Breaking down the 2025 NBA Draft stock of top international prospects

The 2025 NBA Draft continues to grow closer, and so does the deadline for international prospects to withdraw from the process. While it has become a popular trend for many overseas stars to play college basketball prior to turning professional, there is still plenty talent making their way to the United States this summer.

While it can be difficult to keep track of exactly what each player is doing across the globe, with several leagues housing the future of international basketball, the best can be followed. However, the greatest challenge is sometimes projecting the ability to leap from a bench role with seasoned veterans to an NBA roster short-term, and in turn for the future.

Like with players at any level of basketball, there are traits and skillsets to follow closely in the absence of consistent and comparable data. Now, it is time to take a look at what the top 2025 NBA Draft prospects do best.

Nolan Traore

The early hype for Nolan Traore pushed him near the top of NBA Draft boards, but quickly fell off when he struggled to settle into his role during the regular season and has fluctuated multiple times since then. Playing more than 20 minutes per game, he has taken on a large role, averaging 11.5 points with a usage percentage nearing 30.

Inconsistency is a major issue which Traore must address to find NBA success, and that could be years away given the trajectory of most point guards entering the league. The potential payoff is still high enough to keep him ranked highly in a class which lacks sure things in the teens but comes with sizeable risk.

Noa Essengue

Noa Essengue is playing one of the largest roles for his team this season, averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in more than 20 minutes. His athletic frame gives him a great starting point on defense, where his steal numbers outpace his blocks despite being a 6-foot-9 forward. Efficiency has been the French prospect’s greatest strength so far with a true shooting metric at 64.6-percent.

To maximize his ability to play in the NBA, Essengue must first turn his projectable frame into high-level defense, including more blocks and less fouls. The other primary swing skill for his ceiling comes beyond the 3-point line, where he currently shoots 29.4-percent on the season.

Joan Beringer

The draft stock of Joan Beringer has climbed throughout the season, as more scouts view his strengths on display. He ranks among the top projects among prospects this year, with plenty to look forward to if he can maximize the flashes and grow. Right now, there are limited stats in the standard box score outside of blocks, but promising signs in the analytic data – like his 124.9 offensive rating and 103.5 defensive rating.

Taking on a greater role will become the focus for Beringer in NBA Draft preparation, looking to show he can take on more than his 11.9 usage percentage in more than 50 games. At 6-foot-10, he is no threat to shoot from beyond the arc, which will also artificially limit his fit with some teams across the league.

Ben Saraf

Ben Saraf was another breakout player last summer, putting himself on NBA Draft radars before stepping into a significant role in Europe. Averaging 12.3 points and 4.3 assists, he is among the most productive international prospects in the class. His style of play and solid metrics put him in the mix to rise even further with solid offseason workouts.

The greatest variable for Saraf is his ability to develop a 3-point shot, where he is currently shooting just 29-percent. His underlying analytics do not place him among the top performers either, but there is a clear role for him as an offensive creator is best suited for volume scoring. The challenge is looking for a team ready to add that archetype to the rotation.

Hugo Gonzalez

It remains relatively difficult to grasp the stock of Hugo Gonzalez, who plays a small role for one of the top teams in Europe. Despite averaging just 3.1 points on 40.9, 29.2, 73.9 splits, he has long been considered a top prospect based on his youth production prior to playing in the top leagues.

The biggest challenge when evaluating the 6-foot-6 wing is the lack of minutes, with just 10 per game this season. Similar to young players off the bench in the NBA or college basketball it is impossible to view the raw numbers as accurate given the limited data and situation surrounding most of the reps. No player will have more on the line during offseason workouts.

Noah Penda

Noah Penda is another fascinating prospect on the wing, with flashes of the defensive stopper many teams are looking for – and the build to fulfill the role. At 6-foot-8, he averages more than two stocks (steals plus blocks) and has positive defensive metrics to back it up while averaging more than 25 minutes for his club.

The questions surrounding Penda come on offense, where he shoots just 31.8-percent from the 3-point line. More concerning is his 43.4-percent mark from the field, which highlights a struggle to finish plays throughout the season. Despite the positives on the other end of the floor, there is a minimum offensive output required to stay on the floor in the NBA and he must prove himself there.

Alex Toohey

Alex Toohey is among the older international prospects in the mix for a 2025 NBA Draft selection, choosing to withdraw and return to Australia in the past. Now averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in one of the world’s best leagues, he looks ready to make the leap as a role player. The 46.5, 34.0, 73.8 splits further help his case as a 6-foot-7 wing.

A solid defender in the NBL, Toohey projects to fit right into the back of an NBA rotation if he chooses to remain in the draft this season. While he does not have some of the upside other prospects ranked above him hold, he is viewed as a high-floor player given the extra development behind him and consistent production across time.

Bogoljub Markovic

Putting up a solid season in Europe, Bogoljub Markovic continues to establish himself as a potential NBA center with his ability to stretch the floor and shoot 41.6-percent on 3-pointers while averaging 14 points. Averaging 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as well, he has a well-rounded game which could put him in the mix to rise up boards.

The quest to get in front of scouts and impress is already underway, as he participates in offseason events like the Nike Hoops Summit. He performed well in the main event, posting a double-double to send a clear message to scouts in attendance. The ability to repeat that kind of performance could easily push him into the first round.

Rocco Zikarsky

Rocco Zikarsky is a project worth taking a risk on if he chooses to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft – rather than remain in Australia for another season to refine his skills. At 7-foot-3, he has an innate ability to protect the rim which few players can match. While his skillset is still raw in other areas of the floor, the build automatically puts him in the conversation to make the league quickly.

His decision is complicated by a knee injury which knocked him out for the season, making the decision for NBA teams complicated on whether they want to bring him over early. If a team is willing to take the risk, the biggest question for Zikarsky is whether he is best served developing in Australia or the United States, in a combination of NBA practice and G-League games over the next year or two.

Izan Almansa

Izan Almansa was considered one of the top international prospects just a few years ago, before a disastrous season with the G-League Ignite tanked his draft stock and forced him to move to Australia in hopes of rebuilding his NBA stock. While there is some improvement, he still has a ways to go before being considered in the realm he once filled.

There is still plenty intrigue in the traits which made him a top youth players at the international level, with potential packed into his 6-foot-10 frame. His 52.0, 30.4, 58.6 splits do not jump off the page but could draw interest when paired with strong offseason workouts.

Ben Henshall

Ben Henshall has emerged into a starting guard in Australia’s top league, playing a key role for his team at 6-foot-5. With good size for his position and a competition level which makes him an intriguing fit for any team’s rotation, he has a chance to impressive teams with his intangibles.

The biggest setback in his case to become an NBA Draft pick is the shooting inefficiency, at just 39.2-percent from the field and 33.3-percent on 3-point shots. However, he does shoot 85.7-percent on free throws, leaving hope he can improve on the other numbers over time, while leaning on his ability to contribute rebounds and assists too.

Michael Ruzic

There is no doubt Michael Ruzic holds potential, which has slotted him in the mix to enter the NBA Draft and potentially make noise for over a year. However, there was little to no translation during his limited time on the floor this season. Averaging 13 minutes per game – and lost games due to a thumb injury – there was little to get excited about in the box score or many of the analytics.

While he shot 50-percent from the field, he posted just 25-percent from the field and just 1.5 rebounds per game. Another year of development and a return from injury could benefit him greatly given the wide gap from what he accomplished even as a 17-year old with the same professional club last season.

Others to watch

With the amount of college basketball players who chose not to enter the NBA Draft this season, or who are likely to withdraw and return for another season, there could be a renaissance of the late second-round picks who are stashed overseas while the drafting team holds onto future rights.

If that does come to fruition, it will be worthwhile to do a bit deeper dive on the international prospects who are likely going to play next season outside the United States, but could hear their name called anyway. Below is a list of the top contenders for that role.

Hansen Yang, Neoklis Avdalos, Mohamed Diawara, Mouhamed Faye, Paul Mbiya, Alec Anigbata, Eli N’Diaye, Bassala Bagayoko, Ousmane N’Diaye, Asim Djulovic.