Blue Devil blueprint: Tyrese Proctor ready for NBA draft

• Tyrese Proctor is currently projected as a second round 2025 NBA Draft pick
• Proctor's Duke teammates Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach are projected top-10 picks
• Proctor brings elite passing vision and three-point range to the table for NBA teams

With just a week to go until the 2025 NBA Draft, Sydney product Tyrese Proctor has seen his Duke teammates solidify their spots in the top 10 of mock drafts across the board.

After choosing to remain in college for his junior year at Duke, which saw him feature alongside projected No.1 pick Cooper Flagg, the 20-year-old combo guard has transformed from a raw prospect with potential into a polished player ready for the professional ranks. Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor explores what makes Proctor an intriguing prospect and how his development at Duke has positioned him for success at the next level.

The Patient Path to the NBA

When Tyrese Proctor first arrived at Duke, many expected him to be another one-and-done Blue Devil who would quickly transition to the NBA. Standing at 198 cm and weighing 83 kg, Proctor certainly had the physical profile of a modern NBA guard. However, unlike many top prospects who rush to the professional ranks, Proctor chose a more patient approach to his development.

“I think it was just wanting to come back in and just give more,” Proctor told foxsports.com.au earlier in the year.

“I felt like I had a lot more to give.”

That decision has paid dividends. Rather than entering the draft as a project player with questionable shooting and unrefined skills, Proctor used his three years at Duke to round out his skillset. His trajectory offers an interesting case study in player development and the value of collegiate experience, in an era where many talented players leave school early.

“I don’t think I would have come back for two years if I didn’t believe in Coach and if Coach didn’t believe in me,” Proctor said.

The connection between player and Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was strong.

"It’s been an incredible ride with Tyrese Proctor," Scheyer said.

"Tyrese, it’s not just what he’s done this past season. To me, it’s about the journey he’s been on the last three seasons. To see his individual growth that he’s made over his time at Duke. To see the amount of wins… For me, I couldn’t be more proud of Tyrese and what he’s done this season, but also so excited for him in this next step that he’s going to make. It’s time for him to chase that NBA dream."

Elite Playmaking Vision

The most compelling aspect of Proctor's game is his exceptional playmaking ability. He possesses the rare combination of court vision and passing accuracy that cannot be taught. Proctor's ability to distribute the ball with either hand makes him unpredictable and dangerous in the half-court offence.

What separates Proctor from other passers in this draft class is the confidence and fearlessness with which he makes plays. He's not afraid to attempt difficult passes through tight windows, yet he maintains impressive ball security. This balance between creativity and control is particularly valuable for NBA teams looking for guards who can initiate offence without committing costly turnovers.

This connective playmaking helps elevate teammates and keeps offences flowing, making Proctor the type of player who could contribute immediately to an NBA team's second unit before potentially growing into a larger role.

Three-Year Shooting Development

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Proctor's college career has been his steady improvement as a shooter. His transformation from a liability to an asset in this area demonstrates both his work ethic and adaptability.

As a freshman, Proctor's shaky shooting limited his effectiveness and raised questions about his NBA potential. His sophomore campaign showed marked improvement, as he became a more reliable threat from beyond the arc. By his junior year, Proctor had established himself as a legitimate perimeter scoring threat from multiple areas on the court.

The statistics paint a clear picture of this evolution. During his junior season, Proctor connected on 37.2% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, showing he can be effective playing off the ball. More impressively, he hit 40.5% of his three-point attempts off the dribble, demonstrating his growth as a self-creator. His ability to knock down pull-up jumpers extended inside the arc as well, where he shot an efficient 52.9% on mid-range pull-ups.

He profiles as a dual-threat player who can keep defences honest with his improved jumper while still leveraging his elite passing vision.

Defensive Upside

While much of the focus on Proctor centers around his offensive capabilities, his defensive potential should not be overlooked. At 198 cm, he has excellent size for either guard position, and his long arms provide additional disruptive potential on the defensive end.

What makes Proctor special defensively isn't just his physical tools but his approach to that end of the floor. He competes with heart and effort, showing a willingness to battle through screens, contest shots, and make multiple efforts within a single possession. This motor, combined with his high basketball IQ, allows him to make an impact both on and off the ball.

On-ball, Proctor uses his length to contest shots without fouling. Off-ball, he demonstrates good awareness and anticipation, jumping passing lanes and providing timely help defence. While he may not project as an All-Defence candidate at the NBA level, his combination of size, effort, and intelligence suggests he can be a positive defender rather than a liability – an important distinction for a guard hoping to earn consistent playing time as a rookie.

Areas for Improvement

Despite his impressive development, Proctor still has limitations that could affect his draft position and early NBA career. The most glaring weakness in his game is his finishing ability at the rim. Despite his good size, Proctor is a below-the-rim player who lacks explosive vertical athleticism.

This limitation manifests in his efficiency around the basket, where he made just 49.3% of his layup attempts during his junior year at Duke. In the NBA, where rim protectors are bigger, stronger, and more athletic, this deficiency could become even more pronounced.

Additionally, Proctor doesn't possess elite burst or a lightning-quick first step. This athletic limitation could make it challenging for him to consistently create separation against NBA defenders, potentially relegating him to more of a secondary creator role rather than a primary initiator.

These concerns about his athleticism and finishing ability are likely what prevented Proctor from declaring for the draft earlier in his college career. While he has made strides in other areas to compensate for these weaknesses, they remain points of concern for NBA scouts evaluating his potential.

NBA Fit and Comparisons

When projecting Proctor's NBA role, he appears best suited as a secondary playmaker rather than a lead guard responsible for carrying an offence. His combination of size, passing ability, improved shooting, and defensive competence makes him valuable, but his athletic limitations suggest he'll be more effective alongside other creators.

Proctor could thrive in systems that emphasize ball movement and player movement, where his passing vision and improved shooting would be maximised. He projects as a valuable rotation player who could eventually develop into a solid starter if placed in the right situation.

As he moves into the next phase of his career, he has nothing but support from Coach Scheyer, who saw him shine on the bright lights of March Madness earlier this year, hitting seven threes against Baylor.

“For this to happen for Tyrese, to be hitting seven threes and be our key guy and all that after going through all these moments -- like if I’m an NBA team, I’m going after him because you have to handle adversity,” Scheyer said.

“I think that speaks a lot to his character.”

Draft Outlook

As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Proctor has positioned himself as a potential second-round selection. While he may not have the superstar ceiling of some one-and-done prospects, his well-rounded skill set and steady improvement curve make him an attractive option for teams looking for NBA-ready contributors.

Teams in the middle to late second round with established stars could view Proctor as an ideal complementary piece who can step in and contribute immediately without needing the ball in his hands constantly. His improved shooting and defensive ability mean he can play alongside ball-dominant stars, while his playmaking provides insurance and lineup flexibility.

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