Top NDL Prospects: 2025 Edition
Top NDL Prospects: 2025 Edition
Jwoo once took it upon himself to raise NDL AWARENESS in article form. Turns out he just collected an RP check and never did it again. Don’t worry, Merv is here to pick up the slack!
Behold, the first installment of my totally arbitrary but very thoughtful analysis of the top prospects in the NDL this season. I will take many factors into consideration but ultimately just want to highlight some of these guys. I'm going to break them up by position group and I'm not gonna do an actual ranking, but we are here to show love to these hard working boiz who will one day don SLN jerseys if they are lucky.
Guards
Ajay Mitchell – Long Island Nets Y2
C+ B C B C- B Pot
36.8 22.6 6.6 3.6 1.6 0.2 2.9 .457 .744 .337
Ajay was a late first round pick by the Swamp and has already shown significant signs of life in the NDL. Catching diminished gains after some positive development was a bit unfortunate. Ajay looks like a guy who has a chance to stick as an eventual lower usage, decent outside, decent defense guard.
Nikola Topic – Westchester Knicks Y2
C B B+ B- C- D Pot
36.9 24.8 5.4 8.6 2.5 0.2 2.5 .449 .816 .362
Scoot Henderson – Lakeland Magic Y3
B- A- B A- C- A Pot
37.5 28.8 4.7 10.5 2.4 0.1 2.8 .486 .786 .458
He has zero business being in the NDL, sorry kid. Jesse is concerned about his turnovers but 2.8 TOV for a PG running #1 option in the NDL is pretty good in my book. With another ~14 gains coming, we are hopeful Scoot can turn into a full-on game wrecker.
Jase Richardson – College Park Skyhawks Y1
C+ B C+ B C- B Pot
35.5 22.8 6.2 5.8 2.3 0.2 2.2 .469 .750 .404
A player I’d have considered a can play PG type, especially after measuring at 6’ at the real combine but alas, Nowitzki. He had some intriguing notes and should be a really solid 3/D type of player. Diminished gains will suck, but Jase has been carrying the Skyhawks to a winning record.
Nolan Traore – Raptors 905 Y1
C B- A B- D+ A Pot
35.6 21.0 4.6 9.3 1.5 1.1 2.1 .486 .649 .384
Sorry Kid, JWoo scouted you and found 85 blocks so ya going! Nolan is running as the 3rd option in this offense which accounts for the lower TOVs compared to most PG peers, but this is pretty encouraging especially considering all the gains he’s going to get over the next 2-3 years. The jumpshot looks like it’ll need some work but there must be decent strength to compensate for that with the 48.6% FG%. Rebounding or lack thereof can make him a long term back up. Reed Sheppard of the NDL with 1.1 BPG, Nolan looks like another fun Frenchman who will be heading to the North.
Jordan Hawkins – Santa Cruz Warriors Y3
C+ A- C C C- B Pot
Pretty sure you could copy and paste all of the Ben Sheppard comments here. It’s never an NDL article if Santa Cruz isn’t involved and Jordan is well-deserving. A future rotation player in the Bay without a question.
Rob Dillingham – South Bay Lakers Y2
C B- A- B- D+ B Pot
35.7 23.0 4.9 8.2 2.3 0.2 2.1 .443 .755 .410
I’m almost certain Rob isn’t good. But he’s also stock positive and only doing 2.1 TOV as the likely #1 option. A future tank commander for the 2026 Lakers who will need some TC luck to be relevant.
Walter Clayton – Stockton Kings Y1
C+ A- B B- C- C Pot
34.5 18.6 5.4 9.1 2.0 0.2 2.6 .444 .829 .388
One of the 3 prospects involved in the Jokic trade, Walter currently splits the backcourt with another PG and lacks volume with Toumani and Dalton on the wings. For a rookie in the NDL, these are great ratings but his production isn’t quite there in a way you’d hope. I bet he has a huge jump next season.
Devin Carter – Stockton Kings Y2
C B C+ B C C Pot
37.0 14.1 7.8 3.3 2.5 0.2 1.6 .444 .795 .421
I liked Devin Carter IRL and in the draft, so I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t been better. With that said, he’s pretty intriguing as a future backup stocky PG.
Wings/Forwards
Aaron Nesmith - Maine Celtics (FA)
C+ B C B C D Pot
34.7 27.8 6.4 4.2 1.1 0.5 2.3 .476 .804 .400
Might be at the top of the poach list. These are pretty solid scoring stats for a wing in the NDL. Abandoned by the Cruise. Maybe a tanker should LLE him and see what he’s got.
Ryan Dunn – Sioux Falls Skyforce Y2
B C C- B C B Pot
38.2 26.8 7.9 4.1 1.4 0.7 2.2 .433 .613 .242
More name than player at this point. I thought he’d be stockier. The offense looks pretty rough at this stage. Maybe TC Jesus comes through soon.
Jaylon Tyson – Lakeland Magic Y2
C+ A- C C C+ C Pot
34.8 29.3 7.7 3.5 1.3 0.1 2.9 .479 .797 .446
The unsung hero of Lakeland with all of the attention on Scoot. Jaylon is 2nd in the NDL in scoring and adds above average rebounding at the guard spot. The turnovers are high, so we hope that’ll correct a bit with a lower usage role.
Yaxel Lendeborg – Greensboro Swarm Y1
B- B- D+ C+ C+ B Pot
28.2 16.4 8.0 1.8 0.8 0.7 1.9 .465 .724 .400
He had some really strange box scores, might be something with the Lakeland team or his lack of stamina. The ratings are a solid start and he had positive TCs. I’d bet he’s a PF instead of a SF.
Nique Clifford – Raptors 905 Y1
B B C C+ C A Pot
34.2 24.6 7.4 3.1 1.7 0.1 2.1 .450 .702 .420
Quietly the best player with the 905…almost like Woo is intentionally not speaking of him. Hmm. The first pick of the 2nd round, Nique will be diminished in gains but has done his part this year. Kind of reminds me of Keldon Johnson who never really developed into more than bench fodder sadly.
Ben Sheppard – Austin Spurs Y3
C+ A- C C C- C Pot
35.5 29.4 5.3 3.8 1.9 0.1 2.3 .478 .879 .447
Another glass cannon heading for the Spurs backcourt, all offense, no defense. Sheppard looks like he’ll be day 1 useful with great efficiency and really nice handles. 2.3 TOV while shooting every single time is pretty impressive. Another year of full gains, Jordo might be able to get him to flat A outside.
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Memphis Hustle Y2
C+ B+ C C C- C Pot
37.4 20.0 5.2 3.6 1.5 0.2 2.3 .472 .797 .416
TJ Shannon is the first of multiple Hustle to make this list. Another all offense SG, TJ looks like he might have a future in SLN with solid efficiency and scoring ability. Wonder if Josh will leave him here for Y3 if he remains undiminished.
GG Jackson – Cleveland Charge Y3
B B D- B C D Pot
34.6 22.9 6.0 2.6 1.6 0.3 2.9 .482 .888 .363
GG has developed a bit but not too much. The diminished gains from the NDL are better than nothing. Feels like the guy that ends up on 10 teams with everyone saying, “I think there’s something there”
Phillip Phillip – Fort Wayne Mad Ants Y12
C C+ C- C+ C C Pot
This is just proof no one reads this.
Liam McNeeley – Memphis Hustle Y1
C A- C C C C Pot
30.4 17.3 6.6 3.0 0.8 0.1 2.0 .485 .722 .480
Liam had a positive TC taking him to A- outside and is eligible for full gains. Josh needs to hit his inside and hope for some TC luck but there’s something here. Luke Kennard?
Carter Bryant – South Bay Lakers Y1
C B- C B- C C Pot
34.5 12.3 5.9 2.2 1.4 0.3 1.6 .420 .709 .250
Liked the prospect, maybe it happens one day.
Dillon Jones – Northern Arizona Suns Y2
C C- C B C+ F Pot
30.8 10.2 9.1 2.1 0.9 0.3 1.3 .436 .630 .273
Waste of salary per his GM, but the rebounding is good?
Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Anaheim Arsenal Y3
B A- C- B C C Pot
35.8 28.1 7.2 2.9 1.8 0.1 1.7 .476 .874 .459
Second best prospect in the NDL, not sure why he isn’t in Portland this year. Immense efficiency, great handles. Jaime looks like he’ll be a terrific wing and might be one of Portland’s best trade chips to get their 2027 pick back.
Rasheer Fleming – Anaheim Arsenal Y1
B- B- D C+ B- B Pot
27.0 14.8 8.2 2.0 0.9 0.8 1.8 .419 .680 .520
Better ratings than stats at this point. He’s going to get full gains this year and probably needs a lot of inside. He had fun draft notes and shows some stock life.
Toumani Camara – Stockton Kings Y3
C+ B D+ C C C Pot
33.5 28.1 7.3 2.1 2.0 0.8 1.7 .513 .845 .441
Jesse is assuredly going to QO this man. Crazy efficient, low turnover, and stocky. Plus his ratings don’t look great. I’m not totally sure what this is, but there’s definitely something here.
Dalton Knecht – Stockton Kings Y2
C+ A- C- B- C- B Pot
32.1 24.7 5.8 2.0 1.0 0.2 1.5 .458 .803 .437
Great offense with mediocre defense and rebounding. Tell me where you’ve heard this before. Likely his last year with full gains, Dalton will be an SLN player, just a question of how good.
Bigs
Yves Missi – Westchester Knicks Y2
C+ D+ D+ A- B- B Pot
28.1 7.4 8.1 1.7 1.1 1.0 1.8 .433 .596 .000
Pretty sure we all thought he’d have more blocks than this. A- defense might make Yves the best big in the NDL but it’s not saying much.
DaRon Holmes – Delaware Blue Coats Y2
B- C+ D+ C+ B- B Pot
32.6 22.7 9.8 3.3 1.0 0.8 3.0 .436 .703 .273
Of the two bigs in Delaware, DaRon boards better with more stocks. He’s got a ways to go to be useful but stranger things have happened.
Quinten Post – Raptors 905 Y2
B- B+ C- C+ C+ D Pot
31.9 24.4 10.3 3.2 1.2 0.8 2.7 .448 .802 .504
Sort of Muscala ish most likely. Scoring big who might struggle to properly rebound. I’d imagine the turnovers drop in a different setting. Full gains this year as well so he’s going to get a chance.
Max Duncan – Grand Rapids Gold (FA)
C C C B- C+ C Pot
36.1 14.2 11.1 2.9 0.8 0.7 1.6 .415 .710 .306
Son of Tim? The bigs in the NDL are real bad and this guy is less bad than a bunch of others.
Jay Huff – Memphis Hustle (FA)
C+ B C- C+ C B Pot
33.8 14.0 9.6 2.6 1.0 1.1 2.1 .452 .848 .536
Probably not worth anything but the stock neutral and efficient shooting is pretty interesting?
Asa Newell – Ontario Clippers
B- C D+ B C+ B Pot
33.3 21.0 10.3 3.2 1.2 0.6 3.8 .483 .719 .286
Missed about 37 games to injury which will really suck for his gains. Came into the draft with A pot and fell all the way to about 20. Asa looks pretty nice here but will likely need a handles camp. Somehow not leading the Clippers in turnovers with Allen Cronin doing a light 4.6 per game.
Behold, the first installment of my totally arbitrary but very thoughtful analysis of the top prospects in the NDL this season. I will take many factors into consideration but ultimately just want to highlight some of these guys. I'm going to break them up by position group and I'm not gonna do an actual ranking, but we are here to show love to these hard working boiz who will one day don SLN jerseys if they are lucky.
Guards
Ajay Mitchell – Long Island Nets Y2
C+ B C B C- B Pot
36.8 22.6 6.6 3.6 1.6 0.2 2.9 .457 .744 .337
Ajay was a late first round pick by the Swamp and has already shown significant signs of life in the NDL. Catching diminished gains after some positive development was a bit unfortunate. Ajay looks like a guy who has a chance to stick as an eventual lower usage, decent outside, decent defense guard.
Nikola Topic – Westchester Knicks Y2
C B B+ B- C- D Pot
36.9 24.8 5.4 8.6 2.5 0.2 2.5 .449 .816 .362
Scoot Henderson – Lakeland Magic Y3
B- A- B A- C- A Pot
37.5 28.8 4.7 10.5 2.4 0.1 2.8 .486 .786 .458
He has zero business being in the NDL, sorry kid. Jesse is concerned about his turnovers but 2.8 TOV for a PG running #1 option in the NDL is pretty good in my book. With another ~14 gains coming, we are hopeful Scoot can turn into a full-on game wrecker.
Jase Richardson – College Park Skyhawks Y1
C+ B C+ B C- B Pot
35.5 22.8 6.2 5.8 2.3 0.2 2.2 .469 .750 .404
A player I’d have considered a can play PG type, especially after measuring at 6’ at the real combine but alas, Nowitzki. He had some intriguing notes and should be a really solid 3/D type of player. Diminished gains will suck, but Jase has been carrying the Skyhawks to a winning record.
Nolan Traore – Raptors 905 Y1
C B- A B- D+ A Pot
35.6 21.0 4.6 9.3 1.5 1.1 2.1 .486 .649 .384
Sorry Kid, JWoo scouted you and found 85 blocks so ya going! Nolan is running as the 3rd option in this offense which accounts for the lower TOVs compared to most PG peers, but this is pretty encouraging especially considering all the gains he’s going to get over the next 2-3 years. The jumpshot looks like it’ll need some work but there must be decent strength to compensate for that with the 48.6% FG%. Rebounding or lack thereof can make him a long term back up. Reed Sheppard of the NDL with 1.1 BPG, Nolan looks like another fun Frenchman who will be heading to the North.
Jordan Hawkins – Santa Cruz Warriors Y3
C+ A- C C C- B Pot
Pretty sure you could copy and paste all of the Ben Sheppard comments here. It’s never an NDL article if Santa Cruz isn’t involved and Jordan is well-deserving. A future rotation player in the Bay without a question.
Rob Dillingham – South Bay Lakers Y2
C B- A- B- D+ B Pot
35.7 23.0 4.9 8.2 2.3 0.2 2.1 .443 .755 .410
I’m almost certain Rob isn’t good. But he’s also stock positive and only doing 2.1 TOV as the likely #1 option. A future tank commander for the 2026 Lakers who will need some TC luck to be relevant.
Walter Clayton – Stockton Kings Y1
C+ A- B B- C- C Pot
34.5 18.6 5.4 9.1 2.0 0.2 2.6 .444 .829 .388
One of the 3 prospects involved in the Jokic trade, Walter currently splits the backcourt with another PG and lacks volume with Toumani and Dalton on the wings. For a rookie in the NDL, these are great ratings but his production isn’t quite there in a way you’d hope. I bet he has a huge jump next season.
Devin Carter – Stockton Kings Y2
C B C+ B C C Pot
37.0 14.1 7.8 3.3 2.5 0.2 1.6 .444 .795 .421
I liked Devin Carter IRL and in the draft, so I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t been better. With that said, he’s pretty intriguing as a future backup stocky PG.
Wings/Forwards
Aaron Nesmith - Maine Celtics (FA)
C+ B C B C D Pot
34.7 27.8 6.4 4.2 1.1 0.5 2.3 .476 .804 .400
Might be at the top of the poach list. These are pretty solid scoring stats for a wing in the NDL. Abandoned by the Cruise. Maybe a tanker should LLE him and see what he’s got.
Ryan Dunn – Sioux Falls Skyforce Y2
B C C- B C B Pot
38.2 26.8 7.9 4.1 1.4 0.7 2.2 .433 .613 .242
More name than player at this point. I thought he’d be stockier. The offense looks pretty rough at this stage. Maybe TC Jesus comes through soon.
Jaylon Tyson – Lakeland Magic Y2
C+ A- C C C+ C Pot
34.8 29.3 7.7 3.5 1.3 0.1 2.9 .479 .797 .446
The unsung hero of Lakeland with all of the attention on Scoot. Jaylon is 2nd in the NDL in scoring and adds above average rebounding at the guard spot. The turnovers are high, so we hope that’ll correct a bit with a lower usage role.
Yaxel Lendeborg – Greensboro Swarm Y1
B- B- D+ C+ C+ B Pot
28.2 16.4 8.0 1.8 0.8 0.7 1.9 .465 .724 .400
He had some really strange box scores, might be something with the Lakeland team or his lack of stamina. The ratings are a solid start and he had positive TCs. I’d bet he’s a PF instead of a SF.
Nique Clifford – Raptors 905 Y1
B B C C+ C A Pot
34.2 24.6 7.4 3.1 1.7 0.1 2.1 .450 .702 .420
Quietly the best player with the 905…almost like Woo is intentionally not speaking of him. Hmm. The first pick of the 2nd round, Nique will be diminished in gains but has done his part this year. Kind of reminds me of Keldon Johnson who never really developed into more than bench fodder sadly.
Ben Sheppard – Austin Spurs Y3
C+ A- C C C- C Pot
35.5 29.4 5.3 3.8 1.9 0.1 2.3 .478 .879 .447
Another glass cannon heading for the Spurs backcourt, all offense, no defense. Sheppard looks like he’ll be day 1 useful with great efficiency and really nice handles. 2.3 TOV while shooting every single time is pretty impressive. Another year of full gains, Jordo might be able to get him to flat A outside.
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Memphis Hustle Y2
C+ B+ C C C- C Pot
37.4 20.0 5.2 3.6 1.5 0.2 2.3 .472 .797 .416
TJ Shannon is the first of multiple Hustle to make this list. Another all offense SG, TJ looks like he might have a future in SLN with solid efficiency and scoring ability. Wonder if Josh will leave him here for Y3 if he remains undiminished.
GG Jackson – Cleveland Charge Y3
B B D- B C D Pot
34.6 22.9 6.0 2.6 1.6 0.3 2.9 .482 .888 .363
GG has developed a bit but not too much. The diminished gains from the NDL are better than nothing. Feels like the guy that ends up on 10 teams with everyone saying, “I think there’s something there”
Phillip Phillip – Fort Wayne Mad Ants Y12
C C+ C- C+ C C Pot
This is just proof no one reads this.
Liam McNeeley – Memphis Hustle Y1
C A- C C C C Pot
30.4 17.3 6.6 3.0 0.8 0.1 2.0 .485 .722 .480
Liam had a positive TC taking him to A- outside and is eligible for full gains. Josh needs to hit his inside and hope for some TC luck but there’s something here. Luke Kennard?
Carter Bryant – South Bay Lakers Y1
C B- C B- C C Pot
34.5 12.3 5.9 2.2 1.4 0.3 1.6 .420 .709 .250
Liked the prospect, maybe it happens one day.
Dillon Jones – Northern Arizona Suns Y2
C C- C B C+ F Pot
30.8 10.2 9.1 2.1 0.9 0.3 1.3 .436 .630 .273
Waste of salary per his GM, but the rebounding is good?
Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Anaheim Arsenal Y3
B A- C- B C C Pot
35.8 28.1 7.2 2.9 1.8 0.1 1.7 .476 .874 .459
Second best prospect in the NDL, not sure why he isn’t in Portland this year. Immense efficiency, great handles. Jaime looks like he’ll be a terrific wing and might be one of Portland’s best trade chips to get their 2027 pick back.
Rasheer Fleming – Anaheim Arsenal Y1
B- B- D C+ B- B Pot
27.0 14.8 8.2 2.0 0.9 0.8 1.8 .419 .680 .520
Better ratings than stats at this point. He’s going to get full gains this year and probably needs a lot of inside. He had fun draft notes and shows some stock life.
Toumani Camara – Stockton Kings Y3
C+ B D+ C C C Pot
33.5 28.1 7.3 2.1 2.0 0.8 1.7 .513 .845 .441
Jesse is assuredly going to QO this man. Crazy efficient, low turnover, and stocky. Plus his ratings don’t look great. I’m not totally sure what this is, but there’s definitely something here.
Dalton Knecht – Stockton Kings Y2
C+ A- C- B- C- B Pot
32.1 24.7 5.8 2.0 1.0 0.2 1.5 .458 .803 .437
Great offense with mediocre defense and rebounding. Tell me where you’ve heard this before. Likely his last year with full gains, Dalton will be an SLN player, just a question of how good.
Bigs
Yves Missi – Westchester Knicks Y2
C+ D+ D+ A- B- B Pot
28.1 7.4 8.1 1.7 1.1 1.0 1.8 .433 .596 .000
Pretty sure we all thought he’d have more blocks than this. A- defense might make Yves the best big in the NDL but it’s not saying much.
DaRon Holmes – Delaware Blue Coats Y2
B- C+ D+ C+ B- B Pot
32.6 22.7 9.8 3.3 1.0 0.8 3.0 .436 .703 .273
Of the two bigs in Delaware, DaRon boards better with more stocks. He’s got a ways to go to be useful but stranger things have happened.
Quinten Post – Raptors 905 Y2
B- B+ C- C+ C+ D Pot
31.9 24.4 10.3 3.2 1.2 0.8 2.7 .448 .802 .504
Sort of Muscala ish most likely. Scoring big who might struggle to properly rebound. I’d imagine the turnovers drop in a different setting. Full gains this year as well so he’s going to get a chance.
Max Duncan – Grand Rapids Gold (FA)
C C C B- C+ C Pot
36.1 14.2 11.1 2.9 0.8 0.7 1.6 .415 .710 .306
Son of Tim? The bigs in the NDL are real bad and this guy is less bad than a bunch of others.
Jay Huff – Memphis Hustle (FA)
C+ B C- C+ C B Pot
33.8 14.0 9.6 2.6 1.0 1.1 2.1 .452 .848 .536
Probably not worth anything but the stock neutral and efficient shooting is pretty interesting?
Asa Newell – Ontario Clippers
B- C D+ B C+ B Pot
33.3 21.0 10.3 3.2 1.2 0.6 3.8 .483 .719 .286
Missed about 37 games to injury which will really suck for his gains. Came into the draft with A pot and fell all the way to about 20. Asa looks pretty nice here but will likely need a handles camp. Somehow not leading the Clippers in turnovers with Allen Cronin doing a light 4.6 per game.
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jwoo
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Top NDL Prospects: 2025 Edition
Nikola topic didn’t get a paragraph
free healthcare has never been more important
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mantypas/CavsCzar
- General Manager
- Posts: 2576
- Joined: December 20th, 2023, 12:06 pm
Top NDL Prospects: 2025 Edition
Just forgot to add him to bigs. Looked at him when compiling forwards. He nice
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