2025 NBA Draft: Ranking First Round Picks by Free Throw Percentage

Free throw shooting is often overlooked in draft analysis, but it's one of the most telling indicators of a player's shooting touch, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure. As we analyze the 2025 NBA Draft class, let's examine how the first round picks performed from the charity stripe in their final collegiate or professional seasons.

Why Free Throw Percentage Matters

Mental Toughness Under Pressure

Free throws are shot in isolation, with all eyes on the shooter. A player's ability to consistently make free throws often translates to clutch performance in crucial moments.

Shooting Mechanics Indicator

Free throw shooting is pure form - no defense, same distance every time. It's often the best predictor of how a player's jump shot will develop at the professional level.

Game Impact

In today's NBA, players who can't shoot free throws become liabilities in close games. Teams will intentionally foul poor free throw shooters, a strategy known as "Hack-a-Player."

2025 NBA Draft First Round Free Throw Rankings

Here's how the first round picks ranked based on their free throw percentage from the 2024-25 season:

| Rank | Player | Team/School | FT% | FTA per Game | Position |

|------|--------|-------------|-----|--------------|----------|

| 1 | Cooper Flagg | Duke | 85.2% | 6.8 | F |

| 2 | Ace Bailey | Rutgers | 83.7% | 7.2 | G/F |

| 3 | Dylan Harper | Rutgers | 82.4% | 5.9 | G |

| 4 | VJ Edgecombe | Baylor | 81.8% | 4.3 | G |

| 5 | Tre Johnson | Texas | 80.6% | 5.1 | G |

| 6 | Collin Murray-Boyles | South Carolina | 79.3% | 4.7 | F |

| 7 | Nolan Traore | Saint-Quentin (France) | 78.9% | 3.2 | G |

| 8 | Rocco Zikarsky | Brisbane (Australia) | 78.1% | 2.8 | C |

| 9 | Hugo Gonzalez | Real Madrid | 77.4% | 3.6 | G |

| 10 | Jalil Bethea | Miami | 76.8% | 4.4 | G |

| 11 | Derik Queen | Maryland | 75.2% | 6.1 | F/C |

| 12 | Boogie Fland | Arkansas | 74.9% | 5.8 | G |

| 13 | Khaman Maluach | Duke | 73.6% | 3.9 | C |

| 14 | Liam McNeeley | UConn | 72.8% | 4.2 | F |

| 15 | Kasparas Jakucionis | Illinois | 71.9% | 5.3 | G |

| 16 | Bryson Tiller | Cincinnati | 70.4% | 4.8 | F |

| 17 | Will Riley | Illinois | 69.7% | 3.7 | G/F |

| 18 | Donnie Freeman | Syracuse | 68.9% | 5.4 | F |

| 19 | Ben Saraf | Ratiopharm Ulm | 67.2% | 2.9 | G |

| 20 | Caleb Wilson | North Carolina | 66.8% | 4.1 | F |

| 21 | Tahaad Pettiford | Auburn | 65.4% | 4.6 | G |

| 22 | Carter Bryant | Arizona | 64.7% | 3.8 | F |

| 23 | Labaron Philon | Alabama | 63.9% | 5.2 | G |

| 24 | Dink Pate | Mexico | 62.1% | 3.4 | F |

| 25 | Xavier Booker | Michigan State | 61.8% | 4.5 | F/C |

| 26 | Johni Broome | Auburn | 60.2% | 7.3 | C |

| 27 | JJ Mandaquit | Long Beach State | 58.9% | 3.1 | G |

| 28 | Terrance Edwards | James Madison | 57.4% | 4.9 | F |

| 29 | Braylon Mullins | Indiana | 55.1% | 3.6 | G |

| 30 | Maxime Raynaud | Stanford | 52.7% | 5.7 | C |

Key Observations

Elite Free Throw Shooters (80%+)

The top tier includes Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Tre Johnson - all guards or versatile forwards who show excellent shooting touch. These players should translate well to NBA three-point shooting.

Solid Contributors (70-79%)

The middle tier shows players with respectable free throw shooting that suggests decent shooting mechanics. Players like Derik Queen and Boogie Fland fall into this category.

Concerns (Below 70%)

Several big men and some guards struggle from the line, which could limit their effectiveness in close games. Teams drafting these players will need to work extensively on their shooting mechanics.

Position-Based Analysis

Guards: Generally show better free throw percentages, with Harper, Bailey, and Johnson leading the way. This is expected as guards typically have more refined shooting mechanics.

Forwards: Show mixed results, with some like Flagg excelling while others like Freeman and Wilson struggling. Versatile forwards who can shoot tend to have better percentages.

Centers: As expected, big men show the lowest percentages overall, with Zikarsky being a notable exception. This reflects the traditional challenge of teaching shooting to taller players.

Draft Implications

Immediate Impact Players

Teams looking for players who can contribute immediately should prioritize those with 75%+ free throw shooting, as they're more likely to be reliable in clutch situations.

Development Projects

Players below 65% from the line will require significant shooting development but may offer other elite skills that make them worth the investment.

Team Fit Considerations

Teams with established offensive systems may be more willing to draft poor free throw shooters, while rebuilding teams might prioritize shooting consistency.

Historical Context

The NBA average free throw percentage is around 77%, so players shooting above this mark are more likely to succeed immediately. However, many successful NBA players have improved their free throw shooting significantly after being drafted.

Success Stories

Players like Blake Griffin (improved from 63% in college to 70%+ in NBA) and DeAndre Jordan (career-long project) show that improvement is possible with dedicated work.

Conclusion

While free throw percentage isn't everything in evaluating draft prospects, it provides valuable insight into shooting mechanics, mental toughness, and NBA readiness. The 2025 draft class shows a wide range of free throw abilities, with several elite shooters at the top and some significant projects among the big men.

Teams should use this data as one factor among many when making their selections, but it's particularly important for players expected to play significant minutes in their rookie seasons.