Duke might have two picks in the top five of the NBA mock draft. What about Rutgers, though?

The NBA draft has long ranked Cooper Flagg as the top pick, and Kon Knueppel might make it two Duke players chosen in the top five.

Might there be two from Rutgers as well? Ahead of Wednesday night, that seems to be the most important question.

Ace Bailey, a teammate, is more difficult to project than Dylan Harper, who is selected at number two. It has been questioned if he could go third or how high he will go at all because he refused to work out for the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the two stars and his subsequent acts, teams may need to balance his evident talent against the Scarlet Knights’ poor performance.

In the first three iterations of the AP mock draft, he has been ranked as high as No. 4 and as low as No. 7. He will be dropped for the last one at No. 6 in between.

As a result, he falls behind Knueppel, who has excellent shooting ability without any doubts.

1. Cooper Flagg, forward, Dallas Mavericks
Only the fourth freshman to be selected AP Men’s College Basketball National Player of the Year, the versatile 6-foot-8, 221-pound forward guided the Blue Devils to the Final Four after the Mavericks traded away Luka Doncic. He can excel as a playmaker (team-best 4.2 assists) or scorer (freshman record 42 points versus Notre Dame, Atlantic Coast Conference). He can affect games defensively due to his length and competitive spirit (team highs of 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks). Additionally, he has an all-around skill set that is beyond his years, with potential for growth as he approaches his 19th birthday in December.

2. Dylan Harper, guard, San Antonio Spurs
The 6′ 5 and 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper is a sizeable point who finished his rookie season averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. In the backcourt for star Victor Wembanyama, he might join NBA rookie of the year Stephon Castle. The awkward issue remains, though, as to how a team that had Harper and fellow one-and-done prospect Ace Bailey managed to finish just 15–17.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe
The only upside to Joel Embiid and Paul George’s injury-plagued seasons was that they were selected highly by a team that still aimed to compete in the Eastern Conference. Edgecombe, a 6-4, 193-pound player who will turn 20 in July, might contribute with his 3-point shooting, rim-attacking quickness, and two-way ability. Despite not having a private look at Bailey, the Sixers might still take a chance and give him some thought.

4. Kon Knueppel, forward, Charlotte Hornets
While Flagg was injured, Knueppel, who is 6-7 and 217 pounds, was named the ACC Tournament MVP. He is an effective scorer. Knueppel finished sixth in Division I with a 91.4% foul line shooting percentage and a 40.6% 3-point shooting percentage. Additionally, the rookie demonstrated potential as a secondary playmaker for a Final Four team by recording at least four assists in 10 games.

5. Utah Jazz: Texas guard Tre Johnson
The 6-5, 190-pound freshman’s ability to score is a clear selling point for the weakest club in the conference. He shot 39.7% from three-point range and led the Southeastern Conference and all freshmen nationwide with an average of 19.9 points. In February, he scored 39 points against Arkansas, shattering the freshman Longhorns record held by Kevin Durant.

6. Washington Wizards: Rutgers forward Ace Bailey
After winning 18 games, the Wizards need assistance in a number of categories. With at least four made three-pointers in five January games, the 6-8 forward is a versatile athlete who can stretch defences and provide tools for defensive development. Despite having Bailey and Harper as the NBA-bound stars, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds for a losing club. The Wizards would undoubtedly be overjoyed to acquire one of the draft’s most gifted players if he were to fall this far.

7. Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
In his only collegiate season, the 6-3, 180-pound combo guard averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Highlights included scoring 57 points in two SEC Tournament games and making a four-pointer to defeat a Michigan team that was No. He also made 183 free throws, which tied him for 11th place in Division I, and got to the line 6.3 times per game. He has to put on weight, though, as he only made 28.4% of his 3s.

8. Khaman Maluach, centre, Brooklyn Nets
The Nets may begin by placing a long-term wager on the 7-1, 253-pound South Sudanese big man to fulfil his potential as a rim-protecting lob threat with four first-round selections. In his only collegiate season, Maluach shown stretches of skilfully defending guards on switches and had the largest wingspan (7-6 3/4) at the combine. He will require time to develop a raw offensive game because he shot 71.2% mostly on dunks and putbacks.

9. Kasparas Jakucionis, guard/forward, Illinois, Toronto Raptors
The freshman, who is 6-5, has demonstrated a versatile floor game. As a rookie, he averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. He also had a run of six consecutive 20-point games, playing against three ranked teams, including the then-No. 1 Tennessee. In addition, he had eight games with at least seven assists and four games with double figures in rebounds.

10. Phoenix Suns (from Houston): Arizona forward Carter Bryant
The player picked here is going to Phoenix since the Rockets included the pick in the deal for Kevin Durant, even though the transaction cannot be finalised until next month. Despite playing only 19 minutes each night, the 6-7, 215-pound Bryant demonstrated defensive potential by averaging a block per game and shooting 37.1% on three-pointers. At the combine, he had one of the highest maximum vertical leaps (39.5 inches).

11. Portland Trail Blazers: South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles
With a wingspan of about 7-1, the sophomore’s muscular build (6-7, 240) might enable him to work some on the wing and bang inside. He made contributions as a competent defender (1.3 blocks, 1.5 steals), scorer (16.8), and rebounder (8.3).

12. Chicago Bulls: German forward Noa Essengue of Ratiopharm Ulm
The long 6-9, 194-pound French forward, who turns 19 in December, has been developing his varied skills in Germany. This season, he averaged 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in Germany, demonstrating his ability to attack off the dribble and run the court.

13. Atlanta Hawks: BYU guard/forward Egor Demin
The 19-year-old Demin, a top Russian international prospect, was a playmaker with size (6-9, 199) during his season at BYU. As a potent passer who finished his last two NCAA Tournament games for a Sweet 16 team with 15 assists and two mistakes in 54 minutes of action, it might enable teams to run offence via him.

14. Derik Queen, centre, Maryland, San Antonio Spurs
The 6-9, 248-pounder defeated Colorado State and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 by banking in a buzzer-beating runner, earning a place in March Madness legend. The quick move demonstrated the talented freshman’s still-developing potential as he almost averaged a double-double (16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds).

15. Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, centre, Oklahoma City Thunder
The new NBA champions’ first of two first-round selections. With a 7-6 wingspan and a solid interior presence, Sorber, a 6-9, 263-pound freshman who visited Oklahoma City twice, can operate in the post or in traffic while also displaying face-up skills. In order to provide defensive potential, Sorber, 19, also averaged 2.0 blocks. He would be a luxury addition up front for a team that won a league-best 68 games, but it would help if he could improve his 3-point shooting (6 of 37, 16.2%).

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Michigan State guard Jase Richardson
Following a huge trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, the Grizzlies added this pick. The son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson, who is short (6-1, 178) for a combination guard and stated following a recent practice with Portland that he is trying to demonstrate his ability to play the point, would be a good candidate for it. In any case, shooting 41.2% on threes is alluring.

17. Asa Newell, forward/center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Georgia
With his potential, the 6-9, 224-pound rookie who helped the Bulldogs make it back to the NCAAs for the first time in ten years could play as a power forward with another big men or as a small-ball big man. Although the 19-year-old needs to gain strength and improve his shooting (29.2% on threes), he might be a home-state frontcourt boost for the Hawks.

18. Rasheer Fleming, forward/center, Saint Joseph’s, Washington Wizards
The 6-8, 232-pound Fleming brought a strong frame to the NBA and improved his productivity in three collegiate seasons. In addition to his improved 3-point shooting from 31.3% during his first two collegiate seasons to 39% last year, he averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. At more than 7-5, he also had one of the largest wingspans at the combine.

19. Brooklyn Nets: German guard Ben Saraf of Ratiopharm Ulm
The Nets might strengthen their perimeter with the 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel after acquiring Maluach at eight. This season, Saraf has averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists in Germany, demonstrating his skill as a scoring facilitator.

20. Miami Heat: UConn forward Liam McNeeley
As a rookie starter for the two-time defending NCAA champion Huskies, the 6-7, 215-pound McNeeley immediately made an impression. He shows promise as a floor-stretching wing, scoring 22 points in the NCAAs against eventual champion Florida and 38 points against then-No. 24 Creighton.

21. Danny Wolf, forward/center with the Utah Jazz, Michigan
After transferring from the Ivy League (Yale) to the Big Ten, the 6-11, 252-pound junior flourished as a low-post presence, averaging 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds and finishing among Division I leaders with 15 double-doubles. In 37 games, he made 38 three-pointers, demonstrating his ability to step outside.

22. Saint-Quentin BB (France) guard Nolan Traore of the Atlanta Hawks
The 6-5, 175-pound French guard has been considered a potential lottery talent and is a scoring playmaker. Prior to choosing to stay in his own nation last year, the 19-year-old had previously attracted recruiting interest from schools like Duke, Alabama, and Gonzaga.

23. Washington State guard Cedric Coward, New Orleans Pelicans
In exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, the Pelicans acquired the pick from the Indiana Pacers. It’s been an intriguing journey for the 6-5, 213-pound Coward. After spending two seasons at Eastern Washington after beginning his career at Division III Willamette, he played six games at Washington State before deciding to transfer to Duke. However, he remained in the draft after demonstrating strong shooting drill performance, a 38.5-inch maximum vertical leap, and the best wingspan (7-2+) and standing reach (8-10) among guards during the combine.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Colorado State guard Nique Clifford
Clifford, who stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 202 pounds, took his time growing as a five-year player, but he just had a fantastic season (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists). In two years with the Rams, he increased his outside shooting percentage from 33.8% across three seasons at Colorado to 37.7% on a higher volume.

25. Orlando Magic: Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.
During the Gators’ pursuit for a national championship, the 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was named to the AP first team All-American squad and was the most impressive player in the Final Four. This includes incredible tournament performances that spoke well for a player who consistently stepped up to the plate, such as the wild comeback against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight and a career-high scoring effort against Auburn in the Final Four.

26. Will Riley, guard/forward, Illinois, Brooklyn Nets
The Canadian rookie averaged 12.6 points while playing as a top reserve. Riley, 19, has size (6-8) and the potential to be a scorer and passer as he improves his skills and gains muscle (186 pounds).

27. Drake Powell, a guard/forward from North Carolina, Brooklyn Nets
In addition to quickness, the 6-6, 195-pound freshman has the ability to shoot outside (37.9% on 3-pointers) and play defence. Powell has a 7-foot wingspan and led all combine participants in standing vertical leap (37.5 inches, 4+ inches higher than anybody else) and maximum vertical (43.0).

28. Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, centre, Boston Celtics
The talented 7-foot French senior in his fourth year can step outside and spread the floor. After averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds and making 67 three-pointers in 35 games, he became one of only two unanimous AP all-ACC first-team selections, including Flagg.

29. Joan Beringer, centre for the Phoenix Suns, Cedevita Olimpija (Slovenia)
Beringer, who turns 19 in November, is a mobile menace who can play both lob and pick-and-roll. The 230-pound, 6-11 French big guy needs time to build muscle.

30. Los Angeles Clippers: Real Madrid (Spain) guard/forward Hugo Gonzalez
With a 6-6, 205-pound body, the 19-year-old can attack off the dribble and has a flashy shooting range. After assisting the Under-18 Real Madrid squad in winning the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) in Berlin last year, he was named MVP.

The following players are also being considered (in alphabetical order): Hansen Yang, centre, Qingdao (China); Noah Penda, forward, Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France); Ryan Kalkbrenner, centre, Creighton; and Kam Jones, guard, Marquette.