All Five Duke Basketball Starters Come Off the Board in New Bleacher s:
All Five Duke Basketball Starters Come Off the Board in New Bleacher Report NBA Mock Draft
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The Duke Blue Devils have long been synonymous with elite-level basketball talent, but the latest NBA mock draft from Bleacher Report sends a seismic message through both college and professional basketball circles: all five of Duke’s 2024-25 starters are projected to be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The mock draft, released earlier this week by Bleacher Report’s lead NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman, reinforces just how special this Duke team was — and just how well-positioned Mike Krzyzewski’s successor, Jon Scheyer, is at preparing talent for the next level.
This unprecedented projection marks a historic moment for the program. While Duke has produced numerous lottery picks and first-round selections in a single draft before — including the famed 2019 class of Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish — having all five starters come off the board in one mock draft is something rarely seen
Let’s break down the projected selections and what each former Blue Devil brings to the NBA stage:
No surprise here. Cooper Flagg, the top-ranked high school player in the country and the centerpiece of Duke’s team this season, has been slotted as the No. 1 overall pick in nearly every reputable mock draft, and Bleacher Report is no exception.
Flagg’s elite two-way ability, high motor, and defensive instincts have scouts drooling. At 6-foot-9, with a wingspan that seems to stretch across the court, Flagg proved during his lone season in Durham that he’s not only the best player in college basketball but perhaps one of the most NBA-ready prospects since Anthony Davis or Luka Dončić.
Averaging 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game, Flagg dominated on both ends of the floor. His performance in the NCAA Tournament, particularly his 31-point game in the Elite Eight, only solidified his status.
“He’s the kind of player you build a franchise around,” said one anonymous NBA scout quoted by Bleacher Report. “The IQ, the work ethic, the skill — it’s all there.”
Australian-born guard Tyrese Proctor took a massive leap during his sophomore campaign, transforming from a promising role player to a polished floor general.
In the mock draft, Proctor lands in the late lottery at No. 11 overall, selected by a team in need of a heady point guard with strong defensive upside.
Proctor’s 6-foot-5 frame, smooth handle, and court vision were major assets for Duke’s offense, especially with his ability to control tempo and distribute in the half-court. He averaged 14.2 points and 6.1 assists per game, and improved his three-point shooting to 39%, silencing critics who doubted his perimeter consistency.
“There’s a calmness to his game that’s rare in young guards,” Wasserman noted in his analysis. “He can run an offense right now at the NBA level.”
Perhaps no Duke player saw their stock rise more dramatically than Jared McCain, the charismatic shooting guard known for his social media presence and microwave scoring ability.
Mocked at No. 15 overall, McCain’s ability to heat up offensively and shoot from deep (43% from three-point range on over 6 attempts per game) made him one of the most feared perimeter weapons in the ACC.
McCain also displayed underrated toughness and rebounding (6.5 RPG), showcasing his ability to contribute even when his shot wasn’t falling.
His work ethic and off-the-charts confidence earned him high praise from NBA executives. As one scout told Bleacher Report, “He’s a culture guy. He’ll fit in any locker room and bring energy.”
Mark Mitchell, the versatile 6-foot-9 forward, came into the season as a potential second-rounder, but his consistent improvement — particularly on defense and shooting — saw him rise into the first-round conversation.
Slotted at No. 26, Mitchell’s NBA projection is that of a do-it-all forward who can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots. His switchability on defense and strong frame (235 lbs) made him invaluable during Duke’s toughest matchups.
He averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, but more importantly, showed he could guard 1-through-4 effectively while being an unselfish glue guy offensively.
Teams picking late in the first round — especially contenders — value players like Mitchell who can contribute immediately without demanding the ball.
Had Kyle Filipowski declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, he was projected as a first-round pick. But the decision to return for a sophomore season was aimed at fine-tuning his game — particularly his defense and mobility.
Now, in Bleacher Report’s latest 2025 mock, Filipowski is projected to go early in the second round at No. 34, still a solid spot given the evolving demands of NBA bigs.
The 7-foot center averaged 13.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, showcasing his touch around the rim and improved foot speed. Though his perimeter shot took a slight dip (32% from deep), scouts still believe in his stretch-big potential.
“He may not be the flashiest, but he’s productive,” Wasserman wrote. “He’s the kind of guy who could carve out a 10-year NBA career.”
If this mock draft comes true, it would mark one of the most dominant displays of talent development in modern college basketball history. Duke would become the first team in over a decade to send all five starters to the NBA in a single draft cycle — a feat reminiscent of the 2015 Kentucky Wildcats, who had seven players drafted in total, including four starters.
For head coach Jon Scheyer, this would be a defining moment in his young career. Tasked with replacing the legendary Coach K, Scheyer has delivered on the recruiting trail and, more importantly, in preparing his players for the next level.
This draft class would also boost Duke’s reputation with elite high school prospects. The message is clear: if you want to get to the NBA, Durham is the destination.
While this level of success is cause for celebration, it also leaves Duke with a completely gutted starting lineup heading into next season. Fortunately for Blue Devil fans, the cupboard is far from bare.
Duke boasts the No. 1 recruiting class for 2025, headlined by five-star wing Cameron Boozer, sharpshooter Koa Peat, and dynamic guard Darryn Peterson. All three are projected lottery picks in their own right and are expected to form the new foundation for Scheyer’s next chapter.
Still, the loss of five experienced, NBA-ready players will pose a major leadership vacuum. Veterans off the bench and incoming transfers will be crucial in guiding the new freshmen-heavy squad through the ACC gauntlet.
This mock draft confirms what most already knew: Duke was operating on a different level this season. While the team may have fallen short of a national championship, its legacy will live on through the NBA careers of Flagg, Proctor, McCain, Mitchell, and Filipowski.
Rarely does a college program boast five players in a single starting lineup that all project as NBA contributors. But Duke isn’t just any program — it’s a basketball factory.
Whether or not the mock plays out exactly as projected come draft night, one thing is certain: The 2024-25 Blue Devils will be remembered as one of the most talented teams in school history — and one that sent an entire starting lineup to the league.
