Every year at about this time I take a look at the top 15 international prospects in the world – those playing outside of the U.S – from all generations.
This year’s list is loaded with talent but doesn’t have a clear cut superstar prospect like we’ve seen in past years. Nolan Traore has separated himself from the pack and is an easy pick at no.1 He’s got star, possibly even superstar potential but is hardly on the same level as a prospect like Wemby.
This list does not include international prospects who are playing high school or college ball in the U.S.
The Elite 15 International Prospects
1) Nolan Traore – PG – France – 2006 – Over the past year Traore has proven himself to be one of the elite young prospects in the world. He’s dominant with the ball in his hands, both as a scoring guard and a passer. He can light it up from downtown, get to the rim at will and is a one-man wrecking crew on offense. He’s not necessarily a clear franchise altering talent like previous number ones on this list (think: Wemby) but for my money he’s the best international prospect in the world right now. Traore is a likely top 5 pick next June and there’s a real chance he goes closer to no.1 than to no.5.
2) Rocco Zikarsky – C – Australia – 2006 – Zikarsky is a giant human being who is also a very skilled basketball player. At 7-3 with a promising frame he’s an imposing presence in the paint. Just 18 years old, he knows how to throw his weight around and carve out space in the lane (although he still has a lot of strength to add). He also shows flashes of a mid range jumper and it looks like he’ll develop some stretch-5 ability. He has surprising mobility for such a big player and changes ends well and promises to be a major plus on the defensive end. He’s a drop big and you don’t necessarily want him guarding in space but he’s got a good feel for the game, fairly quick feet and uses his massive frame well to alter shots in the lane. Rocco looks like a potential top 10 pick in June.
3) Mohamed Dabone – PF – Barcelona (Burkina Faso) – 2011 – If his listed age is correct (unlikely) Dabone is one of the best prospects I’ve ever scouted. But even if he’s a bit older than his listed age he’s still a big time talent with other-worldly athleticism and elite bounce. He changes ends as well as any big man I’ve ever seen (outside of early Wilt Chamberlin film) and he gets off the ground like he’s being launched out of a canon. It’s going to be really interesting to see how the story about his age plays out. Stay tuned for all the drama.
Read the full International Elite 15 list on Patreon