Experience Over Hype? Seniors Shining in a Freshmen-Heavy Draft Class

Locked On NBA Big Board - NBA Draft Podcast

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek reflect on the impact of Dalton Knecht, who went from a standout senior at Tennessee to a key rotation player for the Los Angeles Lakers playing on Christmas Day. Inspired by Knecht's journey, Rafael and Krysten dive into six senior prospects who may not be dominating like Knecht did but could outperform their draft projections in the 2025 NBA Draft. The duo discusses Johni Broome, Kam Jones, Nique Clifford, Hunter Sallis, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Maxime Raynaud, highlighting their strong starts, developmental progress, and how returning to school has impacted their stock. With in-depth analysis, the hosts explore whether teams will value these seasoned prospects over unproven upside and speculate on which senior could be the first selected come draft night.

Timestamps:

3:50: Rafael and Krysten discuss overlooked seniors in the NBA Draft.
5:13: Question: Who will be the first senior off the board in the 2025 NBA Draft?
6:17: Breakdown of Johni Broome’s game and draft outlook.
13:15: Analysis of Kam Jones’ early-season impact.
18:28: Nique Clifford’s development and sleeper potential.
25:00: Discussion on Hunter Sallis’ decision to return and his projected role in the NBA.
28:35: Ryan Kalkbrenner’s elite efficiency and two-way value.
31:11: Maxime Raynaud’s blend of size, skill, and international intrigue.