The international market of NBA prospects has been steadily growing over the past decade. 20 foreign-born players were selected in the 2014 draft- will 2015 produce a similar group?
Over the past four weeks we have unveiled previews of each class in college basketball, with each article featuring the brightest prospects that are most likely to be in the discussion for the 2015 NBA Draft. Missing from those previews is the class of international players.
The overseas class of 2015 is shaping up to be strong. There are many young players from a variety of countries in a variety of leagues that could be taken as high as the top-10. While there may not be a transcendent prospect in the group, like Dante Exum in 2014, three players rank in the top-14 in the opening big board.
The biggest obstacle in comparing international players to college players comes in analyzing the talent gap between the various leagues. If a player scores less points against superior opposition is it better than a competitor who tears up his vastly inferior opponent? It obviously varies by scenario, but these are the types of questions that need to be asked when rating the players. The same logic applies when comparing major-conference and mid-major prospects in college basketball.
When looking at the 2015 draft, international candidates born in 1993 are considered to be “auto-eligible.” Like a college senior, it is the last chance to be drafted into the NBA before becoming an undrafted free agent. An international player can enter the ’15 draft at age 18, assuming he is born in 1996.
Following every different league around the world is impossible even for the most hardcore basketball fans (myself included!). Below is a list of players to keep an eye on around the world as it pertains to helping a NBA franchise in the near future.
1996-born
Emmanuel Mudiay | PG | Guangdong Southern Tigers (China) | USA (Big Board Rank: 2)
Mudiay shocked many when he decided not to enroll at SMU and play in China instead, where he signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Guangdong. There were issues with his eligibility stemming from his time at Prime Prep, but given his decision to play internationally the drama is behind him. Mudiay remains an excellent athlete at the point guard position with terrific size. His court vision is among the best in his high school class (freshman), and he has the tools to be an excellent defender. He needs to get stronger and improve his decision-making and shot selection while in China. Already a pro, Mudiay’s decision could help him show he is ready to play at the NBA level, or could hurt him if he fails to perform competently.
Egemen Guven | PF | Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey) | Turkey (Big Board Rank: 30)
Guven burst onto the scene when he helped Turkey win the U18 European Championship in back-to-back years. In 2014, he posted averages of 13.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. At 6-9, Guven has the requisite size to play power forward in the NBA, though needs to bulk up, as he only weighs 210 pounds. Playing for Pinar Karsiyaka in the Turkish basketball league, Guven should see an increased role and prove he belongs in the first round conversation.
Marc Garcia | SG | FC Barcelona (Spain) | Spain (Big Board Rank: 38)
Garcia is the next in the line of athletic off-guards produced in Spain. Along the lines of Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llull, Garcia is a terrific outside shooter who has shown some ability to finish above the rim. Playing for FC Barcelona, he will have to beat out veterans and established professionals to earn minutes, which could affect the timing of his draft entry. The same thing happened at Barcelona with Mario Hezonja. A smart player, Garcia needs to get stronger to aid his defensive play on the ball and his ability to finish at the rim. If he gets court time, he could be special sooner, rather than later.
Another to keep an eye on: Yankuba Sima (Canary Basketball Academy)
1995-born
Mario Hezonja | SG | FC Barcelona (Spain) | Croatia (Big Board Rank: 10)
Before Mudiay reclassified to play in China, Hezonja was the top ranked prospect from abroad. Also playing for FC Barcelona, the Croatian off-guard has terrific size (6-6, 200) for an NBA shooting guard, and could be among the best slashers and shooters in the draft down the road. His stats do not blow you away due to the lack of court time he has received, but he is an all-around guard who could eventually be one of the top shooting guards in the league.
Kristaps Porzingis | PF | Sevilla (Spain) | Latvia (Big Board Rank: 13)
Porzingis surprisingly withdrew from the 2014 NBA Draft, where he was a likely lottery pick. A 7-footer, but at the power forward position, Porzingis can score from both the inside and outside, and has shown the ability to defend stronger post players. Playing for Sevilla in the ACB, Porzingis is a good shot blocker who times his jumps well. His rebounding could stand to improve, especially when considering the NBA players he would soon be going up against. With a larger role this year and similar per-minute production, Porzingis could rise as high as the top-five.
Ilimane Diop | C | Caja Laboral (Spain) | Senegal (Big Board Rank: 62)
Diop is very raw. At 6-11, yet very thin, the Senegalese center has shown good shot blocking instincts and runs the floor exceptionally well. Athletically, he is among the top centers in the draft class. His experience in the game is limited, and he has shown very little offensive skill thus far. He is foul prone, and was a non-factor when playing team USA at the U17 World Cup. Against other countries, though, he blossomed. If he can find a way to stay on the court and do just enough offensively, he could become a lock for the second round.
Others to keep an eye on: Cedi Osman (Anadolu Efes Istanbul), Nedim Buza (KK Spars), Kenan Sipahi (Fenerbahce Ulker),
1994-born
Nikola Milutinov | C | Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) | Serbia (Big Board Rank: 45)
Milutinov plays professionally for Partizan Belgrade, which produced first round pick Nemanja Nedovic in 2013. He has the potential to be a double-double player, and is one of the international class’ top rebounders. He is not a shot blocker, but is solid on the defensive end. He shoots a high percentage, though does not create too many opportunities for himself. At 6-11, he could be the next Tiago Splitter. RC Buford’s ears just perked up a bit.
Mouhammadou Jaiteh | C | Nanterre (France) | France (Big Board Rank: 56)
Jaiteh is 6-11 and built for the NBA. Rebounding is the best aspect of his game, as he uses his body and 7-4 wingspan well to corral the ball. At the Nike Hoop Summit in 2013, Jaiteh was solid but did not stand out. He does not create offense for himself, and relies on other, more athletic players, to set him up. He has potential to be a good post defender at the NBA level. After flirting with entering the draft the past two years, this might be his best opportunity to hear his name called.
Rasmus Larsen | PF | Spirou Charleroi (Belgium) | Denmark (Big Board Rank: 68)
Larsen joins Charleroi in Belgium after playing for Manresa in Spain last year. At 6-11, Larsen can score both inside and outside, with three-point range. He is not a knock-down shooter yet, but has good fundamentals on his release and could one day be a weapon in the pick-and-pop. He checks out physically, but is by no means an elite athlete. If he can prove in Belgium to be a two-way player with a good rebound rate, his stock will climb once again. Competent shooting outside big men who can defend are sought after commodities.
Others to keep an eye on: Moussa Diagne (Fuenlabrada), Wang Zhelin (Fujian), Guillermo Hernangomez (Real Madrid), Oriol Pauli (Gran Canaria)
1993-born (Prospects born in 1993 are automatically eligible for the 2015 Draft)
Marcus Eriksson | SG | FC Barcelona (Spain) | Sweden (Big Board Rank: 60)
Eriksson might be the best shooter in Europe at the moment, and will have a chance to show he can play in the NBA with his new deal with FC Barcelona. The Swedish shooting guard stands at 6-7, and shot 50 perent from 3-point range in 25 games with Barcelona’s B-team last year. After transferring to Manresa, his numbers remained relatively constant. He can score at an NBA level, but is by no means a great defender or primary ball handler. He is almost solely a spot up shooter who lives and dies by the 3. So will his draft stock.
Guillem Vives | PG | Valencia (Spain) | Spain (Big Board Rank: 75)
At 6-4, Vives has shown the ability to fill each category of the stat sheet. Prior to transferring to Valencia at the end of last season, Vives served as Joventut’s (Spain) point guard, where he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 28 minutes per game. Vives is by no means a great outside shooter, but is not afraid to take the shot when a good look comes his way. He has potential to be an average on-ball defender. Likely a backup point guard at the NBA level, Vives’ ability to set up his teammates and contribute in a plethora of ways could get him drafted in the second round.
Nenad Miljenovic | PG | Mega Vizura (Serbia) | Serbia (Big Board Rank: N/A)
Miljenovic currently sits right outside the opening big board’s top 100 prospects, but has potential to rise up the board with a big season. He was stuck behind Vasilje Micic (2014 No. 52 pick), but after his departure for Bayern Munich Miljenovic will be handed the reigns. At 6-4, Miljenovic has shown in limited big-minute opportunities that he can score and distribute at an excellent ratio. In 26 minutes per game last year, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.0 assists while shooting a respectable percentage. Off to a hot start, keep an eye on Miljenovic’s progress.
Others to keep an eye on: Mateiuz Ponitka (Oostende), Devon Van Oostrum (Cibona Zagreb)
International basketball has a growing audience in the United States. A record 101 players currently on NBA rosters were born outside the US. The FIBA World Cup was well received by those who watched (though TV rating was not high) and there is a plethora of ways to view prospects via YouTube, online streams and at events featuring the players.
Watch the Nike Hoop Summit in April. The game should feature some of the top candidates for the 2015 draft and beyond. In 2014’s game, Sviatoslav Mykhaliuk was the youngest competitor on the international team at age 16. He will be suiting up for the Kansas Jayhawks as a freshman this year (but is not draft eligible because he will not be 18 by draft day in June). Dante Exum truly broke out into the NBA Draft realm with a big game in 2013. The game’s site lists many other international players who participated that have gone onto great NBA careers.
The content is out there for those who want it, including here on The Lottery Mafia! This international class will be one to watch over the next nine months, and it has the potential to be one of the better international classes of the last decade. One of the prospects might just be the reason a team climbs from the depths of the lottery.
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