2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down Future of Turkey's Furkan Korkmaz

Limited playing time and overseas production won't keep NBA teams from showing interest in Furkan Korkmaz. Scouts have ultimately had the opportunity to watch him since 2013, from the under-16 European Championships to last summer's under-19 World Championships, where he averaged 13.7 points in 24.2 minutes on 45.2 percent shooting from three. 

He's played the last two years against pros in Euroleague and the Turkish Basketball Super League with Anadolu Efes, who dresses former draft-and-stash NBA talents Dario Saric and Cedi Osman.

And despite receiving so few reps relative to college freshmen, he's still managed to put together enough flashes and a strong first-round case for the 2016 NBA draft.

Just 18 years old, Korkmaz is more likely to be viewed by teams as a stash candidate and long-term investment.

Relevant Stats

	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	FG%	3PT%	ORtg	Usage
BSL	14.4	6.0	1.7	0.8	0.2	.500	.452	124.3	17.5
Euroleague	8.8	2.7	0.9	0.5	0.1	.391	.423	103.6	16.1

Teams aren't likely to get carried away with Korkmaz's stats, given his small role and sample size. But they should put stock in his long-range efficiency, given the consistency he's demonstrated and the NBA value tied to shooting. 

Korkmaz's sales pitch starts with his 44.3 percent three-point clip, which he's earned by converting at least 41 percent of his triples in both the BSL and Euroleague. He did the same thing a year ago. 

Playing just  12.1 minutes per game combined, there was only so much scoring Korkmaz could generate. He averaged just 4.6 points or 15.2 per 40 minutes. 

The teenage Turkish wing fared much better inside the arc during BSL play, having hit 56.9 percent on two-pointers, a big difference from the 35 percent he shot in Euroleague (though it only came on 20 attempts). 

Strengths 

STR/Getty Images

Though there isn't an official height measurement for Korkmaz, he's mostly listed around 6'7", which would be fine size for a projected 2-guard or wing, give or take an inch. 

The bigger draw, however, is his bounce. Winner of the BSL's slam dunk contest, Korkmaz effortlessly skies off one foot when given a runway to take off from. 

He projects as an asset in transition capable of converting open-floor situations into easy finishes. 

Combine that size and athleticism with a tested shooting stroke, and it's no wonder why the NBA buzz hasn't faded while he rides the bench. In 156 games dating back to 2013, between FIBA play and pro league competition, he's shot 182-of-465 (39.1 percent) from downtown.

Korkmaz sports a high release with a sweet followthrough. He keeps the ball up in catch-and-shoot situations and doesn't need much room to let it fly. More than just a spot-up target, he also knocks down jumpers off escape dribbles, pump fakes and rhythm pull-ups around the arc. 

Though not a playmaker, his handle is advanced to the point where he can navigate off ball screens and capitalize on hard closeouts with drives. Korkmaz can also create space or even shake defenders with crossovers.

He isn't a big scorer in the paint, but he's intelligent enough to make the right play once there, whether it's by kicking it out or tossing up a floater. Strong basketball IQ certainly factors into the appeal as a potential high-end support weapon. 

Weaknesses   

He's one of the youngest draft-eligible prospects, so it's not a major red flag, but Korkmaz is awfully skinny (listed at 170 pounds). And that hurts his defensive outlook.

Does he play low enough to the ground to guard NBA 2-guards?

He doesn't look strong enough to match up with NBA small forwards. And though he gets lift on jumps off momentum, he lacks explosiveness in traffic or out of triple-threat position. Korkmaz almost never gets to the line, having taken just 15 free-throw attempts in 44 total games this season. 

He's likely to rely heavily on his jumper and transition opportunities for offense. 

NBA Comparisons

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Marco Belinelli 

Like Belinelli, Korkmaz projects as a perimeter scorer that can play off the ball or step into two-point jumpers. And they each use transition as another avenue for offense. 

Belinelli was never used as a creator. He carved out a career for himself by complementing what's around him. Korkmaz's role as a supporting shot-maker should be similar. 

Devin Booker 

Just like Booker did, Korkmaz will enter the draft viewed as arguably the best shooter in the class. They each share similar size, above-the-rim springs and jumpers likely to carry them as pros. 

Both are natural-born scorers, despite neither being flashy one-on-one players. Korkmaz will look to replicate the success Booker has had capitalizing on open driving lanes, ball screens and any space to rise and fire.

Nik Stauskas

It hasn't exactly worked out for Stauskas through two seasons, but Korkmaz does share similar strengths and weaknesses, including size for the position, limited strength, leaping ability, dangerous shooting and some ball-handling and passing skills. 

This current version of Stauskas would seem like a worst-case comparison.

Best-Case Scenario 

Given his size and hops for the position, along with his stunning track record from long range, Korkmaz seemingly has the chance to become one of the game's more threatening shot-makers. 

Without much bulk or explosiveness, it's difficult to envision his ceiling rising too high though. In a best-case scenario, we're likely looking at a quality starter.

Worst-Case Scenario

Korkmaz's floor bottoms out at low-end reserve. If all else fails, his shooting and bounce should help keep his head above water.

But if it turns out he's a defensive liability who doesn't put pressure on the rim by attacking, he'd probably have to become an elite sniper to justify starter minutes. And as impressive as he's been from outside, there are never any guarantees. Just look at Stauskas, who's shot 32.5 percent on threes as a pro after making at least 44 percent of his triples each year at Michigan.

Prediction

In the likelihood Korkmaz is viewed as a stash, teams with multiple first-round picks (Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets) seem like reasonable suitors. He should ultimately go top 20, given the lack of obvious NCAA talent and the need for shooting guard upgrades across the league. 

I've bought into his athleticism, jumper, scoring instincts and intelligence translating, whether he develops into a mid-tier starter or settles in as a serviceable reserve.