ | Max Vert: 36.5″
2024–25 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 44.7% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 86.6% FT
McNeeley is one of the most polished and dependable offensive wings in the 2025 class, known for his solid shooting touch, mature feel, and high basketball IQ. A product of powerhouse Montverde Academy and the leading scorer for UConn as a freshman, McNeeley benefited from a well-spaced system and showed a strong ability to read the floor, move off screens, and knock down shots at a consistent clip. He’s a fluid, technically sound scorer with deep range, excellent footwork, and the ability to contribute in spot-up, movement, and secondary creation roles. His passing and decision-making are also advanced for his age, often making the right read in short rolls or when pressured on the perimeter. Though not a standout athlete, he plays a smart, team-first game and competes defensively with good positioning and effort. However, his athletic limitations were evident in UConn’s NCAA Tournament loss to Florida, where he struggled to create clean looks off the dribble against elite defenders. While his lack of speed and burst raises some concern about his long-term upside and ability to consistently beat NBA athletes, his skill level, toughness, and competitveness make him one of the safer bets to contribute early. He’s not flashy, but McNeeley’s combination of shooting, awareness, and polish could make him a potential long-term floor spacer and connective piece in an NBA rotation.
7. Cedric Coward
SG/SF Washington State (USA) 2003
Age: 21.8 | Height (barefoot): 6′5.25″ | Wingspan: 7′2.25″ | Weight: 213.0 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′10.00″ | No-Step Vert: 32.5″ | Max Vert: 38.5″
2024–25 Stats (Washington State): 17.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 55.7% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 83.9% FT (6 games)
2023–24 Stats (Eastern Washington): 15.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 56.5% FG, 38.3% 3PT, 89.5% FT
Coward has quickly become a figure of draft folklore, a near-mythical blend of wingspan, shooting touch, and advanced metrics that make it easy to get extremely excited about his upside. But like with many mystery draft risers, whether he’s truly as good as advertised remains to be seen. He passes the eye test in highlights with his smooth, controlled game, strong frame, and impressive efficiency, but scouts are split on how much to trust the production, which came in just six games against the softest part of Washington State’s schedule before a season-ending shoulder injury. Despite phenomenal combine testing, posting a 38.5″ max vert and measuring a legit 7’2.25″ wingspan—it’s hard to consistently find that explosiveness on tape. What is clear is Coward’s versatile role-player appeal: he plays with patience, sees the floor well, defends multiple positions, and brings a professional approach. A late bloomer and one of the youngest seniors in the draft, he’s drawn real intrigue as a sleeper who could exceed expectations in a team-oriented role, but evaluators must weigh the small sample size and lower-level competition before buying fully into the myth.
8. Noah Penda
SF/PF Le Mans Sarthe (France) 2005
Age: 20.4 | Height (barefoot): 6′7.25″ | Wingspan: 6′11.5″ | Weight: 242 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′10″ | No-Step Vert: N/A | Max Vert: N/A
2024–25 Stats (LNB Elite): 10.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 51.7% FG, 29.2% 3PT, 75.3% FT
Penda is a tough, physically mature wing who brings grit, energy, and defensive versatility to the floor. With a strong build, 6’11.5″ wingspan and 242-pound frame, he thrives in contact-heavy situations and does a lot of little things that contribute to winning. He’s not flashy, but he defends multiple positions, crashes the glass, makes smart reads, and plays with relentless effort, traits that have helped him produce across the board in France’s top league. Offensively, he scores on straight-line drives, cuts, and second-chance plays, while also showing improved passing instincts (2.5 APG) and just enough shooting touch to keep defenses honest. His 29.2% clip from three remains a concern, but he shot well from the free-throw line (75.3%) and is regarded as a better shooter than his numbers suggest. Without one elite skill, his NBA role likely hinges on being a glue-guy defender and connector who hits open shots and moves the ball. He fits best on a veteran roster with a defined structure, and could return real value as a late first- or early second-round pick for a team needing toughness and a solid combination of potential and readiness.
9. Micah Peavy
SG/SF Georgetown Sr.
Age: 23.9 | Height (barefoot): 6′6.25″ | Wingspan: 6′7.25″ | Weight: 211.6 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′5.00″ | No-Step Vert: 30.5″ | Max Vert: 35.5″
2024–25 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 48.1% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 65.9% FT
Peavy is a strong, athletic, and battle-tested two-way wing who capped off a five-year college career with a breakout season at Georgetown. Known for his athleticism, toughness, and commitment on the defensive end, Peavy finally paired his physical tools with efficient production, averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 steals while shooting 40% from deep on real volume. Though his perimeter shot has been inconsistent over his career, scouts have taken notice of his improvement and believe he could carve out a 3-and-D role if his jumper holds. He’s smart off the ball, aggressive attacking closeouts, and plays with poise and toughness in defensive matchups. His passing and playmaking took a step forward as well, averaging a career-best 3.6 assists. Still, Peavy’s upside is tempered by his age—he’ll turn 24 before the season—and some lingering concerns about his ability to create in the halfcourt or score off the dribble. His free throw percentage and mechanical shot form raise questions about the sustainability of his shooting. But with his strength, maturity, and versatility guarding 1–3, he looks the part of a plug-and-play rotation wing who can contribute to a team right away.
10. Jaxson Robinson
SG/SF Kentucky Sr.
Age: 22.5 | Height (barefoot): 6′4.75″ | Wingspan: 6′11.25″ | Weight: 188.6 lbs
Standing Reach: 8′7.00″ | No-Step Vert: 29.5″ | Max Vert: 34.0″
2024–25 Stats: 13.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 43.2% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 76.3% FT
Robinson is a long, wiry sharpshooter with one of the cleanest shooting strokes in the 2025 draft class and legitimate NBA range. He showed real flashes of putting things together at Kentucky, where his value as a high-efficiency floor spacer came through over stretches, particularly in catch-and-shoot and off-movement opportunities. His near-7-foot wingspan gives him intriguing defensive potential, and he’s a heady passer who makes smart reads without forcing plays. That said, his college career has been marked by inconsistency and frequent transfers, suiting up for four different programs in five years. It’s a curious trajectory for a player with this level of talent, and evaluators still question how well he’ll handle the physicality of the pro game. He doesn’t create much off the dribble, struggles to finish through contact, and has never been a high-level rebounder or free throw generator. Still, with his shooting, length, and feel, Robinson could carve out a 3-and-D role if he finds the right developmental fit and adds strength and consistency.
