Best Overseas Players yet to Make NBA Debut

NBA draft and stash rankings

Sporting News

There was a record 26 international players taken in last year’s NBA Draft. Out of the 26, 11 played college basketball in the United States.

There was also a record number of international players taken in the first round at 14 — a direct result of the lack of talent coming from the collegiate ranks. Teams would have rather taken a prospect with pro experience from overseas rather than a young college player with less talent.

Usually when teams select players from overseas in the draft, they have those players spend at least one season in another professional basketball league before coming over to the NBA. This is called “Draft and Stash.”

There are a good amount of talented international players not in the NBA yet that can make an impact on their teams next season. Here are the the best players of that crop.

Dnevnik

Ante Zizic: Boston Celtics

The Celtics took Zizic 23rd overall in the 2016 draft with plans of storing him overseas in 2017. Boston had a crowded roster going into the 2016 draft, but will certainly find room for the Croatian big man. Zizic is averaging 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Darussafaka Dogus in Istanbul.

Playing under former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, Zizic is playing against the best competition possible outside of the NBA and punishing grown men as a 20-year-old prospect. Austin Ainge, the Celtics director of player personnel said, “We’ll just wait for the calendar to roll over to July 1st and we’ll sign him.”

Zizic is coming to the NBA next season, and his rebounding prowess along with his physical play at 6'11" and 254 pounds will help him earn meaningful minutes on a contending Celtics team.

FanSided

Furkan Korkmaz: Philadelphia 76ers

Korkmaz was selected 26th overall in the 2016 draft by Philadelphia and is an elite sharpshooter. With Ben Simmons’ ability to make plays for the people around him, Korkmaz’s shooting will help him get minutes in the NBA.

The Turkish swing man hopes to make his NBA debut next season, and there is no reason why the Sixers wouldn’t bring him on board. Korkmaz will turn 20 in July, and therefore is a young player that could benefit from more minutes in the NBA.

Korkmaz might struggle initially due to his slim frame and the physical nature of the NBA game, but in due time he could become a deadly deep threat off the bench for the Sixers.

CSNNE.com

Guerschon Yabusele: Boston Celtics

Yes, the Celtics have a few gems overseas. Yabusele was taken 16th overall in 2016 and played with Yao Ming’s old team the Shanghai Sharks this season. There, he averaged 20.9 points and 9.4 rebounds. Yabusele goes by “The Dancing Bear,” and definitely lives up to it.

He’s 6'8" and weighs 260 pounds, but is extremely quick on his feet. Yabusele’s game reminds me of Draymond Green, which is probably what attracted Danny Ainge in the middle of the first round.

Yabusele’s season in China is over, and he will join the Celtics’ D-League affiliate in Maine once he has his ankle checked out. You will see Yabusele in the NBA next season, and he should provide a nice spark off the bench for Boston. He is very versatile and has serious potential. Yabusele is a player to look out for.

Solobasket

Cedi Osman: Cleveland Cavaliers

Osman was the first pick in the second round in 2015 and hopes to join the Cavs next season if there is room for him. Osman can really shoot the ball, which is a welcome addition to any team led by LeBron James.

Osman has had to wait for his opportunity and has a ton of potential with his size and shooting ability. If the Cavs don’t feel like spending more money on veteran shooters, they might want to consider bringing Osman on.

If not, I hope they trade him to a team that will use him. Giannis Antetokounmpo had high praise for Osman when he said, “He is going to be really good.” For a player that came from overseas to say that, you have to put some stock in it. We’ll see if Osman gets his shot next year on an NBA squad.

Chicago Tribune

Abdel Nader: Boston Celtics

Here’s another one! Nader was taken with the 58th pick in the 2016 draft and had the option to play overseas, but decided to play in the D-League instead. Nobody expected Nader to become a great prospect, but he has shown his skills this year.

With the Maine Red Claws Nader is averaging 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, and is rated as the third best prospect in the D-League this season. Nader hoped to play for the Celtics this season, but knew that the depth of the roster wouldn’t provide him with enough minutes to make an impact.

Nader is very versatile at 6'6". He can guard at least three positions, make plays off the dribble, and shoot spot up threes. This will help him gain minutes in Brad Stevens’ system and help him make some noise as a late second round success story. Most of the Celtics’ bench players will be free agents, so Boston will have the option of bringing in Nader along with Zizic and Yabusele as their next wave of contributors.