2025 NBA Draft Round 1 picks by team: Which schools made the biggest impact?

As the smoke clears after the NBA draft, the question is always which team made the most impact. The good news is that this year, it's a pretty clear consensus. With three picks in the top 10, Duke made the biggest splash.

But what about the other teams? Here's a rundown.

2025 NBA Draft Round 1 Picks by college teams

Rutgers' guard duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey were top 5 picks in the NBA Draft. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Number of first-round picks	School(s)
3	Duke
2	Rutgers, Illinois
1	Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Colorado State, Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas, Washington State

Duke

Again, the Blue Devils clearly stole the day. Cooper Flagg was one of the easiest No. 1 pick choices in recent memory, as he was far and away the best player in this class. Flagg averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. However, he had plenty of help.

Wing Kon Knueppel was the No. 4 pick. Knueppel averaged 14.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. His strong work as a perimeter shooter earned him his high draft spot. Some had concerns about his athleticism at the next level, but Knueppel's draft spot proves that he won over enough of his critics to land where it mattered.

Center Khaman Maluach went with the No. 10 pick and was traded to the Phoenix Suns. The 7-foot-2 Maluach is a work in progress, averaging 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year. He's a dynamic shot blocker who is still learning on offense.

Not in the first round but still tabbed for Duke were No. 33 pick Sion James and No. 49 pick Tyrese Proctor.

Rutgers

Rutgers had two top-five picks. For a 15-17 team, the Scarlet Knights boasted plenty of firepower. Guard Dylan Harper went with the No. 2 pick to San Antonio. Harper averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists per game last year. His ceiling is very high.

Guard Ace Bailey was picked fifth by the Utah Jazz. Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He's lanky and athletic, even if his NBA path is a bit more uncertain than Harper's.

Illinois

Illinois' two first-round picks went back-to-back. Point guard prospect Kasparas Jakucionis went 20th to the Miami Heat. The 6-foot-6 guard was expected to go higher after averaging 15.0 points and 4.7 assists per game with the Illini. He should get an early chance to shine in the NBA.

Guard Will Riley went with the 21st pick and was traded to Washington. Riley, a 6-foot-8 wing from Canada, averaged 12.6 points per game last season.