The excitement of the NBA draft season is already brewing, with eyes now turning towards the 2025 prospects as the 2024 draft concludes today. Among the early predictions, two standout players from Indiana University’s roster, Kanaan Carlyle and Mackenzie Mgbako, are making waves in mock drafts.
According to analysts Adam Finkelstein and Travis Branham of CBSSports.com, both Carlyle and Mgbako are poised to be first-round picks. Carlyle, known for his versatile scoring abilities, has been projected as the No. 19 pick. Meanwhile, Mgbako, recognized for his sharpshooting skills despite a challenging freshman year, is slated at No. 22.
CBS Sports highlighted Carlyle’s potential as a dynamic scorer whose performance hinges on his shooting consistency. Meanwhile, they underscored Mgbako’s prowess from beyond the arc, despite his freshman-year shooting statistics at Indiana.
The mock draft isn’t just about Indiana’s stars; it also features other promising Big Ten players. Rutgers’ incoming freshman, Ace Bailey, is pegged at No. 2, with his teammate Dylan Harper following closely at No. 4. Additionally, Oregon’s Kwame Evans Jr., Ohio State’s Aaron Bradshaw, and Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad are also predicted to make waves in the first round.
Looking ahead, the early predictions suggest a competitive draft year, with top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey from 247Sports already drawing attention as potential top picks. As the NBA landscape evolves, these early insights into future talents like Carlyle and Mgbako offer fans a glimpse into the league’s next generation of stars.
This early look into the 2025 NBA draft sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting year of basketball talent evaluation. With speculation swirling and names like Carlyle and Mgbako gaining momentum, basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate how these predictions will unfold in the coming months.