US media commented on top 10 potentials before draft in the past decade: Doncic ranked 10, Bensey ranked 6, Flag ranked 2

With the 2025 draft opening today, Flag has become the No. 1 pick and has the opportunity to become one of the top rookies in the past decade. This year is also the year of the draft, and many outstanding rookies have emerged. The US media also reviewed all the rookies in the past 10 years and selected the 10 with the highest potential before the draft. Let’s take a look.

No. 10: Luca Doncic (1.98 defender, Real Madrid, 2018)

Doncic has unprecedented dominance in the European basketball world, but Doncic has not become the recognized No. 1 pick. Most European players perform mediocrely in the NBA, and only Paul Gasol can barely compare. Doncic has historically stadium insight and ball merchandising, but the US media has indeed underestimated his potential as a best-ranked player and has entered the top five in the league.

9th place: DeAndre Aiton (2.13 center, University of Arizona, 2018)

Aiton was elected as the No. 18th grade. He thought he had a higher potential than Doncic before the draft, but Aiton's visible talent did make many teams envious, with a height of 2.13 meters and an amazing wingspan of 2.29 meters. He has superb skills at the low post and showed a confrontational potential that can crush NBA players at the age of 19, but after entering the NBA, he did not realize his talent and became a misjudgment player on this list.

8th place: Ja Morant (1.88 defender, Murray State University, 2019)

Although covered up by Zion's light, Morant is still a talented super rookie. He was also seriously underestimated in the draft. He has incredible athletic ability and passing vision. He can easily break through defense by using change direction and speed. Morant is the only player in the NCAA to average 24 points and 10 assists in a single season in the past 65 years, but he has missed a large number of games in recent years, which is still worrying.

7th place: Markle Fultz (1.93 defender, University of Washington, 2017)

The bizarre degree of Fultz's career is the best on this list, but the creativity and talent he showed during his college years are also phenomenal, and all indicators indicate that he can become an elite scorer. The ball is clean and neat, and can attack the frame from any angle, but the changes in injuries and shooting mechanism have completely destroyed everyone, and it is difficult to blame the scouts' mistakes.

No. 6: Ben Simmons (2.08 defender, LSU, Class of 2016)

The first four seasons of Ben Simmons' career were indeed brilliant. The athletic talent shown before the draft was far beyond his peers. The combination of strength and coordination was perfectly combined, whether it was completing the finishing or passing the ball, it was at the textbook level. However, the attitude on the defensive end was a scattered performance in the playoffs, and he was in a slump after 2021, but Bensey does have high potential.

No. 5: Carl Anthony Towns (2.13 inside, University of Kentucky, 2015)

As an inside, Towns showed his historical touch and efficiency. Although he averaged 2 three-pointers per game during college, everyone knew his shooting potential. After entering the NBA, Towns did show his potential in this area and became the center who is best at shooting in NBA history, but the defensive end has become the team's shortcomings. It is difficult to use a pure center to build a defensive system.

No. 4: Cad Cningham (1.98 defender, Oklahoma State University, 2021)

Cningham is a top rookie in the 21st class. He is a very mature pick-and-roll initiator in the league in recent years. He can complete difficult passes with any hand while moving, but insufficient speed leads to doubts in singles ability to get rid of, and the defensive end is also average, but this is not harmful. After Cningham improved his shooting, he was selected into the third team this season, showing the leadership temperament of leading the team to the championship in the future.

No. 3: Zion Williamson (1.98 wing, Duke University, 2019)

Zion showed strength and explosive power during his college years. It is indeed the most extreme existence on the basketball court. Its body size is closer to professional football. Once an attack is launched, it is an unstoppable existence, and the change direction start speed is caught off guard. However, there was a potential injury before the draft. Now that I have entered the league, I have never played a playoff game, but even so, Zion was regarded as a strong contender for the league's number one person at that time.

No. 2: Cooper Flag (2-meter 03 wing, Duke University, 2025)

Flag has not suffered major injuries so far in his career. He has comprehensive skills on the offensive end, pulling jump shots, changing rhythms to break through the attack box, and passing the ball calmly and accurately. The defensive end is the team's reliable pillar, and he is also a very strong single-defense player. It will not be surprising to be selected for the best defense team in the future. Now joining the Mavericks directly has become the most bet-for-money puzzle.

No. 1: Victor Wenban Yama (2.21 center, Metropolis 92, 2023)

Wenban also ranked first without any dispute. As a 2.21 big center, he has excellent dribbling pass and shooting skills. The appearance of Wenban also broke everyone's perception of center. It can be said that he is the rookie with the highest ceiling since James. His performance in the two years since entering the league has proved this. If it weren't for the blood clot this year, the best defensive player and the best lineup would not be able to escape.