Ranking the Best International 2015 NBA Draft Prospects

One of the most exciting aspects of the NBA draft is learning about the top international prospects sprouting up across Europe and beyond.

The 2015 crop is no exception, as it offers a terrific mix of playmakers, skilled wings and imposing big men.

Latvia boasts a couple of the best frontcourt assets—most notably a stretch 4 prodigy who could land in the top 10 picks.

Meanwhile, their Mediterranean counterparts are producing some smooth scorers and dexterous passers. The overseas talent isn't limited to Europe, as Africa and the Middle East will also join the party.

Who exactly are the premier foreign prospects in the 2015? We broke down the studs most likely to get drafted and ranked them by how highly they're likely to be selected.

7. Andzejs Pasecniks, Latvia PF/C

Vitals: 18 years, 7'1", 220 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Riga, Latvia/ VEF Riga (Latvia)

2013-14 Stats: 10.6 MPG, 3.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 47% FG

Based on his height and inside-out skill set, Latvian big man Andzejs Pasecniks is an intriguing young option late in the draft.

The key word here is young.

He's just 18, so he's still figuring out how to use his towering frame on both ends of the floor. Pasecniks is far from a finished product, and he needs to polish his low-post repertoire and put on some much-needed muscle.

He's not a prolific post-up anchor, but he employs an effective turnaround baby hook and has enough length to score over most challengers. Away from the basket, Pasecniks is a competent pick-and-pop threat whose range extends out to 15-20 feet.

This developing skill set helped him stand out for Latvia at the 2013 U18 European championships, where he landed on the all-tournament team. That in and of itself is encouraging even if it doesn't automatically translate into success at the highest pro levels.

His size and shooting should compel several general managers to take a flier on him, as he could be a decent frontcourt contributor in the rotation. Someone could pluck him as early as the start of the second round.

6. Mouhammadou Jaiteh, France PF/C

Vitals: 19 years, 6'11", 249 lbs, 7'4" wingspan

Hometown/Club Team: Pantin, France/ Nanterre (France)

2013-14 Stats: 16.7 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 4.3 PPG, 50% FG

France has produced some successful NBA big men in recent years, and Mouhammadou Jaiteh hopes to be the next.

At the very least, he's a physical specimen who can clean up rebounds and convert close-range opportunities in traffic. He owns a strong frame and a startling 7'4" wingspan, both of which help compensate for his mediocre athleticism.

Jaiteh has progressed as a scorer on the low block. While his bag of tricks remains limited, his simple set of moves and touch off the glass have become more polished.

Despite his relative lack of springs, Jaiteh has visibly improved his foot speed in recent months, and that's something he believes he can continue to upgrade:

"I think I can improve on my explosiveness, to be more quick," Jaiteh told FIBA.

He's been on the draft radar for a couple of years, but let's remember he's still a teenager. Jaiteh is an early second-round investment who could pay huge dividends as a dependable interior role player.

5. Kenan Sipahi, Kosovo PG

Vitals: 19 years, 6'6", 180 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Pristina, Kosovo/ Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey)

2013-14 Stats: 12.7 MPG, 2.7 PPG, 1.1 APG, 52% FG, 36% 3FG

Kenan Sipahi's game and physical tools don't scream superstar, but he could be a key part of an NBA team's backcourt in the near future.

He already possesses two of the most valuable traits a point guard can have—length and vision.

During the 2013 U18 European championships, he led Turkey to the gold medal and won MVP honors with five-plus assists per game. He's adept at weaving through defenses, drawing their attention and dishing to cutting teammates.

Sipahi's playmaking ability and terrific sense of timing will serve him well in pick-and-rolls in the NBA, and his long arms will allow him to force turnovers as a defender.

When it comes to scoring, Sipahi isn't always assertive or efficient, but the shot-making ability is there.

He's not going to enjoy overwhelming production or nightly highlights in the NBA. However, his passing and creativity off the bench will catch many opponents off guard. He could be a regular shot in the arm for his club as a dynamic reserve.

4. Marc Garcia, Spain SG

Vitals: 18 years, 6'6", 180 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Manresa, Spain/ Manresa (ACB)

FIBA U18 Stats: 31.9 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 1.4 SPG, 33% FG, 38% 3FG

What Marc Garcia lacks in explosive athleticism or strength, he makes up for with craftiness and deft scoring touch.

Spain's slender wing is an accomplished outside shooter, moves extremely well without the ball and can connect from a variety of spots on the floor.

Although he won't stand out athletically in the Association, he's got enough foot speed and agility to break free for shots via cuts and off of the dribble.

Sam Vecenie of UpsideMotor.com talked about Garcia's in-between game:

"Garcia has very fluid hips and excellent shiftiness for a player with somewhat limited athleticism," said Vecenie. "This allows him to create space for himself and get his shot in midrange, which seems to be his favored region of the floor."

Can he score through traffic in the paint? Can he defend respectably? Those are significant concerns for the budding star, but his offensive dexterity and smooth shooting are a good and intriguing first step toward finding out what he can be. Garcia has a chance to be a productive third scoring option as a swingman.

3. Ilimane Diop, Senegal C

Vitals: 19 years, 6'11", 225 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Medina Gouna, Senegal/ Laboral Kutxa (ACB)

2013-14 Stats: 9.1 MPG, 2.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 53% FG

Despite his limited role and impact in Spain's top pro league, Senegalese big man Ilimane Diop has turned some heads with his length and impact around the hoop.

At this point, he's too raw and slender to operate in isolation as he's not the type of player you can feed in the post and expect scoring production. Instead, he earns his keep by moving in concert with his teammates, cutting at the right time and feasting off of pick-and-roll opportunities.

Robert White of Prospect Next praised the prospect's court awareness, noting that he has a "good basketball IQ and feel for the game." White added that Diop "appears to a great grasp of complicated offensive sets. Rarely disrupts spacing or teammates’ driving lanes."

His footwork will continue to improve, and so will his already ambidextrous finishing skills.

The only major concern surrounding his value is his lack of girth and strength in the middle. Will he be able to battle for position on defense and score through contact on the other end?

Depending on his 2014-15 season, he could rise as high middle of the first round. He won't shoulder a heavy load offensively in the NBA, yet his ranginess and mobility could make him a key backup center.

2. Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia PF

Vitals: 19 years, 7'0", 220 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Ventspils, Latvia/ Cajasol (ACB)

2013-14 Stats: 15.2 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 47% FG, 30% 3FG

Outside of Kentucky's Karl Towns, Kristaps Porzingis is the best stretch 4 in the 2015 draft.

The lanky Latvian shows superb shooting motion and range for someone his age and size. He can connect from the international line, and within a couple of years, his fluid delivery will cash in from NBA range.

Right now, the 7-footer is a predominantly perimeter-oriented forward. He can attack closeouts off the bounce and hit the occasional mid-post turnaround, but he's mostly a fast-break dunker or an outside shooter.

The good news is he's got tangible potential to become a pick-and-roll threat, solid rebounder and proficient low-post defender. His length and mobility will serve him well in protecting the ring.

Before Porzingis backed out of the 2014 draft, Kevin O'Connor of CelticsBlog.com said defense may in fact be his most valuable asset entering the Association: "It's actually his All-NBA defensive potential that should elevate his stock."

If he improves his shooting percentage and becomes a more consistent rebounder, he'll be too tempting to slip past the top ten selections. You can't overlook a possible star.

1. Mario Hezonja, Croatia SG

Vitals: 19 years, 6'8", 200 lbs

Hometown/Club Team: Dubrovnik, Croatia/ Manresa (ACB)

2013-14 Stats: 12.2 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 1.2 APG, 46% FG, 40% 3FG

Lottery teams looking for a dynamic wing will be targeting Mario Hezonja next spring. He's star material if he can harness his gifts.

Croatia's 6'8" youngster possesses an exciting blend of athleticism, shooting touch, creativity and slashing ability.

He's dangerous in the open floor, but he can also generate offense in half-court scenarios. He must learn to play smarter and operate more efficiently within his team's game plan—and when he does, he'll be a lethal offensive asset.

A nice added bonus to Hezonja's game is his promising defensive tools.

Derek Bodner of Liberty Ballers noted that he's more than a scoring specimen: "He even shows some pretty good potential as a defender, with good length, lateral mobility, and a willingness to commit himself on the defensive end in man-man situations."

Most scouting reports on the prodigy agree that Hezonja's biggest obstacle is between the ears. Draft Express video scout Mike Schmitz noted that Hezonja  "needs to improve his overall decision-making," and his "body language (is) often poor around his teammates." Once he approaches the game with greater awareness, his talent will explode.

He didn't play much for FC Barcelona or the Croatian national team in recent months, but a change of scenery might do him well.

According to @nb_generation, Hezonja will be loaned from Barcelona to fellow ACB club Manresa. The transition could showcase his abilities in a clearer fashion and serve to bolster his draft stock.

Follow Dan O'Brien for more NBA Draft coverage:

Follow @DanielO_BR