NBA Player Previews: How the International Players Picked First Round Will Do

International prospects have largely been boom or bust in the NBA; for every Dirk Nowitzki, there are numerous busts in the mold of Darko Milicic. Still, foreign prospects have the experience playing in pro divisions in Europe and Asia that gives them an edge over their collegiate counterparts.  The recent NBA draft featured six foreigners drafted in the first round, most of whom are seen as high risk-high reward type of players whose potential to become big players in the league we preview.

Enes Kanter (Utah Jazz)

The Turkish big man is a bit of an unknown.  Ineligible to play under
Calipari at Kentucky, Kanter was unable to display his impressive skill set at the collegiate level.  Kanter was highly regarded due to his tremendous upside and NBA-ready body at 6’11" and 250 lbs. 

His feel for the game far exceeds his age, and despite being only 20 years old, he has already built an impressive resume at the international level.  Although it's his frame that catches the eye, there is no doubt Kanter is a smooth player with sound fundamentals.  Kanter will need to adjust to the more physical game of the NBA, but he is capable of putting up solid numbers as a rookie.  Look for Kanter to pair well with Devin Harris and realize his potential from the start.

Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors)

Seen as more of a long-term project than the slightly more polished Kanter, Valanciunas possesses a fluid game with tons of raw athleticism.  Although he needs to add more bulk to his relatively thin frame, Valanciunas is an exciting athlete capable of running the floor and finishing in transition.  An excellent pick-and-roll finisher thanks to his soft hands and impressive motor, Valanciunas should thrive after a few years of development. 

Some scouts worry that his transition to the NBA could mirror that of Yi Jianlian and his progression could stall. However, should Raptors new head coach Dwane Casey bring him along slowly and allow him to improve his one-on-one and back-to-the-basket offense, Valanciunas could develop into a cornerstone of the Raptors offense.  At only 19, fans should temper
expectations for the young Lithuanian in his rookie year but be cautiously optimistic for the future.

Jan Vesely (Washington Wizards)

The most athletic of the bunch, Vesely has an incredible collection of highlight reel dunks.  

Incredibly efficient in transition and post ups, Vesely will pair excellently with point guard John Wall, who will be able to push the tempo.  Needing to improve his spot-up capabilities and ball handling—Vesely was surprisingly turnover prone despite little usage—Vesely should contribute immediately in the open floor but will need to continue to develop in other aspects. 

Paired with one of the most explosive point guards, Vesely and Wall will provide a tantalizing partnership that should breathe life into the once uninspiring Washington Wizards franchise.  Much like Valanciunas, Vesely relies on his long frame to be an imposing defender in off ball and shot blocking situations.

Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte Bobcats)

Compared by many to Ben Wallace, Bismack Biyombo already possesses one of the most intimidating defensive skillsets of any player in the NBA.  Despite his somewhat small 6’9" height, Biyombo’s 7’7" wingspan gives him insane reach and ability to block and alter shots in the paint. 

Playing in perhaps the second best pro division in the world during his time in Spain, Biyombo led the league in blocked shots and was near the top in rebounds. A fiery competitor, Biyombo’s tenaciousness will serve him well on the offensive end, finishing in transition and offensive rebound situations.  Look for Biyombo to get substantial minutes for his defensive contributions alone, and will be able to become a focal point on a young Charlotte Bobcats team.

Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Despite being drafted in 2009, the Spaniard has yet to play a single minute in the NBA as he looked to polish his game in Europe before being called over to the States.  Rubio possesses an incredibly smooth game, producing some awe-inspiring passes that have already impressed Timberwolves fans desperate for him to transform their team. 

Highly regarded as one of the best European guard prospects ever, Rubio’s flair and undeniable talent brought him worldwide acclaim and attention when he was as young as 16.  Leading Spain to a silver medal and two gold medals in international competitions, Rubio’s game revolves around pass-first tendencies and is one of the most pure point guards to come to the NBA. 

Compared by some to Steve Nash, Rubio’s assist totals will most likely exceed his point totals until he develops a more consistent range.  Along with a young core of Derrick Williams and Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio should add another dimension to Minnesota and make
them an enticing and exciting team as they mature.