Biliew is building momentum at Wake Forest
The early part of the 2025 college basketball season has given scouts a clearer look at a wide range of prospects, from elite freshmen to seasoned veterans. Of the latter group, Wake Forest forward Omaha Biliew delivered his strongest performance of the year in the Demon Deacons’ victory over UMass Lowell on Sunday.
Biliew scored 13 points with four rebounds while shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, 3-for-3 from deep and 2-for-2 at the line. It was a stark contrast to his averages of 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds at the start of the season on a 17.6% shooting percentage. The former five-star high school recruit, who was rated No. 13 nationally in the class of 2023 by 247Sports, transferred to Wake Forest after one season at Iowa State.
During the 2024-2025 campaign, Biliew played just 9.5 minutes per match across 13 appearances. This year, however, his role has expanded and Sunday’s performance could be the start of a more consistent trajectory. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he has the physical tools to get a handle on the draft, but he needs to string together steady production to climb into the NBA ranks.
Lawal’s strong start strengthens his design case
Virginia Tech senior Toibu Lawal has been more consistent in his collegiate career, and he continued that trend with another standout performance on Sunday. The London native finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, an assist, three blocks and zero turnovers in a win over Charlotte, pushing the Hokies to a 4-0 record.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Lawal brings high-end athleticism and effort to the frontcourt. Through four games, he is averaging 14 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. His 16.7% three-point shooting remains a weakness, but his defensive edge and rebounding presence give him a viable path to the next level.
What comes next
Conference play will provide a much more difficult evaluation environment for both players. Biliew must show consistency to rejoin the conversation he once had as a top-20 recruit. Lawal, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a possible second-round option if he continues to impact games with energy, rim protection and interior finishing.
For now, both have taken meaningful early steps toward appearing on 2026 NBA Draft boards.
#prospects #emerging #early #NBA #Draft #conversations