Starting 5, June 27: 1 Draft. 2 Nights. 59 Dreams Achieved

The 2025 NBA Draft Is Complete — Here’s What You Missed from Night 2

The second night of the 2025 NBA Draft wrapped up with 29 more dreams fulfilled, trades flying fast, and raw emotion pouring out from prospects, families, and fans alike. With Rasheer Fleming kicking things off at No. 31 and the night closing at pick 59, the future of the league came into clearer view—layered with stories of sacrifice, late-blooming talent, and international reach.

Veteran Surge

After a freshman-heavy first round (18 selected), not a single freshman was drafted in Round 2 — the first time that’s happened since 2015. Instead, older prospects like Fleming, Adou Thiero, Kam Jones, and Johni Broome shone brightest.

Draft Night Deals

Round 2 was fueled by trades, with 14 of the 29 picks changing hands:

• Orlando made a major move to grab French forward Noah Penda at No. 32.

• The Lakers aggressively climbed the board twice to snag Thiero at No. 36.

• The Pacers grabbed nearby Marquette star Kam Jones at No. 38 in a fan-favorite pick.

Global Flavor

22 international players were drafted this year—11 in each round—keeping the NBA’s global momentum strong.

• France had six picks overall.

• Australia made waves with four picks in 11 slots during Round 2, including two to the Chicago Bulls (Zikarsky and Olbrich).

• A total of 15 countries across five continents were represented in the 2025 Draft.

Draft Night Emotions: Green Room, Grandparents & Green Suits

Round 2 might not have the glitz of the first night, but the emotions hit just as hard.

• Javon Small matched suits with his mom and gave credit to his grandfather, who brought the house down with a booming “That’s my boy!” after Memphis took him at 48.

• Koby Brea reflected on his basketball journey from age 4 to the Phoenix Suns.

• Bogoljub Marković, selected 47th by Milwaukee, fulfilled a first-grade dream that began with the simple word: “NBA.”

Brotherhood to Big Leagues: The Montverde Four

Cooper Flagg. Derik Queen. Asa Newell. Liam McNeeley.
All were part of a legendary 33-0 Montverde Academy team, and all are now first-round NBA Draft picks.

• Flagg went No. 1 to Dallas after dominating at Duke.

• Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a March Madness hero.

• Newell stayed close to home, heading to Atlanta after his strong season at Georgia.

• McNeeley, a Big East star at UConn, rounded out the first round at No. 29.

  “We all made sacrifices going to Montverde,” said Newell. “They’re paying off.”
  “Those are my brothers,” added McNeeley. “We’ll always have this bond.”

Round 2 in Portraits: Fresh Fits, Hidden Gems

The second night had its share of style, swagger, and surprises. From vibrant suits to heartfelt hugs, NBA photographers captured it all.
Stay tuned for a full gallery drop later this week.

Chasing History: A Postseason Doc You Can’t Miss

The 2025 Playoffs were a movie—and now it actually is.

The NBA’s postseason docuseries Chasing History returns for a third season, and the 2025 edition is the most jaw-dropping yet:

• 8 comebacks of 17+ points (a new record)

• 6 game-winning shots in the final 10 seconds (most in a decade)

• 19 games decided by three points or fewer

• 7th straight season with a new NBA Champion

The Finals? A Game 7 thriller between OKC and Indiana.

• Tyrese Haliburton had a legendary Playoffs before a heartbreaking Achilles tear in Game 7.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paused his celebration to check on him postgame.

• Jalen Williams dropped 40 in Game 5 and emerged as a Finals star.
  “It was a movie.”
  Now you can watch it. Streaming now: Chasing History – 2025 NBA Playoffs.

What’s Next: NBA 2K26 Summer League

The next chapter starts in Vegas.

• July 10–20 | Las Vegas

• Opening Night:

  • Mavs vs. Lakers (8 ET): Cooper Flagg makes his debut

  • Spurs vs. Sixers (10 ET): Dylan Harper vs. VJ Edgecombe

The journey from Draft to stardom begins now.