Thoughts on the 2025 Reese’s College All-Star Game

April 15th, 2025

This time around, I decided to watch the 2025 Reese’s College All-Star Game that took place on April 4th, as I was able to see this with thanks to YouTube via Sports Fans. It was an exhibition game that featured some of the best seniors in college basketball. The standout performers looked to be Cam Carter, David Joplin, and Nelly Junior Joseph, and David Joplin and Nelly Junior Joseph were named co-MVPs of this event. Here are my thoughts on how they and other various performers fared in this game. Also, for those that are interested in the box score of this game, here is the link.

Cam Carter scored 21 points, and he also looked to be the most athletic player that played in the 2025 Reese’s College All-Star Game. (Photo: Brynn Anderson/Associated Press, via Idaho State Journal)

LSU’s 6-3 guard, Cam Carter had a tremendous showing, as he had a very strong all-around performance at this event. He scored 21 points, made 3 threes, and he had 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in this game.

He is a very athletic combo guard that showed a knack for making shots from all over the floor. He would score on speedy drives to the hoop, and he was able to throw down some very impressive, eye-popping dunks to wow the crowd. He also used a crafty pump fake to make a side step three, and Carter also excelled as a three-point shooter off the catch. He also ran off of a ball screen to get the ball and dribbled to make a mid-range jumper along the baseline.

He also showed off solid playmaking skills. He did a good job of making drive and kick passes and the extra pass to set up scores for his teammates. Plus, Carter did a great job of rebounding the basketball. He also defended very well, as he would apply significant ball pressure, poke balls, and jump on loose balls to get steals and force turnovers.

In general, Cam Carter played really well in this game, and he was superb in this showcase. He helped himself by playing well here, and he is a second round prospect that could end up being a solid role player in the NBA.

Marquette’s 6-8 forward, David Joplin also had a strong showing, as he did a great job of making shots and he also defended well to help the NABC All-Stars East get a 100-91 win over the NABC All-Stars West. He’s an agile, skilled sharpshooter that showed off better than advertised athleticism in this game.

Joplin shot the ball very well, especially from deep, as he especially thrived as a spot-up shooter from downtown, and he also was able to pull up to make a deep three-pointer another time. He also excelled at scoring quickly off the dribble and in transition, and he did a very good job of finishing plays around the basket.

He also showcased satisfactory playmaking skills, and he tended to make good reads and accurate passes off the dribble due to possessing solid court vision. However, there was one play where he threw an up for grabs pass that got intercepted once.

Also, Joplin defended well. He would often get his hands on passes to get steals and deflections, and he would contest jump shots to force plenty of misses. On the other hand, late in the game, he lost track of his man on a cut to allow a score, but that was when the game was pretty much already decided by then.

In summary, David Joplin played very well in this game, and he is a strong, mobile swingman that showed a knack for making sound plays on both ends of the floor. He is a second round prospect that projects well into a 3 and D role in the NBA, and he could end up being an effective role player at that level.

New Mexico’s 6-10 senior big man, Nelly Junior Joseph had a solid showing in this game. He was very effective as a low post scorer and inside scorer, and he is a strong, mobile big man that excelled at making plenty of plays to help his team in the paint.

Joseph showed good strength, scoring touch, and footwork to score down low. He was able to use a quick shoulder fake to score on a jump hook, and he also tended to score on fast breaks, as he was able to throw down a couple of jams.

He also defended well, as he was able to use his length, instincts, and timing to swat a shot in the post and poke a ball away to get a steal, and Joseph is an active help defender that can get stops for his team. On one play though, he and his teammate got caught on a screen as they allowed an opponent to score on a dunk off of a back cut due to miscommunication and solid screening from the opposition.

Overall, Joseph played very well in this game. He’ll need to extend his shooting range and add a reliable jump shot to his arsenal, but he is a second round prospect that could end up being a solid rotational big man in the NBA.

Clemson’s 6-11 senior big man, Viktor Lakhin also played very well in this game. He had a strong all-around game, as he especially excelled at making shots, and he also rebounded and defended very well. He is a strong, mobile big man that excelled at scoring smoothly out of the post, and he also made an open three off the catch.

He is a willing passer that will look to find the open man, and he would also use his length, quickness, and instincts to grab many rebounds and to make plays in the paint to get blocks, steals, and stops for his team. Overall, he had a strong showing, and he is a second round prospect that could end up being a solid rotational big man in the NBA.

Texas A&M’s 6-0 senior point guard, Wade Taylor IV also played well in this game. He excelled as a three-point shooter, facilitator, and rebounder, and he also defended well. He can make threes in a variety of ways, and he is a crafty playmaker that showed off good court vision. Plus, he also rebounded and defended well, and he would often intercept passes to get steals. Overall, Taylor is an agile, skilled sharpshooter that has solid offensive skills. He’ll need to show teams that he can ably guard taller players at the next level, but his skill set and basketball IQ could enable him to be a solid, backup point guard in the NBA.

Xavier’s 6-9 senior big man, Zach Freemantle had a solid showing in this game. He did a great job of shooting and scoring the basketball, and he also rebounded really well. On the other hand, he also struggled to protect the basketball, as he was turnover prone on offense.

He is a skilled scorer that can make threes to stretch the defenses, showed a solid scoring touch out of the post, and he also showed off some surprising athleticism by catching lobs on back cuts to score on alley-oop dunks.

He also showed he can make solid passes, as he was able to make a wraparound pass out of the post to find the open man once. However, he tended to have trouble protecting the basketball, and he would end up getting balls ripped away from him to commit turnovers.

Freemantle also rebounded well. Defensively, he looked to be fairly average. He can use his length and timing to get his hands on balls and contest shots to force misses around the basket. However, sometimes he would get beat on plays, as he wouldn’t always move his feet well, which would lead him to commit fouls and allow scores.

Overall, Freemantle played well, and he is a skilled scorer that showed off more athleticism than previously thought. He’ll still need to improve his handles and defense, but his skill set and basketball IQ could either enable him to make it to the NBA, or he could at least end up carving out a very solid playing career in professional basketball.

Curtis Jones also played well in this game. He is an agile, skilled combo guard that especially excelled on offense, as he would make threes and score on smooth drives to the hoop, and he would make drive and kick passes to set up scores for his teammates.

Also, he is a willing rebounder that was able to chip in on the glass. He also helped double an opposing ball handler near a sideline and deflected a pass to nearly get a steal once. Overall, Jones had a solid showing, and his offensive skills and above average athletic gifts could enable him to make it to the NBA someday.

Other Notes:

Kansas State’s 6-9 forward, David N’Guessan also had a solid showing in this game. He is a smooth, athletic big man that excelled as a finisher and he also made a corner three to show an improved jump shot.

He is a willing passer, and he also was able to set a solid screen to help his teammate get an open three-point shot. He also defended well, and he would use his length, athleticism, and timing to force turnovers and misses. Overall, N’Guessan is a second round prospect whose blend of skills, athleticism, and production could enable him to be an effective, rotational big man in the NBA.

Charleston Southern’s 6-7 forward, Taje’ Kelly quietly played well in this game. He especially thrived on offense, as he excelled as a shot maker, and he can spot up to make threes, or score off the dribble. He also generally excelled at making decisive, accurate passes, and he can get the ball to his teammates in a variety of ways.

Plus, he also handles the ball well for a player his size. On the other hand, he didn’t rebound well, and he tended to be play too aggressively on defense, which would lead him to be out of position. Overall, Kelly had a solid showing in this game, and he is a strong, mobile forward that could end up being a versatile role player in the NBA.

Missouri’s 6-5 guard, Tamar Bates quietly played well in this game. He did a very good job of shooting and scoring the basketball, and he is a mobile swingman that showed some post up skills in addition to being able to knock down the three-ball. He also is an unselfish player that can consistently get the ball to his teammates, and he also would jump on loose balls to help his team get steals. Overall, Bates played well when he was on the floor, and he is an agile, skilled swingman that could project into a 3 and D role in the NBA.

VCU’s 6-5 guard, Max Shulga is an offensively skilled player that excelled as a shot maker and facilitator in this game, and he also is an active defender that defended fairly well. He may only be an average athlete, but his ability to make plays on offense could enable him to be an effective role player at the NBA level.

Yale’s 6-4 senior point guard, Bez Mbeng quietly played well, as he excelled as a rebounder and defender, and he shot the ball well in limited touches. He didn’t stand out as much as the others, but he could project into a backup point guard role in the NBA.

Northern Arizona’s 6-6 swingman, Trenton McLaughlin had a satisfactory showing in this game. He showed that he can ably knock down spot-up threes off the catch, and he also passed and defended well. While he’s only an average athlete, his ability to make sound plays could enable him to be a 3 and D role player in the NBA.

UC San Diego’s 6-6 senior point forward, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones had his ups and downs, but he is a crafty player that did a great job of rebounding the basketball, and he also defended well in this game. Despite not racking up as many assists as expected, he tended to make solid reads and has the vision to find open teammates consistently.

He also was able to score off the dribble, as well as on a tip-in off of an offensive rebound. He also would use his length, timing, and instincts to stay in position to block and contest shots. On the downside, he didn’t take or make a three-pointer, and was fairly turnover prone, as he would sometimes be careless with the basketball. Overall, Tait-Jones is an agile, skilled point forward that will need to be a more reliable outside shooter, but his basketball IQ, skill set, and versatility could enable him to make it to the NBA someday.

Saint Joseph’s 6-2 point guard, Erik Reynolds II also had a decent showing in this game. He is an agile, skilled combo guard that can shoot and score the basketball. He’ll need to show NBA teams that he can reliably run the point and defend at higher levels, but his marksmanship could enable him to either make it to the NBA, or to at least carve out a solid playing career in professional basketball.

Creighton’s 6-6 senior swingman, Jamiya Neal also had a decent showing in this game. He excelled as a facilitator, rebounder, and defender, and he was one of the best athletes at this event. Despite not shooting well, he has a crafty pump fake that enables him to score off the dribble, and he also has a promising mid-range game. Neal also was able to drive hard to score on a thunderous dunk once. Overall, Neal is an intriguing prospect that could may have the skills and athleticism to end up being a versatile role player in the NBA.

Nevada’s 6-8 point forward, Kobe Sanders had his ups and downs, but he is an agile, skilled playmaker that did a great job of passing the basketball and making reads due to possessing good court vision, as well as above average athleticism, and solid handles. He also defended well, and frequently intercepted passes to get steals. He’ll need to be a more consistent shot maker in games, but Sanders has the basketball IQ to make an NBA team’s roster sometime in the future.

All in all, those are my thoughts on how Carter, Joplin, Joseph, and other various prospects fared in this game. Thanks for reading.