The 5 International 2015 NBA Draft Prospects Every Fan Needs to Know
Compared to previous years, the 2015 NBA draft could have a distinctly American feel.
Most scouts see three international studs in this class, each of whom can—and probably will—come off the board within the first 10 picks. But beyond that talented trio, the international ranks hold more mystery than anything.
And it might not have another first-round pick in the punch.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford only has three international players going in the first round of his most recent mock draft. Both Draft Express and NBADraft.net have the same number in theirs. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman has four coming off the board in the opening round.
There's quality at the top, but this class lacks quantity.
That being said, there are still a number of international prospects worth watching. The following players—who have been ranked on talent, potential and likely draft order—are all names NBA fans should get familiar with leading up to the June 25 draft.
Honorable Mention: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1 of 6
Age: 19
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 200 pounds
2014-15 Stats (China): 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 31.5 minutes
Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is well traveled for a person of any age, let alone a 19-year-old. He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raised in Texas and spent this past season with China's Guangdong Southern Tigers.
As a high school phenom at Dallas' Prime Prep Academy (the reason Mudiay holds honorable mention status here), he was the No. 5 player in ESPN's top 100 of the 2014 class. His NBA stock has apparently increased since, as Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked Mudiay fourth on his most recent big board.
"He's an above-the-rim athlete with mismatch size and strength for a ball-handler," Wasserman wrote. "And he's lightning-quick off the dribble, where he can change direction and slip through gaps to break down defenses. Mudiay also has a strong feel out of pick-and-rolls, both as a scorer and table setter."
Mudiay's athleticism ranks off the charts. He can torch a defense at any level—exploding off the dribble, overwhelming smaller guards in the post, powering through contact or finishing over the top. But just because he can get to the rim at will doesn't mean he'll force his attacks. He's an advanced playmaker, who can spot both streaking teammates in the open floor or open shooters in the corners.
He needs to improve all aspects of his shot: form, selection and accuracy. He can run into trouble when he tries to do too much, which can lead to turnover issues.
But he has far more strengths than weaknesses. And his experience in China—which was disrupted by an ankle injury—could make for a smooth transition to the big league.
"Will Bynum, Jeff Adrien, Stephon Marbury, Al Harrington, Willie Warren, all of the players I was playing against told me what to expect in the league," Mudiay told Scout.com's Evan Daniels. "They've been there and played there. I played against a lot of NBA players and it got the best out of me."
Mudiay's ceiling is as high as any player's in this draft. He shouldn't slip past the No. 4 pick (held by the New York Knicks) and could go as early as second (to the Los Angeles Lakers).
5. Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, France
2 of 6
Age: 20
Height: 6'10.5"
Weight: 247 pounds
2014-15 Stats (France): 11.6 points, 59.8 field-goal percentage, 6.5 rebounds, 22.6 minutes
French big man Mouhammadou Jaiteh has been on the NBA radar for a while. And that's pretty impressive considering his 21st birthday isn't coming until November.
He originally tossed his hat into the 2013 draft, via Draft Express' Jonathan Givony, and he looks better off now for the seasoning he's added since. Though still a bit raw, Jaiteh nearly averaged a double-double during his two scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine (11 points, 9.5 rebounds) while shooting 61.5 percent from the field.
He's not the most explosive athlete by any stretch, but he still brings strength, length (7'3.25" wingspan), skills and soft hands to the table. Defense is a concern, as he's not the fleetest of foot guarding the pick-and-roll.
But you can't teach his size. And it's scary to think how he'll make the most of it as he gains a better understanding of the game.
"Jaiteh is arguably the best player on the second-best team in France," wrote CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie. "... It wouldn't be a surprise if this solidly built center got some looks in the late first round."
Jaiteh looks like an intriguing draft-and-stash candidate. That probably pushes him into the second round, but he'll hear his name called at some point.
4. George De Paula, PG, Brazil
3 of 6
Age: 18
Height: 6'5.5"
Weight: 197 pounds
2014-15 Stats (Brazil): 2.5 points, 0.7 assists, 0.7 rebounds, 4.3 minutes
Brazilian point guard George de Paula (who also goes by George Lucas) is a freak.
And that's a good thing. The 18-year-old (he'll turn 19 on May 24) sports terrific size for his position and has the wingspan of a prehistoric predator (7'0"). At the combine, de Paula had the second-longest hands (9.5") and the third-widest ones (10.5").
His physical gifts—combined with the possibility he might not be finished growing yet—are easily his best selling point. But they aren't all that he can offer to a potential employer.
"De Paula's strengths are his size, playmaking ability and ability to penetrate," wrote Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy. "... He is also getting better at taking advantage of his size and length, and he displayed his versatility and defensive potential at the combine by guarding multiple positions."
De Paula has a great feel for the game, particularly for his age. He can play at different speeds, either flying out on the fast break or navigating half-court sets. He reads the floor well and possesses the creativity needed to maximize the impact of his court vision.
He's also a project pick in every sense of the term. Time is on his side, but he has a ton of growing still to do. His shot needs a lot of work, and his age tends to show itself at the defensive end.
But this league loves the things he already has: size, length and a wealth of potential. The long-term reward might be worth the immediate risk—even if that risk is a late first-round pick.
3. Cedi Osman, SG/SF, Macedonia
4 of 6Age: 20
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 190 pounds
2014-15 Stats (Euroleague): 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 19.3 minutes
Macedonian swingman Cedi Osman has a pretty big knock against him today's pace-and-space league.
He isn't much of a shooter.
But if teams feel like they can figure out his awkward stroke, they'll find there a ton of other things to like about him.
"He's a very good basketball player," one Western Conference executive told NBA.com's David Aldridge. "Can really defend. Decent athlete. Has a good basketball IQ."
A very good basketball player with a good basketball IQ. How's that for a promising start? Now consider this—Osman has enough talent to play anywhere on the perimeter. He has tight handles, a knack for making plays and a willingness to share the rock.
He's versatile enough that teams could either view him as a massive point guard or a skilled secondary creator on the wing. And while he'll probably never be an elite defender, he has the athleticism to guard multiple positions.
Those shooting woes are concerning (athleticism alone couldn't help former lottery pick Jan Vesely carve out an NBA career), but some club will see Osman as a worthwhile developmental project in either the late first or early second round.
2. Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
5 of 6Age: 20
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 200 pounds
2014-15 Stats (Euroleague): 7.7 points, 38.2 three-point percentage, 2.0 rebounds, 16.5 minutes
If an NBA team has any sort of offensive itch on the perimeter, there's a good chance Croatia's Mario Hezonja can scratch it.
The potential top-10 pick boasts a deep bag of offensive tricks.
"If opponents don't stick to him, he'll light up the scoreboard with a string of triples," wrote Bleacher Report's Dan O'Brien. "If they overplay his shooting, he can slash or cut past them and besiege the hoop. As a bonus, his pick-and-roll facilitation improved noticeably in 2014-15."
In other words, Hezonja brings a little of everything to the offensive end.
He has good size and athleticism, both of which allow him to create scoring chances and, more importantly, convert them. He can shred nets from distance, and his high release point helps him pull the trigger even when he's defended well. His quick first step can power him past the defense, and his athleticism makes him a prime target in transition and on off-ball cuts.
Defense is probably his biggest weakness, but he doesn't run into many problems at that end when he's fully engaged. Still, that means his motor isn't always running at full capacity.
"He tends to run very hot and very cold in terms of his intensity as his worst moments are just as glaring as his best ones," wrote Draft Express' Matt Kamalsky. "The question is, in a long 82-game season...will he feel the desire to get in a stance and compete at max intensity on every possession?"
Hezonja's shooting alone should help him make an impact out of the gate, and he has the potential to grow out of a specialist's role in short order. He won't be waiting long to find out his NBA destination.
1. Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Latvia
6 of 6Age: 19
Height: 7'1"
Weight: 220 pounds
2014-15 Stats (Spain): 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 21.7 minutes
You can count the number of the NBA's shot-blocking and three-point shooting bigs on one hand.
One finger actually. For now, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka has a monopoly on the league's three-and-D big-man market. But Latvia's Kristaps Porzingis looks ready to crash Ibaka's one-man party.
"Kristaps has a [Dirk] Nowitzki-like offensive skill set," Porzingis' Sevilla (Spain) teammate and former NBA player Derrick Byars told Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears. "He's 7'1", can shoot, can put the ball on the floor, can block shots, he's mobile and athletic."
That's a drool-worthy scouting report if we've ever read one.
Porzingis is a sniper from distance. He shoots well whether he's on the move or spotting up. And his shot is almost impossible to contest thanks to his size, quick trigger and high release point.
He's also working to expand his Nowitzki-esque arsenal of fade-away and turn-around jumpers in the mid-range. The fluidity of Porzingis' footwork made one general manager compare him to a young Pau Gasol, via ESPN.com's Chad Ford.
But unlike his plodding NBA comparisons, Porzingis complements his skills with tremendous athleticism. He can play above the rim—changing shots or throwing down dunks—like Ibaka, though Porzingis needs to strengthen his wiry frame in order to become a true defensive force.
Size still matters in today's game, especially if it comes with versatility and a three-point shot. Porzingis has all of the above and the very real possibility of becoming a top-five pick.
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