Scouts Take Notice: Javon Small Gaining Traction in 2025 Mock Draft Projections
Returning to school for his senior season wasn’t just a smart decision for Javon Small — it may end up being the defining moment of his basketball career.
After transferring to West Virginia for the 2024–25 NCAA season, Small didn’t just step into a new system — he took it over. Once seen as a fringe second-round pick, the 6-foot-3 guard from South Bend, Indiana, now finds himself rocketing up 2025 NBA mock drafts, with several analysts projecting him as a mid-to-late first-round selection. ESPN’s latest mock draft slots him at No. 21 overall, while Bleacher Report ranks him as the No. 5 combo guard in the class.
It’s not hard to see why.
Small’s senior campaign at West Virginia was a revelation. Under the guidance of head coach Darian DeVries, Small flourished in a system that emphasized pace, space, and smart decision-making. Averaging 18.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 39.8% from three, Small became the heart of the Mountaineers’ surprising run to the Elite Eight — their deepest tournament push since 2010. In key matchups, he outdueled several players currently projected as lottery picks, including a 29-point, 8-assist performance against Duke in the Sweet Sixteen.
But beyond the numbers, scouts have been raving about his poise, maturity, and improved physicality. Over the summer of 2024, Small reportedly added nearly 10 pounds of lean muscle and spent hours refining his handle and off-ball movement. The results were evident on the court. His ability to absorb contact and finish at the rim became a key part of West Virginia’s offensive identity, while his defensive effort — long considered a weakness — improved significantly, with Small averaging 1.7 steals per game and often guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter threat.
“He’s got that NBA guard feel,” said an anonymous Western Conference scout. “You’re not drafting him to be flashy. You’re drafting him because he knows how to run a team, he competes, and he makes the right play 95% of the time. There’s a maturity there that you just don’t see every year.”
What’s even more impressive is how Small elevated his game in the biggest moments. His clutch gene was on full display throughout the season, including a game-winning step-back three against Kansas and a 14-point fourth quarter in the Big 12 semifinals that sent the Mountaineers to the title game.
Now, with the NBA Combine looming, all eyes are on how Small will test athletically and perform in team interviews. While he may lack the explosive burst of a top-10 guard, many believe his blend of IQ, leadership, and shot-making puts him firmly in the conversation for teams needing a mature, plug-and-play backcourt piece.
For Javon Small, the decision to bet on himself one more year has paid off. The only thing left now is to wait for draft night — and for the moment when his name, once whispered in back rooms and late-night scouting sessions, is finally called on a national stage.
