The 2025 NBA Draft worldwide pool is unusually skinny, that includes simply 16 non-auto eligible prospects, one of many smallest teams in current historical past because of the mixed impression of NIL incentives and prolonged NCAA eligibility from COVID-19. But regardless of restricted numbers, this class gives intriguing expertise with vital upside. We’re excluding worldwide gamers like Egor Demin or Kasparas Jakucionis that performed within the NCAA, that is just for abroad prospect.

Frenchman Noa Essengue has scouts excited together with his athleticism, defensive potential, and flashes harking back to a younger Josh Smith or for others it’s Pascal Siakam. Fellow countryman to Essengue, the person with a 7-5 wingspan, Joan Beringer polarizes evaluators with spectacular bodily instruments however uncooked offensive abilities, making him a perfect high-upside stash candidate.

France continues its robust run of guard expertise with Nolan Traore, whose improved playmaking and creativity together with his sizzling capturing to finish the yr elevated his inventory. In the meantime, Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez might grow to be a right away rotation wing if he develops extra constant aggressiveness.

Hidden gems like Serbia’s Bogoljub Markovic provide mature versatility, whereas intriguing developmental prospects reminiscent of Spain’s Izan Almansa and China’s Hansen Yang symbolize thrilling long-term investments. Although restricted in numbers, this worldwide group might ship vital NBA impression within the coming years.

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Greatest rank: 8 / Worst rank: 21

Agent: LIFT

2024–25 stats: 10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 bpg, 0.9 spg, 51.0% FG, 22.5% 3P in 40 video games

Essengue has scouts buzzing due to his size, athleticism, and intriguing ball-handling potential. He’s drawn comparisons to a leaner Josh Smith together with his motor and flashes of versatility. Though nonetheless creating his shot, Essengue’s defensive upside and power might make him an impactful NBA ahead. Essengue might need the most important “boom-or-bust” potential as some scouts assume he is usually a potential All-Star whereas others see a job participant.

Extra: Noa Essengue: NBA draft scouting report and intel

ABA League – Filip Barbalic

Greatest rank: 12 / Worst rank: 26

Agent: Wasserman

2024–25 stats: 4.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.5 spg, 1.4 bpg, 61.0% FG, 0.0% 3P in 57 video games

Opinions on Beringer range extensively, some scouts love his bodily instruments and rim safety, whereas others query his NBA-ready abilities. He’s a traditional high-upside athletic, rim working, lob risk candidate, with sufficient size, power, and defensive instincts to doubtlessly blossom right into a long-term rotation piece if developed patiently. Beringer measured in with a close to 7-5 wingspan that has scouts salivating at a possible Dereck Vigorous-Yves Missi rimrunning huge man.

Extra: Joan Beringer: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 10 / Worst rank: 27

Agent: Wasserman

2024–25 stats: 11.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.8 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.1 bpg, 40.2% FG, 29.2% 3P in 38 video games

Traore has shed the early season “overhyped” label due to improved playmaking and creativity. Scouts in France rave about his modern passing and court docket imaginative and prescient. Whereas capturing consistency stays a priority, his capability to orchestrate offense makes him a compelling late-first possibility. Traore has a excessive ground to be an offensive-minded level alongside the strains of a DJ Augustin.

Extra: Nolan Traoré: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: ProMondo

2024–25 stats: 3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.2 spg, 0.3 bpg, 41.1% FG, 29.4% 3P in 59 video games

Gonzalez has an NBA-ready body and stable really feel for the sport, however scouts wish to see him assert himself extra constantly. His passive tendencies maintain him again offensively, but when he unlocks his jumper and aggressiveness, he’s a plug-and-play rotation wing with two-way potential. Gonzalez must becom extra poise and decisive when attacking on each ends to take his sport to the subsequent degree.

Extra: Hugo Gonzalez: NBA draft scouting report and intel

Noah Penda s’installe en Betclic ELITE avec Le Mans

Greatest rank: 22 / Worst rank: 35

Agent: 360

2024–25 stats: 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.9 bpg, 43.4% FG, 31.8% 3P in 29 video games

Flying considerably underneath the radar, Penda is gaining consideration as a flexible two-way combo ahead. He’s extremely praised for his character and willingness to compete, making him a fantastic developmental candidate. With additional enchancment of his ability set, he might grow to be a helpful NBA contributor. Penda has an NBA-ready physique and contributed to a crew that was stuffed with grown-men years older than him in France.

Extra: Noah Penda: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 20 / Worst rank: 35

Agent: CAA

2024–25 stats: 12.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.3 bpg, 45.3% FG, 28.7% 3P in 44 video games

A seasoned worldwide guard, Saraf is understood for his creativity and poise in working an offense. Whereas his three-point capturing wants work, his polished really feel and playmaking instincts present upside as a dependable second-unit facilitator. Saraf potential is increased as a big lead guard fairly than a median sized combo guard with level guard abilities.

Extra: Ben Saraf: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 31 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Excel

2024–25 stats: 14.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 55.1% FG, 41.0% 3P in 30 video games

Markovic is perhaps the hidden gem groups are trying to find a 4 that may pass-dribble-shoot equally to an Santi Aldama. He’s our sleeper for this draft as somebody that may most likely outplay their draft place. A mature, versatile huge man who can stretch the ground, transfer the ball, and match seamlessly into completely different techniques, scouts admire his European professionalism and talent to play inside a team-first construction. Markovic might be able to play 3-5 within the NBA if he bulks up and proves he can defend.

Extra: Bogoljub Markovic: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 34 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Lighthouse

2024–25 stats: 11.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.8 bpg, 46.5% FG, 34.0% 3P in 32 video games

With a excessive basketball IQ and wonderful positional versatility, Toohey suits the mould of a contemporary NBA ahead. His capturing and secondary playmaking might assist him grow to be a rotation-caliber participant within the Georges Niang vein, providing worth as a complementary piece on a aggressive crew. Toohey competes arduous on each ends and doesn’t want the ball in his palms to assist his crew win.

Extra: Alex Toohey: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 33 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Klutch

2024–25 stats: 16.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.8 bpg, 59.3% FG, 29.1% 3P in 52 video games

Yang’s large body and shot-blocking prowess make him an intriguing undertaking. Although his mobility and total polish require vital work, groups keen to be affected person could possibly be rewarded with a authentic rim protector who additionally gives floor-spacing potential. Yang might stick as a reserve huge who’s a ground spacing, shot blocker with some passing chops to assist a second unit.

Extra: Hansen Yang: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 38 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: ProMondo

2024–25 stats: 4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.3 spg, 0.7 bpg, 50.0% FG, 20.0% 3P in 20 video games

Scouts really feel Zikarsky’s impression goes past field scores, highlighting his spectacular agility at 7-3 and potential as a rim protector. Although stats haven’t totally caught as much as his movie, he’s an intriguing upside swing for a crew keen to develop him slowly. Zikarsky is an enormous human, and appears to have comparable archetype as of Donovan Clingan which is value a second spherical flier.

Extra: Rocco Zikarsky: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 53 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Gersh

2024–25 stats: 7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.4 spg, 0.3 bpg, 52.0% FG, 30.4% 3P in 36 video games

Almansa brings an unmatched worldwide pedigree, incomes MVP honors at a number of FIBA youth championships. His rebounding instincts and smooth contact across the basket stand out, however NBA execs stay cut up on his defensive mobility and rim safety on the subsequent degree. Almansa has a whole lot of issues that he can do however nothing that stands out, he’ll must be a specialist on the subsequent degree.

Extra: Izan Almansa: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Greatest rank: 45 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Roc Nation

2024–25 stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.1 bpg, 41.0% FG, 26.0% 3P in 34 video games

Pate’s mix of measurement, athleticism, and flexibility as a swingman has scouts intrigued. His skilled expertise with Mexico Metropolis gives maturity, however questions stay about his capturing consistency and whether or not his instruments will totally translate in NBA techniques. Pate could possibly be value a second flier as a 6-8 scoring wing in the identical vein of Rodney Hood.

Extra: Dink Pate: NBA draft scouting report and intel

Cholet Basket

Greatest rank: 45 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Roc Nation

2024–25 stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.1 bpg, 41.0% FG, 26.0% 3P in 34 video games

Diawara gives intriguing bodily instruments, showcasing flashes of high-level athleticism and defensive versatility. Nonetheless uncooked offensively, he’ll require time and endurance, however his mixture of size, quickness, and energy might earn him NBA minutes down the road. Diawara is perhaps a draft-and-stash candidate for groups that aren’t making an attempt to have their second-round choose come abroad but.

You may observe Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) on X, previously generally known as Twitter, or Blue Sky.