When you think of current NBA players who went to a mid-major the year they were drafted, who is the best among them? Who comes to mind?
Damian Lillard (Weber State) likely comes first, then we remember guys like Pascal Siakam (New Mexico State), Jaylen Williams (Santa Clara), or our king Obi Toppin (Dayton). If any of the mid-major players drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft have careers like any of the guys I just noted, that would be pretty rad.
We asked the audience, which NBA Draft pick from a mid major will have the best pro career? Let’s get into the results.
For all your betting needs heading into the upcoming season, visit FanDuel Sportsbook.
Our winner is Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joe’s) with 42% of the votes.
Fleming was taken with the first pick of the second round of the NBA Draft, which was later than two of his peers whom he finished ahead of in this poll. Call it an upset?
Maybe.
Fleming has an crazy physical profile and stands nearly 6-foot-9 with an insane 7-foot-5 wingspan (he weights north of 230 supposedly as well). Plus, he can shoot the tar off the ball, which he pairs with innate defensive tools. If everything comes together, he is a player that can have a very long NBA career.
Fleming averaged 7.3 points on 36% shooting from distance on a solid volume (3.7 attempts) and flashed his defensive versatility with 1.7 steals for the Summer Suns. Summer League is Summer League so take it with a grain of salt always. Fleming might take time to reach his peak, but if he does it could be the steal of the draft.
I am going to be transparent real quick, Cedric Coward would be my pick here.
Coward was a major riser among the draft reporter community during the spring lead up to the draft. And for good reason. Coward is a 6-foot-6 wing with, you guessed it, a 7-foot-5 wingspan, and has shown in small samples efficient shooting. Those types of wings with shooting ability simply don’t grow on trees.
The No. 11 pick, Coward was drafted by Memphis, who of course also have former Washington State Cougar Jaylen Wells on the perimeter. Fun fact, he is the highest drafted player directly from a mid-major school since Toppin (No. 8) and narrowly ahead of Williams (No. 12).
Coward should have a good pathway to rookie year minutes in Memphis too.
Clifford showed out at Summer League as one of the best rookies from the class.
He averaged 15 points, 6.5 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks and had shooting splits of 49/46/62 on big volume. He looked like he was a four-year college player, in the best ways. Watch out for him giving the Kings a reason to play him often with his scoring versatility and defensive impact on the perimeter.
Clifford looks ready to play.
Shulga had a bad Summer League, but that is fine.
Let’s remember what he did in college for a second. Shulga shot 39% from distance during his five-year college career and at high volume his final three seasons. It is reasonable to say his icy stay in Las Vegas is temporary.
He was drafted to a good spot in the Boston Celtics, a team that has had a knack for finding good shooters late in the draft.
