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The Rise of International Talent in College Basketball

The college basketball landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing presence of highly touted international prospects. In recent years, top NBA prospects from outside the United States would often remain overseas until they were eligible for the draft. However, with colleges offering extensive resources, exposure, and a platform to showcase their skills, coming to play in the United States is becoming an increasingly attractive option.

Coaches Get Creative

College coaches have also benefited from loosened restrictions, gaining greater access to FIBA tournaments, club-team practices, and events. This increased visibility has enabled them to scout international prospects in high-level settings. Furthermore, video services provide coaches with the ability to analyze global games with ease, allowing them to identify and recruit top talent from around the world.

A New Era of International Newcomers

Historically, international newcomers have been more hit-or-miss than American high school recruits. However, the overseas market in this era of college basketball is different. Many players, aged 20 or 21, have played professionally overseas for three or four years, bringing a level of maturity and experience that sets them apart from their younger counterparts.

Eligibility Questions Remain

While these international newcomers bring immense talent, they also face eligibility questions. Will they be cleared to play immediately? Will the older ones, especially those transferring from non-athletic universities, be classified as freshmen? Projecting freshmen is already an inexact science, and projecting international newcomers, who must adjust to a new country, is even more challenging.

The Most Talented Group Ever

Despite these challenges, this class of international players is expected to be the most talented group ever to enter college basketball. Three players are ranked in the top 15 of ESPN’s Top 100 NBA draft rankings, while several others are poised to make an immediate impact at the high-major level.

Ranking the Most Impactful International Prospects

Here’s how we rank the most impactful international prospects entering the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season:

1. Jakucionis (Lithuania) – Illinois
   Scouting report: Jakucionis boasts an outstanding combination of size, shooting, pick-and-roll playmaking, toughness, and feel for the game as a 6-foot-6 point guard.
2. Maluach (South Sudan) – Duke
   Scouting report: The freshman center has elite size (7-2) and length (7-6 wingspan, 9-6 standing reach) to go along with mobility, intensity, and timing as a rim protector.
3. Demin (Russia) – BYU
   Scouting report: Demin played point guard almost exclusively for Real Madrid’s junior team, bringing unique versatility at 6-9 with the creativity he shows operating out of pick-and-roll and shooting off the dribble.
4. Yigitoglu (Turkey) – SMU
   Scouting report: At 7-2, 265 pounds, with huge hands, long arms, and solid mobility, Yigitoglu will be one of the most imposing figures in the college game as both a pick-and-roll finisher and rim protector.
5. Ivisic (Croatia) – Illinois
   Scouting report: The 21-year-old brother of current Arkansas freshman Zvonimir Ivisic, Tomislav has been playing professional basketball for the past five years and brings his skills in passing and operating inside the paint to the Illini.
6. Halaifonua (New Zealand) – Georgetown
   Scouting report: The 7-footer has a huge frame and a versatile inside-out skill set to go along with impressive passing ability and an excellent feel for the game.
7. Prey (Portugal) – St. John’s
   Scouting report: Prey has put up huge numbers in FIBA youth categories and seen extended runs in the Spanish ACB and EuroCup with Joventut Badalona last season, giving him significant experience.
8. Klavzar (Slovenia) – Florida
   Scouting report: Klavzar guided Slovenia to the FIBA U20 European championship game, leading the tournament in per-minute scoring, and has polished scoring instincts and dynamic shot-making prowess.
9. Zugic (Germany) – Creighton
   Scouting report: Zugic, 21, burst onto NBA radars back in 2018, averaging 19 points per game at the FIBA U16 European Championship as a 14-year-old, making his Euroleague debut at 15 shortly after.
10. Lelevicius (Lithuania) – Oregon State
    Scouting report: The 21-year-old started games in the EuroCup and Lithuanian first division last season but played a far bigger role for the national team as a point guard at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship — despite standing 6-8.

Honorable mention: Ismaila Diagne [Senegal], Gonzaga; Savo Drezgic [Serbia], Georgia; Dominique Diomande [Ivory Coast], Washington (joining team in December and will pursue academic eligibility); Maxim Logue [France], Oregon State; Amaël L’Etang [France], Dayton; Hamad Mousa [Qatar], Dayton; Justas Stonkus [Lithuania], Charleston; Matej Bosnjak [Croatia], Wichita State; Noah Bolanga [France], St. Bonaventure; Amsal Delalic [Bosnia], Pitt; Roberts Blums [Latvia], Davidson; Dayan Nessah [Switzerland], George Washington; Matas Vokietaitis [Lithuania], Florida Atlantic.