“Good but not great”. That’s how I’d describe the international prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The group of international prospects for this year’s draft has caught a lot of flack in recent months and many of the top names have been sliding down draft boards due to subpar play. But there are also some late risers who are emerging as potential first round picks.
While there are certainly no Wemby or Luka level prospects in this year’s international class there are some reasons for optimism. With this group I see a handful of solid NBA starter level players, a few upside swings and some decent depth, but no clear top prospect.
I think it’s a crap-shoot at the top, and the top four or five players could have been listed in just about any order. Nolan Traore lands in the top spot but Noa or Hugo or even the fast rising Joan Beringer could have been listed at no.1. I think those four are in a tier of their own.
With that said, it’s only March, and we’ll probably see one or two of these prospects emerge over the coming months as the clear top guy(s) in the class.
Note: this list does not include international prospects who are already playing in the U.S. (Demin, Jakucionis, Maluach etc.).
Top 15 International Prospects
1) Nolan Traore – PG – Saint-Quetin (France) – After a scorching hot spring and summer Traore came into the season projected by many to be a top 5 pick. I even had him in consideration for the on.2 spot behind Flagg. But Traore has had a lot of struggles this year, especially with his shooting. I’m still a believer in Traore (hence this high ranking) but seeing a prospect shoot below 30% from 3 and around 70% from the FT line is worrying. Over the past month or so Traore has started to turn it around and get into rhythm. He probably won’t regain his top five status but he could be the top international prospect off the board in June.
2) Noa Essengue – SF/PF – Ratiopharm Ulm (France) – Essengue is the most intriguing upside athlete among the group of 2025 international prospects. The lengthy and athletic 6-10 forward is graceful in the open court, moves more like a guard than a big and has a really interesting skill-set. He’s not a great 3pt shooter but is solid from the FT line and has good form on his jumper. I think he’ll develop into a league average shooter. On the defensive end Essengue is incredibly versatile, although he’ll have to bulk-up his wiry frame. A lot of his game is still theoretical but Essengue has a chance to develop into a really, really good NBA player. He has a pretty wide draft range and could come off the board anywhere in the 8-20 range.
3) Hugo Gonzales – SG – Real Madrid (Spain) – Gonzales has been a bit of an afterthought this year due to being buried on a very deep Real Madrid team but he’s a big time talent with lottery potential, who has had some nice moments when given playing time. If he was playing college ball this year instead of pro ball in Spain his hype would be right up there with Demin and Jakucionis. He’s a high energy and athletic wing who can get to the cup and puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He’s a decent outside shooter with good form but not yet consistent from downtown. Becoming a knockdown shooter will really open up his game and allow his athleticism to shine.
4) Joan Beringer – C – France – Beringer has really special physical tools and is just starting to figure out how good he can be. He’s fairly new to the game of basketball, having played for only about 3 years, but is already showing flashes of talent, not just physical attributes. He’s a high-upside, swing-for-the-fences type of pick who will probably take a few years to have any impact on the NBA game. But you can’t teach his type of size and athleticism. He projects as potentially an elite defender who can protect the rim and has versatility on that end. On the offensive end he’s mainly a dunker/play-finisher but at just 18yo he’s got plenty of time to add more to his offensive game. He’s got springs in his legs and great overall quickness. And he does a great job of staying vertical when protecting the rim, showing natural instincts that are hard to teach.
5) Ben Saraf – PG – Ulm (Isreal) – Saraf is a really fun, high octane and high-energy player who brings a level of excitement to the court. He’s shifty and talented with the ball in his hands and excels at getting into the lane, where he is equally as dangerous scoring or finding the open man. He’s not an elite athlete and doesn’t have an elite first step but he’s got a knack for getting by defenders, does a really good job with ball fakes and has some wiggle to his game. His passing vision sets him apart. I see him as a potential starting level guard or a nice first guard off the bench at the NBA level.
6) Bogoljub Marković – PF – KK Mega Leks (Serbia) – I’m a huge fan of Bogoljub Marković and am tempted to put him higher on this list. He’s got an effortless offensive game, showing a natural feel for scoring and passing the ball and an impressive ability to shoot the outside shot for a 6-10 kid. He doesn’t get a lot of media attention but I have him firmly in my late first/early second round range of my mock and big board.
7) Noah Penda – SF/PF – Le Mans (France) – A big, burly combo forward who can handle the ball, get to the rim and has good passing vision. A strong and versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. Has become much more consistent with his 3pt shot and is now a complete offensive threat. His broad shoulders, bulk and good strength will help him handle the physicality of the NBA on day one. Is solidly in the top 60 of this draft class and even has some first round buzz. This ranking at no.7 might end up being way too low.
8) Sergio De Larrea – PG – Valencia (Spain) – A skilled ball-handler and passer who plays with his head up, De Larrea has great size for a primary ball handler and awesome passing instincts. He’s not the most bursty or twitchy athlete but uses his length well to get into the lane and score over length. A capable 3pt shooter with a nice stroke. Can guard 1’s and 2’s on defense but lacks ideal foot-speed and strength to be a very high level defender. I don’t like him as a POA defender and worry he could get cooked at the NBA level.
9) Michael Ruzic – PF – Croatia – Ruzic missed nearly four months with a thumb injury but is back in action and looking to regain some draft momentum. He’s a skilled 6-9 sharp shooter with decent movement skills. Probably isn’t NBA ready and could be a draft and stash but has upside. He’s young and has time to improve his strength and gain a little athleticism but he’ll probably never be a high flying athlete or elite defender.
10) Rocco Zikarsky – C – Brisbane, NBL – Rocco hasn’t lived up to expectations this year and his minutes have been sparse. He’s got great size but is a lumbering and slow player who has a lot of development to do, both on his game and on his frame/athleticism. Over the long-term I can see him carving out a role in the league but he could be best served to spend more time developing before jumping into the draft. With that said young players with his mix of size and potential are hard to find and so he might be more valued by NBA scouts than I’m giving him credit for.
11) Hansen Yang – C – Qingdao (China) – The best prospect out of China since Yao Ming, Yang is a massive 7-1 center with a very high skill level. He’s somewhat slow and heavy-footed in space but also has some suddenness to his game, showing a nice spin move and nimble footwork. He also has a great feel for the game and a lot of polish for such a young player. He has great touch around the rim and is a high level passer who can be an offensive hub. He hasn’t been a very hot name in draft circles but if he declares he could surprise to the upside.
12) Johann Grunloh – PF/C – Germany – Grunloh is a tough, fundamentally sound player who isn’t afraid to throw his weight around in the paint. He’s not the most explosive athlete but shows good timing as a shot blocker, is a rugged rebounder and can hit the 3pt shot as well. I’d love to see him spend another year overseas before entering the draft but he could be a this year guy.
13) Izan Almansa – PF/C – Perth, NBL (Spain) – Almansa isn’t the flashiest player out there but he’s a rock solid, fundamentally sound PF/C who should become a valuable player at the NBA level. After some very productive years in youth basketball he’s settled into his role as a hard-working, fundamentally sound big man who does the dirty work well and contributes to winning. The former G League Ignite player works hard on the boards, has good touch from within 8 feet and is efficient in the paint. He’s not much of perimeter player but he knows his role. His upside isn’t as high as some of the other players on this list but his floor is pretty high.
14) Mouhamed Faye – C – Reggio Emilia (Senegal) – A powerful athlete who fits the mold of a rim-running, shot-blocking, defensive-anchor type of big, Faye could be a second round pick in June. He’s got a chiseled frame, good strength and is an excellent overall athlete who moves like a NBA player. At this point his main value is defending in the paint and rebounding the ball and he’s very active on both ends.
15) Malique Lewis – PF – SE Melbourne (Trinidad and Tobago) – Lewis is the type of athlete I’d want to bet on. At 6-8 he’s a fluid and effortless mover who instantly looks the part of a NBA level athlete. He’s a developmental prospect who will probably spend more time in the G League (he played for Mexico City before moving down under to the NBL) but he could pay dividends a year or two down the road. He’s got very good defensive instincts, is a great weak side shot blocker and has all the tools and traits to be a high level NBA defender. On the offensive end he’s a good cutter and play-finisher and a capable 3pt shooter. He’s not the most creative with the ball in his hands but at just 20 years old he’s got time to add to his bag.
One player not listed here is Dame Sarr. The wiry 6-6 wing is likely going to play college basketball next season, although he is draft eligible in 2025. If he was included here he’d be in the 6-8 range of this list. He’s an exciting athlete who can score the ball in bunches. He’s seen limited minutes this season for Barcelona but one year in college should cause his draft stock to skyrocket.
Here’s my latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft
