NBA Draft 2011: Enes Kanter and the Top 5 International Players
Some of the top prospects in the 2011 NBA Draft are international players that will soon be taking their talents to America—none bigger then Turkey's Enes Kanter.
There could be as many as seven international players taken on draft night, showing how Basketball has truly become an international sport.
With the 2011 NBA Draft set to kick off in three days, it's time to rank the top five international players that could soon become household names in the NBA.
5. PF/C Donatas Montiejunas (Lithuania)
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NBA Comparison: Andrea Bargnani
Standing a solid 7'0", Donatas Montiejunas brings a unique skill-set to the NBA.
Donatas can score inside and out while being able to run fluently in the open court. Donatas takes the last spot on this list because I question has he will adjust to the physical style of play in the NBA.
Montiejunas will most likely be taken during the middle of the first round, with the Utah Jazz looking like a possible landing spot at pick No. 12.
4.PF/C Bismack Biyombo (Congo)
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NBA Comparison: Ben Wallace
Bismack Biyombo is my favorite of all the international prospects, with such raw potential he's hard not to like.
At 6'9" and 240 pounds, Biyombo could be a monster at the power forward or center position. In only 17 minutes per game last year, Biyombo averaged over two blocks and five rebounds.
Bismack's offensive game is a work in progress, but there is nothing wrong with having a defensive specialist that you can count on to do the dirty work down low.
3. SF Jan Vesley (Czech Republic)
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NBA Comparison: Andrei Kirilenko
Jan Vesley is a versatile talent as he can play either the Small or Power-forward positions. His 6'11" 240-pound frame makes him a tough matchup for opposing defenders.
Vesley averaged over 10 points per game last year while playing in the Adriatic league, and he should transition nicely into the NBA just off of his athletic ability alone.
If Vesley can continue to improve his offensive repertoire, he could be a dominate NBA Forward in the coming years.
2. C Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania)
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NBA Comparison: Joakim Noah
At only 19 years of age, Jonas Valanciunas could eventually grown into a true 7'0" player, as he is already listed at 6'11".
Jonas looks to be a double/double type player in the NBA, demonstrating great rebounding ability and nice touch on 10-foot jumpers.
It would be a bit of a shocker if Valanciunas dropped passed the Detroit Pistons at eight.
1. C Enes Kanter (Turkey)
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NBA Comparison: Kevin Love
Enes Kanter is the top-ranked International player in the 2011 NBA draft.
The 6'11" 260-pound 19-year-old center from Turkey should be the first of the International player taken in the draft.
Despite not being able to gauge how good Kanter really is, (ruled ineligible by the NCAA last year) the big body center screams big time post player.
Though nothing is for certain, it seems the furthest Kanter could drop on draft night is pick No. 4 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
