The 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years, especially in the guard category. While the league has trended toward bigger initiators, elite smaller guards like Jalen Brunson and Trae Young continue to thrive.
In this breakdown, we rank the top five guard prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and NBA potential.
1. Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) – The Most Explosive Guard Prospect?
Key Stats (2024-25 Season):
Points per Game (PPG): TBD
Assists per Game (APG): TBD
3PT Shooting: 28.7% (but strong indicators of improvement)
Jeremiah Fears has the highest upside of any point guard in the 2025 NBA Draft. At just 18 years old, he leads all freshmen in usage rate (31.4%), slightly ahead of projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
> “His ability to generate paint touches and create for teammates is what separates him from other guards,” one scout noted.
While his 28.7% three-point shooting raises concerns, strong indicators—83.9% free throw shooting and 44.4% off-dribble mid-range jumpers—suggest he can develop into a reliable shooter.
NBA Comparison: A mix of De’Aaron Fox and Jrue Holiday
If Fears can improve his decision-making and cut down on turnovers, he’s a potential lottery pick for teams in need of a dynamic guard.
2. Nolan Traore (Saint Quentin) – Defensive Specialist with Shooting Upside
Key Stats:
True Shooting %: 49.8%
Catch-and-Shoot 3PT %: 39.5%
On-Ball Defense: Elite
Once a top-five projected pick, Traore’s stock has slightly dipped, but he remains a strong guard prospect. At 6’4” with elite defensive instincts, he projects as a high-level two-way player.
NBA Comparison: Derrick White with shades of Jrue Holiday
If Traore develops a reliable scoring go-to move, he could be one of the draft’s biggest steals.
3. Boogie Fland (Arkansas) – Elite Ball-Handler & Floor General
Key Stats:
3PT Shooting: 36.5%
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: 3.7
Finishing at the Rim: 36.7%
Before his season-ending injury, Boogie Fland showcased elite ball-handling and passing skills that could make him one of the best playmakers in the 2025 draft class.
NBA Comparison: A mix of Tyus Jones and Jalen Brunson
If Fland can improve his finishing at the rim, he could carve out a long NBA career as a reliable point guard.
4. Bennett Stirtz (Drake) – The Ultimate Floor General
Key Stats:
Minutes Played: 98.6% (Most in College Basketball)
True Shooting %: 60%
Pick-and-Roll Usage: 20.1 per game
No player in college basketball controls an offense quite like Stirtz. He’s a pick-and-roll maestro with an elite feel for the game. His shooting improvement (37.7% from three) is promising, and his 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio is among the best in the class.
NBA Comparison: Malcolm Brogdon
While he lacks elite athleticism, his high IQ and playmaking ability make him an intriguing NBA prospect.
5. Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn) – Undersized but Electrifying
Key Stats:
3PT Shooting: 37.9% on 13.3 attempts per 100 possessions
Steal Rate: 2.8%
Height: Around 6’0”
At just 6’0”, Pettiford is the shortest of the top guard prospects, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with elite shot-making, quickness, and passing vision.
NBA Comparison: A mix of Kemba Walker and Patty Mills
If Pettiford proves he can hold his own defensively, he could be a valuable spark-plug guard in the NBA.
Honorable Mentions:
Xaivian Lee (Princeton) – High IQ shooter with great off-ball movement
Javon Small (East Carolina) – Underrated playmaker with defensive upside
Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) – Elite scorer but needs to improve playmaking
Mark Sears (Alabama) – Strong, versatile combo guard with NBA potential
Final Thoughts: Who Will Be the Best Guard from the 2025 NBA Draft?
While Jeremiah Fears has the highest star potential, Nolan Traore’s defense and Boogie Fland’s ball-handling could make them valuable NBA players as well. Meanwhile, Bennett Stirtz’s elite IQ and Tahaad Pettiford’s explosive scoring ensure they’ll get looks from teams in need of backcourt help.
Which guard do you think will have the best NBA career? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
