Four dark horses! Low pick rookies! Who is the surprise?

The 2025 NBA Draft ended at the end of June. This two-day event was filled with enough topical surprises before, after the election.

Like in previous years, most of the media focus is on lottery players. The popularity led by popular rookies such as Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper continues to the summer league. From Sacramento, Utah to Las Vegas, many new players have taken the first steps of their careers here.

Not only these lottery rookies, but also rookies outside the lottery zone have the opportunity to stand out, especially for some newcomers with outstanding talents. Referring to their outstanding performance in Summer United, they may soon get the opportunity to stand on the stage in the new season. Below, let’s take a look at four new players who are expected to take steady rotations in their rookie season and even play far exceeding the draft pick.

Of course, performance in a rookie year cannot be over-interpreted. After all, when selecting personnel, long-term considerations are often more important than short-term performance. But if a player can prove that he is NBA level in a short period of time, he will naturally win him an additional opportunity.

No. 1: Nicky Clifford

Among the 2025 rookies, Clifford is the only rookie to be selected for the first-tier list of the NBA 2K26 Summer League. The Colorado State guard was selected by the Kings at the 24th overall pick in the draft. In six summer league games, Clifford averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, making him a key player in the Kings' advance into the Las Vegas Summer League Finals.

In addition to his impressive opening performance, Clifford is regarded as a more mature player than most rookies of the same class. As a 23-year-old shooting guard, Clifford has mature offensive skills and can take into account multiple positions on the defensive end, and this versatility just allows him to win opportunities in his rookie year.

Even though there are two main forward guards, Laven and DeRozan, there is still room for rotation on the bench, and Clifford has every chance and the ability to immediately meet the team's needs.

Second place: Ryan Calke Brenner

The Charlotte Hornets are currently in the center position. The team sent off Mark Williams away again in the offseason. Without a confirmed start, the fifth-place rookie will definitely get a lot of playing time.

So, as the 34th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Kalk Brenner naturally took the stage. The 23-year-old big man from Creton University was once one of the top defensive centers in the United States before the draft. Judging from the draft pick, although his future ceiling may not be too high, in terms of team combat effectiveness, he is likely to be able to gain a foothold in the league faster than most second-round picks.

Judging from the draft report, Calc Brenner's basic balance lies in his ability to protect the frame in the interior, coupled with his offensive end, and even the shooting potential of a certain outside line to open up space, he has a chance to play a future value far exceeding the second round pick.

Third place: Rashiel Fleming

On the night of the draft, Fleming has always been a popular rookie target that many teams focus on. Even though they were selected in the second round, according to the draft news, many teams had considered recruiting him in the first round at that time. In the end, he settled in the Suns, which were about to move towards reconstruction, and considering the team's rotation loss in the frontcourt position, Fleming also had the opportunity to get playing time immediately.

As a power forward with a height of 203 and a wingspan of 226, he is completely different from a young rookie in terms of offense and defense. More importantly, this big man can also have the ability to shoot three-pointers under the tough basic defensive end, and is likely to unlock more tactical opportunities for the Suns in the new season.

No. 4: Liam McNeley

As the second Hornets rookie on this list, as the 29th pick in the first round, it should have been worthy of a chance to show his talent, but unfortunately, McNeley's summer league trip ended in advance due to injury, but he still performed well in the two games he played.

The 19-year-old striker from the University of Connecticut delivered an excellent report card of 18 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, while also maintaining a 42.9% three-point shooting percentage.

Fortunately, in the Hornets, a team that is still in the bottom stage, even though there are many rookies in the team, McNeale also has the opportunity to gain stable playing time in his rookie season. In addition, he was selected at the 29th pick and was considered to be a position behind the expectations, but considering his basic potential as a five-star player in high school, this is also a part that is worthy of optimism.

Although the outside shooting feel was slightly ups and downs in college, if he could perform stably in the NBA, he would soon become a qualified rotational force, which is basically a worthwhile reward for the first round rookie in the final draft.