Multiple outlets projected Viktor Lakhin to be selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, but unfortunately for the former Clemson big man, that didn’t come to fruition.
Though he went undrafted, Lakhin is getting a lot of love from analysts.
The former Clemson center was touted by Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor as one of the top 10 undrafted free agents in this year’s class who are still available:
No Ceilings NBA Draft writer Maxwell Baumbach went as far to tab Lakhin as the highest-ranked undrafted free agent on his board.
In an article by Baumbach, he gave Lakhin “The John Butler Award” as the “undrafted player who is highest on my board without a deal at press time.”
Here’s what Baumbach wrote about Lakhin:
Like Spencer Jones last year, Viktor Lakhin is currently out with an injury. But the 6’11” big man out of Clemson is tailor-made for the modern NBA. If you want him to sit back in drop coverage, he can do that. His length and timing enabled him to post a 7.3 BLK% in his first season as his team’s primary rim protector. Still, his time as a four paired with his fluidity as a lateral mover make him a comfortable switch defender. He moves well in space and racks up a ton of steals for a big man (2.7 STL%). Offensively, he’s got heaps of skill. His 13.4 AST% is fantastic for a five. He also hit 37.5% of his threes on good volume for a player his size.
Best of all, Lakhin is a guy who you can count on to put in the work to get better. Two years ago, he wasn’t this guy. He was an interior player who rarely took jumpers and was an absolute black hole on the block. He had a ghastly 4.4 AST% as a sophomore. Lakhin’s growth over the past two seasons has been remarkable. He’s not some older guy who racked up stats by beating up on younger dudes so much as he’s a player who continued to develop over time. Given the value of this skill set in the modern game, I ranked Lakhin 29th on my board. It was a risky swing, but I believe in what he brings to the table. SOMEONE SIGN THIS MAN!
After spending the first four years of his college career at Cincinnati, Lakhin transferred to Clemson for his final college campaign in 2024-25.
Lakhin was named All-ACC Honorable Mention this past season, when the 6-foot-11 center from Russia played a key role in helping Clemson to a school-record 27 wins.
Across 34 games (33 starts) for the Tigers, he posted 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 assists and one steal per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.
Overall in his college career, Lakhin averaged 9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, one assist and one block per contest, with a 54.2 percent field goal percentage and 31.8 percentage from 3-point land.