Ranking Top 5 Small Forwards From 2025 NBA Draft: Assessing Elite SF in Current Available Picks
The 2025 NBA Draft, taking place June 25, is already being called one of the deepest in recent years, particularly at the wing positions. Fans and scouts alike are buzzing over a crop of versatile, high-IQ small forwards who blend size, shooting, defense, and playmaking. With Cooper Flagg commanding the first overall pick, attention has shifted to the strength concentrated at other roles, especially wings. According to many top analysts, this class features multiple small forwards viewed as sure-fire first‑rounders, alongside intriguing mid-to-late picks who offer high upside. Below, we profile the top five small forward candidates whose diverse skill sets make them coveted assets in modern NBA rosters.
Top 5 Small Forwards in 2025 NBA Draft
The Small Forwards like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Scottie Pippen have ruled eras with their gameplay, defensive prowess and scoring touch. These players are often seen as game changers on the court with the ability to impact both ends of the floor. The 2025 NBA draft also has a few impactful players who could develop into the next superstar in the league. Check out the top 5 small forwards in the 2025 NBA Draft below,
1. Ace Bailey (Rutgers) — The 6′10″ Two-Way Weapon
Ace Bailey is ua nique star who fits in the top shooting guards in the 2025 NBA Draft and also for the small forward position. At an imposing 6′10″ with a 7‑foot wingspan, Ace Bailey redefines positional norms with his wing skill set. In 30 games for Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg, and 34.6 % from three, ranking among the most efficient big wings in the nation. Scouts liken his scoring craft and length to Rashard Lewis or Michael Porter Jr., praising his smooth stroke, composed footwork, and ability to score at all three levels.
His size and agility allow him to guard multiple positions—he uses his length to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. Still, questions linger around his shot selection—critics wonder if he settles for mid-range jumpers rather than creating better opportunities. He’ll need to prove he can make smarter offensive reads. Still, NBA evaluators remain bullish, projecting him as a swingman capable of filling league-wide two-way wing roles.
With his rare combination of size, spacing, defense, and creation touch, Bailey is considered one of the highest-upside positional wings in the class. While developmental work remains—especially in decision-making and consistency—his floor and ceiling place him firmly in the top three SF prospects heading into the draft.
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2. Kon Knueppel (Duke) — The Elite Sharpshooter
Kon Knueppel, the 6′7″ Duke freshman, brings arguably the best shooting stroke in this draft. He dropped 40.6 % from deep on high volume while averaging 14.4 ppg, earning praise for his textbook mechanics, IQ, and efficiency. The Duke star also shines at the guard position and can play at the shooting guard role.
Knueppel is more than a shooter—he excels in spacing, moving without the ball, and reading defenses. He averaged 3.6 assists per 40 minutes and posted strong efficiency (64.2 TS%, 1.14 PPP), showing a flair for pick-and-roll setups and on-ball creation. His smart off-ball movement mirrors traits found in elite shooting wings like Klay Thompson and Devin Booker.
Defensively, he’s disciplined—while not hyper-athletic, he plays solid team defense and leverages his IQ and positioning to contest and recover. Areas for growth include his explosiveness, pull-up consistency (25%), and physicality.
Still, his shooting elite lifts his floor significantly. Team evaluators project him as a dependable rotation wing immediately, with the potential to develop into a primary scoring option. Some mocks place him in the top three small forwards based on fit and offensive value.
3. Liam McNeeley (UConn) — The High-IQ 3-and-D Wing
Liam McNeeley, UConn’s 6′7″ forward, stands out as a cerebral 3-and-D wing. He averaged 14.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 41.2 % from three, serving as a reliable shooter and bothering defenders on both ends. His game is built on spacing, IQ, and multi-positional defense—hoops analysts note his ability to handle contact, guard multiple positions, and sniff out steals.
McNeeley extends his range, tweaks his ball-handling, and maintains defensive discipline. While he isn’t the flashiest athlete, his fundamentals and advanced feel stand out. Despite occasional rough patches, UConn teams leaned on his low turnover, smart cuts, and catch-and-shoot mechanics.
He checks the modern wing checklist: size, spacing, defensive instincts, and consistency. NBA scouts see him as a safe first-round pick with role-player upside, possibly late lottery to early first round. In short, McNeeley projects as a polished rotational wing comfortable from Day One.
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4. Rasheer Fleming (St. Joseph’s) — The Stretch-Four Wing
Rasheer Fleming, though traditionally a forward, profiles as a small-ball five or stretch wing at 6′9″ with considerable perimeter skills. He averaged 14.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, and shot 39 % from deep while showcasing shot-blocking and steals, unique for a wing of that size.
Scouts underscore his defensive versatility and floor spacing—a rare profile ideal for switch-heavy lineups. One Eastern Conference evaluator singled him out.
“a 6-foot-9 forward that’ll stretch the floor and guard in space as a day one role player”—a “steal” if he drops beyond the lottery. His scoring doesn’t require ball dominance—Fleming excels at cutters, relocating shooters, and passing from the elbow. Athleticism and quickness make him a capable help defender and rim protector in smaller lineups.
Areas to develop include playmaking, ball-handling, and physical strength to thrive at the NBA pace. Yet his multidimensional role—big wing who spaces and defends—mirrors coveted modern prototypes. His profile has him pegged around late-lottery or early first round in many projections.
5. Will Riley (Illinois) — The Swiss-Army Wing
Will Riley, standing at 6′8″ for Illinois, offers an intriguing combination—ball-handling, court vision, positional size, and bounce. He’s earned comparisons to versatile forwards like those used in modern dynamic offenses.
Riley averaged solid numbers—double-figure scoring with consistent shooting and mixed creation. Georgia-focused coverage highlights his motor, athleticism, and catch-and-finish skill set. NCAA sources note his ability to beat defenders in transition, finish above the rim, and manage spacing.
Defensively, Riley leverages his length and mobility to guard multiple positions—plus he offers rebounding and help defense aligned with stretch-forward archetypes. Still, he needs refinement in jumper consistency and brush-up dribbling for pick-and-roll execution.
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Forward-looking projections place Riley in the late first to early second round range—viewing him as a high-upside rotational wing who can grow into larger offensive and defensive roles. His adaptability—capable in ball screens, cutting, floor spacing, and defense—makes him a draft target for teams looking to fortify depth and flexibility.
While the 2025 NBA Draft class is filled with talented small forwards, it embodies the evolution of the NBA: greater emphasis on size, shooting, versatility, positional flexibility, and switchable defense. Whether it’s Bailey’s breakout size and shot, Knueppel’s sharpshooting and IQ, McNeeley’s high-floor professionalism, Fleming’s rare stretch defense combo, or Riley’s jack-of-all-trades athleticism—teams can target specific profiles based on system needs.
Expect the top 5 SFs to come off the board between mid-lottery and late first round, depending on team strategies. One thing is clear: the 2025 draft is reshaping wings, and these prospects are ready to transform modern rosters.
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