With the transfer portal and NIL bringing about a smaller group of prospects than in previous years, a byproduct of the change to the college basketball landscape has been the spotlight it has brought to mid-major mainstays who have flown up 2025 NBA Draft rankings.
The projected top picks, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe, and so on, all hail from decorated, high-major programs. But, the players below them in the rankings from smaller schools are drawing mass interest as draft day creeps closer.
Here are the top mid-major prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft:
Nique Clifford, Colorado State (Fifth Yr.)
Clifford is one of the growing number of cases of a player starting high-major, moving down to a mid-major program, and seeing their role and skill set grow tremendously. Playing his first three seasons at Colorado, Clifford moved just an hour north to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he’d immediately saw his role grow with Colorado State.
Starting as a weak shooter (2-of-27 on off-the-dribble 3-pointers with Colorado), Clifford blossomed into the Mountain West’s premier shotmaker, shooting 26-of-67 on self-created 3s in his fifth and final year. Add to that his reputation as an elite defender, a great playmaker, and a bouncy athlete at 6 feet, 5¼ inches without shoes, and he’s all teams are looking for in a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Projected range: Mid-to-late first round (14-30)
Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB (Sr.)
Lendeborg stated at the NBA Draft Combine that he’s leaning toward returning to college, not to the Blazers, but to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. However, if he decides to stay, he’ll undoubtedly be one of the first mid-major names to walk across the stage June 25. However, The Athletic’s John Hollinger said Lendeborg “likely didn’t do enough on the court to garner a first-round promise.”
Lendeborg has an incredibly diverse skillset at 6 feet, 8½ inches without shoes. Packing a 7-foot-4 wingspan, the Pennsauken, New Jersey, native was among the nation’s most productive defenders and rebounders, grabbing 11.4 boards a game and tallying 130 combined steals and blocks. Additionally, Lendeborg was UAB’s leader in points and assists, showing a diversified scoring repertoire and getting his teammates involved in the half-court and transition.
Projected range: Late first round (21-30)
Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s (Jr.)
On top of one of the more jarring wingspan measurements of the NBA Draft Combine at 7 feet, 5¼ inches, the 6-foot-8¼ Fleming has garnered major first-round interest. The ultra-efficient big man made numerous SportsCenter Top 10 worthy plays with his ability to get to the ball above the rim. Additionally, Fleming packs a knockdown shot, which he made at 39% from beyond the arc.
Fleming’s upside will get tapped into as he adds strength and improves his handle. But currently, he’s found his way into potentially being a first-round pick with his measurables. As he continues improving his ball skills, his length and athleticism give scouts intrigue about Fleming’s fit as a small-ball center.
Projected range: Late first round (21-30)
