Scouting the Top International Prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft Class

The international prospects in the NBA Draft are usually the greatest unknowns.  For one, people outside the players’ respective countries rarely get to see them play, and many do not have a full understanding of the players’ context, such as the quality of their teammates and the level of competition they’re playing against.  Gauging international prospects is also complicated by the fact that many play limited minutes, and they often play in more than one league in a single season.  

With that said, below are my scouting observations, opinions, and rankings for the top international players who were in the 2025 NBA Draft class, listed in order of ranking.  I must admit that I upgraded one player significantly after the draft, Saliou Niang, who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers.  When you read about Niang, you’ll understand what happened.  He’s the only player that I have changed my mind about and moved on my active “Full Draft Board,” which includes all of the significant prospects that were eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft and are now free agents.

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  The French native has played pro ball since the age of 14, and was considered a top-5 Euro prospect for his birth year before this season.  In 2024, was a star for the U18 national team and also saw minutes for the senior French national team in the EuroBasket qualifiers.  
• In an October preseason game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, he scored 20 points (6 of 14), with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.  
• Not only one of the youngest players in this draft class but also one of the most productive players on Ulm, a team that featured former draft prospects Justinian Jessup, Karin Jallow, and Philipp Herkenhoff, former NBA players Nate Hinton and Isaiah Roby, and 2025 NBA prospect Ben Saraf.
• Helped his team make it to the BBL Finals against Munich, BUT caused a big stir in Germany when he left the team after Game 2 of the five-game series to attend the draft.  This move had to be a concern for any team considering drafting him, as the decision was selfish and showed a lack of loyalty and maturity.
• This season, the 6-foot-10, 205-pound (plus-3 wingspan) forward played in both EuroCup (a level up from the BBL) and the BBL, averaging 11.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 1.2 APG, with shooting splits of .520/.279/.714.  Considering his age and the level of play, his PER of 18.6 was impressive. 
• Skinny and lanky, he’s best classified as a forward, though he has seen plenty of action as a five.  
• Not a primary ballhandler, his main play types are spot-ups, cuts, putbacks, and transition, with roughly 60 percent of his shot attempts coming around the basket.
• A significant lob threat via rolls, cuts, and the dunker spot.  Also, has a promising runner/floater game and some post moves.  
• A straight-line driver whose handle is shaky in traffic.  Drives right more often but is as efficient going left.  Also, effective finishing with his offhand (left).  
• Fast down the court — a rip-and-run threat.
• Despite not shooting a high percentage from deep, his form looks good, featuring a smooth motion with little-to-no dip after the catch.  Most of his jumpers are uncontested catch-and-shoot attempts, and he definitely doesn’t rush those types of shots.  As his game develops, the speed of his release will need to increase.  
• Shows the potential to be a creative playmaker but not a big assist guy as of now.
• Draws a lot of fouls, averaging 6 FTAs per 30 minutes.
• A 1-through-5 defender with very good speed and quickness.  Moves his feet extremely well, and with more muscle, will be even more effective on the inside.
• Excellent lateral movement and change-of-direction ability, which allows him to smother ball handlers while making it difficult for them to drive past.  
• Very switchable and doesn’t get caught up in traffic a lot.  
• Closes out quickly and under control. 

In sum, Essengue is already a very good defender with excellent upside.  Not as developed on the offensive end, but again, the upside is high, as he displays potential in a number of areas.  The next steps in his development will be tightening his handle and improving as a shooter, especially off the dribble.  Ultimately, he should be a solid NBA starter at a minimum; Jaden McDaniels is a current NBA comparison.  

The Bulls selected Essengue at No. 12, which is about where I expected him to go.  Chicago certainly needs size and defense, so the pick makes sense.  However, I am concerned about Essengue’s decision to leave Ulm during the BBL Finals — his team dropped two straight without him and failed to win the championship.  So, is he a player who loves competing and is dedicated to winning?  The Bulls have to hope that this was simply a poor choice made by an 18-year-old.   

• Was the 2024 MVP of the U18 Euro Championship while playing for the Israeli National Team last summer.
• After playing in the Israeli BSL in 2023-2024, Saraf made the move to the BBL this season, which was a jump up in the level of play.
• Another young star for Ulm this season, Saraf was the straw that stirred the drink, leading the team in assists.  Between the more challenging EuroCup and the BBL, he played in 60 games (39 starts), averaging 23.4 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG, with shooting splits of .444/.290/.749.  
• The 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard is a three-level scorer, with roughly 30 percent of his shots coming from midrange.  
• A lefty who significantly favors driving left, but has similar efficiency in either direction.  Effective finishing his offhand, but very dependent on the left for passing.  
• A crafty ball handler who uses changes in speed and direction very effectively.  Makes just 47% around the basket, according to InStat, but shows a lot of potential as a pull-up shooter.  
• A very effective passer who sees the floor well and generally makes good decisions.  His left hand is dangerous, as he can whip the ball all over the court.  If he can get his right hand involved, he could be extremely dangerous.
• Gets good lift on his off-dribble jumpers, and combined with his size, those shots are difficult to block.
• Has a lot of potential as a combo guard due his size, off-ball movement, and spot-up shooting ability.  Many of his shots are off-the-dribble jumpers and runners, but he was far more efficient at shooting off the catch this past season.  
• Shooting form looks good, though he could speed up his release by minimizing his dip, which isn’t overly pronounced but it exists.
• Has above-average athleticism, with solid speed and quickness and modest vertical pop.  
• Doesn’t have the best defensive awareness; susceptible to being hung up on picks and losing his man off the ball.  Effort is generally there, but does fall asleep at times.
• Has active hands and can be a pest with deflections and steals.  
• Has the size to defend multiple positions, but at the NBA level, does he have enough athleticism to be a plus defender?  It was just one game, but Scoot Henderson made him look silly at times last October, beating him regularly off the bounce.

Only 19, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Saraf needs to improve in a number of areas: shooting efficiency, finishing efficiency, off hand, and defensive awareness.  At the same, what he has accomplished this season was impressive, leading Ulm to the BBL Finals.  Compared to his teammate Noa Essengue, Saraf was a more critical piece for Ulm.  My biggest concern is his athleticism — does he have enough to be an effective NBA defender?  I believe, at a minimum, he will be a solid NBA backup, and I would make an argument that he is more talented than Nolan Traore, who went to the same team (Nets) seven picks ahead of him.

• Played at the pro level since he was 15 years old.
• Last summer, had a tremendous stint with the U18 French National Team that gave him big momentum going into this season, but before that, he was never known as an efficient shooter.
• Highly regarded prospect at beginning of the season, but stock slipped due to a good-but-not-great season in French LNB (PER around 15).  In roughly 23 minutes per game, averaged 12.2 PPG, 4.7 APG, 1.9 RPG, and 0.7 SPG (0.0 blocks) with modest shooting splits of .410/.314/.711.
• Tested out as a good athlete at Treviso, posting very good lane and shuttle numbers, an average sprint time, and below-average vertical measurements.  Without shoes, he stood at 6-foot-3 with a plus-5 wingspan.  His numbers were much better than your typical Euro player, with an overall percentile of 80 percent in the HP Combine Database.  
• His biggest selling point is playmaking, with a nice A/T ratio (1.9) and high assist numbers for a below-average team that lacked weapons; good with lobs and post feeds, but otherwise unspectacular.
• Handles in P&R a lot, by far his most frequent play type; has good vision and makes quick decisions.
• A driver as much as a shooter, he has good speed and quickness with the ball in his hands; significantly favors going right and is much more effective going that direction.
• Not very good around the rim (44% according to InStat) and has more than his share of shots blocked; doesn’t have much vertical pop and is smaller than the listed 6-foot-4.  Also, doesn’t finish with his left much, and when he does, he’s not overly effective.
• Needs to improve his midrange game (runners, floaters and pull-ups) to offset his struggles at the rim.
• A quick-twitch guard, very capable at creating space, but not very efficient shooting off the dribble (or the catch).  Shooting mechanics look solid but his release needs to be quicker and more consistent; has a fairly deep takeback.
• Likes to push the ball up the floor and is effective that way.
• Competes on defense but often late on the play (his team playing a fair amount of zone could be a factor affecting the optics).
• On the ball, he plays fairly tight and sticky defense — pretty good but not elite.
• Solid vs. the P&R — has good court awareness, fights through screens, and fairly quick to recover; would likely do better if he tightened up on the ball.

Since the start of the season, I downgraded Traore on my board to a mid-to-late first-round pick, which is where he was selected by the Nets (#19).  I am not worried about his shooting too much, but I didn’t see enough upside to justify an early first-rounder.  He’s nifty and skilled, especially as a passer, but not elite.  In terms of overall athleticism, size, and length, he has enough to compete in the NBA, though I am a little worried about his vertical.  The rebuilding Nets are starved for point guards, and at just 19, Traore had plenty of time to significantly improve his game.

After an impressive performance at the 2024 U18 Euro Championship, Gonzalez headed into this season in the running to be the top Euro prospect in this draft, but his stock slipped due to limited minutes and less-than-ideal efficiency with Real Madrid.  Of course, he was playing in the Spanish ACB and EuroLeague, the two highest levels outside the USA, and that has to be taken into account. 

The main knock on Gonzalez is his shooting from deep (28% this season); he’s always been known as more of a scorer than a shooter.  On the plus side, he is usually good from the free-throw line (76% this season), and he has a smooth, compact shooting motion that could even be quicker with a little work.  

Gonzalez sees most of his action off the ball, mostly spotting up and shooting off screens, but he also can handle in the P&R; he has a ways to go as a playmaker, as he historically commits as many turnovers as assists.  Over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-6, 223-pound wing has played in a total of 117 games, including a handful for the Spanish national teams and another handful for the Real Madrid U18 club.  Over the span, his shot distribution has been as follows: 46 percent of his shots were around the basket with a FG% of 50, 14 percent of his shots were from midrange with a FG% of 31, and 40 percent of his shots were from deep with a 3P% of 24.

As you can see, Gonzalez currently is most efficient around the rim.  A solid all-around athlete with nice size for wing, including a plus-5 wingspan, he is an effective finisher in transition.  He’s also effective as a cutter and driver.  The young Spaniard is very smooth with spin and Eurostep moves on his way to the basket, and at the rim, he has good body control and can finish with either hand.

Energetic and pesky, Gonzalez is an effective team and on-ball defender.  He’s also very active on the boards.  Per 30 minutes this season, he averaged 1.7 combined steals and blocks and 4.9 rebounds.  Those numbers pale in comparison to what he averaged last summer in the 2024 U18 Euro Championship, where he produced 6.9 RPG, 2.7 SPG, and 2.0 BPG.  

At No. 28 in the draft, the Celtics made a good future investment with the selection of Gonzalez. Currently, he lacks offensive efficiency in most areas, but the tools are there.  It seems just a matter of time before he will be more consistent from deep, which will open up the rest of his game.  Defensively, he’s already solid and should only get better.  Ultimately, he should be no worse than a solid NBA reserve, and he has enough upside to be an effective starter.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the draft, Yang was selected by Memphis at No. 16 and then sent to Portland via a lopsided trade that favored the Trail Blazers.  Personally, I thought Yang had first-round value, but I didn’t see him going that high. 

Turning 20 on June 26, Yang put up big numbers for two straight years in the CBA, where the competition is not in the same class as the top leagues in Spain, France, and Germany — defense is sometimes optional.  Even so, the 7-foot-1, 253-pound big averaged 16.2 PPG, 10 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 2.7 BPG this season, while shooting .595/.286/.677.  His block percentage of 7.1 was the 8th best in the league.  His shooting efficiency significantly increased over the year before, which demonstrates that he is developing at a steady pace.  

Yang doesn’t have a ton of athleticism and spends a good amount of time in the post, but he is skilled and has a good feel for the game. He can handle the ball, is effective with his left hand in the paint, and is a creative passer.  He takes a fair amount of jumpers from both midrange and deep (about 2 per game), but as a shooter, he needs to continue to improve his efficiency and speed up his release.  Yang also needs to cut down on his turnovers (3.1 per game).  He has a bit of Joker vibe to him, including some quiet cockiness and an obvious desire to win, and he’s more athletic than the Denver big man.  On the other hand, he’s mainly a drop-coverage guy, who can be slow to react on defense, especially as a help defender.  

Yang, who can barely speak any English, will likely spend a lot of time in the G League this year, especially if the Blazers don’t move a veteran center or two off the roster.  He has the skill set to be a potent offensive weapon, but there are concerns about his ability to defend at the NBA level.

• Has played in the French pro system since the age of 16.  Made the jump up to the top division this season (LNB). 
• A tweener forward, he measured roughly 6-7, with a 7-0 wingspan, and weighed 242 at Treviso.  Tested poorly in nearly every category, with the exception of the shuttle (average).  He was especially limited vertically.  All of these numbers would likely improve with weight loss — 242 is on the heavy side for his size.  
• He’s an all-around contributor — a modest stat-sheet stuffer.  His outside shooting, though improving, is where he needs to get better the most (32 percent from deep and 67 percent from the FT line).  
• In 37 games (33 starts), he averaged 27.3 MPG, 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.9 BPG while shooting 44 percent from the floor.
• His 2024-25 stat line was very similar to the previous season, which is a significant accomplishment, considering the jump up in competition.  However, most of his good games came against the bottom half of the LNB.
• Mainly has the game of a wing (catch and shoot, with opportunistic drives and cuts).  Handles the ball a good amount and is a solid passer, but not an ideal primary P&R handler.  Somewhat reminds me of David Roddy at Colorado State but not as ball dominant.  
• His shot features an inconsistent dip on the catch, which can be slight or very pronounced.  His release tends to be deep — a little bit of catapult motion that is not compact or especially quick.
• He doesn’t look 240-plus, and he doesn’t play like a poor athlete.  Not exceptional, but he appears to have good straight-line speed and makes his share of dunks and tip-ins.
• Handle is a bit shaky, but he’s not a high turnover guy.  Not just a straight-line driver — has dribble combinations and spins in his bag.  A nice rip-and-run threat.
• Despite his size advantage, he doesn’t work in the post or midrange that much.  Also, not efficient as a finisher around the basket (44%) — forces the issue and lacks a floater game.
• An impactful defender in the LNB — physical, alert, tough, and scrappy.  He has the size to be effective and versatile but will he ever have the quickness and agility to do so in the NBA?

Overall, I am lukewarm on Penda, and unlike most, I saw him as an early-to-mid second-round pick.  As it was, he was selected by Boston at No. 32 and then shipped to Orlando.  The Magic already have a bunch of wing types, so I don’t see Penda playing much any time soon.  More importantly, I have trouble seeing what his role will be in the NBA.  He’s not great at anything, and he’s not an elite athlete.  Only 20, he needs to drop some weight and improve his shooting for starters.  A better handle plus midrange and post games would make him that much more offensively versatile, while weight loss should help him improve on the defensive end.

The Serbian big man has been playing in the Adriatic system since he was 15 years old.  This season was his first as a fulltime regular at the top level of the ABA, and he was truly one of the most overall productive players in the league.  In 32 games (31 starts) for Mega, he had excellent shooting splits (.546/.388/.765) while averaging 13.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, and a combined 1.7 steals and blocks per game. 

At Treviso, Markovic measured 6-foot-11 and 213 pounds with plus-1 wingspan.  In the drills, he did well in the quickness and coordination tests but was poor in terms of speed and vertical.  His lean body and skill set probably make him best suited to be a stretch four, but he could be used as a five as well with added muscle.  

Markovic gets most of his buckets around the basket via post-ups, rolls, cuts, and transition, but roughly one third of his shots are jumpers via catch-and-shoots and pick-and-pops.  He averaged close to three 3-point attempts per game this season.  He definitely has a significant dip after the catch and doesn’t have the quickest release, but overall, for his age, he has well above-average shooting form for a big.  He also has that typical Eastern European style, able to put the ball on the floor, having a good feel for the game, and being a creative playmaker.  Faster up and down the court than the combine tests would indicate, he is also an effective rip-and-run option.  On the downside, he’s mainly a below-the-rim player and is not a top-level finisher. 

Mainly a switch defender vs. the P&R, Markovic holds up surprisingly well vs. ballhandlers.  The same could be said in ISO situations.  However, he can struggle around the basket due to a lack of muscle and vertical pop.

Turning 20 in July, Markovic has a solid all-around game, but I do not believe that he has huge upside.  Likely to be a draft-and-stash, it was very curious that Milwaukee picked him at No. 47.  He was a good value at this spot in the draft, but the Bucks need players that can help them right now.  

A 6-foot-8, 225-pound small forward, Toohey has played in the NBL for Sydney over the past two seasons.  This season in 32 games (28 starts, 23.5 MPG), he averaged 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.8 BPG, with shooting splits of .465/.340/.738.  He ranked 4th in the NBL for STL% (3.2), 16th for BLK% (3.4), and 9th for defensive rating (107.6).  He also played well in two games at the NBA Combine, contributing in a lot of ways and totaling 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals, while shooting 62 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep. 

Toohey has a balanced stat line, and that’s because he can do a little bit of everything, from handling in the P&R to posting up as well as defending multiple positions.  This season, he was most efficient playing off the ball via spot-ups, handoffs, off-screen plays, cuts, and transition.  Not much of a midrange guy — he’s either taking a three or driving into the paint.  Threes accounted for 34 percent of his shots this season.  He’s basically a big wing, but he could be used as a stretch four in small-ball lineups.  

A solid all-around athlete, Toohey is a fairly graceful player, who has a smooth jumper that he can make off the dribble.  He often preps before the catch, allowing him to go straight into his motion; even if can’t prep, he doesn’t have a pronounced dip, making his release rather quick.  The Aussie native also has a good handle that allows him to cut through the defense.  He is effective at mixing crossovers with changes in speed, spins and Eurosteps.  He’s also not afraid of contact, and can finish with either hand.  

On defense, Toohey’s stats are impressive.  He’s a switchable defender, who can effectively defend multiple positions (1-4).  Toohey is an aggressive team defender, who is always looking to jump into the passing lanes for a pick-6.  He sometimes is too aggressive, drifting too far away from his man on the weakside, but at the same time, he’s usually flying all over the floor, scrambling to prevent open shot attempts.  

All in all, I really like Toohey, a big 3-and-D prospect who can play at the four spot at times.  I may have ranked him 5-10 spots too low, and if he was a little more athletic, I believe that he would have been a first-rounder.  He should be no worse than a solid NBA reserve, and if he can be more efficient from deep, I would expected him to be a starter eventually.  

Toohey was selected at No. 52 by the Suns and then traded to Golden State along with the draft rights to Jahmai Mashack (No. 59 pick) for pick 41 (Koby Brea).  I think he’s a great fit for the Warriors, and I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t take him at No. 41.  Obviously, Golden State found a better way to acquire him.

I am confused about Beringer because what most people say he is vs. what he looks like on film and what he has produced tell very different stories.  Starting with the good news, the French native is one of the youngest players in this draft class and stands at 6-foot-11 and 235 pounds with a plus-5.5 wingspan.  He has solid quickness and change of direction ability, but he lacks top speed and vertical pop.  Overall, he’s more athletic than most bigs in this class, but he is not exceptional. 

Beringer played a total of 60 games this season for Cedevita (42 starts, 19 MPG) in a total of three leagues:  Adriatic, EuroCup, and Slovenian SKL — all in all, a relatively high level of competition.  What he displayed was typical for a talented big; he was very efficient around the basket (64.4 FG%), rebounded well (roughly 8 boards per 30 minutes), and blocked a lot of shots (roughly 2 per 30 minutes with a block percentage of 8.5 — 2nd best in ABA).  What he didn’t do well was shoot (0-1 from deep and 56.6 FT%) and pass (A/T of 0.7).  Roughly 90 percent of his shots came around the basket, mainly via cuts, rolls, putbacks, and transition.  He made just 7 of 22 jumpers on the season, according to InStat.  Also, he didn’t display much of a handle or a left hand.  

Defensively, Beringer was mostly used in drop coverage vs. the P&R, with generally positive results.  When switching, he usually is able to harass ballhandlers, but when blitzing, he is often too late to make a difference.  In general, his quick feet and length allow him to be an effective on-ball defender.  As an off-ball and team defender, he looks lackadaisical at times and can be slow to react on rotations and closeouts due to a lack of awareness.  Around the basket, he lacks physicality and aggression, relying solely on his natural gifts, as opposed to effort.

Beringer is a raw prospect, which is no surprise given his age.  He’s already solid at a handful of key things: rolling and cutting on offense, shot blocking, rebounding, and on-ball defending.  Will he develop into anything more down the road is the question.  I did not see him being an early first-round pick, but the Timberwolves selected him at No. 17.  I understand that he is one of the younger players in this draft, but there is no way that he is ready to play in the NBA, and I question how much upside Beringer really has.  For a contending team that needed to add to a big or two that could contribute immediately, this was truly a curious pick.   

Standing at a legit 7-foot-3 (without shoes) and 253-pounds, Zikarsky will not turn 19 until July.  The Aussie center has played the last two seasons in the NBL, though his minutes have been very limited.  This season, he averaged a little over 12 minutes in 20 games, but he did enough with Brisbane this season to earn an NBA Combine invite, posting respectable shooting splits (.500/.200/.625) while ranking 8th in REB% (16.6) and 7th in BLK% (5.0) in the NBL.

At the combine, Zikarsky tested poorly athletically and didn’t have a high percentage in the shooting drills, both of which were expected.  I believe he made a mistake when he didn’t participate in the scrimmages, unlike most of the other NBL prospects.  Even so, at his size and age, he remains an intriguing prospect.  

More of a cutter and a roller than a post-up player, it is concerning that his FG% was just 50 percent; for his size, it should be at least 60.  His post-up game is very basic, and he needs to improve his touch around the rim.  On the other hand, he displays a good feel for how to move without the ball on rolls and cuts.  The big lefty’s shooting stroke doesn’t look bad, and with a lot of reps, he could eventually be a solid catch-and-shoot option.  On defense, Zikarsky is a drop-coverage guy who is really at the mercy of offense on pull-ups and pick-and-pops.  In general, he gives up a lot of space on the perimeter, and it’s questionable if he can effectively defend outside the paint.  

When it came to landing the bigs that they needed, the T’wolves surprisingly decided to go for potential over readiness to play.  Selected with pick No. 45 and ultimately landing with Minnesota after two trades, Big Rocco gives me some Zach Edey vibes, but unfortunately, he will not be playing college ball, where he could gradually develop as Edey did at Purdue.  With a couple years in college, he might have developed into a coveted first-round pick.  As it is, the 7-foot-3, 18-year-old will be in the G League, where the competition is going to be over his head, and he won’t get the right amount of minutes against people his age.

• A 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward with the athleticism of a guard and a 6-foot-11 wingspan.  Has a muscular frame, with room for growth. 
• Niang, a Senegal native, started his career with Bologna in the Italian Lega A, the top division in Italy, which is comparable to the German BBL and the Australian NBL.  He saw limited playing time with the club between 2021 to 2023. 
• This season, he moved to Trento, where he was a key player for a playoff team that also featured Anthony Lamb, Myles Cale, and Quinn Ellis.  The team also competed in EuroCup, which was even a notch above in terms of level of play.  
• In Lega A and EuroCup combined (54 games, 18 starts), he averaged 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals in 20.1 minutes, with shooting splits of .513/.314/.696.  He won the Lega A 2025 Most Improved Player award.
• Mostly a cutter and a driver; most efficient in transition, but I use “efficient” somewhat lightly (0.92 PPP).
• Roughly 80 percent of his shots were from around the basket, with another 17 percent being jumpers (made 32 percent of those shots).
• Has the potential to be a very versatile player on both ends of the court.  Offensively, he can play in the post, be on either end of the pick-and-roll, and score in ISO from the perimeter.
• A quick-twitch athlete, he’s more of a driver than a shooter.  Can look awkward and out of control at times when driving, but a lot of potential is there.  Has a lot of moves and a quick first step.  Doesn’t pull up much; if he’s driving, he’s likely going to the basket.  Likes to drive left more than right, and he is more efficient that way.
• Potential to be very good at the basket, as he doesn’t have trouble finishing above the rim or with his off-hand (left).  A lob threat and gets frequent putback attempts.
• Shooting form looks better off the dribble than the catch.  On the catch, he sometimes has a noticeable pause, as if he’s thinking and not relying on muscle memory.  Combine that with a little post-catch dip and an elongated takeback, and you have a slow release. Shooting form from the foul line is rather smooth and compact, so the potential to improve is there.  
• Shows good potential as a pull-up shooter, but doesn’t take many of those shots right now.
• Not an instinctive playmaker; can sometimes make simple transition passes look difficult. Had an A/T ratio of 0.7 this season.
• An energetic and enthusiastic player.
• Can swallow up ballhandlers and is difficult to shake; can cover guards from end to end at the Lega A level. 
• Usually defending wings for Trento, but in crunch time, he is often asked to defend at the point of attack.
• Can effectively guard one through four; very switchable.
• An alert team defender, who tracks well off the ball.

I believe that I missed the boat with Niang.  He really didn’t show much until this season, and he was already 20 years old.  After an early scout at the beginning of the season, he somewhat fell off my radar, and going into the draft, he was near the bottom of my top 200.  What escaped my attention was that he really got hot toward the end of this season and was a key contributor in the Lega A playoffs.  

I did a re-scout after Niang was selected by the Cavaliers at No. 58, and I was impressed by the way he looked in late-season action.  As a result, I moved him significantly up on my draft board — not the one you can find on the site, but the active “Full Draft Board” that we use for consulting after the draft.  What I see now is a player with great versatility and potential on both ends of the court.  He definitely needs to work on his shooting form, tighten his handle, and improve his passing, but on defense, he looks terrific.  

I am a little surprised that the Cavs drafted Niang and plan to use him as a draft-and-stash, but I do get it.  They need bench help at both guard spots, but if they see the same upside as I do, snatching him now was a good move, assuming they can sign at least one serviceable undrafted guard.

Despite just turning 20, Almansa has already had an eventful career, playing in Overtime Elite in high school, playing for the GL Ignite last season, and then playing for Perth in the NBL this season.  He also has been playing in the Spanish national system since he was 15.  The 6-foot-9, 220-pound (plus-4 wingspan) forward was invited to the NBA Combine in 2024 and 2025.  Last year, he stood out during the athletic testing, but this year, he wasn’t as impressive.  The eye test says that he has well-above-average athleticism for a big, as he is fast down the floor, can drive past defenders, and moves well laterally. 

Almansa had a respectable season for Perth, averaging 7 points and 4 boards in 16 MPG, with decent shooting splits (.520/.304/.586) and with a PER of 16.1.  Though he’s not a primary ballhandler, his offensive game is fairly versatile and balanced, featuring a fair amount of midrange shots.  About 60 percent of his shots this season came around the basket, mainly via rolls, cuts, and post-ups, but he can also be a threat via catch-and-shoots and drives.  In the paint, the Spaniard can effectively finish with either hand, including lefty hooks and floaters.  Shooting is his most glaring weakness, and it is a concern that made less than 60 percent of his free throws over the past two seasons.  His jump shot doesn’t look funky, but he definitely has a significant dip and a slow release.  While his free-throw shooting doesn’t bode well for the future, and he has shot well, from both deep and the FT line, in multiple tournaments for the Spanish National Team.

Used mainly as a four/five, Almansa played out of position for Perth, especially on the defensive end.  He has quick feet and is very switchable, and he holds up very well on the perimeter.  At the same time, he is often overpowered in the post, and featuring a modest vertical, he has never been a shot blocker.  Lastly, he lacks some defensive fundamentals – sometimes ball watching, biting on shot fakes, and closing out without control.    

It wasn’t surprising that Almansa went undrafted.  On a high-level college team, there’s little doubt that he would be a 15-and-8 guy, but the problem is that he is a tweener, a natural three or four who lacks a jump shot.  With his combination of size, athleticism, and youth, he had a decent chance at being taken in the second round, but he won’t play in the NBA until he can shoot from deep with some consistency.

• A skilled 6-foot-5, 185-pound combo guard with a plus-5 wingspan.
• In 2023, he was the MVP of the U20 Euro Championship, leading France to a championship while playing with center Maxime Raynaud. The event featured many other good players, including  Danny Wolf, Zvonimir Ivisic, Henri Veesaar, This De Ridder, Juan Nunez, and Liutauras Lelevicius.  
• Has been playing in the French system since he was 17.  This season, made the jump to the top division (LNB) and posted solid numbers.  
• Turns 22 in October, which works against him.  Also, committed to play for Ole Miss this coming season, but the deal has not been finalized, according to sources.  According to NBA sources, he theoretically could have been a draft-and-stash college player, which has never been done before.
• Splits his time between the 1 and 2 spots; for the most part, plays at his own speed, has a good handle, and does a nice job of changing speeds and direction to keep defenders off balance — SGA-like. 
• His shot is compact and quick, with minimal dip after the catch.  Seems like he should better than 36% from deep, a respectable number — sometimes he doesn’t follow through, which may be by design to avoid contact with the defender, and he may shoot a bit inside out on occasion.
• A 3-level scorer but tends to fall in love with the three at times.
• Significantly right-hand dominant in terms of passing and finishing.
• Has nice touch around the basket with his right, but definitely not a high flyer; made 55% around the basket, according to InStat, which is a good number for a guard.
• Not a spectacular playmaker but efficient (2.3 A/T this season).  
• Good size and length help him make his share of impact defensive plays but is not a lock-down defender.  The effort is there but not the overall athleticism, as his speed and quickness appear average for a guard. 
• Usually right there on closeouts.
• Better screen awareness would help on P&R defense.

Overall, I really like Kamardine’s offensive skill set, and he is a plus defender.  His athleticism seems adequate with the exception of his vertical, which somewhat limits his efficiency as a finisher.  However, averaging just 19 MPG as a 21-year-old made everyone leery.  At his age, a serious Euro prospect should be averaging at least 5 minutes more per game.  On the other hand, his minutes did increase significantly during May, and he responded very well.  In sum, I believe that he had a good chance to be a 2nd-round pick, but he’s headed to Ole Miss, where he will likely be a star.  

Since 2021, Olbrich has played three seasons in the NBL, but during that span, he also played one season at UC Riverside (2022-23).  For the past two seasons, he has been putting up solid numbers for Illawarra.  He’s coming off his best NBL campaign, helping Illawarra win its first championship since 2001.  In 40 games (17 MPG), he averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 62 percent from the field and ranking in the top 20 of the NBL for EFG% (59.4) and offensive rating (124.7).  Very effective on rolls, cuts, and post-ups, the Aussie native took roughly 90 percent of his shots around the basket while shooting just 20 percent from deep (3 of 15) and 55 percent from the FT line. 

Probably more than anyone, Olbrich benefitted from the combine process, and that’s despite posting poor numbers during the athletic testing.  The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward/center was very impressive at the GLEC, averaging 15.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG.  He continued to play well at the NBA Combine, totaling 28 points and 22 boards in two games.  Overall, he shot 59 percent from the floor.  He failed to make a three in the four games (0-2), but he did shoot 79 percent (11-14) from the charity stripe.

Olbrich has a number of attractive features:  he is a physical scrapper, has great touch around the rim with either hand, and has a very nice handle for a big, which allows him to create space and make plays.  His jump shot doesn’t look bad at all, though he’s typically left unguarded at the 3-point line.  He’s an effective passer with good vision; this season, he had the fourth-best assist percentage (13.7) on Illawarra and had an impressive A/T of 2.0.  

At the NBL level, Olrich is a switchable defender, who will challenge ballhandlers on the perimeter.  Moves his feet well for a big, and does a great job of walling up in the paint.  He also has good defensive awareness, and is a solid closeout defender.  On the downside, his lack of vertical and length do greatly hinder him as a rim protector (2.8 BLK%).  

A bit undersized and not a shot blocker, it’s questionable if Olbrich can play the five at the NBA level on the defensive end.  At the same time, lacking elite athleticism and a jump shot, it’s also questionable if he can be a four.  He might be unable to do either right now, and being 21, he doesn’t have the ideal amount of time to develop, though this draft did feature many prospects older than him.  He’s definitely more athletic than the combine test numbers show, and he makes up for a lot of shortcomings by playing smart and hustling.  In the NBA, he’s likely best suited to be a four, but he will only be able to do that by developing a jump shot.

The Bulls acquired Olbrich (pick 55) and cash from the Lakers for fellow countryman Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 pick).  Chicago was definitely in need of front court help, and “Lachy” is more NBA-ready than Big Rocco.  Olbrich can likely provide an offensive spark off the bench, especially if he develops a jump shot.  On the other end of the court, however, he may be a liability at this level.

While no one is talking about him, Fru had to be in the discussion to be a 2nd-round pick.  He quietly was one of the most productive players in the German BBL this season, shooting 67 percent from the field and averaging 12.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.5 BPG, with a PER of 23.1.  He was even more productive in FIBA EuroCup, posting a PER of 33.2.  He finished in the top 10 of the BBL for EFG% (68.4), BLK% (6.5), offensive rating (134.7), and PER.

Fru took nearly 90% of his shots around the basket, with the majority of those coming from rolls, cuts, putbacks, and post-ups.  His jump shot doesn’t look bad; he made 29% of his 3s (10-35) while shooting a solid 73% from the FT line.  The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center is a mobile big, who can put the ball on the floor and defend reasonably well on the perimeter.  The main problem is that he’s nearly 22 years old so his upside is lower than many of his peers.  He’s currently committed to play next season for Louisville, where he should be dominant, but due to his age, he was an auto qualifier for the 2025 NBA Draft.  Once he leaves Louisville, he will be an undrafted free agent that could sign with any NBA team.

Pate has two years of experience in the G League, the first with the now-defunct Ignite and this season with Mexico City.  A 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard with a plus-4 wingspan, Pate is a solid athlete, who has good speed and quickness but average vertical pop.  This season with the Capitanes, he played in 50 games (24 starts), averaging nearly 25 MPG, 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 41 percent from the field, 31 percent from deep, and 63 percent from the FT line. 

A versatile offensive player, Pate can play on or off the ball and is a 3-level scorer, albeit an inefficient one so far as a pro.  He has a solid handle and moves to create his own shot, though he is not an elite ISO scorer at this stage.  His jumper needs work, as his release point is inconsistent and generally too low.  He’s not turnover prone, but he also doesn’t display a lot of playmaking ability.  On defense, the tools are there, but he doesn’t make a lot of impact plays, averaging a mere 0.8 combined steals and blocks per game.  Lacking awareness, he also has a lot of room to improve as a team defender.

Pate is an intriguing prospect but also a project.  With the exception of rebounding, all aspects of his game need to improve before he can play in the NBA.  It’s surprising that he came out this year, as he had two more seasons before being a draft auto-qualifier.  As it is, he’s reportedly signing a training camp deal with the Knicks, which will include a Summer League invite.   

Playing in the Real Madrid system since 15, Ndiaye was one of the more highly regarded Euro prospects born in 2004. However, he has been producing underwhelming stats for Madrid in both the ACB and EuroLeague for the past three seasons. Of course, he’s playing at the highest level outside the USA, and his minutes have been limited.

When Ndiaye plays, his role is that of a glue guy/defensive specialist, and despite his size, he’s been mainly limited to playing on the wing. The 6-foot-8 forward looks the part with a nice frame, good length, and solid athleticism. He is a solid rebounder, a good cutter, and a very efficient scorer around the rim. However, more than anything, his touches come from spot-ups, an area where he is not very efficient. His jump shot features a long takeback, as he brings the ball back somewhat over his head. Over the past two seasons, the Senegal native has made 59 percent of his shots around the basket (127 attempts) while shooting just 30 percent from deep (188 attempts). He’s also shot 69 percent from the charity stripe over that span.

Defensively, he’s physical and aggressive on the ball and active and alert off the ball, making timely rotations. His role is more versatile on this end of the court because he is switchable and able to guard multiple positions. He’s a hustler, who does the little things, such as boxing out and fighting through screens. If there is a downside, he’s surprisingly a poor shot blocker for his size, averaging just 0.5 blocks per 30 minutes over the past two seasons.

Ndiaye, who turned 21 on draft day, is a strong, versatile defender who struggles to shoot from deep. He’s also not an accomplished ballhandler, though he does have the ability to blow past close-out defenders. Given that he’s played at such a high level, an NBA team might give him the benefit of the doubt and sign him to a two-way deal. Of course, staying with one of the most dominant teams in Europe might be a more profitable option.

Committed to play at Illinois next season, Petrovic was still in this draft due to his age.  He was one of the most productive players in the Adriatic League this past season, averaging 14.2 PPG, 2,8 RPG, and 7.3 APG (2nd in the league), with shooting splits of .491/.333/.686.

Petrovic is a heavy P&R guy, but also effective in ISO.  He’s a 3-level scorer, who is very effective around the basket and from midrange — 3-point shooting is his offensive weakness.  Speedy and quick, he is a jitterbug with the ball.  He has the ball on a string, and tortures defenders with stop-start and in-out moves.  The Serbian native is efficient driving either right or left and is a good finisher with his off hand (left).  He’s a true floor general with the lethal combination of being able to manipulate the defense, find the open man, and pass with accuracy and touch — not many prospects in any draft could say that they are coming off a season with 3.2 A/T ratio.   

Several factors are hindering Petrovic’s chances to make it in the NBA.  I question whether he is truly as tall as his listed height of 6-foot-3; he is usually the smallest guy on the floor.  His lack of height and length contribute to him struggling on defense.  For example, playing 27 minutes per game, he averaged just 0.6 steals and 0 blocks.  A little bigger and a little younger, he’d be on the NBA’s radar, but as it is, he will be heading to the Big Ten. 

Diawara, who just turned 20 in April, has been playing pro ball in France since he was 15.  He has been one of the more highly touted Euro prospects who were born in 2005, but his production has never matched the hype.

This season with Cholet was Diawara’s first fulltime season in the LNB.  Including FIBA EuroCup (a notch or two below the French League in terms of level of competition and not be confused with the superior Turkish Airlines “EuroCup”), he played in 49 games (19.6 MPG), averaging 6.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 1.3 APG, with shooting splits of .439/.282/.557.  The muscular 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward (plus-8 wingspan) was mainly a spot-up player this season, but he also had a fair amount of touches in the post.  About half of his shot attempts came around the basket, where he was most efficient (51%).  Most of the other half of his attempts were jumpers, and he made just 28 percent of those shots.  He’s at his best in transition, but really struggles in the half court when he puts the ball on the floor.  

On defense, Diawara can get after it on the ball, but he needs to improve as a team defender.  He has good quickness and speed for his size, but he doesn’t make many impact plays, averaging a combined 1.2 steals and blocks per 30 minutes.

Diawara is an enigma.  He looks the part in terms of size and athleticism, and his skill set looks solid.  His jumper looks fluid, he can put the ball on the floor, and he displays nice vision as a passer.  However, his efficiency and production has never been high at the pro level.  We have seen this before at the college level with some highly touted high school players who never seem to quite put it together — players such as Manny Obaseki, Khristian Lander, Harlond Beverly, and Benny Williams, all of whom were in this draft class.  

I was very surprised Diawara decided to come out this year, but he did manage to get drafted (No. 51 by the Knicks via a minor trade).  He’s hardly ready for the NBA and seems likely to be signed to a two-way contract or be a draft-and-stash.  Alternatively, the Knicks could have selected a more NBA-ready player that could contribute some next season, including forwards Alex Toohey and Grant Nelson, wings John Tonje and RJ Luis, guards Will Richard and Hunter Sallis, or center Cliff Omoruyi.

Two More

A couple of other players in this draft who are worthy of mentioning and might be in consideration for a Summer League invite are Thijs De Ridder, a forward for Bilbao in the Spanish ACB, and Lefteris Mantzoukas, a forward from the Greek HEBA League who is committed to Oklahoma State for next season.  De Ridder (No. 124 on my board) is an efficient 3-level scorer and strong rebounder, while Mantzoukas (No. 153 on my board) is a 6-foot-9 sharpshooter.