With a strong 2024–25 campaign at Le Mans, Penda further established himself as one of the most tenacious and versatile defensive forwards in his class. He brings a physical, high-motor presence to the floor, capable of switching across multiple positions thanks to his strength, quick feet, and aggressive hands. Penda excels in transition, where his energy and athleticism consistently lead to easy finishes. Offensively, he is still developing, most of his production comes from cuts, hustle plays, and fast breaks rather than half-court creation. His perimeter shot remains inconsistent, and he offers limited self-creation. Even so, his defensive impact, rebounding activity, and relentless motor make him an appealing role player with room to grow if his shooting progresses.
6. Ben Saraf (6-6, PG/SG, 2006, Ratiopharm Ulm)
Ben Saraf continued to show growth during the 2024–25 season with Ratiopharm Ulm, emerging as one of the more polished young creators in the international class. He consistently orchestrated the offense with poise and feel, using his size and vision to break down defenses and deliver high-level reads. His touch around the rim and in the mid-range improved noticeably, adding to his effectiveness as a multi-level scorer. While he lacks elite burst and vertical explosiveness, Saraf compensates with timing, craft, and a strong understanding of angles. Defensively, his lateral mobility and strength remain areas for improvement, but his offensive skill set and basketball IQ make him a high-floor prospect with long-term appeal.
7. Bogoljub Markovic (6-11, PF, 2006, Mega MIS)
Markovic’s continued development with Mega Mis has solidified his status as a modern stretch-four prospect, featuring a smooth and projectable shooting stroke from beyond the arc that offers valuable floor spacing. He also flashes intriguing ball-handling ability for his size and shows soft touch in the post, particularly when matched against smaller defenders. However, his lean frame leaves him vulnerable to physical play, and he often struggles to hold position or finish through contact inside. Defensively, his lateral mobility is below average, making him a liability in switches, and his rebounding impact remains inconsistent. While his strength and defensive footwork need clear improvement, Markovic’s offensive skill set—especially his shooting—gives him a real path to value in today’s NBA as a floor-spacing big with long-term upside.
8. Hansen Yang (7-2, C, 2005, Qingdao Eagles)
Yang continued to anchor the interior for Qingdao in the CBA, showcasing a rare combination of elite size, soft touch, and high-level vision for a player his size. Standing 7-foot-2, he consistently protects the rim with solid timing and uses his wide frame to seal off defenders and control the glass. His best attribute is his passing ability from the high post, where he displays advanced feel and regularly makes smart reads uncommon for a center. He also turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine, flashing improved touch as a shooter that added another layer to his offensive upside. However, his limited mobility, stiff hips, and below-average lateral quickness present concerns in today’s NBA, particularly when defending in space or switching onto guards. Conditioning and agility will be critical areas of development. Still, Yang’s blend of size, interior skill, and passing instincts makes him a compelling long-term project.
9. Alex Toohey (6-9, G/F, 2004, Sydney Kings)
Toohey continued to develop with the Sydney Kings during the 2024–25 NBL season, showing the traits of a high-IQ, fundamentally sound stretch four with offensive reliability. He shoots well off the catch, makes smart reads, and brings consistent effort, giving him the makings of a solid floor-spacing contributor. However, his lateral quickness and lack of explosiveness limit his ability to defend quicker or more athletic NBA players, and he can struggle to stay in front of his assignment. His three-point shooting off the dribble is still a work in progress, and he lacks much self-creation ability, but his overall polish, shooting mechanics, and feel for the game give him a shot to carve out a rotation role.
10. Mohamed Diawara (6-9, F, 2005, Cholet)
Diawara’s 2024–25 season with Cholet highlighted his impressive defensive versatility and nonstop motor. With his length, athleticism, and relentless energy, he consistently disrupted opponents and showed the ability to guard multiple positions effectively. He runs the floor well and finishes with authority in transition, playing with physicality and intensity. Offensively, Diawara remains a work in progress. Outside of transition and hustle plays, his scoring game lacks polish and consistency. His three-point shot flashes potential but has not developed into a reliable weapon, which allows defenders to sag off him. While he has some vision as a passer, he does not create much offense on his own, and his overall scoring instincts are still limited. His path to sticking in the NBA likely hinges on his ability to become an elite, versatile defender, an outcome within reach due to his physical tools and consistent effort.
