Finding a great player in the lottery does not earn NBA front offices any bonuses. They will maybe get a pat on the back.
If a member of the front office wants to gain some recognition from the higher-ups, they need to find a gem in the second round.
These are the ten best second-round prospects that played in college last season.
1. Maxime Raynaud, C Stanford
I had Maxime Raynaud ranked No. 15 on my big board. The fact that he is still available is shocking. Despite not being the best defender, Raynaud embodies what teams want from a big man in 2025.
The seven-foot-one center from France last season scored 20.2 points per game while shooting 34.7% from deep. This pairs quite well with his 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
Raynaud should be able to make a day-one impact for any team. Every fanbase begs on their knees for a center who can stretch the floor so their star players can attack the rim. Raynaud is the best shooting center in the NBA Draft. Raynaud will be a massive steal in the second round.
2. Adou Thiero, SF Arkansas
This next sentence is going to become a repetitive theme throughout this article. If an NBA team is looking for a high-motor perimeter defender, they are available in the second round at a premium. Adou Theiro just happens to be the best of the bunch.
Theiro was the best defender on a Razorback team that made a surprise run in March. Simply put, he is a mean defender. He wants to get in your face and make you regret wanting to play basketball as a profession.
He needs to improve as a shooter. However, he can still score in the paint efficiently and can rebound at a high rate.
3. Rasheer Fleming, PF Saint Joseph’s
Rasheer Fleming is practically the same story as Thiero. What separates them is that Fleming is a better paint defender.
Fleming is a six-foot-nine, 240-pound forward who averaged 2.9 stocks a game. His game is quite similar to Jonathan Isaac's. Whenever Isaac is on the court, he is seen as an All-NBA defender. Teams should be foaming at the mouth knowing Fleming is still on the board.
4. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C Creighton
It is quite rare that the best shot blocker in the draft is still available in the second round. Yet, Ryan Kalkbrenner is still waiting to find himself a home.
Kalkbrenner averaged 2.9 blocks per game in his last two seasons of college basketball. The former Bluejay averaged 8.7 rebounds while shooting 34.4% from three last season alone.
NBA front offices prefer younger prospects since they have high potential. It is quite obvious that Kalkbrenner has hit his ceiling. Front offices can not pretend that he is not starting center quality. Kalkbrenner is a legit shot-blocking, lob threat.
5. Jamir Watkins, SG/SF Florida State
Jamir Watkins is similar to first-round draft pick Nique Clifford, as they are great at everything.
Watkins has a near-seven-foot wingspan and can score pretty well anywhere on the court. His high motor and athleticism have allowed him to be a consistent threat defensively.
Every NBA team wants 3-and-D wings. Watkins may be the best available 3-and-D wing in the second round.
6. Koby Brea, SG/SF Kentucky
I am a firm believer that the best 3-point shooting prospect should never make it past the first round. Yet Koby Brea is still looking for a place to call home.
Brea shot 43.6% from three during his tenure in college. Throughout that time, he improved his midrange shot as well. Brea can flat-out shoot the ball. He will be a spark plug off the bench at the NBA level.
7. Kam Jones, PG/SG Marquette
Just like Brea, Kam Jones is a walking bucket. Jones averaged 19.2 points per game while shooting an efficent 48.3% from the field.
Jones filed the stat sheet through college as he also averaged 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds during his senior year at Marquette.
Jones has all the redeeming traits to make himself an all-around guard for an NBA team.
8. Sion James, PG/SG Duke
Sion James is another efficient scoring guard who can wreak havoc as a great perimeter defender.
He has NBA size and IQ, which pair nicely with his motor. He spent five years in college, which has prepared him for the bright lights of the NBA.
9. Ryan Nembhard, PG Gonzaga
You would think that NBA front offices learned not to let a Nembhard slip into the second round. Unfortunately, they did not learn, and some team is going to find themselves with this gem in the second round.
Ryan Nembhard is a brilliant passer who has an offensive bag that is quite similar to his brother, Andrew.
There are rumors that the Indiana Pacers are looking to select Ryan. This duo of brothers will be a problem for fellow teams in the Eastern Conference if the Pacers pull this off.
10. Tyrese Proctor, PG Duke
Tyrese Proctor is what you want in a rotational point guard. He has a high IQ and can defend the perimeter.
Pair that with NBA size, and Proctor should be a second-round draft pick who has a long career in the league.