By Geoffrey Latayan
All-American stars Johni Broome of Auburn and Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton led the second day of selections in the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Philadelphia 76ers took Broome as the 35th overall pick while the 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner was selected a pick earlier by the Charlotte Hornets.
For Broome, it was a surreal moment to be chosen in the draft.
“Being here, this is probably the most exciting moment of my life so far,” he said.
“As a kid you always want to be drafted, hear your name called, put on the hat. So kind of going through the moment, I don’t know, it just feels surreal.”
Kalkbrenner played for Creighton for five seasons and was a four-time Big East defensive player of the year.
Rasheer Fleming opens Day 2 as Phoenix Suns’ pick
The Phoenix Suns opened Day 2 by taking Rasheer Fleming after agreeing to acquire the pick earlier from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Fleming was notified of the situation shortly before he was selected on his second trip to Barclays Center in two nights after attending the first round on Wednesday.
The Saint Joseph’s forward averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season, ranking in the top four in the Atlantic 10 in rebounds and blocks.
Another All-American selection, Marquette’s Kam Jones, was taken by San Antonio as No. 38 overall but his rights were acquired by Eastern Conference champion Indiana.
The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, agreed to acquire the rights to Adou Thiero, the 36th pick from Arkansas.
They will be required after sending out cash in the deal to stay below the second apron next season.
The Dallas Mavericks, who selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick on Wednesday, did not have a Round 2 pick.
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Two of the remaining Duke’s starting five were picked on the second day, with Charlotte taking Sion James at No. 33 and Cleveland selecting Tyrese Proctor at 49. Earlier, Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach went in the top 10.
Florida players Alijah Martin, Will Richard picked late in the draft
Two of the key players of national champions Florida were selected in the second round. Alijah Martin was picked by Toronto at No. 39 while Memphis took Will Richard as 56th overall but was eventually traded to Golden State.
Other notable players who were picked in the draft were Maxime Raynaud (42nd by Sacramento), Chaz Lanier (37th – Detroit), Jamir Watkins (43rd – Utah then traded to Washington), John Tonje (53rd – Utah) and Jahmai Mashack (59th – Houston but was shipped to Memphis).
The league began the two-night format last year, believing the event was ending too late when all 60 picks, along with approving trades, were being done in one night.
Teams like the new way, with the ability to catch their breath and evaluate after the first round. However, the players’ side does not like the potential lengthy wait for those who are on the fringe of the first round but then have to wait another night if they tumble into the second.
The draft only went to No. 59 this time, with the New York Knicks having been penalised their second-round selection for tampering by negotiating with Jalen Brunson too soon before eventually signing the guard away from Dallas in 2022.
The NBA points to the success of players such as Brunson, who became an All-NBA selection in New York, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of Denver when touting the types of difference-makers who could come out of the second round.
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