7 Days, 7 of the World’s Top NBA Prospects
This past week, I had the opportunity to get live eyes on seven of the top NBA prospects in the world. It began at Rutgers, where Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper led the way in a gritty win over UCLA. From there, I headed to Boston College, where Cooper Flagg and Duke secured a convincing road victory. The week concluded at the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, where AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep), Nate Ament (Highland), Darryn Peterson (Prolific Prep), and Cameron Boozer (Columbus) competed on back-to-back days.
Ace Bailey
This was arguably the most complete performance I’ve seen from Bailey at the college level, playing an integral role in Rutgers’ win over UCLA. Defensively, he was highly active—guarding 1-5, sliding his feet on the perimeter, containing the ball, and showcasing impressive range with multiple rotations leading to blocks and deflections. Offensively, while the shotmaking might’ve grabbed the headlines, his passing stood out. He made quick hit-aheads in transition, had some sharp pick-and-roll reads, and kept the ball moving in situations where it might’ve stuck earlier in his freshman campaign.
According to Rutgers' communications team, Bailey was just the third Division I player this season to record 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal in a single game.
Bailey is the most intriguing prospect in this draft class. A gifted shotmaker with tremendous size, a wiry frame poised for growth, defensive versatility, and tantalizing two-way potential, he offers a rare skill set that NBA teams covet. However, his potential comes with some questions—whether it’s decision-making or tendencies that may not seamlessly scale to the NBA.
Evaluating Ace Bailey correctly could yield the highest ROI in the 2025 class. His high-variance trajectory has the potential to significantly shape an organization’s long-term direction, making him a prospect teams atop this year’s draft board will study closely until the very moment Adam Silver takes the stage in June.
Dylan Harper
Against UCLA, Dylan Harper put his versatility, toughness, and playmaking creativity on full display—qualities that have made him one of the most productive freshmen in college basketball. He maneuvers through traffic with impressive ease, using his 6-foot-11 wingspan and brute strength to finish ambidextrously at the rim, a rare trait for an 18-year-old.
Harper seized momentum early in the second half with back-to-back pull-up threes, energizing the crowd and turning the tide for Rutgers. The sturdy 6-foot-6 guard finished with 18 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, marking his most impactful performance since battling back from the flu.
Cooper Flagg
Duke and Cooper Flagg commanded an incredible atmosphere at Boston College’s Conte Forum. A testament to the individual attention Flagg draws: while the Blue Devil guards and wings warmed up ahead of the 60:00 mark, numerous cameras ignored the court, instead fixating on the tunnel, waiting nearly 15 minutes for Flagg to emerge. It cannot go unsaid how well the 18-year-old handles the frenzy surrounding him.
Flagg is the consensus No. 1 projected pick in the upcoming draft, and performances like this show why. His size, physicality, instincts, on-ball skill, competitiveness, and defensive versatility were all on full display. Flagg is at his best leveraging his physical tools downhill, bending defenses to his will. In this one, he thrived, finishing with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on an efficient 9/13 shooting as Duke took control late.
Among the top prospects, Flagg separates himself as a high-floor player with a dependable long-term outlook. His physical gifts, budding all-around skill, sharp feel for the game, and fiery motor set him apart. While his offensive creativity may not be as flashy as some peers, his relentless energy and well-rounded impact make him a prospect any team can confidently build around.
AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa and Utah Prep had Blake Arena packed to the walls for their primetime matchup against Montverde Academy—but they got punched in the mouth early. Montverde, led by legendary coach Kevin Boyle, did an excellent job loading up on AJ in the half-court, walling up in transition, and making it difficult for him to establish a rhythm early. Offensively, Montverde executed at a high level, stringing together a dominant 27-0 run between the 1st and 2nd quarters. Florida-bound CJ Ingram deserves some credit—the long and physical wing gave fits to opposing ball-handlers all weekend.
Ultimately, Utah Prep showed resilience in the second half, fighting back and even bringing the score within 10 late.
From an upside standpoint, AJ Dybantsa might stand in a tier of his own. A true big guard at 6-foot-9 with broad shoulders, big hands, elite quick-twitch athleticism, long strides, and the ability to effortlessly change gears at a level few in the Association can match. Pair that with his unwavering confidence, creativity on offense, and considerable range on defense, and you’re looking at the most coveted archetype in professional basketball. He’ll command significant attention next season at BYU, playing for Coach Kevin Young in the Big 12.
Nate Ament
Highland, led by Nate Ament, and Prolific Prep, led by Darryn Peterson, clashed in the best head-to-head prospect matchup of the week. Highland emerged victorious, thanks to a terrific all-around showing from Nate Ament, who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and some outstanding defensive possessions.
There’s a lot to like about Nate Ament right now—but it’s worth noting that he’s a late bloomer who is still just scratching the surface of what he could become with continued physical development. Skillset-wise, it starts with the shooting. At 6-foot-9, he’s a pure shooter who’s comfortable getting to his shooting pocket and firing swiftly—whether off the bounce, the catch, or on the move. Highland frequently runs screening actions that allow him to square his body and get his shot off with ease in either direction. On top of his shooting, Nate shows a promising level of feel and recognition on both ends.
Playing for his local Highland program, Nate isn’t surrounded by a roster of 5- and 4-star teammates like many of these heavy-hitting academies. Because of that, he’s faced defenses doubling him or putting smaller, quicker wings on him to get physical and sit under him. In the past, this might’ve suppressed his impact, caused him to pick up the ball, turn it over, or struggle to leave his fingerprints on the game. Lately, though, he’s shown real growth in these areas—staying composed, making sound reads, and continuing to tighten his handle to protect the ball and attack through traffic.
Nate showed a true willingness to defend in this game, both directly checking Darryn on several possessions and making plays off the ball—using his length and instincts to rack up deflections and spark transition opportunities. The defining moment came late, as Nate held his ground while guarding Darryn on the perimeter, absorbing contact and drawing a charge on his drive with little time remaining, helping secure Highland’s win.
That type of progress, combined with his increased frequency of defensive playmaking, finishing above the rim, and getting to the free-throw line (10 FTAs in this one), has significantly enhanced his long-term upside. NBA teams will be tracking his growth closely over the next 18 months.
Darryn Peterson
Now, conversely to Ament’s more late-blooming trajectory, Darryn Peterson is the opposite. This is a kid who’s been atop the rankings and highly regarded since he was 14 or 15 years old. To his credit—and that of his family and circle—he’s more than stayed afloat. He’s ridiculously refined and well-rounded for a high school guard prospect.
It starts with his positional size. Pushing 6-foot-6 with broad shoulders, he’s a swift athlete with incredible balance who can change gears seamlessly, get downhill, and finish at the rim with both hands. His pace is a real separator—he’s surgical in maneuvering to his spots off the bounce with terrific intention and precision. He’s got counters you rarely see from a high schooler—fakes, pivots, step-throughs—you name it, he’ll kill you with it. Expanding outward, he’s more than comfortable firing from deep in either direction and continues to evolve as a playmaker.
He finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists—showing routine decisiveness. He also had strong defensive stretches, making plays on the ball and exploding for multiple momentum-shifting dunks in transition.
Cameron Boozer
With Cameron Boozer, it starts with his winning pedigree, efficiency, and consistent impact. At 6-foot-10, he blends a strong frame, balanced all-around skill, and an unrelenting motor with a simplicity to his game that feels almost robotic. This is someone who’s averaged a double-double since his days on little tykes hoops.
Offensively, Boozer shows a soft touch from range, reads the floor well, and uses his size effectively on drives. He’s relentless on the glass, consistently creating second-chance opportunities and imposing his will in the paint. Defensively, while not a traditional rim protector, his instincts, mobility, 7-foot wingspan, and excellent hands allow him to cover ground and dominate the boards.
These traits have made Boozer one of the most reliable winners in recent high school memory, and Duke fans are eager to see what he and his twin brother, Cayden, bring to campus this summer.