Brooklyn Nets select Adou Thiero in 2025 NBA Draft, trade to Los Angeles Lakers

The Brooklyn Nets have selected former Arkansas forward Adou Thiero with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and are trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Thiero transferred to Arkansas last offseason after spending two seasons under John Calipari at Kentucky.

In his lone campaign with the Razorbacks, Thiero made 27 appearances and 26 starts. The 6-foot-8 junior averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 25.6% from beyond the arc.

It was a major jump for Thiero, who had only averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Kentucky. Thiero’s efforts at Arkansas boosted the Razorbacks to a run to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

Adou Thiero played high school basketball at Quaker Valley (PA), where he was a three-star prospect. he was the No. 266 overall player and No. 32 combo guard in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Adou Thiero

Although Thiero had a career season at Arkansas, not everybody is convinced that his game will translate to the next level. Ahead of the draft, On3’s James Fletcher III weighed in on Thiero’s NBA potential.

“Adou Thiero showed major growth on offense this year, showing an ability to get to the rim and begin knocking down 3-pointers,” Fletcher wrote. “This all adds to his solid defensive base, which provides him with a platform to grow off as a two-way wing. However, limits in his offensive packages remain and restrict his ceiling at the next level.”

Others aren’t nearly as concerned about Thiero’s offensive abilities. RotoWire.com wrote a complimentary analysis of Thiero’s game for NBA.com prior to the draft.

“Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, Thiero possesses ideal size, length and athleticism for a forward in the modern NBA,” the analysis read. “He is an aggressive offensive rebounder and has the ability to consistently finish above the rim. Thiero is also a menace on the defensive end, as he proficiently uses his length to create turnovers and erase shots at the rim.

“… Thiero’s ceiling will ultimately be decided by how his 3-point shot develops, but his elite athleticism and impressive length give him a solid floor as an impactful defender who can crash the glass and finish at the rim.”