2025 NBA Draft Thread

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

It'll suck to see Fears end up in the top 5-10 and know we basically turned him aside. It's a help you sleep better narrative to retreat to the "we took too many guards and he just left." I can pull up the threads right now it's pretty eminent Illinois backed off because we thought he wasn't reclass ready (there were even talks about how we'd take Jasper Johnson and what not). Of course having a full roster was a factor, but it definitely sucks knowing hindsight. He's a very good player and will no doubt be so at the next level.

Doesn't take a ton of squinting to see him as a really good fit. Big, lengthy combo guard who can get downhill and score. Usually those have worked out well at Illinois.

The positional aspect isn't the deal that most claim it to be either. Our end of game lineup and starting lineup on the 1 seed team involved three guards (3/4 combo of Trent/Curbelo/Miller/Ayo). Florida just won the natty starting three guards. Houston was the runner-up starting three guards. Could've done the exact same with Kylan, KJ, Fears.

 

[logjam]

Might be a bad opinion but...I respect Fears for earning his spot in the draft...also reinforces my confidence in our scouting...

 

[mysterio2525]

Anyone know if Brad is at the draft?

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Hoping we are to finally put to bed the very vehement "KJ not a lottery pick" crowd by the end of tonight.

 

[logjam]

Guessing KJ by #12 Riley by #24...

 

[logjam]

Just a guess but if I had 2 of course...he better be...!

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938025007143412042

 

[PizzaHutParkingLot]

Pretty cool to have an Illini projected in the lottery!

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

@Dan , if it's okay with you, I'll post the lottery picks and any B1G picks that get taken in the 1st round in this thread.

Will be busy tomorrow so I won't be able to post any 2nd round picks of note until later tomorrow.

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938025084595151139

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

With the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg, F, Duke.

 

[NarrowJ]

Might be a bad opinion but...I respect Fears for earning his spot in the draft...also reinforces my confidence in our scouting...

Yup, and nobody turned him aside. There was never a scenario where Fears was reclassing to come in with a group that featured a ball-dominant KJ.

And it worked out great for the both of them.

 

[skyIdub]

Man, draft night snuck up on me…..

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

With the 2nd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers.

 

[skyIdub]

With the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg, F, Duke.

 

[nonsenseone]

KJ to the Bulls???

I would be shocked if that happened probably he ends up as a net. I think teams realized why he got worse was due to injury not bc of his inability.
I honestly wanted teams believed kj sucks so AK same countrymen could scoop him up at 12 but pipedream.

 

[logjam]

With the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg, F, Duke.

 

[nonsenseone]

Hoping will gets picked in the top 20 but think someone could even push to get him at top 15. Young, tall, possibly still growing, not just a shooter... Sounds intriguing to a lot and I bet someone reaches for him...

The height is his selling point but I expect top 20 where he is mocked the most. In a redraft he will be top 10 bc of his scoring ability.

 

[Illini_Jack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938027600741273660

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor.

 

[Illini_Jack]

Bailey falling to #12

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

With the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Kon Knueppel, W, Duke.

 

[skyIdub]

I get the feeling that Kneuppel family has knocked on doors for Jesus?

 

[nonsenseone]

Doesn't take a ton of squinting to see him as a really good fit. Big, lengthy combo guard who can get downhill and score. Usually those have worked out well at Illinois.

The positional aspect isn't the deal that most claim it to be either. Our end of game lineup and starting lineup on the 1 seed team involved three guards (3/4 combo of Trent/Curbelo/Miller/Ayo). Florida just won the natty starting three guards. Houston was the runner-up starting three guards. Could've done the exact same with Kylan, KJ, Fears.

not the best fit but man that would have been a superteam on paper. I dont think fears go this higher than kj in a draft he would have scored less.

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

With the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Ace Bailey, W, Rutgers.