ESPN Insider
International prospects to watch in 2017
The international influence on American basketball is at an all-time high. Ben Simmons being selected No. 1 in last year’s NBA draft marked the third time in the last four years that an international player has been picked first. Nearly half of last year’s first round was comprised of players from outside the United States.
And it’s not slowing down, either.
While Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball or Josh Jackson is likely to be the No. 1 pick in June, Arizona star forward Lauri Markkanen -- a Finland native -- will go in the top 10 and is arguably the best big man in the draft. The No. 2 prospect in the 2017 class, DeAndre Ayton, is from the Bahamas. The No. 1 player in 2019, R.J. Barrett, is from Canada. Three of the top high school sophomores in the country are from outside the United States.
So who is the next international star to impact college basketball? Because players who attend high schools in the United States are eligible for ESPN's rankings, you won’t see Ayton, Barrett, Charles Bassey, Chol Marial or Simi Shittu -- all top 10 players in their respective classes -- here. These players are all playing overseas, and they could be putting on a college uniform in the near future.
Joel Ayayi, France
Perhaps the best guard prospect in this group, Ayayi is 6-foot-5, and he continues to get better at the point guard spot. He averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists at the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship, and also averaged 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament despite starting only one game. In that one game, the final, Ayayi had 19 points and six rebounds. “He’s improving at a fast pace,” one NBA scout said. “Looks the part of a legitimate NBA prospect, but a late-bloomer.” Gonzaga is reportedly involved, although he can play at the highest levels.
Oscar Da Silva, Germany
Committed to: Stanford
Stanford coach Jerod Haase had to be thrilled when Da Silva committed in late October. One college coach who has scouted Da Silva said he’s the best player in the Cardinal’s class, a group that includes ESPN 100 small forward Kezie Okpala (No. 37). “He can do a little bit of everything,” the coach said. “I really like him, a complete player. A steal.” Da Silva, a 6-foot-10 forward, put up 9.5 points and 6 rebounds per game and shot 57.5 percent at the U18 European Championship last summer. He had 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament last year.
Olivier Sarr, France
Sarr has been buzzing in recruiting circles over the last few weeks, as he’s beginning to dive into his recruitment more. The 6-foot-11 big man cut his list to California, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and UCF, and took his visits over the past few weeks.
Sarr has a very high ceiling, and scouts are very intrigued by his potential -- especially after he blocked 10 shots in 96 minutes at the U17 World Championship. “I really like his upside,” one scout said. “He’s still a work in progress, but he has a chance.”
Berke Atar, Turkey
Atar, a 7-foot center, could be the best player in this group, according to scouts. His recruitment has remained quiet, although sources told ESPN that high-major schools are certainly involved. A recent change in ownership for Atar's club team means a college decision likely won't come any time soon. “He can run the court, good low-post player, good energy,” one European scout said. “He would probably be a top-50 kid here. Not a one-and-done type, but a chance to develop into an NBA prospect.” He averaged 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds at the U17 World Championship.
Marek Dolezaj, Slovakia
Dolezaj, a 6-foot-9 forward, has also seen his recruitment pick up recently. There are a number of high-major programs recruiting Dolezaj, including Florida and Vanderbilt. “He’s an athletic, versatile, hard-playing wing,” one coach said. Dolezaj averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds at the U18 European Championship.
Yves Pons, France
Pons is closing in on a decision, according to sources. Florida is involved, and he visited Texas Tech in December, but multiple sources told ESPN that Tennessee is in good shape for the strong, 6-foot-6 wing. “He’s physically ready to play in college,” one scout said. “Strong and athletic. A couple of injuries slowed his development the last couple of years.” Pons is an athletic lefty with a high ceiling. He averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds at the 2016 U17 World Championship.
Matej Svoboda, Czech Republic
Committed to: Dayton
One of just two committed players on this list, Svoboda pledged to coach Archie Miller and Dayton two weeks ago. Scouts and coaches think the Flyers landed an immediate-impact prospect. “He has a lot of international experience,” one coach said. “Can play in any league. He's older as well, physically ready to play.” The 6-foot-7 wing was outstanding at the U20 European Championship, averaging 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from 3-point range.
Roberts Blumbergs, Latvia
Blumbergs has seen his stock rise over the last couple weeks, as he played at the National Prep School Invitational in Rhode Island recently with his GB Academy team. The 6-foot-10 big man was one of the most productive players at the U18 European Championship too, averaging 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. One NBA scout compared him to UCLA freshman forward T.J. Leaf. Creighton, Xavier, Georgia Tech and Grand Canyon are among the schools involved for Blumbergs.
Olle Lundqvist, Sweden
Lundqvist turned the heads of some NBA and European scouts with his performance at the recent U18 European Championship, averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s a 6-foot-7 prospect who just turned 17 a couple months ago. “Wing with good size,” one scout said. “Can shoot some. Knows how to play.”
Davide Moretti, Italy
Federico Mussini, the St. John’s sophomore from Italy. “[Moretti] is better,” one scout said. Moretti averaged 14.8 points and 5.0 assists at the U18 European Championship, shooting 45.7 percent from 3-point range. He also averaged 12.3 points and 2.3 assists for Treviso in Italy’s Serie A2.
Nelson Weidemann, Germany
Weidemann hasn’t decided on whether he will play college in the United States. “He is 50-50 about college,” one NBA scout said. “Waiting to see pro offers first.” Weidemann, a 6-foot-2 point guard, plays for FC Bayern Munchen II in Germany. “High-major body and skillset,” a college coach from Europe said. He averaged 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds at the U18 European Championship.
International prospects to watch in 2017
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Jeff BorzelloESPN Staff Writer
The international influence on American basketball is at an all-time high. Ben Simmons being selected No. 1 in last year’s NBA draft marked the third time in the last four years that an international player has been picked first. Nearly half of last year’s first round was comprised of players from outside the United States.
And it’s not slowing down, either.
While Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball or Josh Jackson is likely to be the No. 1 pick in June, Arizona star forward Lauri Markkanen -- a Finland native -- will go in the top 10 and is arguably the best big man in the draft. The No. 2 prospect in the 2017 class, DeAndre Ayton, is from the Bahamas. The No. 1 player in 2019, R.J. Barrett, is from Canada. Three of the top high school sophomores in the country are from outside the United States.
So who is the next international star to impact college basketball? Because players who attend high schools in the United States are eligible for ESPN's rankings, you won’t see Ayton, Barrett, Charles Bassey, Chol Marial or Simi Shittu -- all top 10 players in their respective classes -- here. These players are all playing overseas, and they could be putting on a college uniform in the near future.
Joel Ayayi, France
Perhaps the best guard prospect in this group, Ayayi is 6-foot-5, and he continues to get better at the point guard spot. He averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists at the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship, and also averaged 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament despite starting only one game. In that one game, the final, Ayayi had 19 points and six rebounds. “He’s improving at a fast pace,” one NBA scout said. “Looks the part of a legitimate NBA prospect, but a late-bloomer.” Gonzaga is reportedly involved, although he can play at the highest levels.
Oscar Da Silva, Germany
Committed to: Stanford
Stanford coach Jerod Haase had to be thrilled when Da Silva committed in late October. One college coach who has scouted Da Silva said he’s the best player in the Cardinal’s class, a group that includes ESPN 100 small forward Kezie Okpala (No. 37). “He can do a little bit of everything,” the coach said. “I really like him, a complete player. A steal.” Da Silva, a 6-foot-10 forward, put up 9.5 points and 6 rebounds per game and shot 57.5 percent at the U18 European Championship last summer. He had 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament last year.
Olivier Sarr, France
Sarr has been buzzing in recruiting circles over the last few weeks, as he’s beginning to dive into his recruitment more. The 6-foot-11 big man cut his list to California, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and UCF, and took his visits over the past few weeks.
Sarr has a very high ceiling, and scouts are very intrigued by his potential -- especially after he blocked 10 shots in 96 minutes at the U17 World Championship. “I really like his upside,” one scout said. “He’s still a work in progress, but he has a chance.”
Berke Atar, Turkey
Atar, a 7-foot center, could be the best player in this group, according to scouts. His recruitment has remained quiet, although sources told ESPN that high-major schools are certainly involved. A recent change in ownership for Atar's club team means a college decision likely won't come any time soon. “He can run the court, good low-post player, good energy,” one European scout said. “He would probably be a top-50 kid here. Not a one-and-done type, but a chance to develop into an NBA prospect.” He averaged 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds at the U17 World Championship.
Marek Dolezaj, Slovakia
Dolezaj, a 6-foot-9 forward, has also seen his recruitment pick up recently. There are a number of high-major programs recruiting Dolezaj, including Florida and Vanderbilt. “He’s an athletic, versatile, hard-playing wing,” one coach said. Dolezaj averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds at the U18 European Championship.
Yves Pons, France
Pons is closing in on a decision, according to sources. Florida is involved, and he visited Texas Tech in December, but multiple sources told ESPN that Tennessee is in good shape for the strong, 6-foot-6 wing. “He’s physically ready to play in college,” one scout said. “Strong and athletic. A couple of injuries slowed his development the last couple of years.” Pons is an athletic lefty with a high ceiling. He averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds at the 2016 U17 World Championship.
Matej Svoboda, Czech Republic
Committed to: Dayton
One of just two committed players on this list, Svoboda pledged to coach Archie Miller and Dayton two weeks ago. Scouts and coaches think the Flyers landed an immediate-impact prospect. “He has a lot of international experience,” one coach said. “Can play in any league. He's older as well, physically ready to play.” The 6-foot-7 wing was outstanding at the U20 European Championship, averaging 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from 3-point range.
Roberts Blumbergs, Latvia
Blumbergs has seen his stock rise over the last couple weeks, as he played at the National Prep School Invitational in Rhode Island recently with his GB Academy team. The 6-foot-10 big man was one of the most productive players at the U18 European Championship too, averaging 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. One NBA scout compared him to UCLA freshman forward T.J. Leaf. Creighton, Xavier, Georgia Tech and Grand Canyon are among the schools involved for Blumbergs.
Olle Lundqvist, Sweden
Lundqvist turned the heads of some NBA and European scouts with his performance at the recent U18 European Championship, averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s a 6-foot-7 prospect who just turned 17 a couple months ago. “Wing with good size,” one scout said. “Can shoot some. Knows how to play.”
Davide Moretti, Italy
Federico Mussini, the St. John’s sophomore from Italy. “[Moretti] is better,” one scout said. Moretti averaged 14.8 points and 5.0 assists at the U18 European Championship, shooting 45.7 percent from 3-point range. He also averaged 12.3 points and 2.3 assists for Treviso in Italy’s Serie A2.
Nelson Weidemann, Germany
Weidemann hasn’t decided on whether he will play college in the United States. “He is 50-50 about college,” one NBA scout said. “Waiting to see pro offers first.” Weidemann, a 6-foot-2 point guard, plays for FC Bayern Munchen II in Germany. “High-major body and skillset,” a college coach from Europe said. He averaged 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds at the U18 European Championship.
