College Basketball: The 15 Best Foreign Players in the Country for Next Season

While the NBA draft may typically be loaded with little-known prospects from foreign soil, many fans do not realize the amount of non-American stars playing college basketball in the United States.

Last year, SEC champion Vanderbilt showcased two foreign studs in Jeffery Taylor and Festus Ezeli. Both will be picked in the 2012 NBA draft.

Big East regular season champion Syracuse had Canadian forward Kris Joseph leading the Orange to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

On this list, Canada is the highest represented country with five list members. Also included are two incoming freshmen.

Here are the 15 best foreign players heading into the 2012-13 college basketball season.

15. Arsalan Kazemi, Rice (Iran)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 12.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG

Rice University isn't exactly in college basketball's upper tier of programs, but that didn't stop the Owls from producing one of the top 2013 NBA draft prospects in the nation.

At only 6'7'', Arsalan Kazemi is arguably the best rebounder in the country for his size. After three years of college ball, he currently is averaging a double-double for his career.

Kazemi will be one of the most feared players in Conference USA, looking to advance Rice towards their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1970.

14. Deniz Kilicli, West Virginia (Turkey)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 10.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG

Deniz Kilicli is known for his signature scruffy beard, but the 260 pound, muscular big man is effective on the hardwood as well.

Nicknamed the "Istan-bull" for his hometown in Turkey and his rugged style of play, Kilicli is one of the most intimidating forces in the entire nation. His modest rebound total doesn't sufficiently display the dirty work he performs down low as a lane-clogger.

Following the graduations of Kevin Jones and Darryl Bryant, coach Bob Huggins will look for Kilicli to step into a leadership role for a depleted Mountaineers squad next year.

13. Alex Len, Maryland (Ukraine)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 6 PPG, 5.4 RPG

Past statistics do not adequately explain the oozing potential that 7'1'' Alex Len possesses. Len could very well be the top big man in the ACC by season's end.

Following an eligibility suspension last year, Len was reinstated midseason but struggled to adjust to basketball stateside. Still, he managed to show occasional flashes of promise. He is super athletic for his size and can effectively shoot from the foul line extended. 

Terrell Stoglin is no longer in College Park and somebody needs to fill that featured player role. Len has the ability to fulfill that duty and become a consistent double-double center.

12. Steven Adams, Pittsburgh (New Zealand)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: n/a

Steven Adams is a top-10 incoming recruit, a future NBA lottery pick and a freak of nature at seven feet tall.

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon returned to New Zealand, where he once hooped himself, to recruit the unique prospect. Adams has admirable finesse in his post game, but he is most effective as a shot-blocker. He has terrific timing while jumping for blocks and carries enormous arms and hands.

Adams has had a year to adjust to American basketball while playing for Notre Dame Prep as a senior in high school and should be able to help spurn Pittsburgh back in the right direction.

11. Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova (Benin)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 11.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG

Mouphtaou Yarou has struggled to adjust to American basketball ever since arriving in the United States three years ago, but has a strong chance to fix that issue next season.

Yarou, along with the aforementioned Deniz Kilicli, is one of the most physical, ferocious specimens in the Big East. He is a rebounding and defensive monster in the paint but still has not quite filled out as a polished offensive player yet.

Yarou is entering his senior season for Villanova and will be featured heavily for the Wildcats with Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns bolting for the NBA draft.

10. Kenny Kadji, Miami (Cameroon)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG

This may be the first time you are hearing the name Kenny Kadji of Miami, but it certainly will not be the last.

Kadji was the breakout player in the ACC last year, who received significant minutes due to an injury for fellow big man Reggie Johnson. He is long, athletic and a terrific shot-blocker. In addition, he can stretch the floor and knock down three-pointers efficiently. 

Kadji and the Hurricanes will surprise their doubters next season as he and Reggie Johnson will form one of the top power forward-center tandems in the country.

9. Brady Heslip, Baylor (Canada)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 9.6 PPG, 45.5 3P%

Recently, Baylor has been known for quick, long and athletic forwards, but Brady Heslip does not fall into any of those categories.

Heslip is arguably the best three-point shooter in the entire country, making 16-of-27 three-point attempts in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. He may be a one-trick pony, but he can change the outcome of a game all by himself. Against Colorado in the Round of 32, he scored 27 points on nine treys.

Heslip is a key starter for one of the scariest teams in the land and will look to continue his success beyond the arc next season for a reloaded Bears squad.

8. Khem Birch, UNLV (Canada)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 4.4 PPG, 5 RPG

Khem Birch would actually be higher on this list if he did not have to sit out until late December next season, but he is a serious talent for a threatening UNLV frontline.

Birch transferred from Pittsburgh to UNLV after playing 10 games for the Panthers and will not have sat out for a full year by the time UNLV plays their first game. Therefore, Birch will miss considerable amounts of playing time due to the NCAA's transfer rules. 

Nonetheless, Birch is a former McDonald's All-American who led Pitt in rebounding twice during his month playing there. He is extremely versatile as a wing and can guard multiple positions.

Mike Moser, Anthony Bennett and Birch form arguably the best frontline in college basketball and will look to lead the Runnin' Rebels to a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

7. Gregory Echenique, Creighton (Venezuela)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 9.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG

Doug McDermott may be the more well-known name for the Creighton Bluejays, but there is another player on their roster that allows McDermott to be so successful.

His name is Gregory Echenique, who formerly played at Rutgers before transferring to Creighton. Echenique is a pure, back-to-the-basket center with tremendous footwork. He totaled at least 10 rebounds on eight different occasions last season as a junior.

Echenique and McDermott will anchor Creighton's frontline for one of the top mid-majors heading into next season.

6. Elias Harris, Gonzaga (Germany)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG

Elias Harris wisely returned to Gonzaga for his senior season, but was talented enough to warrant a second-round draft pick if he did elect to leave school early.

Harris is a combo forward who is physical on the glass but can knock down jumpers from the perimeter as well. He is extremely versatile on the defensive end with the ability to match up with guards and forwards.

Gonzaga loses Robert Sacre, but with Harris and Sam Dower rejuvenating their frontcourt, watch out for the Zags.

5. Anthony Bennett, UNLV (Canada)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: n/a

Anthony Bennett, a top-10 incoming recruit, recently chose to play for UNLV over Oregon. He makes UNLV arguably the top mid-major in the nation.

Bennett has respectable size at 6'8", but is more of a small forward with his style of play. He loves to shoot jump shots and is explosive off the dribble. He should play both on the wing and on the low block for coach Dave Rice next season.

As mentioned on Khem Birch's slide, Bennett gives UNLV possibly the most talented trio of forwards in the nation. The Rebels can now be considered serious Final Four contenders.

4. Myck Kabongo, Texas (Canada)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 9.8 PPG, 5.3 APG

Myck Kabongo is a former McDonald's All-American point guard who is poised to improve on a mediocre freshman season.

Kabongo's point total is deflated due to playing alongside a trigger-happy J'Covan Brown. Brown decided to leave for the NBA, while Kabongo wisely stayed. Kabongo is a great distributor and is elusive off of the dribble.

Look for Kabongo to explode into the star for a much improved Longhorns team next season with the addition of a top-five recruiting class.

3. Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga (Canada)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 13.8 PPG. 3.4 APG

Kevin Pangos is a 6'1", pure scorer who managed to put up at least 10 points in all but seven contests last season.

In Gonzaga's semifinal matchup against BYU in the WCC Conference Tournament, Pangos scored 30 points, including five three-pointers. Pangos was only a freshman last season and should develop into one of the top scorers in the entire country.

Pangos teams up with Elias Harris and Sam Dower to once again fight Saint Mary's and BYU for the coveted WCC crown.

2. Gorgui Dieng, Louisville (Senegal)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 9.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.2 BPG

Gorgui Dieng is a 6'11" shot-blocking center with a wingspan of 7'4".

Dieng rose to prominence during the 2012 NCAA Tournament, leading Louisville to the Final Four. Dieng matched a tournament record with seven blocks against Michigan State in the Sweet 16. He dominates the glass and clogs the lane, forcing opponents to stay on the perimeter.

Along with Jeff Withey and Nerlens Noel, Dieng is one of the most prolific swatters in country. He and Peyton Siva make Louisville a preseason favorite heading into next season.

1. Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's (Australia)

Notable 2011-12 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.4 APG

Matthew Dellavedova is the face of foreign basketball players for American college basketball—and deservedly so.

Saint Mary's has been a top mid-major program for the past three years because of Dellavedova's excellence. He is a pass-first point guard who shows unmatchable heart and desire, while scoring consistently as well.

Dellavedova is a terrific on-ball defender and makes the Gaels a WCC contender for the fourth consecutive season.