<
        >

          NBA draft scouting: Top prospects at Basketball Without Borders

          Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports
          • Jonathan Givony
            Close
            Jonathan Givony
            ESPN
              NBA draft analyst and writer
              Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
              Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
            Follow on X
          • Mike Schmitz
          Feb 19, 2019, 03:58 PM ET

          CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Last weekend's Basketball Without Borders Global Camp (BWB) gave NBA executives an opportunity to evaluate 38 players from 24 countries, continuing the camp's emergence as one of the top scouting events on the calendar, thanks to the impressive talent assembled.

          We selected 10 players who had the biggest impact and deserve to be earmarked as the top long-term NBA draft prospects.

          Deni Avdija | 6-foot-9 | PG/SF | Israel | Age: 18.1

          We got an excellent feel for Avdija the past few weeks, having evaluated him at BWB, the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) and a EuroLeague game against Baskonia. In each setting, the 18-year-old Avdija shined as the top 2020 draft-eligible prospect on the floor, thanks to his tremendous court vision, versatile shooting stroke and sharp all-around basketball instincts. The biggest takeaway: He's a 6-foot-9 point guard.

          As a wing, Avdija is a high-floor prospect, but as a real jumbo PG, he has a chance to be much more. He measured better than expected, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and 8-foot-10 standing reach while having added 8 pounds to his frame since last summer. His best skill is his passing. He ignites the break with hit-aheads in transition, he fires cross-court darts to shooters out of the post, and he can see virtually every pick-and-roll pass. Avdija is at his best with the ball in his hands, so why not empower him with on-ball reps like more NBA teams are doing with big playmakers?

          Avdija still isn't short on areas to improve. Real Madrid frustrated him with relentless ball pressure and physicality, forcing him to settle for deep jumpers. The Spanish powerhouse put Avdija on his left hand, and he had nowhere to go, as he's severely right-hand-dominant. He struggled with ball pressure, had turnover issues and looked limited as a shot-creator against NBA-caliber athletes. His ballhandling package isn't all that diverse at this stage. Avdija can also improve his feel around the rim as a finisher, as he isn't overly explosive vertically and would benefit from adding more deception in the paint. His defensive intensity also waivers quite heavily. Although he was battling an illness, he stood around far too often in the ANGT final and needs to find more consistency on that end of the floor, especially off the ball.

          But a lot of those offensive questions are mitigated by simply putting the ball in his hands as a facilitator. Allowing him to push off the break in transition, pick defenses apart in ball screens and operate out of the post against smaller defenders is the best way to utilize his size and skill. He'll surely have questions to answer about how he can attack switches, but point-Deni is a real scenario that Maccabi Tel Aviv needs to explore next season. It's not only Avdija's best position right now but also the scenario that will allow him to unlock all of the unique attributes that have him at No. 7 on our 2020 mock draft. -- Mike Schmitz

          Tristan Enaruna | 6-foot-8 | SF/PF | Netherlands | Age: 17.6

          A player we've been high on since he was 15, Enaruna impressed with the progress he has made physically and skill-wise. He looks the part of an NBA prospect on first glance -- including a 7-foot-plus wingspan -- and he's playing like it much more consistently. He made 3-pointers with his feet set and off the dribble, thanks to his clean shooting mechanics, and didn't pass up any opportunity to get his jumper off when left open. He did a great job of grabbing and going off the defensive glass and pushing in the open court, changing speeds smoothly with long strides despite his somewhat high and loose handle. Enaruna is at his best playing as a modern face-up 4, and his improved toughness makes that much more feasible. He used his excellent length to make an impact around the basket and in the passing lanes, guarding multiple positions and even diving on the floor at times for loose balls.

          The next step in Enaruna's development will be to improve his ability to create his own shot in the half court and make plays. He can still do a better job of seeking out contact, drawing fouls and finishing in the paint, too. Enaruna's recruitment has exploded in the past few months, as some of the biggest programs in college basketball have started to call, including Duke, Kentucky and Kansas. He might be better off at a lower-profile high major where he can operate with a longer leash, as NBA scouts will line up to watch him regardless of where he ends up. It might take him some time to reach his full potential, but Enaruna's upside is as high as that of virtually any player seen at this camp. -- Jonathan Givony

          Amar Sylla | 6-foot-9 | PF/C | Senegal | Age: 17.3

          Sylla stood out as one of the top prospects at ANGT, but he turned in an extremely underwhelming showing in Charlotte. He turned heads with his defensive versatility at ANGT, switching ball screens with quick and active hands and protecting the rim impressively off the ball, finishing the tournament averaging 14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in just 20 MPG off the bench. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan and a wiry frame, some scouts likened him to a Pascal Siakam-type defensively.

          Offensively, he added most of his value as a finisher, catching lobs above the rim or unfolding lefty finger-roll finishes. He even showed some glimpses of shooting and ballhandling potential, knocking down midrange jumpers while making basic reads in space. Sylla struggled with physicality in the paint and wasn't as aggressive as you'd hope on the glass. But when packaged as a versatile defender and athletic finisher with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, a 9-foot-1 standing reach and some untapped offensive skill, his NBA intrigue was clear.

          In Charlotte, Sylla abandoned his motor, defense and finishing, instead turning himself into an inefficient jump shooter. It was good to see him at least attempt to showcase that he has more than we've seen in his Real Madrid role, but he's trying to model his game after Kevin Durant rather than hanging his hat on energy and incrementally capitalizing on his developing skill base.

          You never want to overreact to a down showing in a camp setting, especially by a player used to his club structure. The fact that he tried to showcase his skill does say something about his confidence in his offensive game. It'll be interesting to see whether Real Madrid is willing to loan Sylla out next season, as he's unlikely to earn ACB minutes as an 18-year-old in his first year of draft eligibility. He has all the ingredients to fit the modern NBA on both ends of the floor, particularly once he adds more bulk to his 201-pound frame. -- MS

          Killian Hayes | 6-foot-5 | PG/SG | France | Age: 17.5

          Hayes turned in an up-and-down performance in Charlotte, and scouts remain split on just how good of an NBA player he can become. We evaluated Hayes at BWB and with his club, Cholet, in France Pro A against Strasbourg. An early bloomer who made a name for himself by dicing up European guards at a young age, Hayes is still adjusting his game to the pro level and hasn't quite made the strides as a shooter that some would have hoped.

          Hayes struggled to make shots consistently in Charlotte, sporting a somewhat slow and low release. Even with a streaky jumper, Hayes remains an aggressive open-court and pick-and-roll slasher who regularly puts pressure on the defense. At 200 pounds, he's physical to the rim in space and does a great job of side-stepping defenders on his way to the rim. The ultra-confident 17-year-old carries himself with a certain swagger that has allowed him to shine against older opponents in Pro A, most recently scoring 17 points against Bourg. Hayes is also making strides as a playmaker. He's flash over substance at times, but the worry is more about his ability to make shots and get by defenders consistently. Too often relying on left-handed bully ball, Hayes' offensive upside comes back to his shooting.

          Defensively, Hayes had some tremendous on-ball moments with Cholet, applying consistent ball pressure, fighting over screens and digging off the ball when one pass away. Although not overly long, with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, he's competitive with the size to be an above-average, two-position defender in the NBA. But Hayes perpetually chills off the ball, losing sight of his man and giving up offensive rebounds or open looks. In a losing atmosphere like Cholet (7-13), Hayes isn't exactly building winning habits. The playing time is great experience, but Cholet isn't known for its development infrastructure.

          There's certainly a level of over-scouting going on with Hayes. At the end of the day, he's a big, shot-creating guard who should thrive on a more spaced NBA floor. His ceiling might not be sky-high, but it isn't hard to see him going in the first round of the 2020 draft if he develops into an average shooter. -- MS

          Matthieu Gauzin | 6-foot-3 | PG | France | Age: 17.9

          Gauzin burst onto the NBA radar with a BWB performance that easily could have warranted camp MVP consideration. Although he remains on the slender side at 165 pounds, Gauzin has a solid physical base, his frame has filled out considerably, and he should continue to improve over time.

          He was likely the most explosive athlete at the camp, capable of changing speeds and accelerating with tremendous body control and burst off the dribble. Although his playmaking and decision-making in the half court are works in progress, Gauzin's ability to collapse defenses with his first step and find the open man gives him a nice framework to build on. He had some wild moments but did a much better job of getting others involved than he had in past settings.

          Not known as a shooter for much of his career, Gauzin has hit 33 3-pointers in 19 games this season in the French junior league, although at only a 31 percent clip. He is a career 75 percent free throw shooter in 58 games, according to our database, and he showed plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his shot long-term. He sports a low but compact release and made quite a few spot-up jumpers over the course of the weekend. Continuing to improve in this area, particularly shooting off the dribble, will likely determine how quickly he's able to emerge as an immediate NBA prospect. Defensively, Gauzin made a huge impact with his terrific combination of size, length (plus-six wingspan) and lateral quickness, getting in a deep stance, smothering opposing guards with ball pressure and getting in the passing lanes frequently.

          Gauzin is at a bit of a crossroad, as his weaknesses are much bigger hindrances at the pro level than they are while competing against other players his age. He has yet to see a minute of playing time in France with Le Mans, which is a bit surprising considering his impact at this camp. He will likely need to play to build momentum off his outstanding showing here and emerge as a potential first-round pick. Gauzin has yet to sign a pro contract and needs to decide where he'll land next year, be it in France or abroad. -- JG

          Matej Rudan | 6-foot-9 | PF/C | Croatia | Age: 17.9

          Rudan played a significant role in his team run to the BWB title, as his versatility and feel were simply too much for opposing big men to handle at this age. Rudan's physical tools don't overwhelm, but he's very aware of his limitations and has the instincts and competitiveness needed to be impactful regardless. At 212 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, 9-foot-4 standing reach and big hands, Rudan is long enough to play some center in this age group, and his big shoulders indicate that he should fill out enough to hold his own there if he improves his body.

          Rudan's coaches utilized him anywhere from point guard to center, with quite a bit of playmaking responsibility on the perimeter. He's exceptionally skilled and creative getting others involved -- using polished footwork, an array of Eurosteps, open-floor handles and half-court pick-and-rolls. Rudan proved capable of draining jumpers with his feet set and off the dribble all weekend, thanks to his terrific touch. He has made 39 percent of his 3s in Germany on a huge number of attempts. He surprisingly more than held his own defensively, staying in front of guards and wings impressively on switches and working around the basket at times, though there are real questions about how he might fare on this end against better athletes because of his poor lateral quickness.

          Rudan is never going to be a classic NBA prospect because of his physical shortcomings, but his productivity and advanced basketball instincts make him worth monitoring. The team that owns his rights in Germany, Bayern Munich, has zero track record for promoting teenagers, and he has yet to see a minute of playing time for the club outside of the third division. Rudan will likely need to be loaned to another first-division squad before Bayern Munich is ready to give him an opportunity. -- JG

          Khalifa Diop | 6-foot-11 | Center | Senegal | Age: 17.0

          Diop hung his hat on his strengths -- attacking the glass on both ends, switching onto guards with quick and active feet, protecting the rim in a pinch and finishing with physicality. Diop had his share of uninspiring moments, as he air-balled a forced midrange turnaround, banked a free throw, traveled in the post and missed a couple of catch-and-shoot 3s badly. He certainly isn't devoid of feel or touch in the paint, but Diop was at his best when he relied on his energy, physicality and agility. He has sound instincts on defense and the boards, where he was more than willing to mix it up and throw his weight around.

          At 245 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 9-foot-3 standing reach, Diop stood out as one of the more physically impressive prospects in Charlotte. His measurements compare favorably to those of Derrick Favors and Serge Ibaka. Although not freakishly explosive at the rim, he's extremely light on his feet and fits the modern game with his agility. Scouts, coaches and agents in Spain praise his stellar work ethic and dedication to making the NBA. His physical maturity and willingness to do the little things should allow him to earn minutes at the ACB level for Gran Canaria as early as next year. It remains to be seen just how valuable Diop's best skill (rebounding) is in today's NBA, but he has an interesting blend of tools and an approach that scouts will be sure to follow. -- MS

          Keon Ambrose-Hylton | 6-foot-8 | PF | Canada | Age: 17.4

          Ambrose-Hylton proved to have clear-cut NBA upside after an aggressive and productive weekend. Physically gifted with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, a terrific, 198-pound frame and good athletic ability, he looks the part of a modern-day combo forward. Not overly skilled at this stage, Ambrose-Hylton was at his best grabbing and going off the defensive glass, attacking slower footed defenders in a straight line and slithering his way to the rim with his strong first step, polished footwork and fluid body control. He's a multipositional defender whose length is impactful around the rim and getting in passing lanes.

          The next step in his development will be to find some consistency with his outside shot and improve his ballhandling skills in the half court to become a more polished shot creator. He still needs to add strength and improve his decision-making, but there's a lot to like about his long-term profile. -- JG

          Modestas Kancleris | 6-foot-8 | SF/PF | Lithuania | Age: 17.7

          Kancleris has clearly made huge strides in the past year, looking stronger, tougher and more assertive. His feel and all-around versatility are his best virtues, as he successfully played both forward positions at the camp, handling the ball fluidly and making jumpers more effectively than before. Kancleris got off the ground impressively on a few occasions for finishes. He showed great timing rotating for blocks, going out of his area for rebounds and making outlet passes.

          He will need to find more consistency with his jumper and do a better job when isolated defensively, as he struggles to get in a low stance and move his feet against quicker players. -- JG

          Kerr Kriisa | 6-foot-3 | PG | Estonia | Age: 18.1

          Kriisa opened some eyes with his pure shooting stroke, pesky defense and improving point guard skills. We caught one of his ANGT matchups in Lithuania, and it was clear his game was trending in the right direction. Kriisa has always impressed at the youth levels, but given his mediocre physical profile, it remained to be seen how he'd adjust to bigger, more physical guards. He answered those questions in Charlotte, regularly getting under the skin of Killian Hayes with his nonstop ball pressure. Offensively, Kriisa is loaded with confidence. He's a high-level shooter, regularly catching balanced on the hop while showing potential on the move. His lead guard skills are really developing, as he moves the ball well, often with flair. He's still learning the ins and outs of playing around the rim both as a passer and finisher.

          He has yet to produce at the pro level with Zalgiris' second team, but the 18-year-old Kriisa made a statement in Charlotte that he is indeed a prospect scouts need to monitor. -- MS

          Honorable mention

          Addison Patterson | 6-foot-6 | SG | Canada | Age: 17.6

          A highly touted prospect, Patterson struggled to get things going all weekend, having a difficult time balancing aggressively looking for his shot and trying to make winning plays. Patterson's catch-and-hold style and inconsistent shooting ability make it difficult for him to operate off the ball, but he doesn't quite have the explosiveness to operate in traffic, which led to quite a few ugly moments driving and tossing up bad shots. He has proven to have strong natural basketball instincts and overall talent in other settings, but his streaky shooting and casual style of play will have to improve considerably. -- JG

          Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe | 6-foot-6 | PF | Canada | Age: 17.9

          Moncrieffe put himself on the NBA radar three years ago at the Biosteel Futures game with his impressive frame, length and upside, but his skill level and feel are still very raw. He struggled to find ways to score in the half-court and looked a bit ordinary athletically now that his body has filled out. Moncrieffe's huge, 7-foot wingspan and competitive spirit help him make an impact as a multipositional defender, but he's going to have to add more to his game to not be labeled an undersized big without a jumper or floor game. To his credit, Moncrieffe has been playing much better with his high school team this season -- hitting 13-of-37 3s in 16 games, according to Krossover -- and might have just had a down weekend playing in in the unfamiliar camp setting. -- JG

          Keeshawn Barthelemy | 6-foot-2 | PG | Canada | Age: 18.1

          One of the least physically imposing prospects to take the floor in Charlotte, at 162 pounds with a 6-foot-4 wingspan, Barthelemy caught our eye with his combination of ball skills, shooting and playmaking potential despite his underwhelming frame. The Canadian guard -- who is drumming up high major interest -- shoots a really clean ball with his feet set and is comfortable getting to his spots on the floor, changing speeds and directions with the ball on a string. He's still developing his floor game and tends to kill his dribble when put in advanced playmaking situations. He also has quite a bit of room to improve as a finisher in traffic. But Barthelemy has a strong skill base, defends with toughness and showed some flashes of a poor man's Darius Garland type in terms of his skill and style. -- MS

          Cliff Omoruyi | 6-foot-9 | Center | Nigeria | Age: 17.3

          Omoruyi was the most physically intriguing prospect to take the floor, at 230 pounds with a massive, 7-foot-5 wingspan. He sports a monster frame with wide shoulders, strong legs, huge hands and impressive bounce as both a finisher and a rim protector. We didn't see much from the class of 2020 prospect in terms of skill or basketball instincts, but he's worth tracking based on his physical profile alone, as his measurements closely resemble those of Jarrett Allen and Bismack Biyombo. -- MS

          Jovan Kljajic | 6-foot-6 | SG | Montenegro | Age: 17.3

          Although not loaded with upside in a traditional sense, Kljajic continues to progress every time we see him, as he has improved his body considerably over the past six months and become a much better shooter. Kljajic took what the defense gave him, showing the ability to change speeds and overpower weaker defenders around the rim or space the floor and knock down corner 3s. He makes the extra pass creatively, loves to compete on defense and is the first name other players mention when you ask whom they enjoyed playing with. Kljajic isn't blessed with elite length or athleticism, which might render him more of a Euroleague prospect, but he's certainly not worth ruling out due to his toughness, intelligence and versatility on both ends of the floor. -- JG