The upcoming NBA Draft, scheduled for June 25, is poised to highlight a significant depth of European basketball talent, a notable contrast to last year's draft where the top two selections, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, both hailed from France. While American sensation Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be the number one pick, a diverse array of European prospects are projected to make immediate impacts for NBA teams starting next season.

Among the promising European players is Izan Almansa, a 20-year-old Spanish center standing at 2.06m (6ft 9in). Almansa, a highly decorated player in FIBA youth competitions with three MVP titles, has been on NBA radars for nearly half a decade. After developing through Overtime Elite, the G League Ignite, and the Australian NBL Next Stars program with the Perth Wildcats, he has demonstrated polished interior scoring and flashes of ball-handling and passing. Almansa recently debuted with the Spanish senior national team during the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2025, cementing his potential as an impactful player for years to come.

France offers another intriguing prospect in Joan Beringer, an 18-year-old center listed at 2.11m (6ft 11in). Beringer is a late bloomer who only began playing basketball in 2021 but quickly rose through the youth ranks, notably with a strong performance at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket. Playing for Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia, he has established himself as one of Europe's top young centers, dominating the paint by leading the Adriatic League in blocks per game and shooting an efficient 64.4% from the field. His elite size, mobility, vertical athleticism, and two-way impact make him a candidate for instant NBA impact, with significant potential for future growth given his young age.

From Russia, Egor Demin, a 19-year-old guard at 2.04m (6ft 8in), brings a unique profile. A product of Real Madrid's youth system, Demin opted for the college route, joining the BYU Cougars, where he quickly became an impactful freshman. His combination of elite vision, passing ability, and basketball IQ makes him a primary playmaker who can create open shots for teammates. As jumbo-sized point guards become more prevalent in the NBA, Demin's ability to create mismatches with his size, creativity, and passing makes him a compelling prospect.

France continues to be a hotbed of talent with Mohamed Diawara, a 20-year-old forward standing 2.04m (6ft 8in). Diawara belongs to an exceptionally talented 2005 French generation that includes several former first-round picks. Despite this, he has somewhat flown under the radar, contributing to successful youth national teams, including last year's FIBA U20 EuroBasket title. After a productive campaign with Cholet in the French first division, Diawara's mix of size, strength, open-court athleticism, and potential as a perimeter defender has drawn NBA attention, making him a player expected to impact at the professional level.

Another French power forward, Noa Essengue, aged 18 and 2.08m (6ft 10in), has made an immediate impact as a full-time senior player for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. Averaging 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds during the 2024-25 season, Essengue's draft stock has soared due to his elite combination of size and mobility. This has enabled him to excel as a versatile defender and an unstoppable force in the open court. As one of the youngest players in the draft, his tools, productivity, and high-level experience justify his projection as a top international prospect.

The draft also features experienced collegiate players like Vladislav Goldin, a 24-year-old Russian center at 2.13m (7ft 0in) from the Michigan Wolverines. Goldin, one of the oldest and most experienced players, previously played for Texas Tech and Florida Atlantic, where he was instrumental in the Owls' first-ever Final Four run. Despite the increased competition in the Big Ten after transferring to Michigan, he provided dominant rebounding, efficient interior scoring, and a crucial paint presence. Though considered a finished product, his size and productivity are highly coveted for immediate impact at the center position.

Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, a 19-year-old forward at 1.99m (6ft 6in) from Real Madrid, entered the season as a hyped international prospect. Despite an inconsistent first full season with Real Madrid's senior squad, he impacted games with versatile defense, slashing ability, and a relentless motor. Having debuted for the Spanish senior national team during the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, Gonzalez is seen as a key piece for Spain's future and offers athleticism, versatility, and two-way impact for an NBA team.

From Lithuania, Kasparas Jakucionis, a 19-year-old forward at 1.95m (6ft 5in) who plays for the Illinois Fighting Illini, is projected as a top-20 pick. After developing as a star in Barcelona's youth squads, his decision to pursue college basketball proved fruitful, quickly impressing scouts and rising on draft boards. Jakucionis is a masterful pick-and-roll playmaker with elite size for his position and the ability to hit pull-up jumpers, making him a strong candidate to be the future point guard for the Lithuanian national team.

Russia's Viktor Lakhin, a 23-year-old center at 2.11m (6ft 11in) from the Clemson Tigers, demonstrated tremendous growth during his final season of college eligibility. After three seasons with Cincinnati, Lakhin improved his numbers across the board in 2024-25, averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 rebounds, with career-best blocks and even showing potential to stretch the floor, shooting 37.5% from three-point range. Despite his age, his combination of size, efficient interior finishing, rim protection, and potential as a shooter and playmaker makes him an intriguing prospect.

Serbia presents Bogoljub Markovic, a 19-year-old center at 2.10m (6ft 11in), hailing from Mega Basket. Markovic has been a standout in Serbian basketball for years, with a breakout 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup and an All-Star Five nod at the 2023 FIBA U18 EuroBasket. In his first full Adriatic League season, he was named the league's top young prospect, averaging 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. His unique profile as a center who can impact the game with the ball in his hands on the perimeter – hitting jumpshots, handling, and passing – is particularly enticing for NBA teams.

Poland's top hope is Igor Milicic, a 22-year-old power forward at 2.07m (6ft 9in) from the Tennessee Volunteers. Born in Croatia, Milicic has already gained senior international experience with the Polish national team. After being a key player for the Charlotte 49ers, he transferred to Tennessee, impacting with his size, mobility, three-point shooting, and connective offense. His profile as a solid positional power forward who can play on and off the ball should interest professional teams and will benefit the Polish national team for years.

One of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process is Switzerland's Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a 22-year-old center at 2.11m (6ft 11in) from the Penn State Nittany Lions. Niederhauser has impressed NBA teams with his elite physical tools and athleticism, including a tremendous 37-inch max vertical leap. In his final season at Penn State, he averaged 12.9 points, shot 61.1% from the field, and recorded 2.3 blocks per game, thriving as an interior finisher and rim protector. His valuable skill set is expected to be a significant asset for NBA teams and the Swiss national team, which seeks to return to FIBA EuroBasket for the first time since 1955.

France continues its strong representation with Noah Penda, a 20-year-old power forward at 2.01m (6ft 7in) from Le Mans Sarthe. Penda had a breakthrough 2024-25 season, earning an All-Star Five nod at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket where he helped France win the title. He made an immediate impact for Le Mans, averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds and earning the LNB Pro A Rising Star Award. His versatile skill set, enabling him to finish plays, stretch the floor, and defend multiple positions, makes him a significant riser in this draft cycle and a potential first-round pick.

Another French center, Maxime Raynaud, 22 years old and 2.14m (7ft 0in), developed at Stanford Cardinal in the NCAA. A former teammate of Victor Wembanyama, Raynaud became one of college basketball's most productive players. He has evolved into a new-age big man, dominating as a rebounder, rim protector, and interior finisher due to his elite size, while also becoming a legitimate three-point shooting threat, converting 34.7% of a high volume of attempts. His combination of size and shooting ability is highly coveted by NBA teams and will add depth to France's already talented frontcourt.

Israel features Ben Saraf, a 19-year-old guard at 1.98m (6ft 6in) from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, a well-known name in international basketball. Saraf earned an All-Star Five nod at the 2022 FIBA U16 EuroBasket and was named MVP of the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, averaging 28.1 points per game. His successful debut season in Germany highlighted his size, crafty ball-handling, and secondary playmaking ability. Having debuted with the senior national team, Saraf is expected to be a first-round pick and lead the next generation of Israeli basketball.

From Ukraine, Max Shulga, a 22-year-old guard at 1.94m (6ft 4in) from the VCU Rams, took time to break out. After an impressive run at the 2019 FIBA U16 EuroBasket Division B led him to college, he eventually transferred to VCU, where he was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. Shulga's three-point marksmanship, ability to make plays on the move, and defensive motor have transformed him into a potential NBA prospect, crucial for Ukraine as it looks to the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2029.

France's Nolan Traore, a 19-year-old point guard at 1.91m (6ft 3in) from Saint Quentin, addresses a clear need for young backcourt talent in the French national team. Regarded as one of the best passers in the draft, Traore excels in decision-making and creative passing, making advanced reads and executing every pass. His quick ball-handling allows him to penetrate defenses and get to the rim. Having debuted for the national team, Traore is set to be a key primary playmaker for a talented new generation of French basketball.

Great Britain offers Amari Williams, a 23-year-old center at 2.13m (7ft 0in) from the Kentucky Wildcats. After four years developing into a bruising big man at Drexel, Williams found similar success at Kentucky, averaging 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. His strength, size, and physical power enable him to finish plays, protect the rim, and rebound effectively. Williams is expected to make an immediate impact at the NBA level and serves as a long-term answer at center for the British national team.

Finally, Israel's Danny Wolf, a 21-year-old center at 2.10m (6ft 11in) from the Michigan Wolverines, had a breakout performance at the 2023 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, leading Israel to the Final and earning an All-Star Five nod. His unique profile for his size includes ball-handling, playmaking, and shot creation from multiple levels, alongside strong rim protection and prolific rebounding. With Saraf also projected as a first-round pick, Israel could see two players drafted in the first round this year, signaling a bright future for its national team.