Why Neoklis Avdalas Could Be College Basketball’s Next International Star
After testing the NBA Draft waters, the Greek prospect chose the NCAA spotlight to refine his game and elevate his profile
Basketball is a game of trends. It’s always been that way and likely always will be. Whether it’s playing style, personnel decisions, or signature moves—if one person finds success, others will follow.
One of the biggest trends in college basketball has been, and likely will continue to be, the migration of top-tier international talent to the United States. Playing stateside gives these prospects a chance to earn money through NIL opportunities and boost their draft stock against NCAA competition.
The Blueprint: Demin and Jakucionis
Last year, Russian guard Egor Demin made headlines when he left Real Madrid to play at BYU—a decision that paid off when he became the 8th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
From the same draft class, Lithuanian point guard Kasparas Jakucionis followed a similar path, pivoting from FC Barcelona to the University of Illinois. His strong season helped him become the 20th pick of the Miami Heat.
Following in their footsteps this year is Greek point forward Neoklis Avdalas, who left Peristeri BC of the Greek League to join Virginia Tech and compete in the ACC.
Early Stardom and Comparisons to Luka Dončić
Before Avdalas crossed the pond, he was already considered one of Europe’s most promising young prospects. He made his professional debut for Panathinaikos in 2021 at just 15 years old.
Listed at 6’9”, Avdalas has often drawn comparisons to Luka Dončić due to their similar size, playmaking flair, and ability to score in isolation. Avdalas has openly said he’s patterned parts of his game after Luka, and it’s evident in the way he mimics Dončić’s dribble combinations and step-back jumpers.
But is Avdalas truly the next Luka?
Look, I like Avdalas a lot. But I’m always hesitant to compare young prospects to established superstars. There are only a handful of true NBA superstars—players opposing fans come to arenas to see, who have that it factor and strike fear into defenses every possession.
Comparing anyone to Luka is unfair. Dončić was a EuroLeague MVP, Final Four MVP, two-time EuroLeague Rising Star, and ACB Best Young Player—all by age 19. Avdalas, meanwhile, appeared in only seven EuroLeague games over two seasons. There’s no shame in not being the “next Luka Dončić.”
Draft Decision and the College Route
So who is Neoklis Avdalas?
I believe Avdalas is a lottery-level talent. He declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and competed at the NBA Combine, where he showcased his skill set in front of scouts.
During his two scrimmage games, Avdalas displayed his versatility—knocking down jumpers off the dribble, shooting confidently off the catch, rebounding, and creating for teammates. In his second game, he recorded 13 points (4-of-9 FG), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Despite performing well enough to garner late first-round interest, Avdalas ultimately withdrew from the draft and chose to attend Virginia Tech, turning down multiple Big 12 offers.
Before what will be his freshman season, Avdalas represented Greece at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket, where he averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly 8 assists per game—though he struggled with efficiency, shooting 39% from the field and 30% from three.
Even with those concerns, Avdalas flashed the versatility that defines his game: a do-it-all playmaking wing with size and the ability to score in multiple ways.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Neoklis Avdalas projects as a playmaking wing with impressive pace and vision in the pick-and-roll. He’s comfortable as a primary ball handler and shows strong court awareness when reading defenses.
He can create his own shot and has good command of the ball in isolation. Teams often switched on Avdalas during ball screens, and he showed the handle and burst to beat slower defenders off the dribble.
At the U20s, he converted 38% of his jump shots off the bounce, showcasing comfort and rhythm shooting off the dribble. When you combine his size, playmaking, and creativity, you get the profile of a legitimate first-round prospect.
Areas for Improvement
As talented as Avdalas is, there are still areas of concern.
Finishing at the Rim:
Despite his size and length, Avdalas has struggled to finish around the basket. He made only 40% of his layups at the U20s. He’s more of an “at-the-rim” finisher than an above-the-rim one, and with an average first step, he doesn’t always create clean looks in the half court.
He would benefit from playing off two feet—similar to Caris LeVert—or developing a short floater like Joe Johnson. Reports indicate he’s added muscle since arriving at Virginia Tech, which could help improve his rim efficiency.
Shot Selection and Volume:
Avdalas tends to rely heavily on contested off-the-dribble jumpers, especially when defenders switch on his pick-and-roll actions. While his confidence is a strength, the shot diet can limit efficiency. College spacing will be tighter than in FIBA play, so generating consistent paint touches will be key to unlocking his full potential.
Outlook
Overall, I’m high on Neoklis Avdalas. His decision to attend Virginia Tech positions him for a high-usage role, giving him every opportunity to prove he’s a lottery-caliber prospect.
If he can tighten his decision-making, improve finishing at the rim, and maintain his shooting touch, Avdalas has a real chance to make noise against ACC competition with Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina on the schedule.
He may not be Luka Dončić—but Neoklis Avdalas has the tools to carve out his own path to NBA success.
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