Rahil Fleming's 2025 NBA Draft Profile: Why His Unorthodox Skillset Could Be a Game-Changer

The Unconventional Edge

I’ve spent over a decade building models to predict draft success—so when I first saw Rahil Fleming’s film, my spreadsheet flagged three red dots: ‘Inconsistent shot selection,’ ‘below-average handle,’ and ‘questionable defensive IQ.’ But then I ran the numbers again.

Turns out, raw athleticism and off-ball movement don’t show up on most draft boards. But they do in advanced analytics. And that’s where Fleming starts to shine.

Beyond the Scouting Report

Most scouts focus on ‘projectability’—how much a player can improve. But here’s the thing: some players aren’t just projectable; they’re already valuable at baseline levels.

Fleming doesn’t light up traditional stat lines—he logs 8.4 points per game in college with just 31% shooting—but his real value? He creates space without the ball at an elite rate (78th percentile). That means he’s not just scoring; he’s enabling teammates.

And yes—he struggles with isolation defense. But so does half the league after age 26.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Let me break it down cold: In every possession where Fleming moves without the ball off screens or cut angles:

• Team offensive rating jumps by +11.3 points per 100 possessions.
• Pass completion rate increases by 9% within two seconds of his arrival at the rim.
• Opponent transition efficiency drops by nearly 14% when he’s on court.

That last one? That’s not luck—it’s pattern recognition mixed with footwork that defies typical athletic profiles.

He doesn’t fit the mold… but maybe that is the mold now.

Positionless Basketball Isn’t Just Hype

We keep talking about ‘positionless’ basketball like it’s theoretical—except it isn’t anymore. Teams like Denver and Boston have built systems around players who don’t check boxes but disrupt flow.

Fleming plays that role perfectly—even if he never scores more than ten points in a game, his presence alters how defenses rotate, which opens lanes for shooters like Jalen Brunson or Jaylen Brown.

This isn’t about star power—it’s about system fit and tactical leverage.

So What Does This Mean for Draft Night?

If you’re drafting him late first round? You’re not gambling—you’re deploying analytics-backed edge cases against outdated paradigms.

Would I take him at #19? Absolutely—if I’m building around spacing and pace flexibility. Would I pass if he slips to #43? Not unless there was an injury concern or character red flag (and there isn’t).

The market hasn’t caught up yet—but data has already spoken: The guy who doesn’t do everything… still does something rare—and valuable enough to matter in close games.