There hasn’t been much movement in this year’s NBA Mock Draft since the start of the college season and Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor remains its most coveted player. The Blue Devils big man will likely be the first player to don an official NBA jersey when his name is called, but it’s not just Okafor making headlines across the country. The draft also sees two international players in the Top 15 in Mario Henzonja of Regal FC Barcelona and Latvia-born Kristaps Porzingis of Baloncesto Sevilla.
With international players becoming more customary in the NBA in recent years, all signs point to Henzonja and Porzinga making waves when they make the transition in North America next season. Tickets on the secondary market appear to be in high demand for Henzonja’s current team, Regal FC Barcelona, as well. According to European ticket reseller Ticketbis, more than 85% of Regal FC Barcelona’s total ticket sales came against Real Madrid, who boasts players like Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez.
Henzonja is currently projected to be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the ninth pick in the draft, according to NBADraft.net. At 6’8”, he is an obvious threat as a tall shooting guard or forward and shows similarities to New York’s Carmelo Anthony in terms of height and shooting range. Ticketbis also lists that Regal FC Barcelona accounted for 21% of total international ticket sales in Liga ACB in 2014, furthering international interest to see the 19-year-old star play.
Porzinga has also made a name for himself on his current team, Baloncesto Sevilla. Also affiliated with Liga ACB, Baloncesto Sevilla has been led by Porzinga since 2012 and has found notable success under the 6’11” big man. Porzinga initially declared for the 2014 NBA Draft but quickly withdrew his name in the following days due to the relatively strong class of North American players. It proved to be an advantageous decision; he was later selected in the ACB All-Young Players Team during the 2013-14 season and is now considered one of this year’s top NBA Draft picks at the projected 13th spot for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
FC Barcelona has a successful recent history of players making transitions into the NBA. The team hosted current Memphis Grizzlies star Marc Gasol from 2003-06 before he left for Akasvayu Girona of Liga EBA. Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio became an international sensation when he was drafted from FC Barcelona in 2009. Gasol’s brother Pau, who won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and now plays for the Chicago Bulls, also played for FC Barcelona from 1998-2001.
Henzonja is certainly in good company when he enters this year’s draft. With some of the NBA’s most notable international players coming out of FC Barcelona, the 19-year-old could likely add to the illustrious list when his name is called in the 2015 NBA Draft. Expect Porzinga to follow shortly behind as internationally-born players continue to saturate the palate of the NBA.
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