Foreign players to watch in the NBA Draft

This is exactly what David Stern envisioned when he made efforts to globalize the game of basketball in the early 1990s. Little by little, players from abroad started to make a name for themselves in the league, but in the last few years the foreigners have taken over the game dominated by Americans since it was created in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Wemby isn’t the only foreign star full of promise

The last five MVPs have been won by three players who weren’t born in the United States, and two of those players never played in college in the United States. While players like LeBron James and Steph Curry continue to headline the league, the next generation of stars is getting more and more international.

If you need more proof, just look at this upcoming draft class. Not only is the number one draft pick almost certain to be Victor Wembayana, but two of the 10 prospects, and three of the top 25 are from overseas.

We all know about Victory Wembayana. The lengthy frenchman who has been at the top of the 2023 Draft board for NBA experts, super fans and geeks alike for the last couple years. But what about the other imports that are on the verge of getting drafted and potentially being the next wave of superstars in the league.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most hyped foreign products that you may not have heard of before.

Bilal Coulibaly

The frenchman has jumped on to the scene after playing with Wembanyama this season at Levallois Metropolitans 92. He has made a name for himself, and not just for being Wemby’s teammate. The 18 year old may not be as tall as the projected No. 1 pick, but he is long, he is athletic and he can shoot the rock. He’s got a 7′2″ wingspan and can jump out of the gym. The youngster didn’t play much to start the Pro A season, but plugged into the rotation and helped lead his side to the French League Finals after averaging 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his final 25 games.

Ryan Rupert

Frenchman are all over this board of foreigners. The oversized point guard was groomed at the INSEP academy in Paris, and started his professional career with Center Federal in the third division. After three years in the third division, the 6′6″ ball handler signed with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL. He has basketball pedigree, as his dad played in the Euroleague and captained the French National team, while his sister Iliana was the 12th pick in the WNBA Draft two years ago. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1 assists in 20 NBL games this season.

James Nnaji

James Nnaji might have one of the most NBA ready bodies in the class. The big man who plays with Barcelona got regular time playing in the ACB league and in the Euroleague. He may not have the height to bang with the big bodies down low just yet, and he may not have the jumper to be able to play the four spot but with a big powerful body like he has a team might want to take a chance on him in the first round and let him develop in Europe for another year or two. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in the Spanish league while posting 2 ppg and 1.3 reg in six and a half minutes in the Euroleague.

Tristan Vukcevic

Tristan Vukcevic is a lengthy Serbian than can play outside on the perimeter or down low, although he is going to have to beef up if he is going to bang down low. He was a product of legendary club Real Madrid, but spent the last season at Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. He was under the the orders of the winningest coach in European basketball, Zjelko Obradovic but didn’t get a whole lot of playing time with the extremely demanding coach. He played in 13 Euroleague games, getting 6:38 minutes a game and scoring 1.2 points and grabbing 1.2 rebounds a game. He’s a 6′11″ sharp shooter, from Serbia and these days being from Serbia earns you a little extra love in the draft.