Rivals Roundtable: Looking ahead to the 2025 Rivals150

With Rivals set to release its first rankings for the 2025 class later this month, national analysts Rob Cassidy and Travis Graf are beginning to gather their thoughts in advance of compiling the Rivals150. Today in the roundtable, the duo answers three questions related to the impending release.

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Cassidy: As things in my head currently stand, I’d have to give the edge to Cameron Boozer. The 6-foot-7 forward is the most reliable combination of production and long-term upside in this class and seems like the safest pick to sit atop the initial list based on a blend of performance and projection. Cooper Flagg and Koa Peat are the other strong contenders, and a case can be made for each at No. 1, but Boozer is the most battle-tested and complete at this extremely early juncture. The 2025 class is better at the top than any recent class, and I expect the battle to be tight for the entire cycle.

Graf: For me, I’ve got to go with Cooper Flagg. He impacts the game in so many ways on both ends of the court and moves so well for his size. The future five-star prospect was arguably the most impactful player for Team USA’s 17U squad that won a FIBA gold medal, averaging nine points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in just under 20 minutes per contest. Flagg plays with tenacity and aggression on every possession and is out for blood every time he steps on the court. As he continues to expand his game and skill set, he has the potential to be a very special prospect.

Cassidy: I’m extremely intrigued by Texas-based big man Francis Chukwudebelu, who already stands 6-foot-10 and boasts a 7-foot wingspan. Our sample size on him is a bit small as things stand, so I would probably start him with a conservative ranking, but Chukwudebelu has tools that suggest top-10 potential down the road should he continue to develop. In addition to his length and agility, Chukwudebelu has a soft touch around the basket and plays above the rim at his young age. He’s probably a lock to see his name when rankings release. How high he’ll debut is the only thing left to debate.

Graf: I’ll go with another big man from Texas here in Jaden Toombs. He’s put in the work to get in great shape and it’s increased his overall motor from the spring to the summer. He’s got soft hands on the catch, makes poised plays in the post and has very quick feet for his size and age. Defensively, Toombs alters pretty much every shot in his area and he attacks the glass on every missed shot. It doesn’t hurt that former NBA standout Jermaine O’Neal has taken Toombs under his wing as well. The promising prospect has early offers from LSU and SMU.

Cassidy: I feel like the recruitment of Alier Maluk will have some intrigue. The class of 2025 big man already has the potential to be intriguing. The South Sudan native has spent the bulk of his life in Pittsburgh and has a strong relationship with the Pitt staff, but blue bloods are already kicking the tires on the 6-foot-10 forward. Kentucky has been in touch but has not offered, but I expect a number of heavy-hitters to join the fray in the coming two years. It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out as early offers from programs like Pitt, LSU and West Virginia have already set the tone for a recruitment that projects to be a touch unpredictable down the road.

Graf: I’m looking forward to covering Idaho prospect Isiah Harwell’s recruitment over the next few years. He’s a very skilled wing that has a well-rounded game and already has a fantastic basketball frame at such a young age. His ability to impact the game in so many ways has caught the eye of major college programs early on, and he already has offers from Baylor, Kansas, Texas and UCLA among others. He also told Rivals recently that more blueblood programs are starting to call and ask about him, as Kentucky and North Carolina have reached out in the past few weeks. Harwell will have every school in the country after him when it comes time to make a college decision in a couple of years.