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Your guide to this year’s international prospects in the NBA draft.

With the Warriors celebrating and the LeBron-haters hatin’, it’s time for the 2015 Draft.  As usual, there’s tons of talk about the top domestic prospects we all saw in the NCAA Tournament and college basketball season.  And as usual there are prospects from Europe and beyond who sound mysterious and are completely off the usual fan’s radar.  There are really only five players of note and I’ve given you a brief breakdown so you can be the smartest person in the room on Thursday.  (My first round suggestions will be out soon.)

Emmanuel Mudiay (China) – This kid is ranked as high as third in some mock drafts, but I’m not seeing it.  He’s got good size (6-5, 200), speed and strength which allows him to finish at the rim and post up smaller defenders.  He’s also an above average passer who will outgrow his tendency to force passes……all point guards do.  But, he’s a 58% free throw shooter and has very little long range game.  He’s serviceable from 15 feet but often passes up that shot to drive to the basket.  He also loses interest in defense if his offense is lagging or the opponent slows the tempo.  He would do well to land on a team with a veteran point guard (Brooklyn, San Antonio) but someone will jump on him based on potential.

Kristaps Porzingis (Spain) – Here’s another talk Euro who can shoot from three and dribble a little.  Problem is he’s 7-0, 220 and needs ankle weights to keep from blowing away.  He can flat-out shoot and is a terror for other bigs to defend.  He moves well without the ball which sets him up for open looks on the perimeter.  Unfortunately, a traditional center would eat him alive at the other end of the floor.  Some teams are looking at him as a power forward (emphasis on “forward”, not “power”) to work alongside a true post player.  That works until, oh yeah, he has to play defense.  He’s also not a very cerebral player.  He doesn’t really understand the flow of the game and can often lose his man or fail to help out against penetration.  This guy needs carbs and a strength coach.

Mario Hezonja (Spain) – This dude is killing it at team workouts.  He’s got the quickness and slashing ability to score against 2’s and 3’s with a developing outside game that will make him tough for GM’s to pass up.  His teammates in Spain like him because he’s a solid passer and is a fiery competitor.  Just like many of these imports, he’s gotta put on some muscle and improve his defensive consistency.  It will also be interesting to see if he is as successful getting his own shot at the NBA level.  Still, he’s the best of the international prospects.

Guillermo Hernangomez (Spain) – Talk about a beast…..this cat is 6-11, 255 and strong as hell!  He has no problem moving defenders where he wants them and establishing position deep in the post.  Once he’s there, he catches any pass that’s thrown near him.  It sometimes takes a couple of tries for him to put it in the basket, but offensive rebounding is a strength.  His game doesn’t really move out of the 10 foot range, but he can hit a corner jumper.  He’ll need to improve his passing to avoid double team troubles and his lack of explosiveness means he’s not a rim protector, but his strength and tenacity make him a contributor right away.  This kid has Western Conference bully written all over him.

Mouhammadou Jaiteh (France) – This young man is a real development project.  Some scouting services have him listed at 6-11, but he’s definitely no taller than 6-9 but he has the makings of a solid frame and comes in at 250 lbs.  He’s aggressive with the ball, moving forward and keeping it high and in front of him,….similar to James Harden’s foul-drawing technique.  His one-on-one offensive skills are extremely underdeveloped, giving him not real post moves and no abilities off the dribble.  He has lapses, especially on defense, where he doesn’t seem to understand how he fits into what’s going on.  The real story is how he understands his deficiencies and works hard on the floor.  He will put the time in to improve, he’ll just need the right organization with patience and a good coaching staff.

There are other players on the radar, such as Nikola Milutinov or Cedi Osman, but Mudiay, Porzingis, Hezonja, Hernandgomez and Jaiteh are the prospects being floated for early consideration.  With the exception of Hernandgomez, all of these players need to add strength and weight to handle the physicality of the NBA.  Also, the rigors of guarding NBA talent may separate the real from the fake in years to come.

But don’t worry about the “invasion” from foreign lands this year.  There’s homegrown talent at every position that SHOULD be taken ahead of these young men.  Whether GM’s and coaches see that is a different question for a different post.

Enjoy the hype and stay tuned for my “This Is What They Should Do” list.