The 2025 NBA Draft international pool is unusually thin, featuring just 15 eligible prospects, one of the smallest groups in recent history due to the combined impact of NIL incentives and extended NCAA eligibility from COVID-19. Yet despite limited numbers, this class offers intriguing talent with significant upside. We are excluding international players like Egor Demin or Kasparas Jakucionis that played in the NCAA, this is only for overseas prospect.

Frenchman Noa Essengue has scouts excited with his athleticism, defensive potential, and flashes reminiscent of a young Josh Smith or for others it’s Pascal Siakam. Fellow countryman to Essengue, the man with a 7-5 wingspan, Joan Beringer polarizes evaluators with impressive physical tools but raw offensive skills, making him an ideal high-upside stash candidate.

France continues its strong run of guard talent with Nolan Traore, whose improved playmaking and creativity with his hot shooting to end the year elevated his stock. Meanwhile, Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez could become an immediate rotation wing if he develops more consistent aggressiveness.

Hidden gems like Serbia’s Bogoljub Markovic offer mature versatility, while intriguing developmental prospects such as Spain’s Izan Almansa and China’s Hansen Yang represent exciting long-term investments. Though limited in numbers, this international group could deliver significant NBA impact in the coming years.

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Best rank: 8 / Worst rank: 21

Agent: LIFT

2024–25 stats: 10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 bpg, 0.9 spg, 51.0% FG, 22.5% 3P in 40 games

Essengue has scouts buzzing thanks to his length, athleticism, and intriguing ball-handling potential. He’s drawn comparisons to a leaner Josh Smith with his motor and flashes of versatility. Although still developing his shot, Essengue’s defensive upside and energy could make him an impactful NBA forward. Essengue might have the biggest “boom-or-bust” potential as some scouts think he can be a potential All-Star while others see a role player.

More: Noa Essengue: NBA draft scouting report and intel

ABA League – Filip Barbalic

Best rank: 12 / Worst rank: 26

Agent: Wasserman

2024–25 stats: 4.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.5 spg, 1.4 bpg, 61.0% FG, 0.0% 3P in 57 games

Opinions on Beringer vary widely, some scouts love his physical tools and rim protection, while others question his NBA-ready skills. He’s a classic high-upside stash candidate, with enough length, strength, and defensive instincts to potentially blossom into a long-term rotation piece if developed patiently. Beringer measured in with a near 7-5 wingspan that has scouts salivating at a potential Dereck Lively-Yves Missi rimrunning big man.

More: Joan Beringer: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 10 / Worst rank: 27

Agent: Wasserman

2024–25 stats: 11.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.8 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.1 bpg, 40.2% FG, 29.2% 3P in 38 games

Traore has shed the early season “overhyped” label thanks to improved playmaking and creativity. Scouts in France rave about his innovative passing and court vision. While shooting consistency remains a concern, his ability to orchestrate offense makes him a compelling late-first option. Traore has a high floor to be an offensive-minded point along the lines of a DJ Augustin.

More: Nolan Traoré: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: ProMondo

2024–25 stats: 3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.2 spg, 0.3 bpg, 41.1% FG, 29.4% 3P in 59 games

Gonzalez has an NBA-ready frame and solid feel for the game, but scouts want to see him assert himself more consistently. His passive tendencies hold him back offensively, but if he unlocks his jumper and aggressiveness, he’s a plug-and-play rotation wing with two-way potential. Gonzalez needs to becom more poise and decisive when attacking on both ends to take his game to the next level.

More: Hugo Gonzalez: NBA draft scouting report and intel

Noah Penda s’installe en Betclic ELITE avec Le Mans

Best rank: 22 / Worst rank: 35

Agent: 360

2024–25 stats: 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.9 bpg, 43.4% FG, 31.8% 3P in 29 games

Flying somewhat under the radar, Penda is gaining attention as a versatile two-way combo forward. He’s highly praised for his character and willingness to compete, making him a great developmental candidate. With further improvement of his skill set, he could become a valuable NBA contributor. Penda has an NBA-ready body and contributed to a team that was filled with grown-men years older than him in France.

More: Noah Penda: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 20 / Worst rank: 35

Agent: CAA

2024–25 stats: 12.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.3 bpg, 45.3% FG, 28.7% 3P in 44 games

A seasoned international guard, Saraf is known for his creativity and poise in running an offense. While his three-point shooting needs work, his polished feel and playmaking instincts provide upside as a reliable second-unit facilitator. Saraf potential is higher as a large lead guard rather than an average sized combo guard with point guard skills.

More: Ben Saraf: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 31 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Excel

2024–25 stats: 14.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 55.1% FG, 41.0% 3P in 30 games

Markovic might be the hidden gem teams are searching for a four that can pass-dribble-shoot similarly to an Santi Aldama. He is our sleeper for this draft as someone that will probably outplay their draft position. A mature, versatile big man who can stretch the floor, move the ball, and fit seamlessly into different systems, scouts admire his European professionalism and ability to play within a team-first structure. Markovic may be able to play 3-5 in the NBA if he bulks up and proves he can defend.

More: Bogoljub Markovic: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 34 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Lighthouse

2024–25 stats: 11.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.8 bpg, 46.5% FG, 34.0% 3P in 32 games

With a high basketball IQ and excellent positional versatility, Toohey fits the mold of a modern NBA forward. His shooting and secondary playmaking could help him become a rotation-caliber player in the Georges Niang vein, offering value as a complementary piece on a competitive team. Toohey competes hard on both ends and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to help his team win.

More: Alex Toohey: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 33 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Klutch

2024–25 stats: 16.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.8 bpg, 59.3% FG, 29.1% 3P in 52 games

Yang’s massive frame and shot-blocking prowess make him an intriguing project. Though his mobility and overall polish require significant work, teams willing to be patient could be rewarded with a legitimate rim protector who also offers floor-spacing potential. Yang could stick as a reserve big who is a floor spacing, shot blocker with some passing chops to help a second unit.

More: Hansen Yang: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 38 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: ProMondo

2024–25 stats: 4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.3 spg, 0.7 bpg, 50.0% FG, 20.0% 3P in 20 games

Scouts feel Zikarsky’s impact goes beyond box scores, highlighting his impressive agility at 7-3 and potential as a rim protector. Though stats haven’t fully caught up to his film, he’s an intriguing upside swing for a team willing to develop him slowly. Zikarsky is a massive human, and seems to have similar archetype as of Donovan Clingan which is worth a second round flier.

More: Rocco Zikarsky: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 53 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Gersh

2024–25 stats: 7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.4 spg, 0.3 bpg, 52.0% FG, 30.4% 3P in 36 games

Almansa brings an unmatched international pedigree, earning MVP honors at multiple FIBA youth championships. His rebounding instincts and soft touch around the basket stand out, but NBA execs remain split on his defensive mobility and rim protection at the next level. Almansa has a lot of things that he can do but nothing that stands out, he will need to be a specialist at the next level.

More: Izan Almansa: NBA draft scouting report and intel

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Best rank: 45 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Roc Nation

2024–25 stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.1 bpg, 41.0% FG, 26.0% 3P in 34 games

Pate’s blend of size, athleticism, and versatility as a swingman has scouts intrigued. His professional experience with Mexico City provides maturity, but questions remain about his shooting consistency and whether his tools will fully translate in NBA systems. Pate could be worth a second flier as a 6-8 scoring wing in the same vein of Rodney Hood.

More: Dink Pate: NBA draft scouting report and intel

Cholet Basket

Best rank: 45 / Worst rank: NR

Agent: Roc Nation

2024–25 stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.1 bpg, 41.0% FG, 26.0% 3P in 34 games

Diawara offers intriguing physical tools, showcasing flashes of high-level athleticism and defensive versatility. Still raw offensively, he’ll require time and patience, but his combination of length, quickness, and effort could earn him NBA minutes down the line. Diawara might be a draft-and-stash candidate for teams that aren’t trying to have their second-round pick come overseas yet.

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