Apricot's 2025 NBA Draft Tournament Group C: RJ Luis Jr., Kobe Johnson, Ryan Nembhard, Brice Williams

GSW invited all of them for pre-draft workouts

The index piece for Apricot’s 2025 NBA Draft Tournament is here. It describes the selection process, our stellar history of voting, why BPM is important, how Apricot’s Clunky Comps works, and all other gory details.

Intro: The Draft Tournament is to help you enjoy the draft

The tournament is designed for people who are not draft experts to catch up at a casual pace on prospects in the Warriors range. For this reason, I have sliced it up into a series of smaller votes instead of a massive 16+ player scouting report. These will be spaced out over the next few weeks until the NBA Draft.

The ultimate goal is for you to develop opinions and attachments about the different prospects, so you can

• argue with others,

• dream about the future,

• enjoy the draft with more suspense and emotional investment,

• be angry that your favorite wasn’t selected,

• and then in the future tell everyone how you had it right and the drafters were a bunch of idiots.

Despite our stellar track record, it’s unlikely we’ll guess exactly whom the Warriors will draft.

So it’s time for more! The Warriors have MIA’s second round pick at #41. Normally, you might say, why bother even thinking about this pick, because, in that range, the chances that the draftee will make an NBA roster is quite small.

However, the Warriors have really set the bar high, with

• 2024 #52 pick Quinten Post (feisty stretch 5 and stroopwafel enthusiast),

• 2023 #57 draft pick Trayce Jackson-Davis (solid big man and occasional starter) and

• 2022 #55 pick Gui Santos (energy guy and very occasional spot starter).

And yes yes everyone always wants to trade the pick for someone ready to contribute. Please don’t be obvious and boring and suggest that.

That’s like going to Disneyland and explaining that everyone there is exploited labor and that feline leukemia is the #1 killer of cats.

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Group C

Here are some scouting reports to help you vote on which of these prospects is the best for GSW to draft.

RJ Luis Jr., St. John's, 6-6, #104 BPM

• ESPN Givony 5-30 #59, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #58, Yahoo O'Connor 5-30 #55

• The Ringer Mann 6-10: Luis will have to recalibrate his idea of himself. He looooves the midrange (21.6 percent of his shots last season came from there), but he can’t really justify shooting any of those beyond late-clock situations given his percentages (36 percent on non-paint 2s and 32 percent inside the paint); NBA defenses will more than likely say, “Sure, pal, go ahead.” Luis was also as comfy as a pair of sweatpants when running and finishing in transition, but less so when he was asked to be the one to make the play. And he does fine when spacing the floor as a shooter, but he was inconsistent as a scorer and playmaker when the floor was being spaced for him. To succeed at the next level, Luis will have to take the best things he does and condense them into something simpler and hopefully more effective. But the one thing that will translate is his mindset. Luis is a hard-nosed and dogged competitor who can flatten like a throw rug when he’s attacking downhill with his trademark physicality. He’s also a long, rangy, active, and invested defender who relishes challenges on defense. There’s a place for him in the league—as long as he finds the right balance between who he was and who he will be.

• Yahoo O'Connor 6-13: Luis is a rugged wing who sets a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. But on offense his shaky shooting and decision-making overshadow his downhill attacking style. Maybe falling into Indiana’s system could be the best thing to ever happen in his career.

NBA.com

Overview
RJ Luis started his collegiate career at Massachusetts, where he averaged 11.5 points on 34.8% shooting from 3-point range, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 appearances (10 starts) en route to being named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Freshman Team. He capitalized on his success and transferred to St. John’s but dealt with a hand injury in his first season with the Red Storm. The following campaign, Luis transformed into a star, averaging 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game while posting 44/34/75 shooting splits. He was named Big East Player of the Year and a consensus Second-Team All-American. Luis starred during the Big East Tournament, scoring 21 points in the championship win over Butler and earning Most Outstanding Player honors. However, after a strong first game of the NCAA Tournament, Luis struggled in the second round against the 10th-seeded Razorbacks, going 3-for-17 from the field before getting benched for the final five minutes of the 75-66 upset loss. He entertained the idea of returning to school and was one of the top players left in the transfer portal before deciding to stick in the NBA Draft.

Analysis
Luis’ frame, athleticism and skill set are all NBA caliber. He attacks the rim with aggressiveness as a driver or cutter, finishing with finesse against bigger defenders and power versus smaller ones. He’s not a natural point guard but can handle the ball and operate as a playmaker off screens. Shooting will be Luis’ make-or-break trait at the next level. He was productive from deep in college but too inconsistent to be considered a sharpshooter prospect. Defensively, Luis forced turnovers and showed immense promise, but his engagement level waned.

Projection
If his shooting improves, Luis could develop into a 3-and-D starter like Raja Bell (6-foot-5, 210) or Danny Green (6-foot-6, 215). Luis also has the potential to be a score-first sixth man like Max Christie (6-foot-5, 190), De’Andre Hunter (6-foot-8, 221) or Norman Powell (6-foot-4, 215).

Apricot: The scouting reports make RJ Luis Jr sound like a bit of an egomaniac chucker, and he stayed in the draft despite a lot of free advice that he should go back to college.

Despite it all, BPM loves him as a two-way player with decent efficiency on high Usage and decent Turnover care. A career of 37% 3P shooting with 75% FT doesn’t strongly signal good NBA but maybe it doesn’t signal bad shooting either.

And after all that, I was surprised when Clunky Comps, who regularly slaps down my optimism with cold cruel negative comps, spat out a list of excellent second round picks (along with some bust lottery picks, but hey we’re in the 2nd round here). Hope springs eternal!

Kobe Johnson, UCLA, 6-6, #107 BPM

• ESPN Givony 5-30 #80, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #76

NBADraft.net (2024)

As a scorer, the USC prospect is efficient at all three levels. He shot 36% from deep last season, but has what it takes to be even better on higher volume in year three. He also converted on nearly 55% of his shots inside the arc. Given he’s a jumbo guard, Johnson has underrated passing upside and for the most part has shown the ability to limit turnovers. He’s also great on the glass, using his size to be an effective rebounder. In fact, he was third on the Trojans in rebounds last season with five per contest.

This strong frame also helps him defensively, which is a part of Johnson’s game that will be most intriguing to NBA teams. He earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors last season after notching 72 steals, including a 4.4% steal rate.

NBA Scouting Live

Pros:

Decent scorer off the dribble
Excels at scoring on off-ball motion plays
Solid playmaker for his size
Solid defender
Solid athlete
Good motor

Cons:

Needs to improve his shooting
Lacks an elite first step off the dribble
Not an elite ball handler
Can be undisciplined defensively
Needs to add strength

Summary:

Kobe Johnson is an athletic, energetic swingman that currently plays for USC. He has solid playmaking and defensive skills, and while he will need to improve his jump shot, his versatility and feel for the game could make him an intriguing second round pick in the 2025 draft.

NBADraftRoom.com

Johnson is a solid wing with a well-rounded skill set. He plays both ends and can really lock down on defense.

Isn’t a high volume shooter but can hit the corner 3 and space the floor. Moves well off the ball and does a good job of cutting to the basket. Knows his role as an off-ball player and doesn’t try to do too much.

Has a NBA level frame and good athletic tools.

Apricot:

His DBPM is carrying him here (+4.5). BPM likes his AST/TOV ratio and high Steal rate. He’s okay offensively (+2.7 OBPM) with meh shooting and above average efficiency on very low Usage. Basically a quite good defender who is a meh all-around three level scorer.

Clunky Comps is not optimistic. There is a Ryan Anderson and Lindy Waters III in there. But not a lot else to be cheerful about. And yes, I double checked Clunky about how she could say Anderson and Waters are plus defenders… it turns out they had decent DBPM in college (+3.0 and +2.5 respectively). So I’m not sending Clunky to the glue factory yet.

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga, 6-0, #110 BPM

• BR 2025-05-28 #49, ESPN Givony 5-30 #62, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #57, Yahoo O'Connor 5-30 #47

• Yahoo O'Connor 6-13: No matter what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will need some shot creation next season with Damian Lillard sidelined for most, if not all, of next season. Nembhard is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year.

NBA.com

Overview
Ryan Nembhard spent four years in college and was a regular starter each season despite switching programs midway through his NCAA journey. Nembhard, the 68th-ranked player in the 2021 class, spent the first two years of his college career with Creighton, averaging 11.3 and 12.1 points per game as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. He entered the transfer portal before the 2023-24 campaign and linked up with Gonzaga, where he also started in every game over two years. He thrived as a scorer during his junior year, averaging a career-high 12.6 points per game to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists per contest. However, he turned heads with his play as a senior in 2024-25 while being a key member of the Bulldogs. Nembhard closed out his college career with averages of 10.5 points, 9.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals across 35.1 minutes per game in his 35 appearances with Gonzaga as a senior. After establishing himself as one of the best passers in the nation during his final college year, Nembhard decided to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. His older brother, Andrew Nembhard, currently plays for the Indiana Pacers.

Analysis
Nembhard is an old-school floor general. He thrives orchestrating the offense’s tempo and is outstanding in the pick-and-roll game, both as a facilitator and scorer. However, his lack of size could limit his upside. Still, Nembhard logged an incredible 9.8 assists per game to only 2.5 turnovers and is a great decision-maker who manages the game at a high level. His scoring ability will determine whether he’s able to have a long career in the NBA or not, especially since his defense isn’t elite.

Projection
Nembhard was one of the best passers in the college ranks in the 2024-25 season, and he should have the maturity to carve out a role at the highest level. He’s drawn comparisons to his older brother, Andrew Nembhard, although he has also been compared to other backup point guards in the NBA such as Tyus Jones and T.J. McConnell.

Apricot: Nembhard is a good important player for a good team and was very productive. This year’s shooting was good (40% 3P, 77% FT) but his career 3P% is 35%. He also has a super high 41.5 AST rate and a stellar 4.0 AST/TOV ration. In short, an outstanding pure point guard. But at 6-0, it’s not clear whether he can play in the NBA. Clunky Comps isn’t hopeful either. Jamal Shead and Jordan McLaughlin have had moments in the NBA but are still on the fringes. I believe everyone else on the list never stuck in the NBA.

Brice Williams, Nebraska, 6-7, #121 BPM

• BR 2025-05-28 #54, ESPN Givony 5-30 #71, TheAthletic 2025-06-10 #43, Yahoo O'Connor 5-30 #51

• Yahoo O'Connor 6-13: Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He’s an older prospect at age 24, but still belongs on the draft radar because of his spark-plug scoring skill set, which is why the Clippers could draft him.

NBA.com:

Overview
Son of former NBA player Henry Williams, Brice was born and raised in North Carolina before starting his collegiate career with the Charlotte 49ers. He missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a knee injury but returned to action the following year before transferring to Nebraska. After a solid first season with the Cornhuskers, Williams exploded as a sixth-year senior in 2024-25, averaging 20.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He was always an elite 3-point shooter, making 38.5% over five seasons, but he attempted a career-high 5.3 shots from deep in his final campaign. Brice finished with single-game (43 points in double OT loss to Ohio State) and single-season (713 points, surpassing James Palmer Jr’s 708) school records at Nebraska.

Analysis
Williams is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard who’s crafty in the paint and will stress defenses in transition. He’s adept at navigating screens and in catch-and-shoot situations, plus he has a high release point on his jumper, which allows him to get quality looks even when the defense is in a solid position. Williams isn’t a natural playmaker but will make the highlight pass to an open teammate when defenses collapse. Defensively, Williams has the size and length to be a solid wing defender but will have to fill out his frame to guard the NBA’s best scorers.

Projection
Williams’ bucket-getting nature draws comparison to T.J. Warren (6’8, 200) and Caris LeVert (6’6, 205). If he focuses on being a sharpshooter, Williams’ game could resemble Michael Porter (6’10, 218) or Cameron Johnson (6’8, 210). There are also flashes of Mikal Bridges (6’6, 209) in Williams’ game, but the Nebraska product would need to buy in defensively to match that projection.

Apricot: BPM admires Brice’s good TS% on high Usage and low Foul rate. He’s a deadeye shooter: 38% 3P on a big sample size of 459 3PA, plus 86.8% FT on a similar whopping big 355 FTA. He’s good at it and does it a lot. His other qualities are run-of-the-mill, which might be okay for a team starved for wings who can shoot.

Clunky Comps has comps to a lot of undrafted or low-drafted players, along with disappointments Jerome Robinson and Jimmer Freddette. Only Luke Kennard and Allen Crabbe stand out as a productive NBA players. However, Clunky has been wrong before…

How To Vote

Simply vote in this embedded poll. If you are moved, you can make a COMMENT VOTE that counts as 10 votes. However, I will not count any vote unless it has

• some justification of your vote

• exactly one hashtag with the last name of your candidate, #LUIS, #JOHNSON, #NEMBHARD, #WILLIAMS.

  • I know many of you are very creative, but any deviations from these instructions will make my life harder and annoy me.