The NBA has officially sent out its first batch of invites to the green room for the upcoming 2025 draft, showcasing a talented group of young athletes.
TUESDAY’S INVITES
Thirteen players received invitations on Tuesday, with high school juniors Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey headlining the group of 2025 prospects. These green room invites are a major milestone in these young men’s careers. They provide an opportunity for breakthrough onto one of basketball’s brightest, largest showcases.
Of the 54 invitees, Cooper Flagg is definitely the most intriguing, not to mention the expected No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. Alongside him, players like VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, Carter Bryant, and Derik Queen earned their spots in this initial selection. Baltimore’s Derik Queen and Georgia’s Asa Newell are the only two players to have received their invites in this first wave. What an incredible achievement along their hooping journeys!
Those picks is what makes the entire 2025 NBA draft to extend over four days at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first round from 8:30 to noon on June 25, the second round in the afternoon from noon to 4 on June 26. This year, teams are tasked with voting on the top 25 players they expect to hear called during the draft. This year’s green room invites will be under even more of a microscope. While thrilling, organizers did not want to create a scenario where invited players and families have to wait an inordinate amount of time before having their names called.
Last year’s draft was headlined by studs like Johnny Furphy and Kyle Filipowski. Though they were invited to the green room, they instead snuck into the second round. This year, the NBA aims to ensure that only those most likely to be selected early will receive invitations, giving them and their families a more certain experience.
As much as excitement may be enveloping the imminent draft, there are difficulties ahead for several players. Given that Noa Essengue will likely be playing in the German BBL finals with Ratiopharm Ulm, his making it to the event is in doubt. The finals’ pivotal fifth match is scheduled for June 26. This date will see the second round of the draft. This timing is unfortunate for Essengue as he juggles his commitments.
Our second wave of invites will be going out in waves over the coming weeks. We’re getting very excited about this event! The 2025 NBA Draft should be clear sailing for new, revolutionary basketball talent. What audiences will see is a thrilling ride, where teams have big decisions that change the scope of their future.
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