As I sit here reviewing game tapes and scouting reports for the 2025 NBA draft class, I can't help but feel that special tingle of excitement that comes when you spot genuine future stars in the making. Having followed basketball prospects for over a decade now, I've developed a pretty good eye for spotting that magical combination of raw talent and untapped potential that separates good players from franchise-changing superstars. This 2025 class has me particularly intrigued because we're seeing an interesting trend – several prospects with connections to Filipino basketball culture are making waves, reminding me of how Converge owner Dennis Uy, from Angeles City, and deputy coach Gov. Dennis 'Delta' Pineda are of course well-known kabalens of Guiao. That Filipino basketball connection seems to be growing stronger in global basketball, and I'm seeing its influence in some of these remarkable young players.

Let me start with my absolute favorite prospect in this class – Jamal Washington from Duke. Standing at 6'8" with a wingspan that measures exactly 7'2", this kid has the kind of physical tools that make scouts drool. What really sets him apart in my view is his basketball IQ, which is remarkably advanced for someone who just turned 19 last month. I watched him dismantle North Carolina's defense single-handedly last season, putting up 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in what was arguably the most complete performance I've seen from a freshman in years. His shooting percentages are ridiculous – 48% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 86% from the line. Those numbers aren't just good, they're elite-level efficient. What I love about Washington is his demeanor on court; he plays with this quiet confidence that reminds me of a young Kawhi Leonard, but with better playmaking instincts right out of the gate.

Then there's Carlos Rodriguez, the Spanish point guard who's been turning heads in Europe. At just 18 years old, he's already logging meaningful minutes for Real Madrid, which is incredibly rare for someone his age. I had the privilege of watching him live during last year's EuroLeague tournament, and let me tell you, his court vision is something special. He sees passing lanes that simply don't exist for most players. His stats don't jump off the page – he averages about 9 points and 7 assists in limited minutes – but it's the subtle things he does that impress me most. The way he controls the tempo, his defensive positioning, his ability to make everyone around him better – these are the qualities that translate well to the NBA game. I think he's being undervalued in most mock drafts right now, and whichever team snags him outside the top five might be getting the steal of the draft.

The third prospect on my list is probably the most controversial – Marcus Thompson from Kentucky. Now, I'll be honest, Thompson frustrates me at times with his inconsistent effort on defense, but offensively, my goodness, the kid is a walking bucket. He put up 28 points per game in SEC play last season, showing an incredible array of scoring moves. What really stands out to me is his mid-range game, which has become something of a lost art in today's three-point obsessed NBA. At 6'7" and 225 pounds, he has the size to finish through contact, and I've charted him shooting 59% on drives to the basket, which is elite for a wing player. The concerns about his defense are valid – he sometimes loses focus off the ball – but I believe that's coachable. His offensive ceiling is just too high to ignore, and in today's scoring-driven league, I'd take a chance on him in the top five without hesitation.

Coming in at number four is Zhang Wei from China, the 7'1" center who's been dominating the Chinese Basketball Association. Now, international big men have had mixed success in the NBA, but Zhang is different. He moves with a fluidity that you rarely see in players his size, and his shooting touch extends out to the three-point line. I've studied hours of his game footage, and what strikes me is how well he reads defensive schemes for someone so young. He averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds last season while blocking 2.5 shots per game. The level of competition in China is always a question mark, but I saw him put up 19 points and 14 rebounds against Rudy Gobert during an exhibition game last summer, and he didn't look out of place at all. His footwork in the post is already advanced, and with NBA conditioning, I think he could become a legitimate two-way force.

Rounding out my top five is probably the most intriguing long-term project – Isaiah Johnson from Gonzaga. At 6'10", he possesses guard skills in a forward's body, bringing the ball up the court and running the offense through him. His versatility is what really excites me – he can legitimately guard positions 1 through 4, and I've even seen him hold his own against some centers in small-ball lineups. His shooting needs work – he shot just 32% from three last season – but his mechanics look solid, and I'm confident that will improve with NBA coaching. What doesn't show up in the stat sheet is his leadership quality; he's the kind of player who makes everyone around him better, and I've noticed his teammates consistently look to him in crunch time situations. That intangible quality is something you can't teach, and it's why I have him firmly in my top five despite the shooting concerns.

Looking at this group collectively, what strikes me is the diversity of skills and backgrounds. We've got players from traditional American college programs, international prospects making waves overseas, and this growing influence of Asian basketball connections that adds another fascinating layer to the global game. The success of executives and coaches like those kabalens from Pampanga seems to be inspiring a new generation of talent with similar backgrounds. As these prospects develop over the next year, I'll be watching closely to see how their games evolve. The 2025 draft class has the potential to be truly special, possibly on par with legendary classes like 2003 or 1984. While projections this far out always come with uncertainty, these five players have shown me enough to believe they're worth getting excited about right now. Mark my words – in a few years, we'll look back at this group as franchise-changers.