ONE OF the most energetic players in the class, Rasheer Fleming is an excellent combo forward and seems to has done enough to justify selection inside the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft next month.

With the ability to play both the four and the three, Fleming has excellent spot-up shooting skills, is remarkably active on the defensive end, and can slot into just about any lineup with his ability to operate off ball.

Although he could do with some improvement when it comes to his shot creation, if he can prove at the draft combine that his spot up shooting is enough to suggest viable offensive production, it could see him move into the top 20 on draft night.

Playing for the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in the NCAA, Fleming averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in his third season with the team, posting career-best numbers in all of those categories.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Fleming’s game looking quite similar to some of the better combo forwards in the NBA.

Larry Nance Jr. – Atlanta Hawks

Coming into the NBA with an extremely storied name to live up to, Nance Jr. has forged a strong NBA career in the frontcourt for several sides. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 27th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, and initially made a name for himself as a high-flying dunker who could throw down some vicious slams. He made the move to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played a role on a side that reached the 2018 NBA Finals. Since then, he has suited up for several sides, always having a suitor in need of his interior scoring, reliable defence and solid rebounding. Fleming’s ceiling is undoubtedly higher based on his spot-up shooting, but Nance Jr. has been one of the more reliable power forwards of the past decade, so the young gun will see that there is a role there for him for a number of sides at NBA level.

Obi Toppin – Indiana Pacers

Another high-flying power forward, Toppin is more rounded in his offensive arsenal, and his spot up shooting from long-range draws similarities to Fleming. Toppin went eighth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft to the New York Knicks, and immediately became a fan favourite for his excellent dunks, particularly in transition, where he became known for his ability to throw down through-the-legs slams. However, Toppin was more than his dunks, and has become a reliable double-digit scorer for the Indiana Pacers, currently competing in the NBA playoffs. His three-point shooting has improved since joining the NBA, as highlighted by a career-high 40 per cent efficiency from long range last season. Both Toppin and Fleming are extremely high energy players who can spark a team with excellent plays, although the latter has more of an impact defensively, which will certainly help his draft stock.

OG Anunoby – New York Knicks

Although boasting less height than the current draft prospect, there are certainly similarities in Anunoby’s shot selection and defensive impact, which bodes well for Fleming. He was picked up by the Toronto Raptors with the 23rd pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, and won a championship with the team in 2019. After becoming one of the best lockdown players in the competition, he was traded to the New York Knicks, and was named to his first All-Defensive Team in 2023, while also developing the offensive side of his game as well, becoming a solid spot-up shooter that can find the bottom of the net when the defence collapses in on his teammates. Although Fleming is taller, both players are excellent readers of the play, and can poke the ball free or swat a shot from the opposition inside, while also proving impressive secondary scoring options down the other end.