2025 Champions Classic Recap: Michigan State, Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and NBA Draft Scouting Notes

Madison Square Garden — November 18, 2025

The Champions Classic returned to Madison Square Garden for its 15th edition, once again serving as an early-season barometer for four of college basketball’s premier programs. Michigan State, Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke each came in with looming questions and plenty of intrigue. By the end of the doubleheader, we gained a clearer sense of where these teams stand and how several NBA prospects are progressing.

What follows is a breakdown of both games, along with scouting notes on the top prospects who took the floor and a few who were sidelined.

Game 1: Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66

Quick Summary

Michigan State came into MSG needing more offensive rhythm, and they found it. A team that struggled from deep through its first three games suddenly shot the ball with confidence, knocking down 11 threes and executing at a level Kentucky never fully matched. The Spartans paired that perimeter surge with a strong interior presence, consistently generating second-chance points and controlling the physicality of the game.

Kentucky’s offensive issues were visible early. Without starting point guard Jaland Lowe, the Wildcats lacked a steady initiator, fell into stagnant possessions, and went long stretches without clean looks. They showed some flashes, but ultimately struggled to apply any sustained pressure on Michigan State’s defense.

Top NBA Prospects — Game 1

Jayden Quaintance | Kentucky | C | 6'10", 255 lbs | Sophomore (Injured)

Big Board: No. 11

Status: Out (Knee)

In addition to being shorthanded on the perimeter, Kentucky is also without its most physically imposing defender and interior presence. Quaintance’s length, physicality, and rim protection would’ve helped offset Michigan State’s interior presence and second-chance opportunities. The good news: he went through a light pre-game workout, and the expectation is that he could return in the next few weeks. 

Jasper Johnson | Kentucky | G | 6'5", 180 lbs | Freshman

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 8 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 42.9 FG%

There seem to be more questions than answers for Kentucky right now, and one of the biggest is the role of former five-star recruit Jasper Johnson. I’ve evaluated him extensively at various high school events. He is a dynamic spark-plug scorer but very left-hand dominant, streaky, and not a natural point guard. With Jaland Lowe out, Kentucky was forced to use him at the point for much of his 14 minutes last night, and it is clear he is still adjusting. Even so, I expect his scoring talent to eventually shine through and naturally propel him into a more meaningful role.

Jaland Lowe | Kentucky | G | 6'1", 170 lbs | Junior (Injured)

Big Board: No. 49

Status: Out (Shoulder)

Kentucky’s offense clearly needs more point guard play and on-ball creation, and Lowe’s absence magnifies those issues. There are questions about when, or if, he’ll return this season.

Otega Oweh | Kentucky | G/F | 6'4", 220 lbs | Senior

Big Board: No. 51

Stats: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 33.3 FG%

His athleticism, physical tools, and defensive versatility are valuable, but his shooting mechanics remain hard to overlook — he has a major hitch. He showed flashes of his potential last night, yet it still feels like he’s struggling to take the next step after testing the NBA Draft waters last summer. The good news: there’s plenty of season left, and his talent gives him a real chance to turn the corner. And Kentucky needs him to.

Jeremy Fears Jr. | Michigan State | G | 6'2", 190 lbs | Sophomore

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 8 PTS, 6 REB, 13 AST, 66.7 FG%

I’m not sure whether entering the draft early is in his cards or not, but I’m high on Fears regardless. He’s tough, he defends, and he runs the show. He’s going to continue helping Michigan State win games. He’s the type of player I’d be hesitant to bet against. He’s on my radar.

Cam Ward | Michigan State | F | 6'8", 225 lbs | Freshman

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 8 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 66.7 FG%

Only a freshman, and in a relatively limited role, Ward made a strong impression by displaying toughness and scoring potential. He caught my eye, and I will certainly track him moving forward.

Coen Carr | Michigan State | F | 6'6", 225 lbs | Freshman

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 6 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 33.3 FG%

Although I am not sure how clear his NBA pathway is, I would be remiss not to mention Coen Carr. He is one of the most athletic players I have ever seen. Watching him run the floor and fly around defensively is impressive, and his alley-oop dunk in transition was jaw-dropping. I mean this in the most respectful way possible: imagining him running vertical routes as a tight end in the NFL is something I would pay to see.

Game 2: Duke 78, Kansas 66

Game Summary

Kansas came into the night undermanned, but clearly not intimidated. Even without star freshman Darryn Peterson, the Jayhawks opened with pace and assertiveness, aggressively challenging Duke in transition and playing with a competitive edge that kept the game tight deep into the second half.

But Duke’s depth eventually separated the two teams. The Blue Devils leaned on their young core, Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, and Patrick Ngongba, each delivering on both ends. Boozer was a force on the boards, Evans provided scoring versatility, and Duke executed well when it mattered most.

Kansas fought, but foul trouble loomed large. Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller both spent long stretches on the bench, and as the frontcourt thinned out, Duke’s physicality and playmaking took control.

Top NBA Prospects — Game 2

Darryn Peterson | Kansas | G | 6'6", 205 lbs | Freshman (Injured)

Big Board: No. 1

Status: Out (Hamstring)

Unfortunately, we did not get to see the top prospect in the projected draft class at MSG, but the word is that Kansas is simply being careful with him. I expect to see him back out there soon.

Cameron Boozer | Duke | F/C | 6'9", 250 lbs | Freshman

Big Board: No. 3

Stats: 18 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 41.2 FG%

First and foremost, Boozer is very talented. He is physically imposing, has the potential to become an elite rebounder, has a high IQ, is a willing and capable passer, and has shown enough to suggest he will be able to stretch the floor effectively. He reminds me of Kevin Love, who has had a terrific NBA career, because he shares several of Love’s strengths and some of his limitations. Boozer has limited pop, burst, and creation ability, and he struggles around the rim against NBA-level length and athleticism. He certainly belongs in the mix near the top of the draft, but the gap between him and several prospects projected behind him does not feel as large as some might think. This projected draft class is loaded, and I believe ideas about the top of draft boards should remain fluid at this point.

Isaiah Evans | Duke | G/F | 6'6", 180 lbs | Sophomore

Big Board: No. 17

Stats: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 40.0 FG%

Last season, Isaiah Evans was used in a limited role, but he still showed flashes of what he could become. He is about as talented as it gets as a natural, dynamic shooter and scorer, and with a bigger role this year, he is finally getting the chance to showcase it. Last night, he delivered on a big stage. I am buying his shooting and overall scoring profile, translating to the NBA level.

Dame Sarr | Duke | G/F | 6'8", 190 lbs | Freshman

Big Board: No. 23

Stats: 6 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 48.3 FG%

Sarr’s length, defense, and overall versatility are intriguing. He has shot the ball well this year, but I would like to see it over a larger sample size to fully trust it, and I still question how much offensive upside he has. The main question for me is whether his long-term projection is that of a high-level complementary piece who provides defense and spot-up shooting with limited creation, or if there is more to unlock in his offensive bag. I will keep watching, but he is likely a first-round type talent either way.

Flory Bidunga | Kansas | F/C | 6'10", 235 lbs | Sophomore

Big Board: No. 35

Stats: 14 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 70.0 FG%

Perhaps the biggest winner of the night from a scouting perspective was Flory Bidunga, who displayed his explosiveness in a big way. I have been high on him before, both at high school events and last year, when he tried to coexist with Hunter Dickinson at Kansas. He has limited perimeter skills and might be a bit undersized, but if you envision him as a rim-running and dunker-spot finisher, rebounder, and rim protector in the NBA, I think it will work. He is trending up in my book.

Patrick Ngongba | Duke | C | 6'11", 250 lbs | Sophomore

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 13 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 100.0 FG%

Ngongba has impressive skill and feel for the game for a player of his size. He lacks athleticism, and I am still juggling whether and how he would fit into this draft class if he decided to enter his name, especially in a year with so many talented big men, and given that he is only a sophomore. Regardless, I was glad to see him again. He is getting better.

Caleb Foster | Duke | G | 6'5", 205 lbs | Junior

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 7 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 33.3 FG%

He is a big combo guard who can shoot it and defend, and there is a lot to like about his potential to translate into a serviceable role player at the next level. I think the better he shoots the ball from outside, the further he will go in his career.

Nikolas Khamenia | Duke | F | 6'8", 205 lbs | Junior

Big Board: N/A

Stats: 4 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 50.0 FG%

He is not the most athletic player, and he is only playing a limited role at the moment, but Khamenia’s well-roundedness and the intangibles he brings to the table that contribute to winning are intriguing. I do not expect him to be in the one-and-done conversation, but I am excited to see how his development progresses.

Final Thoughts

Even though we did not get to see a few of the marquee prospects, including Darryn Peterson and Jayden Quaintance, the Champions Classic was still a productive trip from a scouting standpoint. The event provided valuable context on several players, strengthening some cases while raising new questions about others. Michigan State showed meaningful growth, Duke’s young core delivered, and both Kentucky and Kansas offered a clearer picture of where their rosters and NBA prospects currently stand. I will certainly be back to this event in future years. It remains one of the best early-season opportunities to evaluate top talent on a national stage.