The Top 5 International Prospects Available for the 2021 NBA Draft
A ranking of the best International Basketball Prospects available for the 2021 NBA Draft
Our 2021 NBA Draft coverage continues as we give our opinion and our thoughts on some of the high-profile international basketball Prospects. We’ll try and predict where or if the top international prospects will get drafted and give a quick breakdown of their basketball skills.
In this article, we’ll also rank each of the Top 5 international prospects based on their aforementioned skill and game tape.
Please note, we will continue to scout each prospect as these rankings are subject to change until the actual day of the 2021 NBA Draft. Changes to the rankings will be updated accordingly, if necessary, until the day of the Draft.
Before we begin, be sure to check out the rest of our 2021 NBA Draft Coverage:
1. Usman Garuba, 6–8, PF, Spain, 19 years old
2020–21 International League Stats: 5.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.9 AST, 47.2 FG%, 33.9 3PT%, 61.5 FT%, 0.7 STL, 0.5 BLK
Summary:
Coming in at number one on our list is Usman Garuba, a stretch Power Forward from Spain. Garuba is the number 11 Prospect on our 2021 NBA Draft Big Board. He’s a terrific defender that can guard multiple positions because of his effort, footwork, and length (7'2 wingspan).
Garuba also features two skills that translate well for today’s NBA Power Forward position; the ability to knock down threes, and the ability to drive to the basket from the top of the perimeter.
Garuba’s three-point shot has improved over the last year from 30.4% to 33.9% accuracy. He makes 1.3 threes per 36 minutes of playing time and based on his statistical trajectory over the past two seasons and his actual play on the court, that number will continue to trend upward.
2021 NBA Draft Projection:
Based on the statistical analysis of Usman Garuba, and scouting of his game tape, he projects as the best international prospect available for the 2021 NBA Draft. He projects as a late lottery pick and could be taken between picks 8–16 of the 2021 NBA Draft.
2. Roko Prkacin, 6–9, PF, Croatia, 18 years old
2020–21 International League Stats: 13.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.7 AST, 49.0 FG%, 38.6 3PT%, 65.4 FT%, 0.8 STL, 0.5 BLK
Summary:
Roko Prkacin is an efficient shooting stretch-four (49.0 FG%, 38.6 3PT%). His offensive game fits well for today’s NBA style of basketball. He’s very advanced skill-wise for a player of his young age and he has a high basketball I.Q.
One thing that does stand out on the game tape though, is that Prkacin isn’t the great athlete that most of the players that play his position will be in the NBA. However, his high basketball I.Q., long frame, and scoring ability make up for some of the weaknesses in his game.
2021 NBA Draft Projection:
Roko has a lot of upside and is far from a finished product. His already advanced skill set at his young age is very impressive. He should be a mid-late 1st round pick.
3. Carlos Alocen, 6–4, PG, Spain, 20 years old
2020–21 International League Stats: 4.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.9 AST, 32.8 FG%, 24.6 3PT%, 67.9 FT%, 0.3 STL
Summary:
Carlos Alocen isn’t the quickest Guard but he uses his long strides, and length to get to the basket and finish acrobatic layups on drives toward the rim. He looks and plays taller than 6'4 because of his lanky frame. His movements are a bit unorthodox but he has great instincts and is a crafty ball-handler and distributor of the basketball.
Alocen thrives in the fast-break and can hit his teammates in stride with beautiful cross-court passes for easy looks to the hoop. When Alocen is in a rhythm offensively, he’s at his best when the team is moving the basketball around, looking for the open man. Alocen makes the right reads on defense and consistently gets his teammate's open looks.
2021 NBA Draft Projection:
The two parts of Alocen’s game that are still developing are his defense, and outside shot. Both areas of weakness are fixable though if he is Drafted by the right NBA team that will have the patience to allow him to develop. A prospect like Alocen should be taken in the late 1st round of the draft, but will realistically go in the middle of round 2 or go undrafted.
4. Josh Giddey, 6–8, PG/SG, Australia, 18 years old
2020–21 International League Stats: 10.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.1 AST, 41.1 FG%, 30.8 3PT%, 68.6 FT%, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK
Summary:
Josh Giddey is an all-around Combo Guard that fills up the stat sheet. He’s ambidextrous, has a soft touch around the basket, and has great court vision. He is a master in the pick and roll game.
Giddey uses his height to oversee how the defense is playing him off the pick and roll and then decides whether to create for himself or finish off the play to set up an open teammate.
The perimeter shooting ability of Giddey makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the court. When his outside shot is on, Giddey’s potential and upside are on full display.
Giddey is a solid decision-maker and has natural passing instincts that make him a good Lead Guard. His height and length also give him positional versatility to play 3 positions on the court. On defense, he uses his long arms to play the passing lanes and alter shots at the rim.
2021 NBA Draft Projection:
It will take some time for Giddey to adjust to the NBA Game. He has good instincts on both ends of the floor but he needs to add more bulk to his frame and tighten up his ball-handling to carve out a Lead Guard role at the NBA level.
The lack of athleticism and ball-handling may cause him to struggle if he plays the Forward or Shooting Guard position. However, all the raw talent is there for a team to develop Giddey into an NBA-ready contributor.
Giddey will be getting looks in the middle of round 1. He could even sneak into the lottery. He’s a late 2nd round value though, and taking him in the Lottery is a huge gamble and risk.
5. Amar Sylla, 6–9, PF/C, Senegal, 19 years old
2020–21 International League Stats: 8.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.7 AST, 46.2 FG%, 13.3 3PT%, 70.7 FT%, 0.5 STL, 1.3 BLK
Summary:
Amar Sylla is an athletic big that runs the floor very well and excels in the fast-break game. His solid footwork and lateral quickness make him an intimidating, shot-blocking presence in the paint.
A quick look at his statistical production does indicate Sylla is still raw offensively. When you watch his game tape, the statistical production does match his inconsistencies on the game tape.
Sylla does have a quick lefty release on his jump shot but isn’t a real consistent shooter from the perimeter. It’s a part of his game that he is still trying to develop. He is at his best offensively when he plays to his strengths which are; the pick and roll cut to the basket, fast-break opportunities, and crashing the offensive boards for second-chance points.
2021 NBA Draft Projection:
Sylla should get looks towards the middle or end of the 2nd round of the 2021 NBA Draft because of his energy, athletic ability, and the value he brings as a Rebounder and shot-blocker.
Ideally, a team that doesn’t need him to produce right away would be a great fit, and it would also give Sylla the chance to continue to develop his offensive game.
Jeffrey Genao is a Writer and Contributor for Basketball University. You can read more of his content at https://officialbballuniversity.com/author/jeffrey-genao/
