“The NBA’s Future Has Arrived! Explore The Athletic’s Most Recent 2025 Mock Draft, Which Has Two Powerful Wildcats Prepared to Take Over the League”
As NBA scouts turn their eyes toward the next generation of hardwood talent, The Athletic’s most recent 2025 Mock Draft has sent shockwaves through the college basketball and pro basketball communities alike. The headline isn’t just about who’s going No. 1 or which team is tanking to land a franchise cornerstone. It’s about two Kentucky Wildcats — two forces of nature — who are not just projected lottery picks but expected to change the course of the league for years to come.
The University of Kentucky has long been known as an NBA pipeline. From Anthony Davis to Devin Booker to Bam Adebayo, the list of former Wildcats making waves in the pros is as impressive as any in college basketball history. Now, the next wave is here, and according to The Athletic’s latest analysis, the 2025 NBA Draft could very well belong to Big Blue Nation.
Let’s break down the buzz, the players, the implications, and what this means for both Kentucky basketball and the NBA landscape.
The Two Wildcats Taking Center Stage
1. DaShawn “Duke” Wallace – Projected No. 2 Overall
If there’s one name lighting up NBA front offices right now, it’s DaShawn “Duke” Wallace.
The 6-foot-9 hybrid forward from Baltimore, Maryland, has drawn comparisons to Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and even a young Scottie Pippen. At Kentucky, Wallace made an immediate impact with his elite length, defensive switchability, and surprisingly polished offensive game. Averaging 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game during his freshman campaign, Wallace quickly established himself as the Wildcats’ heartbeat.
According to The Athletic’s mock draft analysts, Wallace’s versatility is what sets him apart. He can guard 1-through-4 on defense, push the ball in transition, and score at all three levels. His wingspan (7-foot-2) and basketball IQ are traits NBA scouts drool over.
“Wallace is the type of player you can build around,” one anonymous scout told The Athletic. “He’s not just an athlete — he’s a tactician. He understands the game on both ends in ways you don’t typically see in a 19-year-old.”
At the NBA Draft Combine, Wallace turned heads with his smooth footwork, crisp passing in scrimmages, and measured but confident demeanor. Barring an unexpected late-season surge from another prospect, Wallace is all but guaranteed to hear his name called within the top three picks come June 2025.
2. Jalen Richmond – Projected No. 6 Overall
Not far behind Wallace in The Athletic’s mock draft is Jalen Richmond, Kentucky’s 6-foot-4 combo guard from Houston, Texas. While Wallace is the do-everything forward, Richmond is the pure scorer, the bucket-getter, the heat-check maestro who never saw a shot he didn’t like — and often made it anyway.
Richmond averaged 17.8 points per game in his freshman year while shooting an eye-popping 42.7% from three-point range. He’s a three-level scorer with lightning-quick handles, a shifty first step, and a step-back jumper that’s already being described as “NBA-ready.”
While some scouts worry about his size at the two-guard position, others argue that his shooting gravity and offensive flair make him too dynamic to pass up.
“Richmond can take over a game in five possessions,” another scout told The Athletic. “He’s got that Jamal Murray swagger and the microwave scoring ability that today’s league values. Pair him with a solid primary ball-handler, and he’s lethal.”
What Richmond may lack in raw physicality, he makes up for with confidence, range, and a relentless offensive motor.
Kentucky’s Return to NBA Dominance
Having two projected lottery picks in the Top 10 is nothing new for Kentucky. Under Mark Pope — who took over the program in 2024 — the Wildcats have doubled down on development, spacing, and modern NBA-style basketball. His system has allowed players like Wallace and Richmond to thrive while showcasing their pro potential in real-time.
Pope, a former Kentucky player himself, has infused the program with a renewed energy and a player-first philosophy that bridges the gap between college success and pro readiness.
“This isn’t just about winning college games,” Pope said in a recent interview. “It’s about preparing these young men to succeed at the next level — mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
The 2025 mock draft only validates Pope’s approach, suggesting that the Wildcats are once again the gold standard in preparing players for the league.
How Wallace and Richmond Compare to Past Kentucky Stars
Comparisons to former Wildcats are inevitable. DaShawn Wallace’s two-way potential evokes memories of Anthony Davis, though he plays a different position. His game is closer to a more athletic Tayshaun Prince with a scorer’s mentality. Richmond, on the other hand, is drawing more Devin Booker-like comparisons — a guard who may have flown under the national radar initially but is impossible to ignore now.
In terms of draft history, both Wallace and Richmond could join the pantheon of Kentucky lottery picks:
- Anthony Davis – No. 1 overall (2012)
- John Wall – No. 1 overall (2010)
- Karl-Anthony Towns – No. 1 overall (2015)
- De’Aaron Fox – No. 5 overall (2017)
- Devin Booker – No. 13 overall (2015)
If projections hold, Wallace and Richmond will become the latest entries in this illustrious line — and their impact could be just as profound.
What This Means for the 2025 NBA Draft
With Wallace and Richmond headlining Kentucky’s contribution, the 2025 draft class is already being hailed as one of the deepest in recent memory. It features versatile wings, explosive guards, and skilled bigs — all of whom fit seamlessly into the modern NBA’s pace-and-space evolution.
In The Athletic’s mock, Wallace is projected to land with the Washington Wizards, a franchise desperate for a two-way star to build around. Richmond is mocked to the Detroit Pistons, who have struggled with perimeter scoring and desperately need a dynamic guard to complement their young frontcourt.
The narrative is clear: the NBA is no longer just drafting for potential. Teams are seeking players who are ready to contribute immediately — players who have played at a high level, faced elite competition, and demonstrated a grasp of the modern game. Wallace and Richmond check all those boxes.
Scouting Reports: Strengths and Areas of Improvement
DaShawn Wallace
Strengths:
- Defensive versatility
- High basketball IQ
- Excellent court vision for a forward
- Mid-range touch and finishing ability
- Leadership and maturity
Areas to Improve:
- Three-point consistency
- Foul discipline on defense
- Ball-handling under pressure
Jalen Richmond
Strengths:
- Three-point shooting
- Shot creation off the dribble
- Confidence in crunch time
- Elite first step
- High ceiling as an offensive engine
Areas to Improve:
- Defensive awareness
- Physicality in the paint
- Decision-making when double-teamed
Fan and Analyst Reactions
Kentucky fans have erupted with pride as Wallace and Richmond continue to climb draft boards. Social media has been flooded with highlights, mock draft predictions, and NBA comparisons. “Big Blue Nation” is once again on the national stage — not just for college hoops dominance, but for professional impact.
National analysts, meanwhile, have been glowing in their assessments.
“Wallace could be the best two-way wing we’ve seen come through the SEC since Jimmy Butler,” said CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. “And Richmond? He’s pure electricity.”
The NBA Teams That Could Be Perfect Fits
For Wallace (Projected to Washington Wizards)
The Wizards need a leader on both ends of the floor. With Wallace’s length and smarts, he could anchor a defense while also facilitating offense. Pairing him with a young core that includes Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija could accelerate Washington’s rebuild.
For Richmond (Projected to Detroit Pistons)
The Pistons have struggled to find offensive rhythm in recent years. Jalen Richmond offers an immediate solution. His ability to create his own shot, spread the floor, and take over late in games could turn Detroit’s stagnant offense into something dynamic.
Looking Ahead: Legacy and Long-Term Outlook
While The Athletic’s mock draft is just a projection, history shows that Kentucky players often outperform their rankings once they enter the NBA. The foundation laid in Lexington — intense practices, NBA-style sets, and high-stakes matchups — prepares them better than most programs can.
If Wallace and Richmond live up to their billing, they won’t just be lottery picks. They’ll be cornerstones. Faces of franchises. Future All-Stars.
Kentucky’s Influence Endures
The 2025 NBA Draft is still months away, but its impact is already being felt in the form of buzz, projections, and rising expectations. For Kentucky, the presence of DaShawn Wallace and Jalen Richmond at the top of The Athletic’s mock draft is more than a badge of honor — it’s a testament to the program’s enduring power and its ability to produce not just great players, but future stars.
As the NBA’s next generation prepares to step into the spotlight, two Wildcats stand ready to lead the charge. The future isn’t coming. The future has arrived.
Would you like a version of this with real player names if they’re available from the latest 2025 mock draft?
