While NBA teams and analysts meticulously evaluate prospects for the 2025 NBA draft, what do the players themselves think? At the recent NBA draft combine in Chicago, college basketball insider Jeff Borzello joined NBA draft analysts Jeremy Woo and Jonathan Givony, alongside NBA analyst Zach Kram, to survey 21 participating players.
The goal was to identify who these prospects believe are the most underrated players in the upcoming draft class. Several individuals received multiple nominations, some were vouched for by college teammates, a few made the case for themselves, and others felt highly-ranked players were still not getting enough credit.
Most Popular Picks
Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn: 4 votes
Although Pettiford started only one game as a freshman at Auburn, he impressed at the combine. Borzello noted he looked like `the best player on the floor` during one scrimmage, finishing with 23 points and eight assists. This performance helped his draft stock, but he was the top choice in this survey.
Johni Broome, Auburn: `He`s a very good guard, can bring a lot to an NBA team for sure. He`s very explosive, he makes the right plays. He`s young, but he can definitely grow into a very good young player.`
Dink Pate, G League: `I like his game. I didn`t know he was that explosive. He can shoot. I rock with him.`
Drake Powell, North Carolina: `I think he`s a really good, smart defender, and his ability to score the rock is great.`
Pettiford was also among four players named by Wake Forest`s Hunter Sallis.
Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona: 3 votes
This Arizona big man is projected as a first-round pick. He received recognition from a former teammate and another popular pick in the survey.
Caleb Love, Arizona: `I think he`s a sleeper. He`s young. His potential is through the roof and he`s a catch and shoot. He can knock down and catch and shoot. He`s an athletic freak and he can defend pretty much 1 through 5.`
Asa Newell, Georgia: `Carter Bryant is super underrated. I just feel like his game translates to the NBA really well. He`s got the size, he`s got the touch, he`s got the 3-point ability. And seeing him, he can definitely be a versatile defender.`
Powell: `[His size], being able to guard 1 through 5, his approach to the game and his willingness to get better sets him apart.`
Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina: 2 votes
Projected early in the second round, Powell also garnered multiple votes, including one from a teammate and one from Carter Bryant.
RJ Davis, North Carolina: `He has the versatility to defend 1 through 4 with his length and athleticism, he`s able to make an impact. But I also think he has an offensive game that wasn`t really shown this past year. [He is] able to create his own and get to his midrange. Drake is not only a good athlete but a good person and someone you should want on your team.`
Bryant: `Drake Powell is a name that needs to be going around NBA rooms more. He`s a great athlete, a great basketball player, and he`s a good human being as well.`
Teammate Recognition
Seven players highlighted their college teammates as underrated. These four were not projected in ESPN`s latest mock draft at the time of the survey.
Terrence Edwards Jr., G, Louisville:
`He`s a dog on both ends the floor and he helped us tremendously, especially on the defensive side, just guarding the ball me and him switched off the best on-ball guards this past year. … He`s definitely one of the biggest sleepers I know in this draft.` — Chucky Hepburn
Chaney Johnson, F, Auburn:
`[He] is the hardest worker I`ve ever played with, and I`ve played with Jabari Smith, I`ve played with Walker Kessler, and I`ve played with Sharife Cooper. The work ethic that Chaney Johnson has is second to none, definitely by far in the draft. If he were here and testing these numbers, he definitely [would have] had the highest vert. He jumps out of the gym. He`s an insanely good kid. Never heard him pout, whine or slouch his shoulders. He`s always on time. He`s a great professional and any team that`s serious about winning should look at Chaney Johnson.` — Dylan Cardwell
Micah Peavy, G, Georgetown:
`He`s a dog, I know he`s old, but he ain`t that old. He`s a great player, he has a feel for the game, great defender, I think he`s one of the best defenders in this class.` — Thomas Sorber
Grant Nelson, F, Alabama:
`When his shot`s on he can space the floor, he can guard multiple positions.` — Mark Sears
Finally, while not from a teammate, Mark Sears did receive a vote from Creighton`s Ryan Kalkbrenner:
`A guy who`s not on a lot of boards is Mark Sears, I played him a couple times — I know he`s small, but man, he`s really good.`
Votes of Self-Confidence
Three prospects picked themselves as underrated. Two of these were not projected in ESPN`s latest mock draft: Max Shulga (VCU) and RJ Luis Jr. (St. John`s), the latter commenting: `It`s always good to be the underdog.`
The third player to name himself, Penn State big man Yanic Konan Niederhauser, is projected as a second-round pick and received a second vote of confidence from fellow prospect Ryan Nembhard.
`Yanic for sure,` Gonzaga`s Ryan Nembhard said. `He showed it the past two days, he`s a hell of a prospect — an athlete, 7 feet tall, dunks everything, has the ability to block shots and he`s still pretty young.`
Highly Ranked, But Still Underrated?
The final group nominated includes players already projected as first or second-round picks who were still considered underrated by their peers.
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke (Projected Top 10):
`He`s gonna be a pretty high pick, but he`s definitely underrated in my opinion. Great player, young, willingness to get better, great attitude.` — Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina (Projected Top 10):
`People aren`t talking about [him] enough. He`s a guy that might be underlooked a bit just because of the year South Carolina had, but Collin`s a guy that I think`s going to excel at the next level. A great passer, great feel, super strong, that`s a guy that`s going to go a long way.` — Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown (Projected First Round):
`We played Georgetown in the Crown Tournament, and Thomas, just like me, was hurt and wasn`t able to play. But as we were preparing for Georgetown, I watched his film and I was like, `Oh this kid`s got something, no wonder he entered the draft.“ — Cedric Coward, Washington State
Labaron Philon, G, Alabama (Projected Second Round):
`I`ve seen the work that he`s putting in and I think he`s going to be a good player in the league.` — Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Miles Byrd, G, San Diego State (Projected Second Round):
`Very underrated athlete, he has a knack for making shots, a knack defensively, getting in passing lanes, being able to make reads defensively.` — Carter Bryant, Arizona
