Three Hidden Gems in the 2025 NBA Draft You Need to Know About

The final NBA game of the season was played on Sunday night, which means the focus for the entire league has shifted to the 2025 NBA Draft. 

The 2025 NBA Draft will take place June 25 (ABC/ESPN) and June 26 (ESPN) at 8 p.m. ET, with names like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey expected to be drafted early. However, one could make the argument that drafts aren’t always won with the best picks. 

Players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013, 15th overall), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018, 11th overall), and Rudy Gobert (2013, 27th overall) are prime examples of athletes who have clearly exceeded expectations for where they were selected. 

Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander each have won championships and regular season MVPs, while Gobert is four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The heights they have reached are certainly rare, but it proves great players can be found later in the draft. 

Let’s explore three players in the upcoming draft who have all the skills to become labeled as ‘the steal of the draft.’

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga Point Guard

Nembhard, the brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, is a floor general, averaging 9.8 assists to just 2.5 turnovers. He’s a pass-first point guard with great vision and accurate passing.

Nembhard’s 5 '11 " frame and limited athleticism don't give him much defensive upside, but he compensates with quick hands, averaging 1.7 steals, and a high basketball IQ that allows him to control the pace of play. Throughout his first three college seasons, he shot 37.1% of his catch-and-shoot 3s before making a career-high 44.4% as a senior. 

Though his volume isn’t too high, it’s encouraging to see Nembhard’s development. According to most mock drafts, he’s labeled as a middle to late second-rounder, giving him a chance to significantly boost his value in the future with consistent development. 

Drake Powell, North Carolina Wing

While Powell was originally projected as a lottery pick to begin his college career, after averaging 7.4 points per game, the Tar Heels freshman began slipping down draft boards. He brings a 6-foot-5 frame with a 7-foot wingspan and a never-ending motor, similar to a Honda. 

He projects to be the type of player that every playoff team wants. He’s an extremely versatile defender, as well as an effective helper at the rim. Offensively, he’s a developing slasher, but made 40% of his 90 catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy, fitting the mold of a modern NBA role player.

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Point Guard

Labeling the Florida Gators’ best player as a hidden gem might sound contradicting, however, if he gets selected after the lottery, there’s potential for him to be massively undervalued. Clayton Jr. led the Gators to a national championship in 2025 and is expected to be a middle to late first-round pick.

On the court, he thrives as a high-volume scorer and a dynamic shooter, making 38.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc on nearly eight attempts a contest during last season. Clayton Jr. is a crafty dribbler, which allows him to beat defenders one-on-one, where he can get to the rim. 

He’s not a traditional point guard by any means, but think of him as a combo guard, who can be the primary scorer for an offense and you can’t say that about many late first-round picks. 

The 2025 NBA draft begins tomorrow night and it’s almost safe to say that there will be at least one prospect who ends up out-performing their draft capital.