2025 NBA Draft: Top 10 International Players You Need to Know
The 2025 NBA Draft class features one of the deepest pools of international talent in recent memory, with scouts projecting at least 10 overseas prospects as potential first-round picks. From explosive guards in France’s Pro A to versatile bigs in Spain’s Liga ACB, here’s your breakdown of the global names set to dominate draft boards – and how they fit into the evolving NBA Draft landscape (Source: ESPN).
Prospects in the Spotlight
1. Nolan Traore (PG, Saint-Quentin/France)
- Projected Range: 4-10
- Vitals: 6’5″, 184 lbs | 18.4 years old
- Scouting Notes: Elite ballhandler with advanced pick-and-roll instincts. Shooting splits (43% FG, 30% 3P in Pro A) highlight room for growth, but his 6’5″ frame and passing vision (6.3 APG) scream NBA readiness.
2. Hugo Gonzalez (SG/SF, Real Madrid/Spain)
- Projected Range: 8-20
- Vitals: 6’7″, 200 lbs | 18.1 years old
- Scouting Notes: Two-way wing holding his own in EuroLeague minutes. Held Cooper Flagg to 4-of-12 shooting at FIBA U17s while averaging 15.3 PPG.
3. Ben Saraf (PG, Ratiopharm Ulm/Israel)
- Projected Range: 8-20
- Vitals: 6’6″, 185 lbs | 18.6 years old
- Scouting Notes: Left-handed creator averaging 12.1 PPG in EuroCup. Concerns linger about defensive consistency, but his size and craftiness in traffic translate well.
4. Noa Essengue (PF, Ratiopharm Ulm/France)
- Projected Range: 10-25
- Vitals: 6’9″, 210 lbs | 17.9 years old
- Scouting Notes: Mobile big with a developing perimeter shot. Dropped 20 points against the Trail Blazers in preseason, showcasing rare fluidity for his size.
5. Michael Ruzic (PF, Joventut Badalona/Croatia)
- Projected Range: 20-35
- Vitals: 6’9″, 220 lbs | 18.7 years old
- Scouting Notes: Stretch-four shooting 39% from deep last season. Recent thumb surgery clouds his pre-draft trajectory.
Rising Names to Monitor
6. Egor Demin (SF, Real Madrid/Russia)
- Projected Range: 20-45
- Vitals: 6’8″, 205 lbs | 18.3 years old
- Scouting Notes: Playmaking wing with a 6’11” wingspan. Needs to improve shooting (28% 3P) but oozes upside.
7. Lucas Langarita (SG, Barcelona/Spain)
- Projected Range: 25-45
- Vitals: 6’5″, 190 lbs | 19.1 years old
- Scouting Notes: Sharpshooter hitting 44% from deep in Spain’s LEB Gold. Limited defensively but fills a premium NBA role.
8. Konstantinos Kostas (C, Panathinaikos/Greece)
- Projected Range: 25-45
- Vitals: 7’0″, 245 lbs | 18.8 years old
- Scouting Notes: Traditional rim protector averaging 2.1 BPG in Greek League. Must expand offensive game beyond the paint.
9. Ilane Fibleuil (SF, ASVEL/France)
- Projected Range: 25-45
- Vitals: 6’6″, 195 lbs | 19.0 years old
- Scouting Notes: High-energy defender with explosive leaping ability. Career 23% 3P shooter needs to refine jumper.
10. Mohamed Diawara (C, Paris Basketball/Mali)
- Projected Range: 40-undrafted
- Vitals: 6’11”, 230 lbs | 18.5 years old
- Scouting Notes: Raw center with 7’5″ wingspan. Averaging 7.3 RPG in Pro A but struggles with foul trouble (4.2 PF/40).
Honorable Mentions: Melvin Ajinca (France), Ilias Kamardine (France), Ousmane Ndiaye (Senegal)
