STARS STILL SHINING: Full List of Prospects Invited to 2025 NBA Draft Green Room for Second Round—Future Ballers Ready for Their Big Moment Under the Spotlight

The 2025 NBA Draft has already delivered the anticipated frenzy, as top-tier prospects heard their names called amid the roaring crowd and flashing cameras during a dramatic first round. But the spotlight doesn’t fade after the first 30 picks. In fact, for a select group of highly touted players still waiting for that life-changing moment, the second round has become a stage of anticipation, tension, and eventual triumph. This year, for the first time in NBA history, the league has extended the green room invitation into the second round—an unprecedented move symbolizing the growing depth and talent pool of basketball’s emerging generation. For those still seated under the bright lights of Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the dream is not delayed—it’s just unfolding in a different rhythm.

The NBA’s decision to expand green room access into the second round is more than just a gesture. It’s a recognition that second-round selections are no longer afterthoughts or long shots. The league has witnessed too many stars rise from late picks to ignore the reality—gems are often found beyond the 30th name. Nikola Jokić, Draymond Green, and Khris Middleton are just a few of the modern greats who were passed over in the first round but went on to shape the league in profound ways. The message to fans and franchises alike is clear: greatness isn’t always packaged early.

The 2025 green room list, particularly for the second round, is both a reflection of scouting nuance and a declaration of belief in players whose value transcends hype. This year’s list includes high-profile college stars, international prodigies, late bloomers, and one-and-done prospects who hovered near the cusp of Round 1. Each player invited is considered a viable contributor at the next level—either as a rotational piece, developmental prospect, or even an instant-impact player depending on the fit and opportunity.

Among those in the green room for the second round is USC’s electric combo guard Malik Gaines, whose draft range fluctuated wildly in the months leading up to the draft. Gaines was initially projected as a late lottery pick after dominating the Pac-12 Tournament, but concerns over his size and inconsistent outside shooting saw him slide into the early 30s. Still, he remains an explosive scorer and crafty playmaker with a killer crossover and the confidence to thrive in the NBA’s pace-and-space game. His invitation to the green room signals that at least one franchise in the early second round sees him as a high-upside steal.

Joining him is European forward Luka Matic, a 6-foot-10 do-it-all talent from Serbia whose feel for the game, perimeter shooting, and defensive versatility turned heads during the FIBA U20 Championships. Matic’s skill set makes him one of the most intriguing international prospects still on the board, and his presence in the green room is evidence that front offices are still hotly debating whether he could emerge as the next European surprise sensation. His agent has reportedly fielded promises from teams picking in the 31-38 range, ensuring that his wait likely won’t be long.

Another green room attendee, Duke’s Elijah Ward, remains one of the most talked-about second-round storylines. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 15 points per game and emerged as one of the ACC’s most clutch players, but scouts remain divided on his ceiling due to a lack of elite athleticism and questionable shot mechanics. Yet what he lacks in raw explosiveness, Ward makes up for with feel, toughness, and a commitment to two-way basketball that NBA coaches crave. His team interviews reportedly went exceptionally well, and some insiders believe he could be taken within the first few picks of the second round.

There’s also intrigue surrounding Houston’s senior big man Jaylen Copeland, a defensive anchor who led the nation in blocked shots. While Copeland lacks offensive polish, his defensive timing, rebounding tenacity, and physical presence offer immediate value off the bench for any team seeking rim protection. His appearance in the green room is indicative of how much NBA franchises are valuing defensive specialists in today’s game, especially those with the motor and maturity to contribute on day one.

Then there’s Keon Rivers, the flashy 6-foot-4 guard from Oregon who once dazzled in high school mixtapes and has reemerged as a strong prospect following a stellar sophomore season. Rivers’ stock climbed late after a series of private workouts where he displayed improved three-point shooting and elite lateral quickness. Though some teams feared he might bolt overseas if undrafted, his green room presence sends a clear message: Rivers is all-in on the NBA, and at least one team has already shown him enough interest to make his second-round dreams a likely reality.

Beyond the collegiate talent, the green room is also hosting several G League Ignite and Overtime Elite alumni. One such name is Elijah Tatum, a long-armed, high-IQ point guard who served as the floor general for OTE’s City Reapers. Tatum’s resume includes an All-Star game MVP and a historic assist-to-turnover ratio. Although some scouts view him as a project due to his wiry frame, his vision, basketball IQ, and court leadership put him squarely in the mix as one of the most polished passers in the draft. His inclusion on the green room list might have surprised casual fans, but league insiders have long speculated that he’s a sleeper pick with long-term upside.

Tatum is joined by G League Ignite’s Kahlil Dawson, a bruising 6-foot-7 forward with a relentless motor and inside-out scoring ability. Dawson had multiple double-doubles against top-tier G League competition and proved he could bully older players while also stretching the floor with a respectable midrange shot. His fit in the modern NBA could be akin to a small-ball four or a switchable wing who thrives in motion offenses. Multiple scouts view him as a Day 1 contributor on the defensive end, and he reportedly impressed at the NBA Combine with his athletic testing and interviews.

The emotional element of the green room cannot be understated. Each second-round invitee enters the night with a different backstory—some were once five-star high school players who fell off the radar, while others came from small schools or non-traditional routes. Yet they all share the same ambition: to hear their name called, shake the commissioner’s hand, and walk across the stage into the next chapter of their basketball life. These players must sit through the spectacle of Round 1—smiling, waiting, hoping—and when that call finally comes in Round 2, the eruption of joy is often more poignant, more cathartic, more real.

NBA teams, now more than ever, are hunting value in the second round. With roster spots increasingly precious and salary cap dynamics more complex, front offices are eager to unearth affordable talent capable of developing into rotation players or more. The league’s shift toward embracing player development, two-way contracts, and G League assignments has opened the door for second-rounders to flourish in ways that weren’t available a decade ago. In many cases, second-round picks have even outperformed their first-round peers.

As the draft continues and the second round unfolds, the cameras don’t turn off. Instead, they capture moments of grit and vindication. The tension, the wait, the emotion—they’re all part of the journey. The green room, traditionally a haven for first-round locks, has transformed into a stage for overlooked, underrated, and rising players to rewrite their narrative in real-time.

And while some critics may argue that a green room invitation sets up young athletes for public disappointment, the 2025 Draft has made one thing crystal clear: inclusion in the green room no longer guarantees a first-round selection—but it does confirm that a player belongs in the league’s future. These athletes are not defined by when they are picked but rather by how they respond when they finally are.

By embracing the second-round spotlight, these players have already taken the first step toward stardom—not by walking across the stage first, but by showing they have the resilience to wait, the skill to deliver, and the confidence to believe in their place at the professional level. The green room, once a symbol of assured fortune, has evolved into a crucible of character. For those still seated and waiting, the journey is just beginning—and their moment under the spotlight is only a heartbeat away.