It’s Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft. Let’s hand out grades for every second-round pick. Also, click here for first-round grades.
31. Phoenix Suns: Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s
Grade: A-
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition. This matters less for the Suns, since he’ll play in a role in which he just needs to do the simple stuff as a floor spacer rather than worry about shot creation.
32. Orlando Magic: Noah Penda, F, Le Mans
Grade: C+
Penda plays with a veteran’s mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense, and high-level feel. It’s a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine in the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on.
33. Charlotte Hornets: Sion James, G, Duke
Grade: B
Fans who happen to root for both Duke and Charlotte know that James has role-player qualities that can fit next to the Hornets’ core pieces. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. And he brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. But without the handle of a primary creator, it’s critical he sustains his newfound success as a shooter.
34. Charlotte Hornets: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Grade: A
A ton of teams were hoping Kalkbrenner would fall to them in the second round, but the Hornets land him here after trading away center Mark Williams during Day 1 of the draft. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside, which could allow him to help facilitate for Charlotte’s offensive engines.
35. Philadelphia 76ers: Johni Broome, F/C, Auburn
Grade: B+
Could Broome be the best backup center of the Joel Embiid era? Perhaps so, because he brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope, Embiid’s ability to space the floor could make for intriguing two-big lineups this season. In Philadelphia, it’s more important that he progresses moving laterally on the perimeter.