Kobe Sanders has put in a lot of time and sweat into his game to have a chance to play in the NBA. And it might pay off in a big way: the 6-7 guard is a name to watch in the 2025 NBA Draft as a potential late first-round pick, according to Cyro Asseo de Choch of Hoophype.
Late Blooming Mid-Major Guard, A Potential Surprise First-Round Pick?
Sanders entered the 2025 season, his first at Nevada, as a relatively unknown transfer from Cal Poly. He wasn’t considered an NBA prospect by draft pundits in late February. Now, he is ranked among the top 60 draft prospects by ESPN and The Athletic.
“At 6-foot-8, Kobe Sanders is a swingman with guard skills and a defensive edge, as he turned heads all year at Nevada, de Choch said. “Sanders solidified his stock at the 2025 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where his feel, size, and maturity stood out, leading to an invitation to attend the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.”
Who Is Kobe Sanders
Despite being from California, Sanders’ family has a long-standing connection to North Dakota athletics. According to de Choch four of Sanders uncles, on mother side, all played college basketball at either North Dakota or North Dakota State. Each of the four uncles is in their respective schools’ athletics Hall of Fame.
But the family basketball prowess isn’t limited to the older family members. Three of Sanders’ cousins played college hoops. Jake and Jordan Driscoll played at Division II Minnesota Moorhead State. Meanwhile, Amber Abraham played four seasons at Arkansas State.
Sanders, an unheralded prospect out of Christian High School in El Cajon (California), steadily improved in his first three seasons at Cal Poly. But it wasn’t until his senior season with the Mustangs that the Spring Valley (Calif.) native took off. He averaged 19.2 points in his final season with the Mustangs, which caught the attention of major colleges when he decided to take advantage of a fifth season.
Transfer and Postseason Invites
Sanders, rated as a four-star transfer by On3 and Rivals, chose Nevada over San Diego State, UCLA, USC, and Illinois, among others. Known for his versatility, Sanders polished under Steve Alford at Nevada, where he earned third-team All-Mountain West Conference honors.
Sanders averaged 15.8 points and 4.5 assists. 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in his lone season with the Wolf Pack. He knocked down 1.2 treys a game while shooting career-bests from the field (46%) and 3-point line (34.2%). He also produced two double-doubles and scored in double figures in 27 of his 32 appearances, topping the 20-point mark nine times, including two 30-point efforts.
As a result of his season with Nevada, Sanders earned an invite to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Sanders tallied 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two turnovers in two appearances in the event. He made 4 of 8 three-pointers with shooting splits of 53.8/50/1.000.
Following his performance in the PIT, Sanders earned an invite to the NBA Draft Combine. But an injury prevented him from taking advantage of the invite.
Sanders has had a handful of individual workouts with NBA teams. According to de Choch, Sanders has worked out with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Golden State Warriors.
“Those organizations holding picks squarely in his projected range (picks No. 24 to No. 45), and each presents an intriguing landing spot,” de Choch said. “Among that group, Phoenix at No. 29, Boston at No. 28, and Golden State at No. 41 stand out as natural fits. With a high floor as a rotational wing and the tools to do more, Sanders is trending up as a name to watch late in the first round.”
What Film Says About Sanders’ Game
Strengths
- Scorer who gets to the free-throw line
- 3-level scorer who operates well in the midrange
- Size
- Moves Well Without Ball
- Feel/Court Vision/Passing
- Ballscreen/Pick-n-roll
- Versatilility
Weakness/Area Of Improvement
- Does Not Finish Well At Rim
- Average Athleticsm
- Short Wingspan
- 3-Point Shooting
- Add Weight/Muscle
- Foot Speed defensively, as he doesn’t move well laterally
Sanders is very skilled and projects as a versatile swing guard/forward in the NBA, capable of handling the ball and serving as a secondary ball handler. He is a three-level scorer, though he is at his best when operating in the mid-range and does a great job getting to the free-throw line. He is very physical on both ends of the floor and is an excellent playmaker who can create his own shot.
Sanders, who can knock down open shots from beyond the arc, moves well without the ball. The 23-year-old has an excellent feel for the game and is effective in pick-and-roll situations, whether setting up his own offense or that of his teammates.
Sanders demonstrated improvement in efficiency during his last two collegiate seasons, particularly reducing turnovers. However, Sanders needs to improve his perimeter shooting and finishing at the rim.
Sanders is rated as the No. 53 prospect by The Athletic, and ESPN has him at No. 52.
Last Word
I like Sanders’ game and believe he has a shot to earn a standard NBA contract at some point in his career. But there are too many questions about his athleticism and physical traits for him to be a late-first-round or early-second-round selection. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Sanders ends up being a mid-to-late second-round choice. However, I do think he will earn a two-way deal, whether drafted or not.
Photo Credit: © Jason Bean, Reno Gazette Journal
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