ESPN NBA Mock Draft: Big 12 Standouts Among Top 2025 NBA Picks

With the 2025 NBA Draft sitting just two days away, ESPN released its latest mock draft with several Big 12 stars expecting to hear their names called in the first round.

The league decided to change the landscape of the draft moving forward, moving away from its traditional one-day layout. This year, the first round will take place on Wednesday, June 25 and the second round will continue on Thursday, June 26.

However, ESPN predicted that three former Big 12 players will find their new homes within the first 30 picks. Baylor star guard VJ Edgecombe is slated to be selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 6-foot-4 guard was named 2024-25 Big 12 Rookie of the Year after finishing the season with averages of 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He guided the Bears to their fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Edgecombe is widely regarded as one of the top athletes in this draft, after being one of the top rebounding point guards in college basketball last season. He tallied seven or more rebounds in 10 games last season.

Adding him to a backcourt that consists of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain will allow the former Bear to improve his three-point shooting and off-ball movement. He had a 24.5% usage rate at Baylor and shot 34% from three.

Arizona’s Carter Bryant is projected 11th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers after a successful freshman campaign with the Wildcats.

The 6-foot-8 three-level scorer showed significant flashes, as he knocked down 46% of his shots from the floor, including 37.1% of his threes.

Even though he averaged just 6.5 points per game in limited action last season, he is not a ball-dominant player and excels in the catch-and-shoot game. With his frame, he can guard several different positions on the perimeter and fits the timeline of the up-and-coming squad in Portland.

Former BYU guard Egor Demin is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class, with his impressive guard play standing at 6-foot-9. Demin, who ran the NBA-styled offense under Head Coach Kevin Young, finished 38th in assists per game last season at 5.5.

As one of the top playmakers in the draft, experts predict Demin to be chosen 13th overall to the Atlanta Hawks. Despite shooting 27.1% from three as a freshman, his physical tools paired with his passing abilities could help him hear his name get called in the lottery.

The first round begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25 on ABC/ESPN.