NBA Draft 2011: 5 International Prospects and Their NBA Comparison

NBA general managers search high and low for talent that will help improve their teams. Today, more than ever before, organizations are searching across the world for international prospects.

Each GM hopes they can find the next Dirk Nowiztki and become the genius that found a NBA superstar from across the ocean.

Here is a list of five international prospects in the upcoming NBA draft and who they compare to in today's NBA. 

Donatas Motiejunas PF

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 08: Donatas Motiejunas of Lithuania takes the ball to the hoop as Seth Curry of the United States defends during the U19 Basketball World Championships match between the United States and Lithuania at North Shore Events Centr

Donatas Motiejunas, like many other international prospects, has a very high upside but isn't polished into an NBA-ready player yet.

Donatas Motiejunas is a seven footer with a good shooting touch, just like Dirk Nowitzki, and while he needs to get bigger to be effective in the NBA, he has a lot of potential.

Motiejunas could be a solid player down the road but his biggest knock, in my opinion, is his name.

Could anyone really see someone named Donatas Motiejunas making an All-Star team? Or even becoming a good rotation player?

Fair or unfair, it sounds like a name of a future bust.

All that being said, NBA teams are in love with this guy and he has the potential to go in the first round.

NBA Comparison: Andrea Bargnani  

Jonas Valanciunas C

Another guy with a high ceiling but who isn't NBA ready is Jonas Valanciunas.

Valanciunas is a near seven footer with arguably the most potential in the draft. He is going to need some time to develop, but when he does come to the NBA he could play a big part on a team and become a good rotation big man.

NBA Comparison: Yi Jianlian

Jan Vesely SF/PF

Jan Vesely is going to have to develop his offensive game when he comes to the NBA, but he is a very good defensive prospect. With his length and size he should become a very good defender in the NBA.

Vesely has the ability to guard three or four positions and is a hard worker who will learn how to play quality NBA defense.

Vesely is a decent athlete and should have a long NBA career as at least a rotation player.

NBA Comparison: Andrei Kirilenko

Bismack Biyombo PF/C

Bismack Biyombo is a very young prospect with a high ceiling but also one of the biggest risks of the draft.

Teams do not know a lot about Biyombo and while he has a great NBA body, his polished skills are lacking.

Bismack is going to need to develop on both ends of the court, but his combination of size and strength is something teams are falling in love with.

Biyombo is a great prospect with high potential and will be a good pick for whichever team ends up with him.

NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka

Enes Kanter PF/C

Enes Kanter is by far the best international prospect of this draft and one of the best overall prospects in the field.

Kanter isn't the typical European big man and plays a back to the basket style instead of the long-range shooting most others do.

Kanter can rebound the ball very well, has a big body and is NBA ready on both ends of the floor.

If Kanter does end up playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Kyrie Irving, the Cavs will have two great prospects to build around and will have a great future moving forward without LeBron James.

Yes, even in a top-five international prospect article, Lebron James' name still comes up.

NBA Comparison: Carlos Boozer with better size and defense.