Beyond Borders: The 2025 NBA Draft’s International Standouts
From Europe to Australia: The Best Global Prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft Class
I have to admit, there’s nothing I enjoy more than packing my bags and jetting off to scout and evaluate international prospects for the NBA draft. Basketball, traveling, and creating content are my three passions, and I’m beyond grateful to have a career where I can combine all three. This past year alone, I found myself wandering the cobblestone streets of Monaco, catching a Real Madrid game in the heart of Spain, soaking up the Parisian lights in Paris, marveling at Dubai's skyline, and experiencing the basketball scene in Nairobi, Kenya—all in search of the next wave of NBA talent.
While NBA players are still about four weeks away from reporting to camp and participating in their usual glorified pickup games in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, and while college teams are busy with their early-season practices on campus, international teams worldwide are already knee-deep in training camp. That means we’re just a few weeks away from getting our first look at the top international prospects eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Now, while the buzz in the U.S. is all about Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and a loaded group of freshmen and returning college stars, the international class should not be overlooked. This year's crop is also strong, and early projections suggest we could see as many as five international players in the lottery and up to seven in the first round.
Just look at last year's draft: 20 international players from 12 different countries heard their names called, including 15 from Europe alone. And let’s not forget the record-tying five French players selected overall, with four of them going in the first round. Zaccharie Risacher was picked first overall by the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the second consecutive Frenchman to be chosen first—following Victor Wembanyama, who went to the San Antonio Spurs in 2023. Alexandre Sarr followed at number two, with Tidjane Salaun going sixth and Pacome Dadiet rounding out the French first-rounders at 25th.
So, as we gear up for the 2025 NBA Draft, it’s safe to say that the international talent pool in the NBA is deeper than ever, and there’s a good chance we’ll be hearing quite a few non-American names called early on draft night. Let's dive into who these prospects are and why they're generating so much buzz.
Nolan Traore
Traore is widely regarded as the top international prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, with many scouts projecting him to be the next Frenchman selected in the lottery, following in the footsteps of Wembanyama, Risacher, Sarr, and Salaun.
Traore's stock soared after a standout spring, where he cemented himself as a potential top-10 pick with his impressive showing at the Nike Hoop Summit in April, where he scored 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting (2-of-4 from three) along with four assists and two rebounds in front of contingent NBA scouts.