The 2025 NBA Draft was a spectacle of anticipation, talent, and surprises, much like every draft before it. As the dust settles, a significant number of skilled players remain undrafted or overlooked, sparking debates among analysts, fans, and the players themselves. This phenomenon is more than just a list of the “best of the rest”; it reflects the evolving priorities of NBA front offices and the shifting tides in scouting, development, and opportunity. The 2025 draft class highlighted a surplus of talent but a scarcity of spots, with only 59 picks made due to league penalties for infractions. This scarcity has led to a growing trend where teams prioritize global scouting and versatile, projectable talent over established college stars with impressive resumes.
The 2025 class of undrafted players includes some of the most impactful college basketball players in recent memory. Among them, Mark Sears, Caleb Love, RJ Luis Jr., and Ryan Nembhard stand out as notable omissions. Each of these players has a compelling case for why they should have been drafted, yet they were passed over for various reasons. Understanding their credentials, the circumstances of their omission, and their potential future paths provides insight into the NBA’s current drafting strategies.
Mark Sears, a standout guard from Alabama, had a dazzling senior season, earning a reputation as one of college basketball’s most prolific scorers. His blend of shot-making, playmaking, and defensive tenacity powered the Crimson Tide to deep tournament runs. Sears averaged over 20 points per game, shot over 40% from deep, and led his team both on and off the floor. Despite his impressive stats, his 6-foot-1 frame raised concerns about his NBA fit, particularly regarding his ability to defend at the next level and his relative ceiling compared to younger prospects. NBA teams often prioritize “tools” and “upside,” which may have contributed to his omission. However, Sears’ collegiate production suggests he could contribute immediately as a scorer or backup floor general.
Caleb Love’s draft journey exemplifies the modern NBA’s push-pull with college production. A fiery competitor, Love has played under the brightest lights, including a Final Four with North Carolina and a regular-season conference title with Arizona. His size, scoring versatility, and knack for big moments make him an attractive prospect. However, questions about his efficiency, shot selection, and defensive consistency likely weighed on his draft stock. Teams may have hesitated to take the risk of “unfiltered” Love, opting instead for younger guards with clearer roles. Despite this, Love’s winning pedigree and high-level experience could quickly translate to a rotation spot, if not more.
RJ Luis Jr., a forward/guard from St. John’s, embodies the traits many teams claim to covet: size, switchability, toughness, and an aggressive, attacking style. His transfer to St. John’s showcased his growth into an all-around player, drawing praise for his rebounding and defensive activity. However, his relative obscurity, minor injuries, and the fact that St. John’s was not a top-25 team may have contributed to his omission. Some scouts saw him as a “tweener,” not quite explosive enough for the 2-guard or big enough for a true 3. Nevertheless, his motor and defensive mentality are well-suited for the ever-expanding G League, and he could be in line for a call-up.
Ryan Nembhard, a guard from Gonzaga, ran one of the most balanced offenses in college basketball, orchestrating with poise, vision, and adaptability. His small stature and concerns about athleticism, size, and defensive versatility dropped him behind more physical, projectable guards. However, his collegiate resume—marked by winning and high efficiency—will give him a long leash with teams looking for floor leadership and secondary playmaking. Nembhard’s feel for the game, passing creativity, and willingness to set the table make him an easy fit for a variety of systems on paper.
The patterns in the draft snubs reveal the NBA’s shifting priorities. Teams are doubling down on youth, upside, and positional versatility, often selecting younger, less proven international players or freshmen over well-known upperclassmen. Defensive length and the potential for two-way impact are prized over singular offensive skill sets. Questions about “positional fit” or “ceiling” can torpedo prospects, even if their production trumps others by leaps and bounds. This trend highlights the NBA’s bet on finding the next “second Giannis” or “hidden Jokic” rather than a Final Four mainstay.
The value of undrafted free agents cannot be overstated. NBA summer and fall tell a different story from draft night, as teams sign undrafted players to Exhibit 10 contracts, two-way deals, and G League spots. Players like Jaylen Nowell, Duncan Robinson, Austin Reaves, and Luguentz Dort all went undrafted and found steady NBA niches. The G League and summer league provide platforms for undrafted players to showcase their skills and control their own destinies. Additionally, international markets in Europe and Australia offer competitive salaries, visible platforms, and chances to develop, all while NBA scouts watch closely for call-up candidates.
The undrafted stars of the 2025 NBA Draft have the track record, character, and game to stick on an NBA roster given the right opportunity. Leadership, toughness, and confidence are attributes that do not fade overnight. Mark Sears and Ryan Nembhard directed high-level programs under immense pressure, RJ Luis Jr. proved capable of guarding up and crashing the glass, and Caleb Love’s big-game heroics always make him a danger late in games. These players are expected to suit up for summer league squads, making the most of showcase minutes. With rapid attrition in the NBA due to injuries, trades, or fit, overlooked veterans often find themselves playing meaningful basketball soon after draft night heartbreak.
The NBA’s decision-makers moved in concert, placing a premium on upside and projection at the potential expense of proven contributors. This trend is not about a lack of talent but about how talent is framed, valued, and sometimes underappreciated. In an era where “draft and stash,” “tools over tape,” and “potential over production” command headlines, some of the best stories in the league will always come from players who stubbornly refuse to see themselves as finished products just because 29 teams (and 59 picks) opted to go in a different direction.
For Mark Sears, Caleb Love, RJ Luis Jr., and Ryan Nembhard, the next steps are clear—one workout, one summer league appearance, or one breakthrough camp could vault them into the NBA’s ever-growing tapestry of impact role players. This draft may not have heard their names called, but their stories are nowhere near finished. In a league obsessed with potential, the most dangerous players of all are those with everything to prove—and the receipts to back it up.
