All-American wing John Tonje isn’t the only now-former Badger hoping to hear his name called during the 2025 NBA draft.
Former Wisconsin star point guard Chucky Hepburn, who played his final collegiate season at Louisville, is another. Unlike Tonje, who is a clear-cut second-round selection, Hepburn is among a large group of players currently on the outside looking in of two-round mock draft projections. Remember, there will only be 59 selections this year (instead of 60) after the New York Knicks were forced to forfeit their second-round pick.
More specifically, CBSSports slots Hepburn just outside of its top 59 — it has the veteran point guard at No. 77 in its latest NBA draft top 100 player ranking.
Hepburn’s stock is trending positively after a strong performance at the G League Elite Camp last month. He’s looking to validate a breakout senior season with the Cardinals, which included 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game, plus shooting totals of 43% from the field, 33% from 3 and 84.4% from the free-throw line.
Hepburn has worked out for the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets, according to RookieWire’s Cody Taylor. While the 6-foot-2 point guard is currently slotted outside of the draft’s two rounds, he appears to be a prime candidate to sign as an undrafted free agent. He’d then need a standout summer league and preseason to play his way onto an NBA roster.
The former Badger brings a rare combination of excellence on the defensive end and as a floor general to the table. If he can’t make an NBA roster immediately out of college, productive seasons in the G League or overseas could lead to a promotion.
The NBA draft will be held on Wednesday (first round) and Thursday (second round) of this week. Hepburn appears to have a long shot chance to hear his name called during Thursday’s second round.
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