The Phoenix Suns traded up to land the No. 31 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the first pick in the second round.

With the selection, they took Saint Joseph's forward Rasheer Fleming, a dynamic player who averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season.

Many thought Fleming would be a first-round selection and he was projected to land at No. 25 in USA TODAY Sports' final NBA mock draft for the first round.

Rasheer Fleming #13 of the Saint Joseph's Hawks blocks a shot by Dre Davis #14 of the Seton Hall Pirates during the second half of a first-round NIT game at Walsh Gym on March 20, 2024, in South Orange, New Jersey. Seton Hall defeated Saint Joseph's 75-72 in overtime.

What do NBA writers think of Phoenix's selection of Fleming?

Check out their early NBA draft grades for the pick, which included some very positive marks about Fleming's potential.

CBS Sports: Suns get an A for Rasheer Fleming pick in NBA draft

Kyle Boone writes: "Fleming was the highest-rated player on my board entering the second round and Phoenix smartly made a trade with Minnesota to acquire this pick and by extension the right to Fleming. He's a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot-5 wingspan who shot 39% on 3s last season and should be a tremendous addition to the Suns' frontcourt."

Fansided: Suns earn an A- for Rasheer Fleming pick in NBA draft

Christopher Kline writes: "Phoenix aggressively maneuvered up the board to acquire the first pick in the second round. That lands them Rasheer Fleming of St. Joe's, an athletic 3-and-D forward with a gaping 7-foot-5 wingspan and incredible lateral agility. Between him and Khaman Maluach, Phoenix has substantially improved its defensive foundation."

USA TODAY Sports: Suns land an A- for Rasheer Fleming pick in 2025 NBA Draft

The site didn't give an explanation for the grade, but it did give the Suns an A-.

Bleacher Report: Suns earn a B+ for Rasheer Fleming selection in 2025 NBA Draft

Andy Bailey writes: "The Phoenix Suns just keep adding to their frontcourt through this draft. And in the second round, they got a versatile big man in Rasheer Fleming who might even be able to play some wing and finished in the top 30 in Jonathan Wasserman’s final big board. While Fleming's 6'8", 232-pound frame doesn't seem built for the 5 spot, his ridiculous 7'5" wingspan and spring-loaded vertical athleticism give him a shot to handle at least small-ball minutes there. And if he can log some minutes at center, his profile looks fascinating. He does everything you want a rim-running big to do, but he's also a legitimate long-range shooting threat (39 percent this past season) with a pinch of straight-line driving and flashes of defending in space. If he can't serve as a 5, then his skill set looks rather rudimentary for a modern wing. He isn't a shot-creator, can be a step slow with his off-ball reads and won't overpower opponents like he did in the A-10."

For The Win: Suns receive an A+ for Rasheer Fleming NBA draft pick

Bryan Kalbrosky writes: "The Suns outbid every team by making aggressive moves to trade up to acquire the first pick of the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting St. Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming in the process. He is a first-round talent with a unique blend of size and shooting: Fleming was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc, per Bart Torvik. The forward measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-5 and a standing reach above 9-foot-1 at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine."