Teen Prodigies, Scout Insights, and a 2026 Draft Battle That Stole the Show
Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue Are Already Impressing in Germany, While Scouts Offer a Peek Into the 2025 Draft Class and a 2026 NBA Draft Showdown in September
Teenage Sensations: Saraf and Essengue Make Early Impact in Germany
Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue are already turning heads in Germany’s top league, showcasing their immense potential just two games into their season with Ratiopharm Ulm.
Saraf, fresh off a dominant FIBA U18 EuroBasket where he led the tournament in scoring at 28.1 points per game, is averaging 19 points and 6 assists in his first two games. The 18-year-old Israeli guard rebounded from a slow start in Ulm's EuroCup opener to finish with 17 points and 10 assists in Wednesday’s 96-93 overtime win against Trefl Sopot.
His teammate, Noa Essengue, a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been equally impressive. The 6'10" forward from France, still two months shy of his 18th birthday, has averaged 16.5 points over his first two games, including an 18-point performance in yesterday’s victory.