2025 NBA Draft: Youth Dominates with Record Low Average Age

CHICAGO, Ill. — With the 2025 NBA draft scheduled for June, speculation intensifies around a class defined by its surprising youth. This year’s top 30 prospects have an average draft-night age of 19.6, a notable shift from the previous year, which boasted the oldest draft class in recent memory at an average age of 21.2.

The youngest prospect, scheduled to be the No. 1 draft pick, is expected to create significant buzz. Star forward Cooper Flagg, who turned 18 on December 21, is among five projected top picks who are all yet to celebrate their 19th birthdays. In total, there are only six players from college who have completed more than one year of experience in ESPN‘s top 30 rankings.

This stark contrast in age between the classes reflects a broader trend in which teams express long-term interest in combining youth and talent. “The talent level this year is higher in terms of ability, even though they’re younger,” said one Western Conference scout who spoke with ESPN on the condition of anonymity. “There was no Cooper Flagg in last year’s draft… There’s a lot more upside in these prospects.”

Interestingly, typically, older players trend upward in the pre-draft rankings as collegiate freshmen often opt to return to school while NBA teams look for immediate help from experienced contributors. However, indications are that 2025’s initial rounds could feature one of the youngest assemblies the league has seen.

This class is also characterized by six international prospects included within the top 30, enhancing the drafting landscape for teams grappling with their strategies. With college seasons closing in, the next few weeks are critical for these freshmen to solidify their positions in the draft among evaluating NBA executives.

Focusing on Flagg, ESPN has identified 15 freshmen attracting significant interest among NBA executives, each surrounded by questions swirling in front offices across the league. Speculation on their future hinges on performance as the season progresses, particularly for these young stars positioned for a strong showing in the upcoming draft.