Ever since a teenage LeBron James bulldozed his way into the NBA in 2003 — a Sports Illustrated cover boy with a $90 million Nike deal before ever playing a pro game — scouts, fans, and front offices have been chasing the next generational phenom. He was one of the best NBA prospects well ahead of his draft year.
And now, with Cooper Flagg poised to go No. 1 to the Mavericks after they somehow won the 2025 Draft Lottery (months after trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis!), it feels like the right time to revisit the best NBA Rookie prospects — not careers, but pre-draft hype machines — we’ve seen since LeBron.
Some were athletic marvels. Others were skill wizards. A few had the entire basketball world gawking before they even played college ball. Whether they delivered or not, their pre-NBA hype was unforgettable.
The Best NBA Prospects Since King James
Victor Wembanyama – 2023
No surprise here. Victor Wembanyama wasn’t just the most hyped player since LeBron — some scouts were calling him the best prospect ever. At 7’4” with an 8-foot wingspan, step-back threes, elite shot-blocking, and real guard skills, he was created in a lab to break basketball.
NBA GMs tanked with zero shame. ESPN aired his exhibition games. The Spurs locked in the No. 1 pick and instantly became a League Pass darling. In his rookie year, Wemby delivered: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3.6 blocks per game — and that was just the start.
He’s the benchmark now.
Cooper Flagg – 2025
After trading Luka to the Lakers for Davis months earlier, the Mavericks looked like they were headed for a full reset. Then, against long odds, they won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. The reward? Cooper Flagg, long considered the NBA pick as the #1 Draft Selection, is the most anticipated American prospect in years. And, now the likely new face of Dallas basketball.
At 6’9″, 205 pounds, Flagg lived up to every bit of the buzz during his lone season at Duke. In 37 games, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three. He wasn’t just stuffing box scores — he was controlling games on both ends, playing with intensity, swagger, and poise well beyond his age.
His combination of defensive timing, perimeter shot-making, and court awareness makes him a rare breed. And his numbers back up the eye test — this wasn’t just hype. He delivered. Now, with the Mavs turning the page on the Luka era, Flagg arrives with a chance to become their next generational cornerstone.
LeBron had “Chosen One” tattooed on his back. Flagg doesn’t need the ink — the league already knows.
Zion Williamson – 2019
Zion wasn’t a prospect — he was a phenomenon. A 285-pound force with a 45-inch vertical and viral highlights from age 16, he made college basketball feel like a mixtape. At Duke, he broke shoes, broke physics, and broke the will of opposing defenses.
Scouts drooled over his ability to score without needing plays called for him. The only knock? His body might not hold up. But in terms of raw pre-draft excitement, Zion was the biggest thing since LeBron — and the rare player that even casual fans obsessed over.
Anthony Davis – 2012
AD started as a 6’2” guard in high school and grew into a 6’10” defensive monster by the time he hit Kentucky. His timing, mobility, and feel made him a generational defensive prospect — a shot-blocking savant who didn’t even need to score to dominate games.
Scouts saw a Duncan-Garnett hybrid with a jump shot in development. In a loaded draft (Beal, Lillard, Draymond), Davis was the undisputed No. 1. The hype was real — and mostly accurate.
Greg Oden – 2007
Greg Oden was supposed to anchor a dynasty. He had the size (7’0”), athleticism, and defensive instincts that made scouts compare him to David Robinson and Bill Russell. His run at Ohio State while injured (!!) only added to the myth.
Portland took him over Kevin Durant, which in hindsight was brutal — but at the time, it was a no-brainer. The knees didn’t hold up, but Oden was the real deal as a prospect. He deserves to be remembered as such.
Wasn’t Hyped But Should Have Been
Luka Doncic – 2018
Luka wasn’t hyped by everyone… but he absolutely should’ve been.
He was the EuroLeague MVP at 18 — in the second-best league in the world. He had already played professional ball for years, torching grown men with his pace, poise, and surgical passing. Some scouts nitpicked his athleticism, but the ones who believed? They saw a basketball genius.
Luka might not have gone No. 1, but in terms of NBA-readiness, he was already there. No projection needed — just plug and play.
It’s Time For Cooper To Carry The Flag
Most of these guys became stars. Some didn’t. But before they ever set foot on an NBA floor, they each carried massive expectations as the best NBA prospects, and the weight of franchise futures.
Now it’s Cooper Flagg’s turn — and with Wemby already turning heads, the bar for “next generational prospect” might be higher than ever. Buckle up, because The Chosen One 2.0 is inbound.
