The BEST Forwards Available In The Upcoming Draft

Joel Piton
May 2
8 min read

It’s officially May, and the NBA Draft is inching closer with each passing day. A huge wave of NCAA favorites has declared, waiving their remaining college eligibility and helping shape what’s looking like one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory. In the final installment of this series—for now— it’s time to turn our attention to the next wave of elite forwards ready to make their mark at the next level.

Cooper Flagg (Duke)

6'9" — 19.2 PPG — 7.5 RPG — 4.2 APG — 1.4 BPG — 48.1 FG %

Projected as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg has separated himself not just as the top forward available—but as the top player in the entire class, and one of the most highly touted prospects we've seen in years. Standing 6'9" with a 7'1" wingspan, Flagg offers rare positional versatility, capable of playing anywhere from shooting guard to power forward, with emerging potential as a point-forward as well. He averaged 4.2 assists per game, an impressive mark for a player his size, showcasing sharp decision-making and vision in pick-and-roll situations. While he’s not the most explosive athlete, Flagg’s wiry strength, elite touch, and extension at the rim make him a constant threat inside—reflected by his 54% shooting inside the arc. An emphatic finisher, a confident shooter at all three levels, Flagg is the complete package. His ability to score, create, and defend across multiple positions makes him not just a future franchise cornerstone, but a player with the tools to redefine a team’s identity the moment he steps onto an NBA floor. Simply put: the kid is a stud.

Collin-Murray Bowles (South Carolina)

6'7" — 16.8 PPG — 8.3 RPG — 2.4 APG — 1.3 BPG — 58.6 FG %

At 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan, Collin Murray-Boyles is one of the most disruptive and polished defensive prospects in this draft class. A burly, high-motor power-forward, he combines quick hands, strength, speed, and sharp instincts to lock down multiple positions, force turnovers, and erase shots at the rim. Offensively, Murray-Boyles brings a rugged inside game, using his strong frame and great touch to finish efficiently around the basket, shooting an impressive 58% from the field as a sophomore. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Draymond and Paul Millsap, he also flashes impressive passing vision from both the high and low post. While he’s more of a below-the-rim, run-and-jump athlete, his physicality and footwork help him hold his own against bigger defenders. His three-point shot and free-throw shooting remain concerns, but if he can develop a reliable jumper, Murray-Boyles has all the tools to evolve from a defensive specialist into an all-around starter.

Carter Bryant (Arizona)

6'8" — 6.5 PPG — 4.1 RPG — 1.0 APG — 1.0 BPG — 46.0 FG %

Don’t let the six points per game fool you, Carter Bryant is one of the most intriguing forwards in this year’s draft. At 6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, Bryant has elite physical tools for a modern NBA wing, paired with clean shooting mechanics, above-the-rim athleticism, and impressive ball-handling for his size. While his role was limited on a talented Arizona roster, Bryant showed flashes of the versatility that made him a top prospect out of high school: attacking from the perimeter, making quick reads off the dribble, and finishing lobs in transition. He shot a promising 37.1% from three and 46.0% from the field in limited minutes, though questions remain about whether his efficiency will hold at higher volume. Defensively, Bryant’s length and lateral quickness give him multi-positional potential, but he’ll need to become more physical and aggressive on loose balls and rebounds to maximize his impact. Still raw and prone to disappearing at times, Bryant's off-ball movement, athletic finishing, and defensive upside make him a fascinating long-term project. With more freedom, he could grow into a valuable two-way contributor at the next level.

Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

6'10" — 17.6 PPG — 7.2 RPG — 1.3 APG — 1.3 BPG — 46.0 FG %

At 6'10" with a 7'0" wingspan, Airious "Ace" Bailey offers one of the most tantalizing blends of size, skill, and athleticism in the 2025 NBA Draft. Often compared to the likes of Tracy McGrady, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram, Bailey plays with the swagger of a throwback scorer, hitting contested jumpers from all over the floor with confidence. His offensive arsenal is deep—smooth mechanics, advanced footwork, and the ability to create off the dribble make him a true three-level scoring threat. Defensively, Bailey's length, mobility, and instincts allow him to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and switch across multiple positions. While his upside is enormous, Bailey remains a work in progress: he must improve his strength, shot selection, and off-ball defensive focus to fully unlock his star potential. At times he settles for tough jumpers instead of attacking mismatches or absorbing contact inside, but with NBA coaching, his physical tools and scoring ability will make him a potential two-way cornerstone. Ace Bailey’s ceiling is as high as anyone in this draft class.

Noa Essengue (Germany)

6'10" — 12.4 PPG — 5.3 RPG — 1.4 SPG — 56.0 FG %

Noa Essengue is a toolsy, high-upside forward with the fluidity, size, and defensive versatility that NBA teams covet. Standing 6'10" with a long, athletic frame, Essengue moves with the grace of a wing, moving quickly up and down the floor, cutting off-ball for dunks, and showing flashes of elite scoring ability. Compared to players like Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum, he brings a rare blend of ball-handling, passing vision, and transition finishing for his size. Defensively, Essengue already flashes multi-positional upside, capable of switching onto wings, hedging pick-and-rolls, and using his length and instincts to generate steals and deflections. However, his long-term ceiling hinges heavily on his jumper—while he has shown growth (24.4% from three, 70.1% from the free-throw line), his shooting mechanics and shot preparation still need refinement. Essengue is more of a finisher than a shot-creator at this stage, and further development as a shooter and post scorer will be key. Still, his athleticism, touch around the rim, and defensive versatility make him one of the more intriguing long-term bets in the 2025 class.

Noah Penda (France)

6'6" — 9.9 PPG — 5.1 RPG — 2.6 APG — 1.4 SPG — 43.9 FG %

French forward Noah Penda enters the draft as a promising international prospect, offering a strong foundation of versatility. At 6'6" with a 7'0" wingspan, Penda brings NBA-ready physicality to the table, excelling as a multi-positional defender, a disruptive presence in passing lanes, and a high-motor rebounder who impacts the game beyond the box score. Offensively, Penda flashes glimpses of a versatile skill set: he’s a smart cutter, a capable finisher, and shows good vision for his size when moving the ball in transition. His shooting mechanics and ball-handling still need refinement— he shot just 29.2% from three this past season and remains a below-average free-throw shooter. Yet, his combination of defensive toughness, hustle, and team-first mentality makes him a strong candidate for a 3-and-D role on an NBA squad.

Nique Clifford (Colorado State)

6'6" — 18.9 PPG — 9.6 RPG — 4.4 APG — 49.6 FG %

At 6'6" with a 6'10" wingspan, Nique Clifford showcased major growth after transferring from Colorado to Colorado State, elevating his production to 19 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in his senior campaign. A tough, versatile wing, Clifford does a little bit of everything—defending multiple positions with lateral quickness and length, crashing the glass with relentless energy, and finding ways to score within the flow of the offense. Offensively, Clifford is more comfortable creating off the dribble than spotting up, but his confident pull-up game and body control around the rim give him real scoring versatility. Defensively, he competes hard, anticipates passing lanes well, and can effectively guard 1–3. While questions linger about his experience level against top-tier competition as a super senior from the Mountain West, Clifford’s polished all-around game make him one of the more intriguing wings available in this draft class.

Asa Newell (Georgia)

6'11" — 15.4 PPG — 6.9 RPG — 1.0 SPG — 1.0 BPG — 54.3 FG %

Primarily a power forward, 6'11" Asa Newell has all the tools necessary to control a frontcourt at the next level. The Georgia product showed out across 33 games this season, notably against Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds behind a steady mix of floaters and athletic finishes around the rim. While Newell isn’t ready to carry an offense for long stretches—and his shooting remains a work in progress—he’s flashed enough promise as the next Chris Bosh—a plus-sized floor spacer and secondary playmaker in dribble handoff sets. Defensively, Newell’s mobility, shot-blocking instincts, and mobility stand out, giving him the potential to guard multiple positions in spurts. His production, size, movement, and touch around the basket make him a safe pick for any team. If his perimeter shot fully develops and further refines his offensive game, Newell becomes a high-reward prospect teams looking for immediate production won’t want to pass on.

Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph's)

6'9" — 14.7 PPG — 8.5 RPG — 1.3 APG — 1.5 BPG — 53.1 FG %

Camden native Rasheer Fleming has been a major asset for Saint Joseph’s over the past three seasons—and he’s only getting better. At 6'9" with a wiry frame, a reported 7'4" wingspan, and standout athleticism, Fleming brings a rare blend of defensive disruption, floor-spacing ability, and high-energy play. Drawing Naz Reid comparisons, he thrives as a hustling forward who drains spot-up threes (41% on unguarded catch-and-shoot attempts over his college career) and anchors defenses with his shot-blocking and rebounding instincts. Averaging 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game as a junior, Fleming showed the versatility to protect the rim and switch onto wings in small-ball lineups. Offensively, he’s effective as a pick-and-roll finisher and spot-up shooter, though his shot-creation ability is limited and he doesn't seem to have a mid-range game at all. His passing and off-ball awareness remain areas for growth as well,and he’ll need to improve his defensive footwork. Still, with his length, energy, and floor-spacing upside, Fleming profiles as a player who can contribute on both ends if developed in the right system.

Liam McNeeley (Connecticut)

6'7" — 14.5 PPG — 6.0 RPG — 2.3 APG — 1.1 BPG — 38.1 FG %

Don’t let the 38% field goal percentage fool you—Liam McNeeley is one of the most skilled and fundamentally sound wings in this year’s draft. A polished, cerebral 6'7" forward, McNeeley thrives within the flow of an offense, making smart reads, moving without the ball, and exploiting defensive breakdowns. His smooth, compact shooting stroke makes him a deadly catch-and-shoot threat with deep range, and despite a late-season cold spell, he remains one of the best pure shooters in his class. McNeeley also brings more toughness than expected, averaging 6 rebounds per game and using his strength, instincts, and footwork to defend multiple positions effectively. His athleticism is average, and he lacks elite burst and plays below the rim. Yet, McNeeley compensates with effort, strength, and a high basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. McNeeley isn’t the flashiest prospect, but his shooting, versatility, and winning mentality give him the tools to carve out a valuable NBA role.

Will Riley (Illinois)

6'8" — 12.6 PPG — 4.1 RPG — 2.2 APG — 1.1 BPG — 43.2 FG %

Will Riley may have come off the bench for most of the season, but he made every minute count, averaging 12.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists across 35 games and earning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors. At 6'8", Riley brings a tantalizing mix of size, athleticism, and raw offensive skill to the table. He's a three-level scorer with smooth shooting mechanics, isn't afraid to attack the rim, and he makes sharp decisions out of the triple-threat position. His ability to create space, combined with fluid footwork and promising defensive tools, gives him real two-way upside. That said, Riley is still a work in progress. He often settles for tough mid-range shots, and his lean frame limits his ability to finish through contact and rebound effectively. Questions remain about which positions he can consistently guard, but his quick feet, long arms, and recovery instincts suggest he can defend 2–4 with added strength. With refinement and physical development, Riley’s has undeniable NBA appeal and long-term upside.