The Clippers wrapped up their 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night by landing Nevada’s Kobe Sanders with the 50th overall pick in the second round.
The Clippers traded with the New York Knicks to move up one spot and received Sanders, a 6-foot-8 swingman, whom the Knicks had initially selected. The Clippers then selected 6-8 French forward Mohamed Diawara at No. 51 and traded him to the Knicks.
Sanders possesses guard skills and a defensive mindset, qualities that caught scouts’ attention at the NBA draft combine.
Sanders played four seasons at Cal Poly before transferring to Nevada, where he averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46% from the field and 34.2% from 3-point range in a hybrid role. Scouting reports indicate he passes the ball well and that his pull-up jumper has a chance to translate well to the NBA.
The Clippers came into this year’s draft targeting a playmaker, someone who can shoot and get teammates open shots and learn under 11-time All-Star James Harden. Sanders could be that player.
However, with a veteran-heavy roster, Sanders and Penn State’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who the Clippers picked in the first round, need to earn their spots in the rotation. But unlike previous seasons, the newcomers could see more opportunities on the NBA level. Most young players spend a portion of the season in the G League, where they tend to get more playing time.
“We’re going to make some tweaks in how we go through with our younger players next year,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said. “We’re also probably going to make some tweaks in having our guys spending more time with the team here (rather than in G League).”
Frank said he wants to create new pathways for the young players, but at the same “they have to earn it. We don’t give them anything and there’s always a lot of competition because we were super fortunate to have several good players.”