A brand new period of faculty basketball has arrived, and with it, a shift within the worldwide draft panorama. What many within the international basketball neighborhood anticipated earlier than the season has grow to be actuality: a number of prime worldwide prospects have grow to be NCAA prospects, leaving worldwide basketball in a state of flux. Gamers like Johann Grunloh, Dame Sarr, and Neoklis Avdalas have moved on to NCAA ball, weakening the worldwide crop. Nonetheless, even with this expertise drain, there stays a gaggle of gamers with intrigue.
1. Karim Lopez (6’8″, SF, 2007, New Zealand Breakers)
Lopez has begun to solidified himself as a possible lottery decide over the previous 12 months. His resolution to affix the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program has confirmed to be the fitting one. Lopez is a really fashionable wing with the scale and flexibility to play a number of positions. Whereas he could not “wow” you with highlight-reel performs each evening, he’s remarkably efficient, holding his personal in opposition to grown males within the extremely aggressive NBL. Lopez is a two-way participant with a fantastic really feel for the sport, possessing a clean perimeter shot and the athleticism to assault off the dribble. He’s a catch-and-shoot menace who has additionally proven promise as a secondary creator. The truth that he’s already thriving in a professional surroundings at simply 18 years outdated speaks volumes about his potential and maturity.
2. Sprint Daniels (6’5″, SG, Melbourne United, 2007)
The title “Daniels” is already synonymous with defensive depth {and professional} readiness, and Sprint is nicely on his method to following in his brother Dyson’s footsteps. His resolution to affix the NBL Subsequent Stars program has confirmed fortuitous. Sprint, has all of the makings of a prime degree defender, is a flexible wing who’s already an elite defender on the professional degree, able to guarding a number of positions together with his lengthy arms and fast ft. Whereas his offense stays a piece in progress, he has a strong basis and has proven flashes of being a dynamic creator. It’s his uncooked, unteachable athleticism and defensive prowess that makes scouts so excited. He’s a high-upside swing, however together with his defensive ground and… DNA, it is sensible for him to be an intriguing prospect. Moreover in an exhibition sport versus the New Orleans Pelicans, The 17-year-old got here off the bench and performed 27 minutes, ending with 11 factors, six rebounds, an help and a steal on 5-for-10 capturing. However what was extra spectacular was that he held the Pelicans’ seventh total decide Jeremiah Fears to only 3-of-15 capturing from the sphere whereas forcing 5 turnovers. A efficiency that NBA scouts will make sure to bear in mind as they consolidate their rankings throughout the pre draft course of.
3. Miikka Muurinen (6 ’10, PF, Partizan Belgrade, 2007)
Miikka is a contemporary stretch large who runs the ground fluidly, a mix NBA groups worth extremely. He first emerged on the radar on the U16 degree for Finland throughout EuroBasket (hyperlink to write-up), the place he displayed his feathery capturing contact and long-term upside. He later moved to america, spending time at Dawn Christian, competing within the ANGT Dubai occasion (hyperlink right here), enjoying for Brad Beal Elite’s U16 workforce throughout their 2024 championship run (Session 4 write-up right here), and ultimately suiting up for AZ Compass Prep. Throughout this stretch he confronted an adjustment interval each to the American model of play and to a brand new cultural surroundings which led to pure ups and downs, although he in the end rose to consensus 5-star standing at AZ Compass. Considerations about his maturity, defensive motor, and physicality lingered amongst NBA scouts who watched him stay at occasions we attended together with HoopHall West final January (hyperlink right here). His inventory rose considerably this previous summer season after a collection of highlight-level performances with Finland on the 2025 EuroBasket Championships the place he scored 53 factors in 89 minutes and helped Finland end fourth. Following that momentum, he selected to finish his highschool profession early and signal with Partizan Belgrade within the ABA League the place he performs with each the senior workforce and the U19 squad. With Partizan he continues to show high-flying dunks and clean three-point capturing, and all obtainable intel signifies he can be draft eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft as a projected decide. Scouts will proceed monitoring his fundamentals corresponding to defensive rebounding and display screen setting which have been inconsistent on the prep degree.
4. Luigi Suigo (7’2″, C , BC Mega MIS, 2007)
Suigo is the kind of large man who is tough to seek out. At 7’2″, with strong mobility and a surprisingly fluid offensive sport. He has a mushy contact across the rim and is already exhibiting indicators of being a fringe menace. The potential of being a 7 foot stretch large is tantalizing for NBA personnel. Whereas he nonetheless has to bulk up as he will get pushed beneath the basket at instances each on the defensive and offensive glass and grow to be extra environment friendly from deep, his distinctive mixture of dimension, mobility, and ability makes him an attention-grabbing long-term challenge. He’s closely linked to enjoying NCAA subsequent season and already had visits final 12 months with Illinois and Indiana and certain will decide that route as an alternative of the NBA choice for subsequent season.
5. Adam Atamna (6’5″, G, ASVEL, 2007)
Atamna is a high-scoring guard from France who turned heads within the worldwide youth circuits final season and is enjoying on the prime degree of the French League and getting a cup of tea on the Euroleague degree for ASVEL. He’s an elite shot-maker who can rating in a wide range of methods, whether or not it’s off the dribble, within the pick-and-roll, or as a spot-up shooter. His scoring skill and proficiency in catch and shoot conditions is a serious draw for scouts, however he might want to show his protection and playmaking can translate to the subsequent degree.
6. Sergio De Larrea (6’6″, G, Valencia, 2005)
After being eligible for the 2025 draft however correctly selecting to withdraw, Sergio De Larrea is a chief candidate to be a late first-round choice in 2026. The high-IQ Spanish guard is a grasp of the pick-and-roll and possesses nice courtroom imaginative and prescient. He has already confirmed his skill to carry his personal in opposition to veteran competitors, showcasing a mature sport that belies his age. Whereas his athleticism by NBA requirements is a slight query mark, his craftiness and excessive basketball IQ enable him to get to his spots. His skilled seasoning in each the Spanish league and Worldwide stage has given him a head begin on most of his friends. If he can proceed to enhance his perimeter capturing, he has a reputable probability to be a high-end starter within the NBA.
7. Malique Lewis 6’7 F, (South East Melbourne Phoenix, 2004)
Lewis was one of many higher athletes on the 2025 Eurocamp in Treviso, flashing his explosive leaping skill, lengthy body, and intriguing bodily instruments that caught scouts’ consideration. He in the end withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft regardless of drawing some early curiosity, selecting as an alternative to proceed growing in Australia with South East Melbourne Phoenix, the place he’s averaging 7.6 factors, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Lewis is an extended, athletic wing with good energy and defensive potential, however he stays uncooked for his age, significantly by way of capturing contact, really feel, and total offensive consistency. He has the bodily profile groups search for, but his NBA outlook will rely closely on how a lot his perimeter ability set and decision-making enhance. If he can grow to be extra environment friendly and polish his offensive sport, he has an out of doors shot to be drafted, almost certainly within the late second-round vary.
8. Ognjen Srzentic (6’7″, SF, Mega Mis, 2007)
Srzentic is a Serbian ahead with intriguing dimension and two-way potential who made a powerful impression throughout final 12 months’s ANGT, boosting his profile amongst worldwide scouts. He’s a well-rounded participant with a excessive basketball IQ, good positional really feel, and the power to affect the sport in a number of methods quite than counting on any single standout ability. Srzentic exhibits promise as a flexible defender who can learn actions and use his body successfully, whereas offensively he performs inside himself, makes good choices, and has rising confidence as a shooter and secondary playmaker. With ample alternative at Mega Mis this season, he has the platform to showcase a extra full model of his sport and proceed climbing scouting board
9. Noa Kouakou-Heugue (6’9″, PF, Perth Wildcats, 2007)
This French ahead simply oozes with potential. An extended, extremely cell and athletic ahead, Kouakou-Heugue has all of the bodily instruments to grow to be a high-level defensive participant on the professional degree. His rawness and offense and lack of core energy is one thing that he must develop in. His ongoing growth in Australia’s NBL is a query with restricted enjoying time and rumors that he was headed again to play on the professional degree in France. It’s now a wait and see strategy for scouts on how he’ll persevere in face of adversity. Nevertheless, issues change quick on this sport together with his uncooked athleticism as he’s a participant who might simply shoot up draft boards with a powerful season.
10. Michael Ruzic (6’10”, F, Joventut Badalona, 2006)
The Croatian ahead is a flexible participant who has been on the worldwide radar for years, exhibiting early indicators of polish together with his dimension, ability, and talent to stretch the ground. As soon as thought-about a possible first-round prospect, Ruzic has handled accidents that slowed his momentum, and he isn’t probably the most athletic or quickest ahead in his class. Even so, his offensive really feel and capturing contact stay clear strengths, and he has lengthy projected because the sort of participant who might carve out a dependable long-term position within the NBA. To regain the early hype, he might want to return to greater ranges of productiveness and present that he can keep wholesome whereas impacting video games with the identical confidence and effectivity he displayed earlier in his growth.
11. Mouhamed Faye (6’10”, C, Paris Basketball, 2005)
Faye is a bodily ahead from Senegal whose profile is constructed round his defensive depth and talent to rebound the ball. He has a excessive motor and is an imposing bodily presence within the paint (measured with a 7’4 wingspan in Treviso final Spring). Whereas his offensive sport continues to be a piece in progress, his defensive prowess and energy are simple. Taking part in roughly 17 minutes per sport for Paris on the Euroleague degree Mouhamed is a participant who can have excessive degree expertise that the NBA will worth. He might discover a position within the NBA as a high-motor large man who can shield the rim and do the soiled work.
12. Ben Henshall (6’5″, SG/SF, Perth Wildcats, 2004)
After withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft, Henshall is an instance of a participant who’s betting on himself. He has a mature, pro-ready sport with good dimension for his place. Henshall can knock down photographs and has a knack for scoring, however he might want to show he may be extra of a constant playmaker and finisher to rise within the draft. His expertise within the NBL and his work on bettering his effectivity can be key to his draft inventory.
Keep watch over:
Mohammad Amini 6’7 Ahead, Sluc Nancy (2005)
Mohammad is now in his second full season within the prime French league and has proven early enchancment as a fringe shooter, climbing above 35 % from three. His excessive basketball IQ and in depth expertise, together with being a mainstay for Iran and competing within the 2023 FIBA World Cup, assist differentiate him from many prospects his age. After declaring for the draft, participating within the 2024 Eurocamp in Treviso, and finishing a number of pre-draft exercises, he stays firmly on NBA radars. One workforce notably monitoring his progress is the Milwaukee Bucks.
Asim Djulovic 6’8 Ahead, Mega MIS (2005)
Asim earned his first call-up to the Serbian senior nationwide workforce final February and was invited to the 2024 Eurocamp in Treviso. He moved to Mega MIS for the 2025–26 season and has shortly grow to be the workforce’s most popular wing scorer, averaging practically 11 factors per sport. He continues to be dependable from the free-throw line, although bettering his consistency from past the arc can be necessary to unlocking extra of his offensive ceiling.
Lazar Gacic 7’0 Heart, Mega MIS (2005)
Gacic has carved out a job as a frontcourt scoring choice for Mega MIS’s senior workforce. His contact across the basket and powerful free-throw capturing have all the time been a supply of intrigue. Nevertheless, he nonetheless wants so as to add energy, as he’s a below-average rebounder for his dimension and provides restricted rim safety. Offensively, elevated proficiency as a spot-up shooter would increase his outlook, given the promise he has proven from the charity stripe.
Diego Garavaglia 6’7 Ahead, Ratiopharm Ulm (2007)
Garavaglia is an Italian wing with wonderful dimension for his place and a powerful really feel for the sport. On the youth ranges, each in membership play and at FIBA occasions, he has distinguished himself with spectacular “shares” manufacturing, making him a favourite amongst analytics-driven scouts. Offensively, he can rating in any respect three ranges and thrives both as a catch-and-shoot menace or a finisher on the rim. He’s additionally a prepared passer. Taking part in for Ulm, a membership well-known for growing NBA prospects, ought to speed up his development.
Tobias Jensen 6’6 Guard, Ulm (2004)
A once-hyped prospect who’s starting to re-emerge, Jensen is averaging a bit of over 11 factors per sport whereas competing in EuroCup play. His attraction lies in his mixture of top and the power to play as a lead guard. Whereas his scoring effectivity stays inconsistent, he has proven defensive worth by means of deflections and steals. Enchancment in his outdoors capturing and assist-to-turnover ratio can be key areas scouts proceed to observe.
Mathias M’Madi 6’4 Combo Guard, Free Agent (2005)
M’Madi is a French-Malagasy guard recognized for his scoring instincts and playmaking skill. He impressed throughout a powerful pre-draft exercise with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024 and stays on NBA radars. He’s an aggressive on-ball creator who can generate offense for himself and others, however streaky capturing and inconsistent manufacturing in opposition to prime competitors stay areas of concern. His subsequent touchdown spot will decide how shortly he can regain momentum as a prospect.
Zacharie Perrin 6’9 Energy Ahead, Hamburg Towers (2004)
Perrin transitioned from the French league to the BBL this season and has emerged as a real double-double menace, averaging 12.5 factors and over seven rebounds per sport whereas additionally producing in EuroCup competitors. He’s a powerful rebounder with some stretch-big potential because of his mushy left-handed contact. The primary disadvantage is his protection, as he offers restricted rim safety and struggles to generate deflections. These issues decrease his probabilities of incomes NBA alternatives with out significant enchancment.
Alexandros Samodurov 6’11 Energy Ahead, Panathinaikos (2005)
Samodurov is a well-recognized title in worldwide scouting circles. A flexible ahead with good dimension, he provides a growing all-around offensive ability set and competes with effort on the glass. His defensive fundamentals and willingness to deal with small duties make him intriguing, however he nonetheless wants higher consistency on each ends. After a few uneven seasons, this 12 months seems to be his greatest probability to reinsert himself into the draft dialog. He’s additionally considered a possible candidate to pursue the NCAA route subsequent season.
Assane Sankare 6’9 Energy Ahead, RivieraBanca Rimini (2007)
The MVP of the 2024 Adidas Subsequent Technology Match in Paris has returned from a year-long absence as a consequence of knee surgical procedure. With a 7’3.5 wingspan and expertise at each ANGT and the Treviso Eurocamp, Sankare stays one of many extra bodily intriguing younger bigs in Europe. Groups will monitor whether or not he can regain his pre-injury mobility and whether or not he has added any perimeter capturing since his return.
Talis Soulhac 6’2 Level Guard, ADA Blois (2006)
Soulhac has drawn early consideration from scouts as a troublesome, assured combo guard with good really feel and scoring instincts. He competes fearlessly and might make performs for teammates, however inconsistent outdoors capturing and restricted dimension imply he should show he can end and defend in opposition to top-tier athletes. Souhlac needed to put his season on pause for a pair months as a consequence of a cardiac irregularity, however he has steadily began contributing once more for the ADA Blois squad in France’s Elite 2 division since November. His long-term well being stays the first concern, and the hope is that he continues progressing towards a full restoration.
**Eric Guilleminault contributed to this report
