We are officially almost two months into the EuroLeague and international basketball season, meaning we finally have a large enough sample size to start to truly asses players' overall performance.
Here at FanSided, we are going to try to rank just about everything we can from EuroLeague basketball and the international game. This will include established professionals and our assessment of their ability to become NBA role players. An important note for this section is that certain players are excluded based on our belief that they have zero or very little interest in coming to the NBA. Additionally, for now, it is exclusively EuroLeague players. This will likely evolve throughout the season but for now, it is all EuroLeague.
For example, you will not see anything about Mike James, Tornike Shengelia, Sergio Llull, and many other players who clearly have NBA talent. We're going to talk about a lot of players here, and we don't want to bog it down even more by talking about players who are happy where they are.
We're going to talk about and rank prospects for the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. An important note here is that, for now, we are only talking about prospects playing overseas. Prospects playing for G League Ignite or NCAA ball are exempt from our rankings for now. If you want to know why that is, it's because the people writing this do need to eventually shut off basketball and get some sleep. So for now, Matas Buzelis, Aday Mara, Jan Vide, and others are excluded.
We will also talk about overseas stashes, rank them, and assess how their season is going. Similar to the overseas professional ranking, some players are exempt here. Nikola Milutinov is one example. The Brooklyn Nets still own his rights, and they should never let him go because he is a very good player, but it's also very unlikely he ever comes over to the NBA even though he could probably start for a few NBA teams right now.
To close, we're going to have our random players big board. There's not a defined set of criteria here. Really, it's players we've watched — either intentionally or unintentionally — who have caught our eye and are rarely discussed. They tend to play for lesser-known teams and in lesser-known competitions. Many of these likely tap out at the level of a EuroLeague/EuroCup player, but you never know. And for now, their play warrants recognition.
Some other things to remember here are that these are opinions. In no way is our assessment and/or projection of players a matter of fact. If you think we are ranking a player too high or too low, maybe we are. We're open to that. But this stuff is not a perfect science, at least not for us. If it was, we'd probably be doing it somewhere else. Now, let's get started.
EuroLeague Big Board: Ranking for fit as NBA role players
1. Guerschon Yabusele - Versatile forward
Team: Real Madrid (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
Age: 27
Physicals: 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, 7-foot-1 wingspan
Stats (All comps): 8.19 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 1.19 assists per game. 48/46/81 shooting splits.
This list starts with two names familiar to NBA fans: Semi Ojeleye and Guerschon Yabusele. Unfortunately, the latter is undergoing knee surgery and projects to miss a decent amount of time. But pre-injury, Yabusele was on a roll, thriving as the player the Boston Celtics clearly thought he could become earlier in his career.
He's 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, and a solid athlete. He moves his feet well and can elevate decently for his overall build. His athletic and physical prowess enables him to defend multiple positions, essentially 1-4 in Europe. In the NBA, he would struggle with bigger 5s and quicker guards, but who doesn't?
On offense, he's shooting 46 percent from 3 on 48 attempts. Over the past three seasons combined, he's shooting 39 percent from deep on 523 attempts. The majority of these 3-point attempts are no-dribble jumpers, 34 out of 39 across all competitions according to Synergy Sports.
He is playing brilliantly off Real Madrid's star power: Facundo Campazzo, Edy Tavares, Gabriel Deck, etc. They draw the attention of opposing defenses, Yabusele gets left open, and he capitalizes. He's getting out in transition and cutting as well, but also flashing skills as a roll man.
The label 3-and-D is both lazy and overused and was used to describe Yabusele in his early days with the Celtics. It also puts players in a box, as if that's all they're supposed to do. In EuroLeague, Yabusele has been able to flash other skills in his game such as using touch around the rim, making quick decisions, and being trusted to put the ball on the floor when the situation calls for it. His defense has always been real, the shot has become real, and NBA teams should take a real look at him as a versatile fit around star power.
2. Semi Ojeleye - Versatile forward
Team: Valencia Basket (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
Age: 28
Physicals: 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, 6-foot-10 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 10.13 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 0.27 assists per game. 46/49/84 shooting splits.
Ojeleye, another former Celtic, comes in at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds. Like Yabusele, his shot is falling like never before. Between last season with Virtus Bologna and this season with Valencia, Ojeleye is shooting 47 percent on 201 attempts. You'd like the volume to be slightly higher, but the improvement is still clear.
Ojeleye comes in behind Yabusele, even after the injury, because he's slightly smaller and still getting too many of his offensive opportunities out of post-ups. It's hard to see that translating to the NBA game as something a successful team uses regularly in their offense. His shooting, defensive versatility, and ability to score in transition absolutely warrant a spot in an NBA rotation, but for how good of a team is harder to say.
3. Rolands Smits - Stretch big
Team: Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL - Lithuania, EuroLeague)
Age: 28
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 10.81 points per game, 4.19 rebounds per game, 1.38 assists per game. 56/42/88 shooting splits.
After the two former Celtics, we're going to pivot to one of the most underrated stretch bigs in all of basketball, and that's Latvian forward Rolands Smits. Smits has gone under the radar for almost his entire career. Even after moving from Fuenlabrada to Barcelona five years ago, he spent most of his time there backing up Nikola Mirotic.
Last season, Smits opted for a smaller club and a bigger role and joined Zalgiris Kaunas. It has paid off. Since last season, Smits is shooting just under 40 percent from deep on 300 attempts across all competitions. This season with Zalgiris — which is still a small sample but big enough to start reacting to — he is shooting over 50 percent from deep on pick-and-pop 3s and spot-up 3s per Synergy Sports.
The other improvements he's made since joining Zalgiris are as a post-player. He's scoring more efficiently and also passing better, finding teammates for easy scores. Last season and this season he's averaging more than an assist per game in EuroLeague play, clear top marks for his entire career to this point.
At 6-foot-10 and 235 his feet aren't as quick as you'd want them to be. He would definitely get targeted in a playoff series. But his shooting and overall offensive skill set is a clear value add for any NBA team, and could probably play a role similar to Georges Niang, Patrick Patterson, Jamychal Green, and other one-dimensional stretch bigs. There's always a need for more shooting, and Smits can fill that for a lot of teams.
4. Edy Tavares - Old school big
Team: Real Madrid (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
Age: 31
Physicals: 7-foot-3, 265 pounds, 7-foot-9 wingspan, 9-foot-10 standing reach
Stats (All Comps): 9.44 points per game, 6.81 rebounds per game, 0.88 assists per game, 2.06 blocks per game. 66/0/81 shooting splits.
Edy Tavares is here on cred, and what we mean by that is he's not the ideal EuroLeague player NBA teams are looking for. He's awesome, and perhaps the most impactful player in EuroLeague, but there are reasonable doubts about how much of his dominance translates to the other side of the pond.
Tavares is now 31 years old, and the main reason he dominates overseas is because he's 7-foot-3. That height advantage is significant in a league where some teams have multiple centers below 6-foot-11 on their roster.
Tavares is very skilled, he's not just tall. He's got great hands and an exquisite touch around the rim. His footwork is solid, and he uses his body well to get space and get his shots off. He's excellent in the pick-and-roll. He and Facundo Campazzo's two-man game is almost unstoppable.
On defense, he's an excellent rim protector. He patrols the paint with a level of talent that deters even some of the most fearless drivers in Europe, and is comfortable playing drop coverage against the pick-and-roll, and actually pretty good at it. But his feet are still slow, and he can end up in foul trouble easily. Getting in early foul trouble isn't a trait that leaves you when you head to the NBA, it's one that gets exacerbated. The defensive three-second rule will be a detriment to his overall impact as well.
Tavares is deserving of an NBA contract and a rotation spot. But we will need to see him play to determine how big his role should be. There's a chance he's a great addition to a team worried about facing Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. There's also a chance he can only stay on the court for 10-15 minutes a night without putting his entire team in foul trouble. Regardless of how it goes, it will certainly be fun to watch should it happen.
5. Donta Hall - Athletic big
Team: AS Monaco (Jeep Elite - France, EuroLeague)
Age: 26
Physicals: 6-foot-9, 229 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 5.4 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 0.3 assists per game, 0.4 blocks per game. 73/0/60 shooting splits.
Our next two players had genuine NBA interest over the summer, so their inclusion here is no surprise. For Donta Hall, take one look at him on the court and it's easy to see why. He looks like an NBA player, plain and simple. Listed only 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds the Alabama alum looks way bigger, and plays way bigger.
He is a downright scary screen-setter and rim-roller. He's got good hands to go with his good leap and is as strong as anyone in EuroLeague at the moment. He's only 26 years old, and thriving as a cutter and roll man for Mike James Monaco this season. This comparison is both easy and lazy, but also apt; he's very similar to Khem Birch. Strong, long, athletic, and embraces the dirty work. Without question good enough to be a backup center in the NBA alongside solid pick-and-roll guards. Don't even have to think twice about it.
6. Kevin Punter - Dynamic score-first guard
Team: Partizan Belgrade (Adriatic League - Serbia, EuroLeague)
Age: 30
Physicals: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds,
Stats (All Comps): 9.83 points per game, 2.25 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. 43/25/85 shooting splits.
Kevin Punter is the second player on this list currently battling injuries, and he was having conversations with the Toronto Raptors this past summer. One look at Punter's game and it's easy to see why.
At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds Punter is a little undersized but makes up for that with a tight handle, sweet shot, and an elite ability to change direction. Last season, Punter averaged just over 16 points per game, sixth best in EuroLeague, on 47/44/92 shooting splits. He was in the 93rd percentile as a pick-and-roll ballhandler and coming off screens, 86th percentile as a spot-up shooter, and 73rd percentile as an isolation scorer. He's got a deep bag and zero conscience. The Raptors — a team bereft of shooters and ballhandlers — would be a perfect fit for Punter. But if they're not interested in the summer of 2024, other teams should be.
7. Bonzie Colson - Versatile wing
Team: Maccabi Tel Aviv (BSL - Israel*, EuroLeague)
Age: 27
Physicals: 6-foot-5
Stats (All Comps*): 14 points per game, 7.25 rebounds per game, 0.38 assists per game. 48/22/82 shooting splits.
*The domestic Israeli league has been inactive this season.
We have been wanting to write about Bonzie Colson for a long time. The Notre Dame alum had a cup of coffee with the Milwaukee Bucks before heading overseas. After spending some time in France and Turkey, Colson finally signed with EuroLeague club Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2022 and has been integral to their Final Four contention.
He has however been left out of the spotlight. Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin forming arguably the most dynamic backcourt in EuroLeague is the driver of Maccabi's success, but Colson's contributions deserve more recognition.
He is only 6-foot-5 but has great length, his wingspan is 7-feet. During his time at Notre Dame, he played as a small ball center alongside four guards. That defensive versatility has been critical for Maccabi. Colson is comfortable picking up the opposing team's toughest assignment on a nightly basis. If no one stands out in particular, he'll pick up point guards and harass them with full-court pressure all game. With a solid and bulky frame to go alongside his wingspan, Colson has no problem defending in the post either. His way too-easy NBA comparison is P.J. Tucker.
Colson can score too. He's averaging 14 points per game this season which has been a huge boost for a Maccabi team that was missing Baldwin for the first few games of the season. He's also averaging 7.2 rebounds per game, second best in EuroLeague, and 2.6 offensive rebounds per game, tied for fourth best in EuroLeague with Serge Ibaka and Youssoupha Fall.
His shot is down this season, to the point where it is slightly concerning. His cold start has him at 21 percent on nearly 30 attempts. However, he shot 38 percent on over 100 attempts in EuroLeague last season and 36 percent on nearly 200 attempts the season before that. He also shot 43 percent on open spot-up 3s per Synergy Sports last season. He's not going to be a gravity-altering shooting threat, but can make teams pay for leaving him open.
Colson's also a solid cutter, add his shooting and offensive rebounding to that and he offers plenty on that end to make his defensive versatility worth betting on for a team in need of solid wing depth. At 27 years old, Colson is deserving of another NBA shot soon.
8. Nigel Hayes-Davis - Versatile forward
Age: 28
Physicals: 6-foot-8, 254 pounds, 7-foot-3 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 12.14 points per game, 4.64 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, 1.07 steals per game. 42/29/79 shooting splits.
The final wing in our top 10 is another one who also fails to get the praise he deserves. Honestly, neither of Fenerbahce's wings — Nigel Hayes-Davis and Dyshawn Pierre — get enough praise. For now, let's focus on Hayes-Davis.
The former Wisconsin Badger clocks in at 6-foot-8 and 254 pounds. That puts him at a size comparable to Sixers forwards Tobias Harris and Robert Covington. To clarify, Hayes-Davis has an NBA body.
He got his start overseas in the 2018-19 season as a primary option for Turkish Club Galatasaray. He averaged over 15.7 points per game for them in EuroCup play and was snapped up by Lithuanian EuroLeague squad Zalgiris Kaunas for the next two seasons, and then Barcelona. Hayes-Davis role changed and he became more of a secondary offensive option.
Now with Fenerbahce this season and last, Hayes-Davis is back to getting buckets. He also shot 41 percent from 3 last season on 121 attempts. His shot is down this season, but 2022-23 was not an outlier. He posted similar shooting numbers during both of his seasons with Zalgiris. He was in the 79th percentile as a spot-up shooter last season and is just as comfortable attacking closeouts as he is firing away from deep.
He's an underrated passer as well. He moves the ball with purpose, and his two assists per game may sound paltry but given his limited reps as a ballhandler or creator, those numbers are impressive. Hayes will turn 29 this December. His clock is ticking, but he's still got time to contribute to an NBA team in need of a well-rounded forward.
9. Darius Thompson - Elite pick-and-roll point guard
Team: Anadolu Efes (BSL - Turkey, EuroLeague)
Age: 28
Physicals: 6-foot-4, 196 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 11.71 points per game, 2.29 rebounds per game, 4.35 assists per game. 52/39/87 shooting splits.
We're closing out the first section of the big board with two point guards. One of them, Darius Thompson, received NBA interest this past summer after leading EuroLeague in assists with Baskonia. He opted to return to EuroLeague and signed with Anadolu Efes Istanbul as a replacement for Vasilije Micic.
Efes brought in a new head coach, Erdem Can, as well and got off to a rocky start. But they've found their footing over the last few games, and so has Thompson. His assist numbers are still down — 3.22 per game compared to 6.71 per game last season - but he's still averaging over 12 points per game and shooting 42 percent from deep. He is arguably the best pick-and-roll point guard in basketball not currently in the NBA, and will have just turned 29 next summer. Developing a more consistent floater would be helpful for solidifying his ability as an NBA-level point guard, but he's still there without it at the moment.
10. Keenan Evans - Dynamic point guard
Team: Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL - Lithuania, EuroLeague)
Age: 27
Physicals: 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, 6-foot-5 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 11.39 points per game, 2.67 rebounds per game, 3.17 assists per game. 44/31/81 shooting splits.
Before we talk about Keenan Evans who is tearing it up for Zalgiris so far in EuroLeague play, here are the guys who just missed the cut for this big board: Zach LeDay, Thomas Walkup, Isaac Bonga, and Alec Peters.
Before tearing his Achilles last season, Evans was cooking. 15.9 points and 3.7 assists on 51/46/81 splits. His breakout season was here, and he was making a strong All-EuroLeague case. But he tore his Achilles, forcing him to miss the entire second half of the season and casting reasonable doubt over what he would look like for the 23-24 season.
He looks the same, maybe even better than he did last season. He's averaging 14.3 points and 3.7 assists on 49/42/75 splits. He's dominating the ball, with more than 60 percent of his possessions coming as a pick-and-roll ballhandler or in isolation and he's currently shooting 47 percent on 3s out of the pick-and-roll. The NBA or certified EuroLeague stardom is likely next for Evans.
EuroLeague & NBA Draft: The 2024 Overseas Prospects Big Board
1. Zaccharie Risacher - Wing
Team: JL Bourg-en-Bresse (Jeep Elite - France, EuroCup)
Age: 18
Physicals: 6-foot-8, 204 pounds, and 6-foot-11 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 9.55 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 1 assist per game. 52/42/67 splits
He's got a smooth-looking shot with a quick and high release, and a killer stepback to go with it. He can finish with both hands and has a solid handle for his size and role. For European football, the Germans have a word for players who excel at finding open space: raumdeuter. It translates to a space invader. Risacher, the son of a longtime overseas professional, is a raumdeuter. Constantly moves into open spots and creates better angles for his teammates to find him with a pass.
On the other end, Risacher already looks like a pro. Scratch that, we already know he's a pro. He actually looks like a seasoned veteran. He's communicating constantly and can multitask and track multiple things at once. His wisdom for his age shines on the court already.
He is not perfect. His drives to the rim are incredibly direct, he struggles to change direction when defenders get in front of him and he doesn't have a floater. Generally, his bag at the rim is equivalent to a wallet. (Does that actually make sense? You can fit a lot in a wallet. Hacky-sack seems harsh. I don't know, you get the point.) He also gets stationary and seems to take some possessions off.
On defense, he can get to vertical and flat-footed, setting himself up to get beaten easily by quicker players. He struggles to navigate screens too. A common trait in draft prospects, but one you'd think Risacher could avoid given his traits. Look, in a weak draft class, you could do a lot worse than Risacher anywhere in the top 5, including first overall.
2. Nikola Topic - Point guard
Team: KK Mega Bemax (Adriatic League)
Age: 18
Physicals: 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, and 7-foot wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 19.18 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 6.55 assists per game. 52/33/86 splits
A tall point guard with confident command of the pick-and-roll already, Topic is balling out for KK Mege Bemax so far. Now, it's important to note that this team is built to let young prospects like Topic thrive. But still, his play is impressive.
He uses his size to his advantage, particularly as a creator. He sees over smaller opponents and gets in positions where he can whip his passes down, giving them more momentum and increasing their delivery speed. He can get to the rim, hit the roll man, or knock down a pull-up 3 off the pick-and-roll with relative ease. His handle could be tighter, but it's good for his age.
He's already skilled at snaking the pick-and-roll and has a solid touch at the rim. His strength is fine, and so is his balance. Both will need to improve in the NBA. His left hand is serviceable, but he is averse to using it even when called for. His floater is non-existent, and his shot is a little flat too.
On defense, he leaves a lot to be desired. He's disengaged, regularly has his hands down, doesn't fight over screens, and his closeouts are slow and never choppy. Again, the structure of this team lends itself to allowing him to behave this way on defense. But it's still not a great sign that he has resorted to minimal effort this early in the season.
Topic is super-skilled and has great size for a point guard. He's got shades of Josh Giddey, but more bulk than length. Ramping up his defensive effort, adding a floater, and learning how to throw the skip pass over the top of the defense in the pick-and-roll are keys for him to take his game to the next level.
3. Alexandre Sarr - Athletic forward/center
Team: Perth Wildcats (NBL)
Age: 18
Physicals: 7-foot-1, 205 pounds, and 7-foot-5 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 9.08 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game. 45/28/60 shooting splits.
We recognize this is a hot take. We are aware some have put Sarr as the number one overall pick in their most recent mock drafts. Sarr is not here for clicks or engagement or anything like that, and having him first overall based on how weak this class is isn't crazy either.
Sarr's physique is off the charts. He's fast, a great leaper, incredibly tall, and incredibly long. He has the build of contemporary NBA stars present and upcoming: Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, and Chet Holmgren. He's cut from that cloth in terms of build, no doubt. That is Sarr's number one allure. He looks the part of a modern two-way superstar.
But the skills are not there yet. Not even close. His handle is incredibly sloppy and he has zero left hand. His touch around the rim is as delicate as a sledgehammer. His shot release is slow and his footwork is sloppy. He's had some strong performances in the Australian NBL, but he's also the biggest guy on the court and shooting over people. Those are red flags in any prospect, regardless of age.
There is absolutely a chance that Sarr improves leaps and bounds throughout this season, the next, and the ones after that. If that happens, he can certainly become an All-NBA level two-way player. There's also a chance he never gets much better than this. His floor is Thon Maker, and his ceiling is Antetokounmpo. In a weak class, rolling the dice on that wherever is certainly understandable. But right now, the path to the best possible outcome is fairly murky.
4. Alex Toohey - Wing
Team: Sydney Kings (NBL)
Age: 19
Physicals: 6-foot-7, 205 pounds, 6-foot-10 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 10.64 points per game, 4.36 rebounds per game, 0.93 assists per game. 44/38/70 shooting splits.
A decently sized wing with a solid catch-and-shoot profile, there's a chance Alex Toohey is ready to contribute to a good NBA team during his rookie season. He's got beautiful form and release on his jump shot, and overall solid basketball instincts.
He finds open space for spot-up opportunities regularly and is a flat-out ball magnet. Whether it's offensive rebounds or getting to loose balls, he's got an innate understanding of the cause and effect of basketball and uses it to his advantage. Not for everything, though. He can — and should — be a better passer based on his overall basketball IQ.
He's not the quickest or the fastest either. His intelligence makes up for some of that but not all of it. His go-to move on drives in the NBL is a spin move. It looks cool but hard to see that regularly creating enough separation at the rim in the NBA. He's not a great first leaper, at all, but has a good second jump. His left hand is more than passable, but he needs a floater.
We sound like a broken record on the floater, for sure, but for good reason. Having a reliable floater or runner is like a cheat code for becoming an elite driver. Getting the timing and touch down on that shot can accelerate one's scoring prowess, just look at Tyrese Maxey this season.
This is especially true for a guy like Toohey who is not the quickest at changing directions, isn't finishing over people, but is already comfortable attempting to finish with either hand at the rim. Another red flag for Toohey is that he is not coming off screens, at all, this season. That needs to change immediately. On defense, he's too hunched over and his hips are stiff, but he's not the guy anyone should be drafting to become a defensive stopper.
Toohey is an intelligent wing with a decent shot, best suited to play off of star power. There's a good chance he never becomes anything more than that, but that doesn't mean he can't build an impressive NBA career.
5. Bobi Klintman - Forward
Team: Cairns Taipans (NBL)
Age: 20
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 225 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 11.73 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game. 41/29/80 shooting splits
A smooth and fluid forward, Klintman is easy on the eyes. He's got a nice high release on his jump shot and isn't bashful. He knows his high release makes it almost impossible to block, so why not let it fly?
He is big and athletic, sturdy and smooth, and already looks like he should be on an NBA court. He's comfortable dribbling with his left hand, and a good passer both stationary and on the run, but never uses his left hand at the rim. It has caused him problems.
But he's got a good-looking shot, moves the ball well, and is already a very versatile defender who projects to be capable of guarding multiple positions with confidence. His help and recovery game is already elite. There's a good chance Klintman has been in this league for a long time.
6. Tidjane Salaun - Forward
Team: Cholet (Jeep Elite - France, Basketball Champions League)
Age: 18
Physicals: 6-foot-9, 203 pounds, 7-foot wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 7.76 points per game, 3.06 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game. 38/32/77 splits.
As clear-cut an upside swing as they come. A great athlete, with good shot mechanics who uses his physique beautifully on the defensive end. But he's moving 100mph at times when his body isn't ready. A top-tier draft-and-stash play if he's open to it.
7. Ariel Hukporti - Center
Team: Melbourne United (NBL)
Age: 21
Physicals: 7-foot, 250 pounds, 7-foot-3 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 9 points per game, 7.73 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game. 57/0/63 shooting splits.
Looks destined to be in the NBA as a minutes-eating backup center for at least a decade. He's big, strong, somewhat mobile, and left-handed. He's got good hands which helps him in the pick-and-roll, and can pass a little bit.
Need to see him finish with power more. Right now, he mainly uses his body to create separation for a hook shot or push shot. He can defend in space a bit, and isn't quite a shot blocker but is a rim protector if that makes sense.
8. Juan Nunez - Point guard
Team: Ratiopharm Ulm (BBL - Germany, EuroCup)
Age: 19
Physicals: 6-foot-4, 180 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 10.6 points per game, 2.85 rebounds per game, 5.92 assists per game. 47/39/57 shooting splits
A crafty left-handed guard with good acceleration and a solid understanding of the pick-and-roll. Spain's golden generation is withering away, but Nunez is doing everything he can to fill the shoes of Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon, the Sergio's, and others who have steered the ship for over 15 years.
His reading of the game is very good for his age, but he's got some Yogi Berra be patient but hurry up to him. He pauses at times before making a decision, something he can get away with in the BBL and EuroCup, but not in the NBA. He's got shades of Rajon Rondo to him — he'll never be that good — and is active on the defensive end. The free throw shooting has been bad for a while which is concerning, but not damning. Nunez will likely be good value somewhere in this draft.
9. Nikola Djurisic - Wing
Team: KK Mega Bemax (Adriatic League)
Age: 19
Physicals: 6-foot-8, 214 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 10.2 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game. 39/30/67 shooting splits
A highly-skilled wing player who is comfortable in the pick-and-roll, isolation, coming off screens, and just about any offensive scenario you can imagine. He's got good form on his shot, can finish with both hands at the rim, and even alter his shot and adjust his body in mid-air. He's got shades of Gordon Hayward to him, but does get too flashy and overcomplicate the game. His shooting splits aren't great, and as we said earlier, always slight concerns about players coming from Mega.
10. A.J. Johnson - Guard
Team: Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
Age: 18
Physicals: 6-foot-5, 160 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 2.4 points per game, 1 rebound per game, and 0.6 assists per game. 33/27/100 shooting splits.
Very young and lacking a lot of reps this season, Johnson is still pleasing to watch. He's lightning quick and his body moves however he wants it to. No one in the NBL can stay in front of him. He makes good decisions but needs to take more pride in his passing, too many of his passes are hitting teammates at their feet. He could have a bright future, but it's impossible to say anything definitive about him now.
11. Ruben Prey - Center
Team: Joventut Badalona (ACB - Spain, EuroCup)
Age: 18
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 205 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 6.36 points per game, 4.09 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game. 45/25/52 shooting splits.
At a skilled center, Prey is skinny and avoids contact at a level that's concerning now but understandable for his age. He can put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts, finish with both hands at the rim and in the post, position himself well to receive passes, and have good hands. His touch provides plenty of optimism for developing a solid 3-point shot.
Putting aside his clumsy appearance, Prey already looks like a capable versatile defender. He holds his own in the post well for his frailness and is more than comfortable stepping out on the perimeter and defending in space. It is shockingly good for his physical build.
12. Melvin Ajinca - Wing
Team: Saint Quentin (Jeep Elite - France)
Age: 19
Physicals: 6-foot-7 and I cannot find his wingspan OR weight anywhere!
Stats (All Comps): 8.3 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 1.08 assists per game. 37/32/91 shooting splits
A left-handed plus athlete with a good-looking shot, Ajinca teases as a lights-out shooter with some self-creation. But his handle isn't nearly shifty enough, he has zero right hand, and lacks creativity around the rim. His defensive instincts and potential are solid, but there are concerns that he won't turn into much more than this. The right hand needs to develop, and fast. His game will be insanely predictable at the next level.
13. Lachlan Olbrich - Forward/Center
Team: Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
Age: 19
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 235 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 6 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.08 assists per game. 61/40/46 shooting splits.
He leans more towards a center but might be a little undersized for his athleticism in the NBA. He's got good form on his shot, can finish with both hands and is a good screener. He's decently fluid for his size but a dreadful passer. He constantly makes the wrong decisions and/or throws the wrong pass.
His shot also looks a little flat, and nothing pops defensively. Unsure of whether or not he can defend the post or the perimeter in the NBA and currently, we're leaning no on both. He's a good player, but may not be an NBA player.
EuroLeague & International Basketball Big Board - Overseas Stashes
1. Tarik Biberovic - Shooting wing
Age: 22
Current team: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (BSL - Turkey, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Memphis Grizzlies
Physicals: 6-foot-7, 218 pounds, 6-foot-11 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 8.67 points per game, 2.67 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game. 56/47/100 shooting splits
With a good body and sweet shot, Biberovic is currently in the 95th percentile of spot-up shooters - on small volume — in EuroLeague per Synergy Sports. This number is inflated by a recent 18-point, 4-of-5 shooting from deep performance in Round 9 against Maccabi but the shot has looked real for a while. There is definitely a spot in the NBA for him.
2. Rokas Jokubaitis - Defense first point guard
Age: 22
Current team: Barcelona (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: New York Knicks
Physicals: 6-foot-4, 182 pounds, 6-foot-9
Stats (All Comps): 7.11 points per game, 2.39 rebounds per game, 3.22 assists per game. 48/44/81 shooting splits.
A big left-hand dominant guard who's good in the pick-and-roll and takes pride in his defense. Jokubaitis may decide to stay in EuroLeague and chase accolades and championships for his entire career, but he could easily eat minutes in the regular season for the Knicks right now and maybe be a solid backup in the future.
His intensity on the defensive end and overall toughness — he lost his teeth at last season's Final Four and kept playing — would fit in well with coach Tom Thibodeau. His future is whatever he decides to make of it.
3. Yam Madar - Defense first point guard
Age: 22
Current team: Fenerbahce (BSL - Turkey, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Boston Celtics
Physicals: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, 6-foot-5 wingspan
Stats: 8.44 points per game, 2.94 rebounds per game, 3.62 assists per game. 48/29/83 shooting splits.
Quick and relentless, Madar loves to pick up opposing guards full-court, is excellent at navigating screens, and hunts passing lanes like no one else in Europe. He's good in the pick-and-roll and has alright touch on his drives, but his three-point shot has shown little improvement over the years and he's shooting below 20 percent in EuroLeague so far this season. Yikes. He's got plenty of time to improve, but if he wants to play in the NBA he's got to make the 3 consistently.
4. Tristan Vukcevic - Stretch big
Age: 20
Current team: Partizan Belgrade (Adriatic League - Serbia, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Washington Wizards
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 220 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 6.73 points per game, 2.36 rebounds per game, 0.45 assists per game. 62/42/90 shooting splits.
With great size, good fluidity, a great-looking shot, and comfortable putting the ball on the floor, Vukcevic has all the makings of a solid stretch big in the NBA but he's down low in the pecking order for Partizan Belgrade. Zach LeDay, Frank Kaminsky, Alen Smailagic, and even Bruno Caboclo are all in front of him.
Before the addition of Caboclo, he got a good run in Round 6 against Baskonia and finished with 13 points and 2 rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting. He needs more minutes, and it doesn't look like he will get that at Partizan.
5. James Nnaji - Athletic big
Age: 19
Current team: FC Barcelona (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Charlotte Hornets
Physicals: 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-4 standing reach
Stats (All Comps): 2.06 points per game, 1.6 rebounds per game, 0.53 blocks per game.
Still very young, we took a deep dive into Nnaji's game this past summer after the Hornets drafted him. He was used sparingly by head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius last season and has somehow seen a drop in playing time from that under new head coach Roger Grimau.
That seems to be a style issue more than a talent issue. Nnaji is awesome, especially for his age, but he's behind two very skilled bigs in Jan Vesely and Willy Hernangomez who Grimau understandably prefers. Nnaji easily has the making of the modern-day high-energy center. He can set screens until his body falls apart, is already a good rim protector, can switch onto guard, and offers a serious vertical threat. It would be a shock if he didn't come over and make an impact in the NBA over the next few years.
6. Gabriele Procida - Athletic wing
Age: 21
Current team: ALBA Berlin (BBL - Germany, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Detroit Pistons
Physicals: 6-foot-6, 191 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 7.06 points per game, 1.75 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game. 38/27/71 shooting splits.
Procida has good bounce and shiftiness and has used that to his advantage regularly on the defensive end, less so on offense. He's had great flashes during his time with ALBA Berlin and looks poised to be Europe's next late bloomer.
7. Matteo Spagnolo - Wing floor general
Age: 20
Current team: ALBA Berlin (BBL - Germany, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Minnesota Timberwolves
Stats (All Comps): 6.4 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game, 3.5 rebounds per game. 41/18/88 shooting splits.
Physicals: 6-foot-6, 196 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan
Like the man before him and his fellow teammate, Spagnolo looks like he could be a late-blooming overseas star. He is a year younger than Procida though, and his instincts on offense are much better. He sees the floor incredibly well for his age, size, and position and is a good passer. The shot needs to become consistent, and his future seems bright if it does.
8. Balsa Koprivica - Old school big
Age: 23
Current team: Partizan Belgrade (Adriatic League - Serbia, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Los Angeles Clippers
Physicals: 7-foot-1, 240 pounds, 7-foot-3 wingspan, 9-foot-1 standing reach
Stats (All Comps): 5.77 points per game, 3.23 rebounds per game, 1.3 blocks per game. 61/0/50 shooting splits.
He was starting early in the season for Partizan but has fallen behind Kaminsky, Caboclo, and Smailagic in the center rotation. There's still time for him to reach the level of a minutes eater in the NBA, but establishing himself as a reliable EuroLeague center will come first.
9. Khalifa Diop - Athletic big
Age: 21
Current team: Baskonia (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Cleveland Cavaliers
Physicals: 6-foot-10, 231 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 4.8 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, 0.3 blocks per game. 58/0/67 shooting splits.
A lanky athletic big, he's looked solid in spurts for Baskonia this season but is nowhere near consistent enough to warrant regular minutes. The jury is out on him still, and he doesn't seem to be preferred by Dusko Ivanovic at all.
10. Vanja Marinkovic - Shooting wing
Age: 26
Current team: Baskonia (ACB - Spain, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Memphis Grizzlies
Physicals: 6-foot-6, 194 pounds, 6-foot-6 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 9.76 points per game, 1.94 rebounds per game, 0.71 assists per game. 40/37/75 shooting splits.
Getting to the point in age where it looks like he'll never come over and an average athlete at best, Marinkovic is down the pecking order on this list. He is a legitimate movement shooter though, and that may be enough to get him a cup of coffee in the league at some point.
11. Ismael Kamagate - Athletic big
Age: 22
Current team: Olimpia Milano (Lega A - Italy, EuroLeague)
NBA rights: Denver Nuggets
Physicals: 6-foot-11, 220 pounds, 7-foot-3 wingspan
Stats (All Comps): 6.44 points per game, 2.44 rebounds per game, 0.3 assists per game. 80/0/59 shooting splits.
Out of favor at Milano who has almost an entire roster of guys who could play center, Kamagate isn't in the best possible scenario for himself. He's been compared to Ian Mahinmi, though, and with late developments that is the type of center he could turn into. With limited playing time currently, it's tough to say anything definitive about the 22-year-old.
EuroLeague & International Basketball Big Board: Random Players who have caught our eye or we're intentionally tracking
1. Deion Hammond - 3-and-D wing
Age: 24
Current team: MHP Riesen (BBL - Germany, Basketball Champions League)
Physicals: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 9.2 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game, 0.2 assists per game. 46/38/85 shooting splits.
He might be too small to defend NBA wings, but he's strong, light on his feet, and has a great center of gravity. He's committed on the defensive end and has caused problems for high-level wings in Europe with NBA experience already this season.
He's an elite shooter too, both in spot-up and off movement. A journeyman's journeyman, Hammond played in the Netherlands last season and torched the competition before securing an offer from Riesen in Germany this season. He can hang with the continent's best at a minimum, and that's impressive given some of his physical limitations.
2. Jaylen Hands - Score-first point guard
Age: 24
Current team: Peristeri BC (Greek A1, Basketball Champions League)
Physicals: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 13.82 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game. 46/34/81 shooting splits.
After an impressive season with PAOK in the Greek League, UCLA Alum Jaylen Hands made the move to Peristeri BC - where he's being coached by EuroLeague legend Vassilis Spanoulis. Similar to Hammond, Hands may never be big enough to play in the NBA but he is unstoppable at times on offense in Europe, particularly coming off screens or when he gets downhill.
He was one of the best isolation players in Europe last season too, and is dominating similarly with Peristeri this season. He should at least be on a EuroLeague team sooner rather than later.
3. Samson Froling - Skilled big man
Age: 23
Current team: Illawarra Hawks (NBL - Australia)
Physicals: 6-foot-11, 200 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 13 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, 2.15 assists per game. 52/75/67 shooting splits.
Watching the film for so many players can get draining, but one of the best experiences while doing it is when a player you weren't watching catches your eye. That's the case with Froling. He's been giving the business to plenty of the draft prospects in the NBL.
A highly skilled big man with a good touch who's showing the ability to make teams pay when they dare him to shoot the three, and a good passer. Like the two before him, he's probably too small and slow for the NBA but his ability at age 23 is impressive. High-level European teams should be courting him next summer if possible.
4. Melwin Pantzar - Well-rounded athletic point guard
Age: 23
Current team: Bilbao Basket
Physicals: 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds
Stats (All Comps): 8.87 points per game, 2.67 rebounds per game, 2.67 assists per game. 55/35/72 shooting splits.
A product of Real Madrid's renowned youth academy, Pantzar is finally getting real ACB run this season with Bilbao. He's strong, long, and incredibly quick for a guard. The offensive skills need to become more refined but of all the players in this section, he seems most likely to reach the level of an NBA player.
