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8 players from Big Ten selected in 1st round of 2025 NBA Draft
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Big Ten enjoyed one of its biggest NBA Draft nights, as 8 players from the conference were selected in the first round. It’s only the 4th time since 1947 that has happened, and the most selections in over a decade, since 9 were taken in 2014.
Former Rutgers standout Dylan Harper was the first B1G selection at No. 2 overall to the San Antonio Spurs. His Scarlet Knights teammate, Ace Bailey, was soon off the board at No. 5 to the Utah Jazz. They are the first Rutgers draftees in 19 years and the highest picks in program history.
Here’s the full list of 2025 NBA Draft picks from the B1G:
- 2. Dylan Harper (Rutgers) – San Antonio Spurs
- 5. Ace Bailey (Rutgers) – Utah Jazz
- 13. Derik Queen (Maryland) – Atlanta Hawks
- 20. Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) – Miami Heat
- 21. Will Riley (Illinois) – Utah Jazz
- 25. Jase Richardson (Michigan State) – Orlando Magic
- 27. Danny Wolf (Michigan) – Brooklyn Nets
- 30. Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State) – Los Angeles Clippers
The second pair of teammates to go in the draft was Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley. It’s the first time since 2005 that a pair of Illini have gone in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Jase Richardson gives Tom Izzo 12 first-round picks in his legendary Michigan State tenure. Richardson’s father, Jason, was a first-round pick in 2001 after playing for Izzo.
It was an emotional night for Danny Wolf waiting until pick No. 27. He is Michigan’s first first-rounder since 2019.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser became Penn State’s first opening-round draft pick, going No. 30 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
More B1G players are expected to go in Round 2, which is set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.