Who’s Scorching
Nolan Traore (6-4, PG, 2006, Saint Quentin)
The French phenom leads a category of worldwide gamers having confirmed himself as one of many prime over prospects within the Nike Hoop Summit, in opposition to the highest US gamers of this draft class. He began to make some noise on the finish of final season in France, as he acquired vital enjoying time on the age of 17, producing some buzz for what he may change into this season, and customarily thought of as a possible excessive to mid-lottery decide. So far this season, he has had his ups and downs, however usually he’s having a strong season.
Traore is an enormous lead guard. He’s explosive, he can play the Choose and Roll at a really excessive degree (he could make virtually each go already) and has 3-level scorer potential. His taking pictures launch is easy and his Pull Up sport seems promising. Saying all that, taking pictures simply 71% from the free throw line, 30% from the 3-point line and 50% on the rim thus far begins to be slightly worrisome. He’s really off his tempo of a yr in the past at simply 10.7 ppg, (12.3) however there’s a variety of season left, and he’s beginning to present flashes with two 20 level video games already (Nancy and Nanterre). At simply 18 years outdated, he’s enjoying in two aggressive leagues (French League and Basketball Champions League). His time will come.
Noa Essengue (6-10, PF, 2006, Ratiopharm Ulm)
Dropping down one place – from heart, the place he performed lots at youth degree, to energy ahead – was important for the French prospect to have the ability to enhance his inventory. It has been difficult. However it actually seems promising after virtually two months of motion at senior degree, with Essengue wanting higher and higher with every sport.
Essengue is an athletic large. He runs the ground extraordinarily properly, he’s not afraid to get bodily, a great finisher on the rim, and he attracts fouls like a magnet, additionally exhibiting the potential to protect 1-through-5 on protection. He’s additionally already an awesome cutter, can convey the ball down the court docket in transition, and has made strides as a passer. However he must bulk up. And – extra importantly – he might want to enhance as a shooter. He has proven some indicators this season, however has an extended strategy to go. If he manages to enhance as a shooter, this can be a sport changer for him.
Bogoljub Markovic (6-11, PF, 2005, Mega Mis)
Mega Mis has been producing NBA prospects for years and it seems just like the crew will proceed doing that this season too, with Bogoljub Markovic being the subsequent in line, having a season the place he averages virtually a double-double (13 and 9), plus 3 assists per sport.
The Serbian prospect is lengthy, fluid, and pretty athletic. Extra importantly, he has proven potential as a Stretch-4, taking pictures 47.6% from the 3-point line. Although the pattern is small (simply 2 makes an attempt per sport), his virtually 84% from the free throw line is encouraging. The identical applies to the best way he runs the ground, goes arduous on the offensive glass and the best way he reads the sport, having strong court docket imaginative and prescient for an enormous
Markovic has lots to work on, beginning on the protection finish and his Submit Up sport. He has to chop down on his turnovers. However he has potential.
Johann Grunloh (6-11, C, 2005, Rasta Vechta)
The German prospect is having an excellent season, enjoying in a very aggressive surroundings, which has result in some buzz. And rightfully so, since he has proven spectacular enchancment.
Grunloh has the instruments to change into a brand new period large. A middle who can play the Choose and Roll and the Choose and Pop equally properly, who on the similar time protects the rim. That’s really his function this season, with the German prospects showcasing his expertise on each ends of the ground as a Stretch Massive/Rim protector. His mobility can also be fairly good for a participant his measurement – he has even proven potential in switches in Choose and Rolls and is already good at enjoying Flat/Drop protection. He’s removed from a completed product, in fact. His Submit Up sport and passing wants work, has issues in opposition to bodily opponents and Stretch Bigs may trigger him issues. However he undoubtedly has put himself within the NBA Draft image.
Noah Penda (6-7, F, 2005, Le Mans)
Winner. That’s in all probability the phrase that greatest describes the French prospect. One season in the past, Noah Penda was enjoying in France’s 2nd division, being a strong function participant. After a tremendous summer time, the place he lead a depleted – lacking 9 (!) NBA prospects, together with Wembanyama, Risacher and Coulibaly – French crew to the gold medal in FIBA’s EuroBasket U20, every little thing has modified.
Noah Penda simply makes profitable performs. He’s a two-way combo ahead with excessive basketball I.Q, who stretches the ground, is an effective passer and might help switch-everything protection, averaging a hair above one steal and one block per sport. Penda does nothing flashy. He’s a median athlete and has to show that he’s a constant 3-point shooter. However he’s somebody to control.
Neoklis Avdalas (6-9, G/F, 2006, Peristeri)
The Greek prospect has been in a variety of scouts’ notes for years, since he has an attention-grabbing ability set, as a playmaking wing, who can even create his personal shot and present versatility on protection. Fact to be informed, Avdalas has been underwhelming at occasions on the massive stage, primarily in FIBA’s Youth degree video games. However one thing simply has clicked in a different way this yr.
Enjoying on mortgage with Peristeri, Avdalas has proven promise once more. He seems extra assured, makes good selections with the ball in his arms in Choose and Roll actions, he’s extra decisive when he assaults the basket, has proven his versatility on protection, guarding all perimeter positions. He nonetheless has his ups and downs and his Spot up taking pictures wants work. However he has improved significantly. There are experiences that he has additionally grown and is nearer to 6-10. He’s simply 18 years outdated. Issues are wanting up for him.
Ben Saraf (6-5, PG/SG, 2006, Ratiopharm Ulm)
After dominating FIBA’s Youth Degree competitors in two totally different competitions – particularly this previous summer time, the place he averaged 28.1 factors, 5 rebounds, 5.3 asists and 4 steals per sport, main Israel to semifinals in FIBA’ U18 EuroBasket – the Israeli prospect determined to affix Ratiopharm Ulm, a crew that’s recognized for producing NBA Draft prospects (Killian Hayes, Juan Nunez). And he undoubtedly has delivered, having till now the best season of any worldwide prospect of this yr’s class, with some nice video games in German League and in EuroCup.
Saraf is gifted. A lefty 6-6 foot playmaker, who performs the sport at his personal tempo. He’s already excellent in Choose and Roll actions, since he can both rating or go, because of his nice court docket imaginative and prescient (his measurement helps him there). His mid-range sport is ok for now and his Pull Up sport has potential to go all the best way to the 3-point line. He lacks athleticism and his protection certainly wants some work, but it surely’s troublesome to not be impressed whenever you watch him play.
Mohamed Diawara (6-8, PF/SF, 2005, Cholet Basket)
Diawara is an athletic specimen enjoying for Cholet. He had a strong exhibiting at this yr’s adidas Eurocamp showcasing his nice athletic talents and size. He’s nonetheless a little bit of a piece in progress from a ability standpoint however continues to make steps in the precise course. Whereas his really feel for the sport stays to start with phases, he exhibits strong effort and it’s essential to recollect he’s solely 19 years of age and has a 7’3 wingspan. He’s at the moment averaging 6.4 factors per sport and has proven some added vary flattening three level pictures at a great charge. Scouts have their eyes on him as a possible draft decide in 2025.
Impartial
Mouhamed Faye (6-10, C, 2005, Reggio Emilia)
The Senegalese heart confirmed some promise final season and this yr has been even higher, drawing some curiosity from the scouts, because of his ability set and improvement, as he averages virtually a double-double (10.6 factors and 9 rebounds) together with virtually 2 blocks within the aggressive Italian League.
Faye is a typical athletic large. A strong screener and good diver in Choose and Roll actions, who is dependent upon his teammates and offensive rebounds to do most of his harm on offense. On the similar time, he protects the rim, because of his size, athleticism and instincts. He’s nonetheless uncooked offensively, has no taking pictures vary and wishes some sharpening on the defensive finish. However he has some attention-grabbing instruments to work with.
Ben Henshall (6-5, G, 2004, Perth Wildcats)
The Australian prospect is having a strong season, gaining some floor within the NBA Draft dialog. His numbers don’t actually leap off the web page (virtually 10 factors with 38% in 3s, with 3 rebounds and three assists per sport), however there’s something extra there.
Henshall is an attention-grabbing participant. A combo guard with good measurement, who can shoot off the dribble, make his Spot Ups and play the Choose and Roll as a secondary creator, because of his strong court docket imaginative and prescient. He’s not an awesome athlete and has issues in opposition to explosive guards, however he makes up for it together with his physicality and motor. There are lots worse issues a crew can do than draft a participant together with his profile within the second spherical.
Alex Toohey (6-8, G/F, 2004, Sydney Kings)
The Australian wing continues to have some followers across the scouting circles. His fan base although has shrunk after his exhibiting this season, since he hasn’t seemed that a lot totally different from final yr.
Toohey is a bodily wing with excessive basketball I.Q. He can do some little bit of every little thing on the ground, he strikes the ball properly, he’s an excellent cutter. He has proven some potential with the ball in his arms, he’s versatile on protection. However he doesn’t have one elite ability and his shot remains to be not falling. Throughout wings with good measurement are all the time welcomed within the NBA, but when Toohey doesn’t enhance as a shooter quickly, will probably be troublesome to listen to his title coming Draft day.
Ivan Kharchenkov (6-6, G/F, 2006, Bayern Munich)
Incomes enjoying time as a youngster in a EuroLeague crew is not any straightforward process. Kharchenkov is aware of that, however this hasn’t been an issue for him. If there’s one factor Kharchenkov doesn’t lack, it’s confidence and he has proven that already, since he has managed to have a restricted function in Bayern. Even that restricted function won’t be out there although following the addition of (former Chicago Bull) Onuralp Bitim.
The German prospect must wait his flip earlier than changing into an everyday in Bayern’s rotation, though he may have some sporadic possibilities within the German League. His measurement, motor, strong athleticism, shot making capacity and playmaking potential have been displayed in FIBA’s youth degree, as additionally his streaky taking pictures. There’s something there, even whether it is for a future draft.
Michael Ruzic (6-10, PF, 2006, Joventut Badalona)
Earlier than the start of the season, the Croatian prospect seemed primed to have a breakout yr after his excellent exhibiting final season. Issues didn’t go as deliberate. Ruzic struggled at first after which he had an harm (he ruptured a tendon on his proper thumb – his taking pictures hand) that may hold him away from the court docket for fairly a while.
Ruzic is certainly intriguing. A 6-10 Stretch-4, who can put the ball on the ground and has good agility, that might even assist him slide right down to small ahead place finally. He certain has to bulk up and enhance his selections with the ball, however has an attention-grabbing ability set. All he has to do is keep wholesome and present if he can really attain his ceiling.
Who’s Chilly
Hugo Gonzalez (6-6, SF, 2006, Actual Madrid)
The Spanish undertaking is having the identical downside each Actual Madrid (not named Luka Doncic and at occasions Usman Garuba up to now) undertaking had up to now: Discover constant enjoying time. Actual Madrid is a crew stuffed with veterans and has large objectives yearly. There isn’t any room for improvement anymore in Actual Madrid and nearly as good as Gonzalez is – and he’s really the most effective gamers of his era in Europe – it seems virtually not possible to discover a constant function as a youngster together with his crew, regardless of varied accidents on the crew.
With all that mentioned, Gonzalez remains to be somebody to control. His athleticism, relentless motor on each ends of the ground and magnificence of play have drawn critical consideration, to a level that – earlier than the beginning of the season – he was thought of a possible lottery decide. But when he doesn’t play in any respect this yr – both in Actual Madrid, or in one other crew on mortgage – his inventory won’t be able to resist it.
Izan Almansa (6-10, F/C, 2005, Perth Wildcats)
The Spanish prospect really has a case to be thought of probably the most profitable youth participant in FIBA’s historical past, having earned two MVP Trophies in U17 (2022) and U19 (2023) World championships and yet one more MVP trophy in EuroBasket U18 (2022).
Enjoying on the senior degree although is one other factor, as he realized final season enjoying within the G-League, the place he had a so-so season, which compelled him to signal with Perth Wildcats and play in NBL this season. So far, issues aren’t precisely nice for him this yr additionally, with him averaging simply 7.7 factors and 4.1 rebounds in 17.5 minutes, for a veteran crew that performs beneath expectations and has small room for errors.
Almansa is a ahead/heart with strong measurement, athleticism and size. Has good basketball I.Q and is a superb cutter, a strong large in Choose and Roll actions (with an attention-grabbing floater in his arsenal), a great playmaker for his measurement and an excellent rebounder. However he doesn’t defend the rim and isn’t large or bodily sufficient to play as a 5, whereas he doesn’t stretch the ground for use as a 4. He’s simply 19, he’s good and has room for enchancment. However he has to indicate one thing totally different.
Rocco Zikarsky (7-2, C, 2006, Brisbane Bullets)
It has been a troublesome season for the Australian prospect, since he has been unable to seek out constant enjoying time for his crew. Zikarsky performs simply 11 minutes per sport and hasn’t been actually in a position to present something, even on the defensive finish, since he solely averages 0.4 blocks per sport.
Zikarsky is projected to change into a Choose and Roll large, with good rolls to the basket and a rim protector. For all these to occur although, he has to really have enjoying time. Zikarsky remains to be younger and scouts have his title circled of their notebooks. However finally he must present one thing.
Eli John Ndiaye (6-9, F/C, 2004, Actual Madrid)
It’s like groundhog day for the Senegalese ahead/heart. For the third season in a row nothing has modified for Ndiaye in Actual Madrid, with him having the identical function he had two years in the past, when he burst onto the scene as a youngster, incomes enjoying time for the European powerhouse. Which might be telling about his lack of enchancment all these years.
Ndiaye is identical participant he was final yr and the yr earlier than. A flexible, athletic large, who can guard a number of positions, assault the boards and rating an occasional 3-point in Spot Ups, primarily as a result of the other crew desires him to take that shot. There may be all the time a spot for blue collar guys on the subsequent degree, however one thing has to alter dramatically for Ndiaye to be thought of an NBA prospect once more any time quickly.
Zacharie Perrin (6-10, F/C, 2004, Nancy)
After an excellent summer time, the place he earned MVP honors in FIBA’s EuroBasket U20 with France, the French prospect was introduced again to earth when the season started and the identical occurred to his inventory. Perrin has had constant enjoying time within the aggressive French League, enjoying virtually 19 minutes, however has been underwhelming.
Perrin has been used extra as an influence ahead – a crucial transfer for him to play at the subsequent degree – and is requested to stretch the ground. However he’s 0/16 from the 3-point line. He’s a fluid athlete, he runs the ground properly, he has potential in protection, he is an effective rebounder. However he undoubtedly isn’t a stretch large at this stage of his improvement and is questionable if he’ll ever be, contemplating he’s a foul free throw shooter. There’s a world the place Perrin brings every little thing collectively and he turns into a strong energy ahead. However he’s already 20 years outdated. This might higher occur sooner quite than later.
Lefteris Mantzoukas (6-10, PF, 2003, Maroussi)
It’s the final yr of eligibility for the Greek prospect, who a number of years in the past was thought of an intriguing prospect, since he has been within the highlight for nearly 6 years now. The reality is that will probably be a significant shock if something adjustments for Mantzoukas this yr, who began the season enjoying on mortgage to Aris from Panathinaikos after which left after only a month and went on mortgage to Maroussi.
Mantzoukas is a Stretch-4. A strong Spot Up Shooter, with some sporadic Catch and Drives, who can even defend at a great degree within the Submit and seize some rebounds. However he has stalled. He hasn’t change into an elite shooter, can’t guard perimeter gamers constantly and has a variety of ups and downs. And it’s due to all this that he’s virtually by no means talked about as an NBA prospect anymore.
