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Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets Recap: Utah nearly loses by 40 to a red hot Rockets team 2 Apr 6:42 PM (14 hours ago)

Basketball’s about a game of runs and Utah never had one tonight

The Jazz’s worst losing record season continues to extend with a (105-143) loss to the Houston Rockets. The Jazz were just never able to get anything going on the offensive end tonight and the defense wasn’t much better. Let’s Recap.

Game Recap

1st Quarter

The Game was underway and something to watch early on was the exciting combination of the Filipowski Kessler experiment in the starting five. Utah won the tip and no surprise the first shot of the game was a Walker Kessler top of the key three. However, Utah had no answer to the Rockets hot shooting early and got into a quick 11-5 deficit. The Jazz started the game shooting only 1-8 through the first four minutes. But after a Dillion Brooks flagrant foul momentum started to shift and the first timeout came at the 6:40 mark with the scores tied (13-13.) Coming out of the timeout the young bull continued to keep the pace of the game quick and got Utah in a slight lead midway through the first. But late in the quarter the Rockets answered back and went on an 11-0 run hitting three after three. The pace continued to be quick to the end, and the quarter ended with Utah 26 Houston 33.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter started like the first with Walker Kessler being involved again with a quick steal and shots at the stripe. But the inability to defend the paint kept Utah in a 10-point deficit early on. Houston led by Sengun was pulling Walker out from under the basket which just opened up Utah’s paint and second-chance points just kept being an issue for Utah’s defense. The offensive end wasn’t much better for the Jazz, and the Rockets took advantage and went on a 14-4 run before the first timeout of the quarter at 6:53. Coming out of the timeout the Jazz did have their fair share of open shots but whether it was lack of communication or just missing open shots the Jazz just couldn’t take advantage. Houston was more energetic on both sides of the ball and with no Walker down low the paint was wide open. The half ended with Utah 46 and Houston 70.

3rd Quarter

Coming out of the half Houston started right where they left off just scoring from all three levels and getting to a quick 34-point advantage to start the third. Every time Utah got any smell of momentum it was shut down quickly with either poor ball handling or just not stopping Houston on the offensive end. Jalen Green spearheading Houston in the second half was just hurting Utah from deep all night. But defensive rebounds have continued to be the problem for Utah the whole game. Way too many second-chance points for the Rockets. The first timeout of the quarter came at the 5:50 mark with Houston leading (59-89.) Coming out of the break Utah never got enough consistent stops to try and make a dent into Houston’s lead. However, Something I noticed was the high number of transition lobs from the Jazz. Usually with Sexton as the destination as well. Anyway the third quarter ended with Utah 75 and Houston 102.

4th Quarter

The final quarter of the night and I will give credit to Collier and Keyonte. When they’ve driven into the paint it looks good and usually comes away with points. Another area where Utah struggled was just how many turnovers in transition they had. It seemed like every other play someone tried to pass it across the court and the ball got picked off so easily. Houston then brought in 3rd overall pick in the 2024 draft Reed Sheppard for the first time in the night and he immediately put up two threes. Houston’s good no doubt. This is why I’m so happy Utah is finally bottoming out. Houston did it for years. The first timeout of the quarter comes at 6:47 with Houston leading (85-119.) Coming out of the break a nice Keyonte three. The trio of Keyonte, Collier, and Kessler has been good this game. The final score was Utah 105 and Houston 143.

Standout Players/Takeaways

Isaiah Collier- Collier with a great efficiency night shot 7-11 from the field. I love watching his first step. It gives him such an advantage at getting to the rim early on. But maybe what impressed me the most from Collier tonight was his 10 assists and 0 turnovers. The dude is special and he ended the night with a double-double having 22 points as well.

Kyle Filipowski- Flip was on the struggle bus from three tonight. Went 0-6 in the first half and didn’t even attempt another the whole second. Went 3-14 from the field. His defense wasn’t great as the main big for when Kessler was out. Just an off night to overall an impressive season. But be a goldfish and move on to Indiana.

Houston is a great example of building from the draft. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, and Amen Thompson all top picks. Houston suffered and they got their reward now sitting at the moment second in the Western conference. Plus bringing in vets like Sengun and Brooks to fill out the team, Houston is sitting very well. Plus we didn’t even get to see Jae’Sean Tate and Cam Whitmore, also all draft picks. Hats off to Houston’s FO.

However, Jazz fans keep your head up high. The Washington Wizards were winners tonight (116-111) vs Sacramento which means the odds of Utah locking in number one just got slightly better. With the season coming down to an end Utah could have a very good chance of ending the season with the worst record.

Standout Stats

Reed Sheppard the Rocket’s third pick didn’t play the first three quarters, came in during the 4th shot only threes made 5-7 and ended with 15 points in 8 minutes.

Houston outrebounded Utah tonight 72-45. They had 23 second-chance points to Utah’s 6, and shot 42% from three to Utah’s 25. Bad shooting night from the Jazz but got to give credit to Houston’s defense their twin towers of Sengun and Jabari Smith are dangerous.

For Utah 6 players in double figures tonight but a whole lot of 2-10’s and 3-14’s from the field.

Next Game

Who: Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers

When: April 4th, 5:00PM Mountain Time

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse- Indianapolis, IN

Watch: Jazz+, KJZZ

The Downbeat: Is Isaiah Collier’s rookie assist record a big deal? 2 Apr 6:55 AM (yesterday, 6:55 am)

Isaiah Collier is officially in the Utah Jazz record books, but what does his record indicate for future success?

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Provo, Utah. Currently writing for SB Nation and FanSided, he has covered the Utah Jazz and BYU athletics since 2024 and graduates from Utah Valley University in the Spring.

I’d like to begin this piece with a heartfelt congratulations to Isaiah Collier for eclipsing John Stockton’s rookie record for assists, having already racked up 419 dimes in just 69 games. That total is over 100 assists ahead of any other player in the meager 2024 NBA Draft class, and that’s an incredible achievement.

Once again, the Jazz front office has proven that the deeper into a draft they pick, the higher quality players they select relative to expectations. Collier was snagged with the 29th selection, sandwiched between the likes of Ryan Dunn and Baylor Sheierman.

In back-to-back attempts, the Jazz have taken their “home-run swings” with the likes of Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams with the 9th and 10th pick, respectively. Frankly, the jury is still out on these two as injuries have slowed Hendricks’ development, and Cody Williams may be experiencing one of the most horrific rookie seasons in recent memory (I’m trying so hard to keep loving you, Cody. Get it together, I beg of you).

Yet, the deeper Utah dives into the dregs of the draft pile, the more success they manage in finding serviceable basketball players at the NBA level. I’ve drawn this highly scientific graph to demonstrate this phenomenon.

Utah’s reconstruction still spans over a seemingly infinite horizon. Wait, am I still talking about basketball or I-15? (Rim Shot).

But seriously, this rebuild is now in its third season and has yet to turn the corner. This season, for the first time in franchise history, the Utah Jazz have dipped below 60 losses and own the worst record in basketball. A band of anemic hamsters may have earned a better record if they truly believed in themselves, as all rodents do.

The youth of Utah are often viewed like disposable cameras: fun for a while, but ultimately designed to be discarded. Does Isaiah Collier fit into this category despite his achievement?

Ok, that’s a fair question that I’ve posed to myself in this echo-chamber, and I intend to discover the goalposts Collier must aim for if he can hope to keep pace as one of basketball’s top playmakers.

Collier Plays Fetch

Did you ever watch that PBS Kids show, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman? It was an exceptional program that pitted six “fetchers” against each other in a variety of challenges — hosted by an animated dog, of course — in a race to return to the studio having conquered every obstacle thrown their way. It was something comparable to “The Amazing Race Junior”.

It was great. It was so great. What were we talking about?

Ok, so here’s the deal. Isaiah Collier’s rookie record, while impressive in the grand vision of the NBA as a whole, is far from the best we’ve ever seen. With his 419 dimes, Collier isn’t even on pace to crack the top 25 on the rookie assist leaderboard, which has been dominated for decades by Mark Jackson and the insane 868 assists of his own.

Just as in Fetch! Collier’s legacy will be defined by its destination, but forged through the journey.

Stockton’s rookie season started with a reserved seat on the pine, and stuck behind All-Star guard Rickey Green, Utah’s legendary guard only notched 5.1 assists per outing. Comparing Collier’s 6.2, one would think this year’s playmaking aficionado would be on track to keep step-for-step with Basketball John.

That train of thought will be quickly derailed when considering the generationally good fortune that Collier will need to maintain the pace.

The key to becoming one of basketball’s strongest distributors is in consistent improvement, year by year. Pardon my Nickelback, but look at this graph, which outlines some notable assist men in modern basketball, along with some historically pertinent names alongside them.

John Stockton and Chris Paul, numbers one and two in assists all-time, delivered steady improvement in each of their first three seasons. Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton earned their way into this company by likewise improving in their three opening acts as pros, while Mark Jackson saw a sharp plummet from his peak as a rookie.

Isaiah Collier’s rookie assist average fits right alongside most of these model citizens, but his story will be made or destroyed based on his longevity. And therein lies the biggest problem of Collier’s potential for assist totals: he’s already come back down to Earth since his sky-bound February. After stacking 9.5 dimes per night in the second month of the calendar, his March saw an average of 6.1 assists on the box score. Uh oh.

Unfair Yet Unavoidable Comparison

Nearing the final buzzer of his rookie year, Collier’s future with the Jazz will be highly dependent on how he improves in subsequent seasons.

If Collier wants to emulate Stockton’s trajectory — to any degree — he’ll need to find himself a Karl Malone. Stockton tossed an all-time best 15,806 assists throughout his career. That’s a record that has stood the test of time and stands as a nearly non-replicable feat for a basketball player to ever breach. A great deal of those were dished out to one Karl Malone, the third-highest scorer in NBA history.

Could a future partnership with a player of Cooper Flagg’s pedigree bear comparable fruit? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Stockton’s steady ascent rocketed to over 14 assists per night in his fourth season, a total that no player may ever average over an entire season again, including Collier. But comparing Collier to John Stockton was never fair to the late first-rounder, especially while he’s still a rookie. For the moment, we can celebrate this rookie’s achievement as a token of future success to come for the franchise.

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Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets: preview, start time, how to watch 2 Apr 5:30 AM (yesterday, 5:30 am)

The Jazz agree to a mutually beneficial outcome for tonight’s matchup in Houston

A victim of the worst record in franchise history, the grind never stops for the Utah Jazz (16-60). They travel to the Lone Star State for a matchup against the Houston Rockets (49-27). A mere six games remain in the season for the Jazz to try and finish with a guaranteed top-5 pick in the NBA Draft. Lauri Markkanen and John Collins remain out for this trivial matchup, where, at this point, shutting them down makes the most sense.

Don’t be surprised by some pretty ugly basketball tonight — Utah has a total of 11 players listed on their injury report compared to Houston’s zero, apart from a few G League assignments. These April injury reports Earlier this week, they were handed a fat 36-point loss vs the Denver Nuggets. If the Jazz play like they have been all of March, they may not have to interfere too harshly. The Jazz only recorded 33.5% from deep in the month, the lowest in the NBA. A single win in this final stretch of the season could prove detrimental to the tank, at least before the Wizards snag another win. Fun fact: I only recently learned NBA lottery tiebreakers are decided by “coin flips”.

The Rockets are a team looking to clinch their first playoff birth since the 2019-20 bubble season. They’ve just come off a 104-98 loss to the LA Lakers and look to finish tonight with a vengeance. Their recent 8-2 stretch over the past 10 games has them currently sitting in the #2 spot in the West, but you never know with pure Jazz randomness. The Jazz have won two of their last three games as underdogs against the Rockets following a loss. The core they’re building right now is a decent blueprint for how the Jazz rebuild should be progressing after a couple more years of tanking. Their rotation is full of deep bench guys and developing young guys that could easily outmatch a healthy Jazz team right now. Neither team wants to have the opposite outcome tonight or it may prove detrimental in the long run.

Injury Report

Jazz:

QUESTIONABLE - Collin Sexton (right ischial tuberosity), Walker Kessler (return to competition reconditioning), Jaden Springer (low back injury management)

OUT - Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fascitis) John Collins (left ankle sprain), Cody Williams (illness), Lauri Markkanen (left knee soreness), Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture)

Rockets:

None

How to Watch:

Who: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets

When: April 2nd, 6:00PM Mountain Time

Where: Toyota Center, Houston

Watch: Jazz+, KJZZ

Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski are having an impressive rookie season 1 Apr 8:46 PM (yesterday, 8:46 pm)

Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski are quietly showing great signs for the Utah Jazz

The NBA announced today that Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks won Rookie of the Month.

The good news for the Utah Jazz? Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski received honorable mentions.

Filipowski had a fantastic March, averaging 15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 51% from the field and 38% from three. His impact has been impressive for a Jazz team that is looking more towards the future than it is this season.

Isaiah Collier also had an impressive month, including passing John Stockton’s record for assists in a rookie season for the Utah Jazz.

In March, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. Collier’s assist numbers have dropped since he won Rookie of the Month in February. What’s exciting is it appears that Collier’s 3-point shooting is improving. In March, he shot 27% from three and 44% from the field. Not the most impressive numbers, but they’re a considerable improvement to his shooting to start the season.

The Jazz are having a very impressive season, considering they’ve been able to develop their young talent and lose enough games to have the best shot possible in the lottery, and they’ve done it while keeping Lauri Markkanen. We’ll see if the Jazz can win the upcoming lottery, but that won’t change this season being the most impressive seasons the Jazz have ever gone through. A successful season with all these losses? Yes, Utah has understood the best possible way to win a title is top-tier talent. They know the only way to get that is through the lottery. And now they’ve set themselves up with the best chance possible.

SLC Dunk’s NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: breaking down a loaded 2025 class 1 Apr 4:00 AM (2 days ago)

Let’s dive into a complex and deep 2025 NBA draft class, and the potential future of the Utah Jazz.

The Utah Jazz haven’t had much to look forward to in terms of the 2024-25 NBA season. Let’s be honest with ourselves; as currently constructed, Utah’s roster would have been fortunate to reach the last spot in the play-in tournament.

In other words, this team wasn’t going anywhere.

So we shot our gaze over the horizon, fantasizing about a brighter future. A future that likely begins with a foundational superstar acquired through the NBA Draft.

Ah, the draft. A lottery system that enables any franchise to bottom out and produce the worst possible on-floor product with the goal of piling losses and optimizing one’s chances of acquiring the number-one overall pick.

Utah has never obtained this coveted honor of a top selection in its franchise’s history. Their odds of landing the top pick — currently tied at 14% with the likes of Washington and Charlotte — are Utah’s last glimmer of hope. A final glimpse at a better reality. The only likely reason people still follow the Utah Jazz in any capacity.

But when the draft inevitably becomes a distant memory, the draft order won’t be remembered nearly as much as the names tied to every selection. Future stars, MVP hopefuls, and playoff performers await, so let’s get to know the characters that will populate your hooping daydreams.

We here at SLC Dunk are collaborating to bring you our NBA Draft Big Board. Highlighting the top 30 prospects in the class, we’ll introduce the names and faces that will dominate the NBA news stream in the coming months and break down what makes each player so fascinating from a draft perspective.

SLC Dunk’s 2025 NBA Draft Big Board v. 1.0

1 - Cooper Flagg | F | Duke

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Measurables: 6’9” 205 lbs
2024-25 stats: 18.7 pts | 7.5 reb | 4.2 ast | 59.5% TS

Cooper Flagg is more than just the best prospect in the 2025 draft class. Cooper is the best American prospect since Zion Williamson. Cooper blends size with athleticism, high basketball IQ, and a relentless motor. It’s important to note that Cooper reclassified to enter school one year earlier than expected; he just turned 18 last December.

Despite his age, Cooper Flagg is the best player in college basketball. Every night, he showcases an array of high-flying dunks, elite playmaking, and also happens to be the best defender I’ve seen since Kawhi Leonard. The scary part about Cooper is how much better he’s already gotten; he’s gone from a really good prospect to a potential all-time great in the last 5 months.

Very little evaluation still needs to be done; Cooper is an elite talent who will be taken 1st overall. He has the potential to be a 20, 7, and 5 guy while also being the team’s best defender. While trying to remain grounded, it’s easy to see Cooper playing a massive part in the next 15 years of NBA basketball. — Lake Hale

2 - Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’6” 215 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.4 pts | 4 ast | 4.6 reb | 58.7% TS

Dylan Harper arrived on the scene with Rutgers alongside fellow freshman phenom Ace Bailey, but quickly designated himself as the baron of buckets, head of hoops, and obvious standout talent with the Scarlet Knights. With an excellent 6’6” frame for a point guard, Harper enters the playing area much like an adolescent bully enters a playground — like it or not, you’re playing by his rules or you’ll pay dearly.

With his seemingly infinite bandwidth for creativity with his handle, Harper keeps the ball on a string while simultaneously throwing his weight around. His sturdy build allows Harper to utilize his torso as a shield as he penetrates the defense and casually enters the paint at his own leisure. He pursues the rim like it’s giving away free samples at Costco, and is excellent at tracking it down. He’s a gifted finisher at the rim, and a capable three-point shooter with room to grow (and thankfully a strong enough starting point to be a factor from day one in the NBA).

Though he holds the tools to be a good defender, Dylan often dogs it a smidge without the ball. This could simply be attributed to his team’s lack of winning, but could be something to watch out for. Beyond that, Harper has NBA size and strength, and a feel for the game that could make him an MVP candidate if he continues his ascent. — Calvin Barrett

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Dylan Harper

3 - Ace Bailey | F | Rutgers

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’10” 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.6 pts | 7.2 reb | 1.3 ast | 54.0% TS

Ace Bailey might be the most boom-or-bust prospect in the entire draft. With his combination of size (6’10” with a 7’0” wingspan), shotmaking, and athleticism, it’s impossible not to have him at the top of the draft.

When you first see Bailey play, you’ll be wowed by some impressive shotmaking. Bailey is a pull-up artist who can get his shot up in almost any situation. It’s easy to see him being a great scorer in the NBA, even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling. The other element of Bailey’s game is the defensive potential. He’s shown some real promise as a weak-side shot blocker and has the athleticism and frame to dominate defensive matchups if he wants to.

The two biggest worries for Bailey are a shaky handle and some abysmal passing to start the season at Rutgers. Over time, that passing did improve. If the Jazz are drafting Bailey, they will have to work hard to have him work within the system. If they can develop his passing and handle, they have a real star on their hands. — James Hansen

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Ace Bailey

4 - VJ Edgecombe | G | Baylor

Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’5” 180 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.6 reb | 3.2 ast | 34.0% 3pt

VJ Edgecombe is the latest Baylor guard to come onto the scene and get Waco bouncing! I say bouncing because Edgecomb has eye-popping athleticism in his 6’5 frame. He uses that athleticism to aggressively defend the perimeter, get to the basket, and posterize innocent defenders. His scoring ability is impressive and has a lot of potential to get even better, but Edgecombe hangs his hat on his defense. He is a player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player, and he will do so aggressively. His aggressive defense and intensity remind me of Russell Westbrook, while his athleticism reminds me of Ja Morant.

There is a lot to love about Edgecomb’s game. An area for improvement is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 34% from three in his freshman season, but he helped ease that concern by improving from the outside as the season progressed. It needs to keep improving, but there is some potential there. Despite his athleticism, he does struggle to finish at times around bigger defenders. That said, adding some strength to his frame at the NBA level could help him improve in that area. -Jeff Thomas

Click here for our long-form breakdown of VJ Edgecombe

5 - Derik Queen | C | Maryland

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Measurables: 6’10” 245 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.2 pts | 9.1 rbs | 2.2 stocks | 59% TS

Derik Queen is a unique prospect who combines size, playmaking, and interior scoring with a refined feel for the game. He stands out for his ability to facilitate offense as a big man, showing impressive vision and creativity in the post. He also displays an impressive touch around the basket and a high basketball IQ. Queen’s flashes of mid-range shooting and his knack for finding open teammates add to his appeal as a well-rounded, multi-dimensional big.

While there are some concerns about his athleticism, Queen’s strengths outweigh those questions. He may not be an explosive leaper, but his court awareness and quick hands allow him to make key defensive plays, particularly in one-on-one situations. In college, his three-point shooting has been atrocious, but he has touch from the mid-range and shot 75.5% from the free-throw line. — Calvin Chappell

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Derik Queen.

6 - Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois

Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’6” 205 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.7 reb | 4.7 ast | 67.4% TS

Kasparas Jakucionis is one of those guys who doesn’t seem to mind the big stage. Though his March Madness run was cut short in a loss against Kentucky, the highlight of his season was turning from a fringe-draft pick into a projected top-10 selection. It’s incredibly rare to get a guard prospect who can pass, dribble, and shoot at a high level while having a 6’6” frame.

He uses ball screens to get to all areas with crafty finishes, fluid shots from midrange, and threes off-dribble. A well-rounded guard from Lithuania, he’s one of the better floor generals in college and is exceptional at cutting and dishing. Jakucionis possesses the skills necessary to be a complete guard at the next level, whether he’s directing the offense, distributing the ball, or finishing at the rim.

His athleticism is going to be the biggest area of improvement heading into the draft. He lacks the ideal speed off the dribble for a guard and isn’t very explosive around the rim. Though his jumper has excellent form, he isn’t a consistent enough shooter as of yet — logging in 31.8% from deep in his freshman year. It will be interesting to see how Jakučionis reacts to screens. He never seemed completely lost on defense, which I think is important for guards. But he did get blown by a couple of times. He had a hard time handling the active ball pressure from elite defensive guards when they sent double teams. Jakučionis’ game is fundamentally sound, who gets the game and makes all the non-flashy plays for his team. Tyrese Haliburton has been one of his most popular comparisons — Kato Parina

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Kasparas Jakucionis

7 - Jeremiah Fears | G | Oklahoma

Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Measureables: 6’4” 182 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.1 pts | 4.1 ast | 4.1 reb | 28.1% 3pt

The 6’4” guard just wrapped up his freshman season with the Sooners, posting 17/4/4 averages. He would have been a senior in high school this year had he not reclassified. Fears is an electric 3-level scorer with great handles while making a quick adjustment to the collegiate level.

The concern with Fears is efficiency. It’s not unexpected for a freshman scorer to struggle in that department; that said, he shot only 43% from the field and a measly 28% from three. His shot selection needs to improve, but he has the potential to be an effective scorer with NBA spacing. A player comp would be Jamal Murray or Keyonte George (with more potential on the defensive side of the ball). — Jeff Thomas

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Jeremiah Fears.

8 - Tre Johnson | F | Texas

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’6” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.9 pts | 3.1 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.7% 3pt

The SEC’s leading scorer, Tre Johnson, left us with a lot to love as we head into the end of the draft cycle. An electric scorer who can perform in clutch time situations and has a great feel for the game on the offensive side of the ball and will be a hot name to consider for many teams come this June. There is no spot on the floor where Tre can’t shoot it, which will make him a scary weapon with a lot of gravity at the next level. Not only is Tre a bucket, but he is an underrated passer, making quick reads out of the pick and roll, throwing a skip pass, or just making the extra pass to the open man, Tre Johnson will share the rock.

The concerns with Tre stem from the other side of the floor. Tre Johnson is not the best defender by any means, but luckily, he has the size and length to be in the passing lanes and be an extra body on helping from the weak side. The rebounding isn’t the best at his height, but you’re not putting Tre on the court to rebound; he’s out there to be a dynamic scorer. There are questions about his frame and lack of bulk because with what he does, Tre will have to deal with tough defenses night in and night out, and that can get pretty difficult as a scoring option. Even though he is one of the best scorers in the draft, he doesn’t get to the line often, which is another sign of lacking in strength and not playing through physicality.

With that being said, Tre Johnson has a super high motor — like he’s borderline insane. Think of his work ethic like you do Collin Sexton’s and Isaiah Collier’s, a straight-up dawg that doesn’t care who he is going up against or who is guarding him; he’s going in with intentions to kill. — Dray Mottishaw

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Tre Johnson.

9 - Khaman Maluach | C | Duke

Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Measureables: 7’2” 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 8.5 pts | 6.7 reb | 1.3 blk | 70.9% FG

Khamam Maluach didn’t start playing basketball until age 14, but he quickly developed once he touched the hardwood. He studied at the NBA Academy Africa, was the youngest player in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and played in the 2024 Olympics at just 17 years old.

Maluachan is an explosive lob finisher with quick first and second jumps and smooth, fluid athleticism. He’s shown flashes of playmaking chops and has solid court awareness. Solid free-throw shooting (76% as a freshman) and soft touch around the rim are positive indicators of shooting success at the NBA level.

He’s still raw and his game needs some fine-tuning, but his upside is tantalizing. Maluach is currently mocked to be drafted in the 6-14 range. — Jordan Cummings

10 - Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State

Photo by Jason Miller/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Measurables: 6’3” 185 lbs

2024-25 Stats: 11.9 pts | 3.2 reb | 2.0 ast | 40% 3pt | 84% FT

Jase Richardson, son of Jason Richardson, is one of the more offensively gifted players in the draft. He’s an exceptional shooter from all over the court, hitting over 40% from three, scoring creatively in the mid-range, and finishing efficiently at the rim. His footwork and touch around the basket are impressive, and even though he’s not the most explosive athlete, he finds ways to finish through contact. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll guard, which should let him make an impact in the NBA right away.

Richardson is a tough on-ball defender who’s always active with his hands and never takes a play off. He’s a high basketball IQ player who rarely makes mistakes. His size and lack of individual playmaking may limit his ceiling, but his off-ball skills and intangibles raise his floor. — Calvin Chappell

11 - Collin Murray-Boyles | F | South Carolina

Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Measureables: 6’7” 231 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.8 pts | 8.3 reb | 1.3 blk | 63% TS

The 6’7 forward is a tank at 245 pounds. Don’t let his height fool you; despite being a smaller PF, he gobbles up rebounds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Coming off his freshman season with 17-8-2 plus nearly a block and a half a game, he is looking to make the NBA leap. His greatest selling point is his absurd versatility on defense. He plays with instinct, foot and hand speed, and uses his thick frame and long wingspan (over 7 feet) to stifle whoever he’s guarding. He can also kick the ball out and is a very effective playmaker out of the block.

The biggest thing keeping Murray-Boyles from becoming an NBA star is his lack of a jumper, with no signs that it is going to improve. He didn’t shoot well in high school or college, but he does shoot 70% from the free-throw line, so that could be worse. Despite using his strong frame and long wingspan, you also can’t discount that he is a 6’7 player who will primarily be in the paint. A player comp would be Draymond Green. His defensive potential is special. — Jeff Thomas

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Collin Murray-Boyles

12 - Kon Knueppel | G | Duke

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’7” 217 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.2 pts | 3.9 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.9% 3pt

Kon Knueppel is a barrel-chested scoring guard who can torch a defense from anywhere on the floor and in a variety of defense-melting methods. Sure, his last name is sure to draw a few chuckles from the more infantile among us, but this man strikes certifiable fear into the heart of his adversaries. Pull-up 3-balls, drives that plow through the defender's chest and finish with a velvety brush through the net, and aerobatics beneath the rim capable of piercing the hearts and claiming souls. Like Larry Bird, Kon bears the countenance of a farmer’s eldest son, but his true passion derives from filling it up on the court.

Not many will remember this, but when the top prospect, Cooper Flagg, stumbled initially out of the gate with the Blue Devils, it was his teammate, Knueppel, who stole the show in Durham. Outmatched defenses constantly lost track of Kon as he relocated to the soft spots and plunged sure-thing long-balls through the heart of the opposition.

Though not nearly as gifted on the defensive end nor in creating offense for his teammates, Kon has an all-world taste for buckets, and a crippling addiction to competition. He was a valuable addition to one of the best Duke teams we’ve ever seen, and an absolute gift of a player to any late-lottery team that selects him. — Calvin Barrett

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Kon Knueppel.

13 - Egor Demin | G | BYU

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Measureables: 6’9” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.5 pts | 5.5 ast | 3.9 reb | 28.1% 3pt

Egor Demin is one of the more truly gifted passing prospects we’ve ever seen at his age — it’s no wonder his assist totals were second-most among freshmen this season, despite playing in the challenging Big 12 Conference. A spindly, 6’9” point guard from Moscow entered his freshman season shrouded in mystery, and finished his year at BYU as one of the most divisive prospects in his class.

Egor’s story followed a similar narrative to that of his team, where a slow start was gradually and carefully built moment upon moment. His feel for the game is extraordinary, and his size gives him parascopic vision to see over defensive coverage with an eye in the sky. On regular occasions, he proved capable of launching cross-court rockets through the flailing arms of the opposition that somehow hit their targets in the shooting pocket with a gentle touch.

His scoring troubles have turned many away, however, and his inability to find a consistent 3-point shot for the majority of the year was a concern. His lack of upper-body strength would force him to take awkward fallaways at the rim and ill-advised bombs from 3-point land when he couldn’t get to the paint off the dribble. His confidence matured with the season, though, and he displayed moments of inspiration in attacking the rim with confidence, knocking down the occasional long-range release, and (of course) helping after helping of stunning dimes.

He still has plenty of questions remaining unanswered, but he proved to be capable and willing to develop his weaknesses. One of the more fascinating wild cards in this year’s draft. — Calvin Barrett

14 - Asa Newell | F | Georgia

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’11” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.4 pts | 6.9 reb | 2.0 stocks | 54.3% FG

The Bulldog prospect has the chance to become an NBA hybrid. Though his body is still developing, he’s extremely quick and fluid for someone who’s 6’11”. He was never really a highly productive scorer in high school — finishing his senior year averaging 11.4 points at Montverde. That all changed after committing to Georgia and leaping into a 15.3-point-per-game scorer as a two-way play finisher.

Offensively, his strengths and improvements are pretty straightforward — Newell thrives as a finisher around the rim, using his strength and mobility to attack as a face-up scorer. His frame also makes him one of the best offensive rebounders of his team, averaging 3.1 offensive boards and generating second-chance opportunities. His physical tools make him more of an intriguing defensive prospect. With a 7’0” wingspan, he’s able to switch in space and defend wings, as well as check guards. He’s a pretty comfortable help defender when he gets the chance.

The 19-year-old still has improvement and discipline to make before he can jump into that lottery spot. He offers little self-creation at the next level and makes minimal passing efforts. While he can hit spot-up from deep, he shoots 29% from the three-point line.

Newell’s defensive tools and lateral quickness can make him a pretty safe prospect from the lottery to the mid-first round if the Jazz decide to take a chance with their Minnesota pick. — Kato Parina

Click here for our long-form breakdown of Asa Newell

15 - Liam McNeeley | G | UConn

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’7” 210 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 6.0 reb | 2.3 ast | 54.6% TS

Liam McNeeley went to UConn with the expectation that he’d be a sharpshooter who could take UConn far, much like Jordan Hawksins did. It didn’t happen like people expected with McNeeley’s shooting not being where it had been at Montverde Academy next to Cooper Flagg.

That said, there were enough flashes from McNeeley to still make him a potential late lottery pick. McNeeley looks the part of an off-ball shooter with a 6’7” frame and a sweet-looking stroke. The question for teams picking McNeeley will be, do they get the player from Montverde who lit up the scoreboard, or the one who fizzled at the end of the UConn season? — James Hansen

16 - Nolan Traore | G | France

Presse Sports via Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’3” 175 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.8 pts | 5.0 ast | 2.4 TO | 49.1% TS

Nolan Traore is a 6’3” combo guard out of France. Nolan is in the middle of a slide down the 1st round of the draft. Nolan entered the season in the top 5 of many big boards; he is now projected to go in the middle of the 1st round. Part of his slide is due to not taking the leap forward most scouts thought he was poised to take. His stats are almost identical to last season's and, in some cases, worse.

Negatives aside, I can’t quit Nolan Traore. Nolan can defend and pass, two of the most important things you have to do to play in the NBA. He has to become a better shooter if he wants to reach the heights some scouts think he can. When watching Nolan’s tape, his speed jumps off the page. He reminds me a lot of Dante Exum because of his size, speed, and lack of shooting (for now). — Lake Hale

17 - Noa Essengue | F | France

Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Measureables: 6’9” 194 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.4 pts | 5.3 reb | 1.4 stl | 64.6% TS

The best word I can use to describe Essengue is slippery. And I mean that as a compliment. Using his string cheese build, this Euro-League forward squirts between closing out defenders like a wet bar of soap between a tightly-gripped hand. The more the defense attacks, the further he flies.

Essengue’s movements send him hovering over the court and to the rim almost like a ghost. A surprisingly tight handle, but he doesn’t boast the most diverse dribbling package. The building blocks for a great NBA career are present, specifically with very apparent athleticism and a fearless hunger for the rim. Far from a long-range threat, and still very raw, the key to unlocking Essengue’s potential will be leaning on his strong defense first, and patiently bringing along his still hypothetical jump shot (a hypothetical that is becoming more of a likelihood rapidly with every year).

Many fans hate the word “project” when snagging a player in the first round, as those types so rarely pan out as originally hoped, but you’re working with a great hand if you take a chance on this French prospect. — Calvin Barrett

18 - Carter Bryant | F | Arizona

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’8” 225 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 6.5 pts | 4.1 reb | 1.9 stocks | 55.2% TS

As a true freshman at Arizona, Carter Bryant struggled at the line (54%) and from 3 (34%) through 19 games. Despite his early shooting struggles, Bryant’s hounding defense and tenacious rebounding earned him more playing time. After his relatively slow start, Bryant finished the season strong, increasing his scoring, rebounding, and defensive impact, while shooting an impressive percentage at the line (81%) and from 3 (39%) on increased volume.

Bryant has great court awareness, frequently repositioning into open space as a shooter or cutting backdoor when his defender loses sight of him. He’s shown promising flashes of shooting and scoring off the dribble, both from mid-range and beyond the arc. These are promising markers that he could develop his game well beyond the 3-and-D role player archetype.

Despite playing just 20 minutes per game, Bryant ranks 2nd on the team in blocks, 4th in defensive rebounding, and 4th in steals. At 6’8” and 220 pounds, Carter Bryant has prototypical size for a modern NBA wing.

He’s currently projected as a mid to late first-round pick. — Jordan Cummings

19 - Thomas Sorber | F | Georgetown

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’10” 255 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 8.5 reb | 2.4 ast | 58.0% TS

The Hoyas’ big man is a 6’10” F/C who filled the stat sheet as a freshman with 15/8/3 plus a steal and two blocks per game. As his stats indicate, Sorber is a well-rounded player. He is light on his feet, which enables him to be an instinctive defender who can stay between his man and the basket and contest shots without fouling. He is a great passer, particularly from the high-post, and he dominates in the post, consistently scoring in the paint.

His jump shot needs work, but he has shown the confidence to step out and take threes. The consistency isn’t there yet, but flashes of shooting potential are there. If he can add that to his game, he could have a long career in the league. The big concern is a season-ending foot injury he suffered. It has left his participation in the combine and pre-draft workouts up in the air. A pro comp if he reaches his full potential is Bam Adebayo— Jeff Thomas

20 - Labaron Philon | G | Alabama

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’4” 177 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.4 pts | 3.3 reb | 3.8 ast | 1.3 stl

Labaron Philon is a 6’4” combo guard out of Alabama. What Labaron lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in effort and passion. Despite his size, Labaron constantly took on the opposing team’s best guard on defense. He also spent the season playing out of position next to Alabama’s ball-dominant point guard Mark Sears.

I’m no coach, but I’d assume Labaron is primarily a point guard at the NBA level. His handle, speed, and energy make him a tough cover in space. His quick hands, toughness, and long arms make him a menace on the defensive end.

Labaron reminds me a lot of Tyrese Maxey coming out of college—not current Tyrese Maxey, but Kentucky Maxey. They both played out of position due to being in a rotation with more traditional point guards. They both didn’t shoot great from 3, and they both are first-round draft picks because of their hustle and potential. — Lake Hale

21 - Ben Saraf | F | Israel

Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Measurements: 6’6” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.8 pts | 2.2 reb | 4.6 ast | 1.3 stl

Ben Saraf has been an offensive leader of Ratiopharm Ulm, a Euroleague basketball club in Germany. Saraf plays alongside projected first-rounder Noa Essengue. He’s the type of prospect whose efficiency metrics deserve a more optimistic view than what the eye test gives you.

At 18 years old, Saraf has been an offensive hub who can create for himself and make sure his teammates are involved too at the size of a wing. He can finish well with both hands around the rim as well as the mid-range. That’s to go along with his exceptional ability to handle traps and aggressive defenses, leveraging a tight handle and poise. It’s not far-fetched that Saraf could one day average 18 points and 8 assists a game in the NBA.

Where I’d raise my eyebrows is his efficiency from the floor, which makes him more of a meshed-out Egor Demin. Emerging as an offensive threat off-ball will be key to his development to play more of a complementary role. Despite his height, his wiry frame limits him against physically dominant defenders. His lapses give us a solid outlook on what his floor looks like defensively. More than likely, he’ll be middle-of-the-pack at the NBA level. Being able to play the 1 or 2 will only benefit him in the NBA and boost his appeal to NBA teams. — Kato Parina

22 - Hugo Gonzalez | F | Spain

Photo by Sara Gordon/Real Madrid via Getty Images

Measurements: 6’6” 205 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 4.5 pts | 2.3 reb | 43.7% FG

It wasn’t long ago, before the college season began, that Hugo Gonzalez was slated in the top-5 of this draft. With his large frame, high motor, and defensive tools, there was a lot of excitement for the Spanish wing.

But the difference between playing college and overseas is playtime. On Real Madrid, Gonzalez has struggled for any sort of play time. In the short time he's played, he’s played a slashing style of offense but has struggled to find consistency with his shooting and handle. If he can develop those aspects of his game, he could be one of those late first-round picks that turn into something nice for whoever drafts him. — James Hansen

23 - Noah Penda | F | France

Photo by Laurent Coust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Measurements: 6’8” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 9.8 pts | 5.2 reb | 1.9 stocks | 53.9% TS

A freight train built to embrace physicality and plow through guys, Noah Penda has been one of the hot names when it comes to overseas prospects this year. Noah has been a great passer for Le Mans Sarthe (French team) on both ends of the court, having the best year of his early career shooting the ball at a 30.6% clip from deep and 72% from the FT line. Not only has he been shooting it well this year for his standards, but he has also been a great connective passer with an assist-to-turnover ratio (A:TO) of 1.8 — that is great for a player his age (20) and for the position he plays. Looking ahead at the NBA Draft, Noah Penda could end up being drafted anywhere from pick 20 to the mid/late-2nd round — one of the widest ranges among prospects.

His athleticism is a bit of a question when it comes to quick burst and twitch, but he is a solid defender who can guard multiple positions when needed. His brute strength allows him not only to get to the rack but also gives him an advantage to go up strong and grab rebounds in traffic. Teams will look at him as a rotation player who can be a Swiss army knife that impacts the game in a variety of ways and hopefully develops into something more later on. There is a world where Noah Penda ends up being a top 15 player in the 2025 NBA Draft, he really could be a hidden gem. — Dray Mottishaw

24 - Nique Clifford | G | Colorado State

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’6” | 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 18.9 pts | 9.6 reb | 4.4 ast | 46.9% FG

After breaking out last season, Nique Clifford decided to return to Colorado State for his 5th season of college basketball in an attempt to make a deep tournament run — they ended up getting sent home by Maryland in the Sweet 16 off of a walk-off game winner from projected top 10 pick Derik Queen. Nique Clifford has been referred to as the Paul George of mid-major basketball with his ability to do everything on the basketball court. A wiry wing with defensive versatility, the coordination and IQ to handle and pass the rock, and the scoring prowess where he can attack the basket and create his own shot off the dribble. He possesses everything teams look for in a wing and has drawn the attention of multiple scouts across the association.

Unfortunately, Nique will be an older prospect, entering the draft at the age of 23 years old, but teams can still find value in what he can bring. It’s unlikely that he will become a star due to his age, but there is no doubt in my mind that Nique can contribute in every facet of the game. He does everything well, including shooting the ball (37% from 3 this season), and any team that drafts Nique will be/should be happy with that selection. — Dray Mottishaw

25 - Will Riley | F | Illinois

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’8” | 180 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.6 pts | 4.1 reb | 2.2 ast | 43.2% FG

Will Riley came in as one of the hot names among freshmen. A 6’8 scrawny wing that can score at all three levels. He has showcased a display of shot-making that doesn’t come around often at his size and age. He had an up-and-down year with Illinois but started the season off with a crazy stat line in his first game against Eastern Illinois, where he dropped 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists — those high-scoring games don’t come easy for a freshman and especially not in their first game.

Despite having a high motor, Will Riley soon found it hard to impact games in a way that led to wins. He struggled to be consistent on the field, handle the ball, and play within the team’s style. He is still developing physically, which should help him become more efficient around the rim and as a dynamic scorer, and he will probably be developing for another year in college basketball; I would be shocked if he declared for the draft this year. — Dray Mottishaw

26 - Isaiah Evans | G | Duke

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’7” | 175 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 7 pts | 1.2 reb | 0.5 ast | 43.2% FG | 41.6% 3pt

Isaiah Evans is not talked about as much because his teammates Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach steal a lot of the attention, but he is an important part of Duke’s success because of his flamethrower-style shooting. The 6’7 SG/SF is the definition of a sharpshooter. During his freshman season, he has shot 41.6% from three on 4.3 threes per game. He has seemingly unlimited range, and Duke loves to run his off screens to get him open, so he is comfortable shooting from different ranges, angles, and off balance.

The biggest concern is his size. 6’7 is a respectable height; however, he weighs just 175 pounds. His frame is extremely lean, and at the collegiate level, he only takes about 14% of his shots in the paint. He will need to add a lot of strength to be more than a one-trick pony at the NBA level. He plays hard on defense, but again, his lean frame will make defense at an NBA level difficult. A fair NBA comparison is Malik Beasley. -Jeff Thomas

27 - Rasheer Fleming | F | St. Joseph’s

Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’9” | 240 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.7 pts | 8.5 reb | 1.3 ast | 53.1% FG | 39% 3pt

Fleming is lesser known to the public eye because he plays for St. Joseph’s, but he has some exciting potential. The 6’9 junior weighs 240 pounds. He has the potential to play center or forward in the league, largely due to his impressive 7’5 wingspan. He is a bouncy athlete who is a monster to deal with in the rebounding department. Despite being slightly undersized for a center, he swats away 1.5 shots per game. One thing that is extremely intriguing about Fleming is his perimeter shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 29.7% from three on 2.4 threes per game. His sophomore year, that improved to 32.4% on 3 threes per game. This year, as a junior, that trend continued in eye-popping fashion as he improved to 39% on 4.5 shots per game. His form and quick release indicate that success can translate to the pro level. Combine that with his ridiculous wingspan, defensive versatility, and athleticism, and you have yourself an enticing prospect.

The biggest concern with Fleming is that he plays for a small school. The talent he is going against night to night isn’t going to be anywhere near the NBA level. So, the question is, how will his game translate when those around him are bigger, more athletic, and on a bigger stage? It’s a question that is impossible to answer right now, but I’m surprised he isn’t talked about more as a prospect. A pro comp for him would be Aaron Gordon. -Jeff Thomas

28 - Danny Wolf | C | Michigan

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Measurements: 7’0” | 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 13.2 pts | 9.7 reb | 3.6 ast | 1.4 blk | 49.7% FG

A Junior who stands 7 feet tall, Danny Wolf moves like a wing and passes like a guard. Wolf is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft because of his gifted abilities at his size: his handle and passing, being able to run a pick and roll as a ball handler, protecting the rim, and spacing the floor from time to time, Danny Wolf has given teams problems this whole year. His translatability should come with ease as he can do many things on the court, but there are a few things that draft evaluators have become skeptical about.

Though he is a savvy passer, Danny Wolf turns the ball over a lot more than you would like as he is averaging 3.2 turnovers a game — that’s quite a bit for a big man. He forces passes way too often and sometimes gets a little too fancy with the ball, but he makes it work most of the time. His floor spacing is streaky and a little questionable, and with his FT% being so low, averaging a career worst 59.4%, I begin to wonder how much touch he really has. Throughout his 3-year career, he has less than 15 total dunks as a 7-footer, which raises a huge red flag to me. While these flaws can be considered major, Danny Wolf remains a highly regarded upperclassman who can help teams in a variety of ways. — Dray Mottishaw

29 - Yaxel Lendeborg | F | UAB

Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Measureables: 6’9” 230 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.1 pts | 10.5 reb | 4.1 ast | 1.8 blk | 61.3% TS

Despite being such a late projection in the draft, Lendeborg is one of the more sure-thing prospects in the entire class. A habitual scorer, desperate rebounder, and especially capable defender on the wing, Lendeborg is the travel plug adapter of the 2025 batch. Plug him into your system — or any system — and you can rest assured that he’ll get the job done.

Especially on the glass and defensive end of the floor, Lendeborg haunts the opposition, as he won his league DPOY honors not once, but twice in his two collegiate seasons. The only major knocks on his pro potential come down to his level of competition in the American Conference slate. Though Yaxel was 2x All-Conference, All-defense, and the tournament MVP, the best players in D-1 play in power conferences nearly exclusively these days. Lendeborg boasts legit NBA size and a competitive overdrive that projects to offer him a long and solid career.

The flashiest pick? No, but a low-risk selection at this point in the draft? You bet. — Calvin Barrett

30 - JT Toppin | F | Texas Tech

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Measurements: 6’7” 210 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 18.2 pts | 9.4 reb | 2.3 stocks | 55.4% FG

JT Toppin is a fantastic college player, posting an absurd Offensive Box Plus/Minus of 8.8 (4th best in college ball). Despite his success at the college level, his size, athleticism, and skill set may not translate to the pros. He’s listed at 210 pounds, and at last year’s combine he measured 6’7”. He’s not an explosive athlete and primarily scores with a throwback post game.

At the college level he’s an efficient scorer, but at the pro level he’s unlikely to get post touches as an undersized 4. He’s not much of a shooter (33% from 3, 68% from the line) or playmaker (1.2 assists per game), and he’ll struggle defensively due to his size and athleticism.

With his disadvantages, it’s difficult to see a path to success in the NBA. — Jordan Cummings

Utah Jazz vs Charlotte Hornets: Recap and Final Score 31 Mar 5:35 PM (2 days ago)

Collier breaks the franchise record for most assists by a rookie, in loss.

The Utah Jazz lost to the Charlotte Hornets Monday night, with a final score of 106-110.

Tonight’s loss was an important game in the tank-off between the Jazz and Hornets. With this loss, Utah stands an entire 3.5 games ahead of Charlotte for worst place and maintains their slight edge over the Washington Wizards. The Jazz only have six games remaining this season to hold on to the best odds at a top-five pick in the draft.

The Hornets were led by Miles Bridges, who scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Center Mark Williams pushed Charlotte over the top in the fourth quarter, ending the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Veterans Jusuf Nurkic and Josh Green chipped in a combined 24 points.

For Utah, with nine players featured on the injury report, this game featured most of their end-of-rotation pieces. A few bright spots included:

• Brice Sensabaugh’s 5-10 shooting from three. Despite remaining a liability on defense, Sensabaugh has shot the leather off the ball since the All-Star break. If this type of shooting continues, Sensabaugh has a real path to sticking around the league.
• Oscar Tshiebwe’s rebounding. Although Tshiebwe remains extraordinarily unskilled in many facets of the game, he might be the best rebounder in the NBA. Tshiebwe collected 11 rebounds, six of which were offensive.
• Isaiah Collier breaking the franchise rookie-season assist record. With his 416th assist of the season, Collier passed John Stockton’s nearly 40-year franchise rookie record. While this assist total doesn’t even rank in the top-50 for rookie seasons totals in the NBA all-time, it does show that the Jazz have placed a lot of trust in Collier, something they haven’t done all too often with young guards before.

The Jazz come home on Wednesday to take on the Portland Trailblazers.

Utah Jazz Rookie Grades: Week 24 31 Mar 4:21 PM (2 days ago)

Week 24 rookies grades

Finals are coming up, the rookie season is almost finished for the 3 Utah Jazz rookies. Some might be trying to get some late work in before the deadline, while others are sailing at an A- minimum. Regardless, we have much more data to work with since our last rookie grades. Let’s look into how our rookies are performing.

Grading scale:

- G-league performances will be graded at a different scale

- All grades are relative to draft position and competition

- Grades will be for the previous week of games

- No taking this too seriously; this is for fun

Cody Williams

Grade: D-

Previous grade: C+

Standout stats: 2 for 5 from deep against Memphis

Overview: Look, I didn’t want to give this grade out. I had Cody as my #1 prospect in the 2024 draft. I was probably wrong. I was definitely wrong, but I just can’t bring myself to admit it yet. To say Cody has struggled the last few months would be an understatement, he currently is hard to notice he’s even in the game. The shot doesn’t go in, the ball handling isn’t there, and the defense hasn’t flashed either. With that said, he’s still a young player who was drafted as a prospect, not a proven talent. We have plenty of time before any panic buttons need to be hit; I think he should be taking advantage of summer league this year.

Isaiah collier

Grade: B+

Previous grade: A-

Standout stats: 4 for 8 from deep against Memphis

Overview: Isaiah’s grade isn’t going down for a lapse in play; the recency bias is just slightly rubbing off. Isaiah has two elite traits: his passing and speed are phenomenal. His shooting and defense will determine the level of player he becomes. Regardless, Isaiah is currently the point guard of the future; his talent is obvious. Finding a potential starter with the 29th pick in the draft is an excellent return on investment.

Kyle Filipowski

Grade: A

Previous grade: B+

Standout stats: Two 18 point, 13 rebound games in his last 5 games

Overview: I’m all the way in on Kyle; it’s more than exceeding expectations now. Kyle is shooting just under 40% from deep and is over 50% from the field. He’s solid on catch and shoots, good at face-ups, and is an underrated cutter. My not perfect comp for Kyle is the current version of Bobby Portis, without punching the jaw off of a teammate vibe. Kyle is solid offensively, he’s going to make a career out of his ability to score, and he will have serious long-term starter potential if he begins to defend at a high level, too.

Conclusion

With a little under two weeks to go in the regular season, the 2024-2025 rookies have all started to get regular minutes with different rotations. They all have solid potential, Isaiah and Kyle could be starter level players for the Jazz next season. Cody will have to work hard this offseason to show he belongs as a rotational player at the NBA level, he definitely has the tools to do just that.

The rookies will all look better as sophomore’s if they’re playing alongside Cooper Flagg. All we can do now is enjoy the last 7 games and pray the lottery gods bless us on May 12th.

Utah Jazz vs Charlotte Hornets: preview, start time, how to watch 31 Mar 8:44 AM (3 days ago)

Jazz face Hornets with masterful tank plan at stake

We’ve got another trivial tank battle for the ages. Hide your children, warn those who have a faint of heart. The Utah Jazz (16-59) travel to North Carolina on their near-end-of-season road trip to battle it out against the Charlotte Hornets (18-56). While the Hornets haven’t given an official injury report due to their game last night against New Orleans, you can expect it to be a lengthy one at that. Tonight, it’s essentially the Utah Friendship Pals™ vs. Miles Bridges and Friends™.

The Jazz aren’t messing around, and have put on their battle face against their Cooper Flagg competitor. A total of 7 players are listed in their Sunday injury report, with Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins sitting out yet again. Even with them on the floor, the Jazz have been shooting themselves in the foot night in and night out — ranking as the third-worst 3P% team in the NBA while consistently remaining the most prone turnover team.

Charlotte isn’t doing too hot themselves, netting the 29th offensive rating in the league. They sat LaMelo, Mark Williams and Josh Green — and are expected to do it again tonight against the worst team in the NBA. Like the Jazz, they’ve prioritized player development in this final stretch of the season. Rookie Tidjane Salaun has seen an increase in minutes along with Nick Smith Jr. and KJ Simpson.

It’s vitally important to keep the losses going with a total of seven games left in the season. With the Wizards sitting at 16-58, a single win could jeopardize Utah’s lottery odds. Cooper Flagg is a pretty cool cat, but the race is more about reducing Utah’s floor rather than looking at the ladder from the top downwards. Charlotte can easily foil Danny Ainge’s genius foolproof tank plan if they decide to stink the floor on the offensive end. They themselves need to build separation between themselves and the Pelicans while maintaining close distance to that sweet, juicy #2 spot on Tankathon.

Injury Report

Jazz:

QUESTIONABLE - Collin Sexton (right ischial tuberosity), Cody Williams (illness)

OUT - Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fascitis) John Collins (left ankle sprain), Walker Kessler (return to competition reconditioning), Lauri Markkanen (left knee soreness), Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture)

Hornets:

Not submitted

How to Watch:

Who: Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets

When: March 31st, 5:00PM Mountain Time

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte

Watch: Jazz+, KJZZ