The dust has settled on Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft, and some college programs are celebrating, while others are wondering what went wrong. Duke absolutely dominated with three lottery picks, while programs like Illinois shocked everyone with unexpected first-round success. These were the teams that won big on draft night.
Which College Basketball Programs Shone Brightest in First Round of 2025 NBA Draft
Duke Blue Devils
Duke dominated the lottery with three selections in the top 10 picks. Unsurprisingly, Cooper Flagg went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks after earning consensus National Player of the Year honors.
Kon Knueppel followed in fourth overall to the Charlotte Hornets, while Khaman Maluach rounded out the trio at 10th to the Phoenix Suns.
Three Blue Devils went off the board in the top 10 of the #NBADraft 👀
The only other two teams with this feat: 2007 Florida and 2019 Duke 😳 pic.twitter.com/v8qo6mlpDe
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) June 26, 2025
Three lottery picks represent the most successful single-season draft haul in program history for the Blue Devils. Flagg became only the second freshman named AP National Player of the Year, joining Zion Williamson.
Coach Jon Scheyer’s recruiting class delivered on every expectation, making Duke the undisputed winner of draft night.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights placed both star freshmen in the top five selections. Dylan Harper went second overall to the San Antonio Spurs, while Ace Bailey landed fifth to the Utah Jazz. Both players earned All-Big Ten honors despite the team’s disappointing 15-17 season.
Despite their overall record, both players maintained their elite draft stock throughout the year. Harper was the highest-rated recruit in Rutgers’s program history, while Bailey was a consensus five-star prospect. The duo achieved their primary goal of NBA placement despite team struggles, marking a historic night for the program.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini made history with two first-round picks for just the third time in program history. Kasparas Jakucionis went 20th to the Miami Heat, while Will Riley was selected 21st by the Washington Wizards. Riley earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, and Jakucionis made the All-Big Ten Second Team.
Despite fluctuating draft projections throughout the season, both players landed in the first round. Jakucionis was ranked as high as fourth or fifth in some mock drafts before sliding to the late first round. Coach Brad Underwood’s international recruiting strategy paid dividends, with both players achieving their NBA dreams.
Baylor Bears
The Baylor Bears secured their highest draft pick in program history, with VJ Edgecombe going third overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Edgecombe earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 honors. The Bahamian guard became a McDonald’s All-American before arriving at Baylor.
Edgecombe’s lottery selection represents a program milestone for Baylor basketball. He made Baylor the first program in conference history to have three consecutive Conference Freshman of the Year winners. His elite high school credentials translated perfectly to the college level, culminating in a top-five draft selection.
Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns landed their first lottery pick since Kevin Durant, with Tre Johnson going sixth overall to the Washington Wizards. Johnson earned SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-SEC honors. He led the entire SEC in scoring during his freshman season.
Johnson’s draft position validates Texas’s successful transition to the SEC. He became the sixth freshman in SEC history to lead the league in scoring. His McDonald’s All-American selection and Texas Mr. Basketball award established him as a worthy successor to Durant’s legacy, bringing significant attention to the Longhorns’ program.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners achieved their highest draft selection since Trae Young, with Jeremiah Fears going seventh overall to the New Orleans Pelicans. Fears earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in his first college season and won gold with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup.
Fears exceeded all projections after initially being viewed as a potential late first-round pick. He reclassified to join Oklahoma a year early and became the first Sooner ranked in the top 40 by ESPN since Trae Young. Coach Porter Moser’s rebuild gained significant momentum with this lottery selection, highlighting the program’s upward trajectory.
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Other programs also achieved notable milestones through first-round selections. Penn State made history when Yanic Konan Niederhauser went 30th overall, becoming the highest draft pick in program history and their first-ever first-round selection.
The 2025 NBA Draft first round showcased how these programs truly developed elite talent. Duke’s three lottery picks led the way, while schools like Illinois made rare history with multiple selections. These programs proved that successful recruiting and player development create lasting NBA legacies in modern college basketball.
