International Prospects

International Draft Prospects 2016

Dragan Bender: Croatia, 7'1, 216 lbs. (Top 5 Pick)

Bender is projected to be top five pick in this year's draft making him the highest rated foreigner in the 2016 class. His slim build likely means he is better suited to play at power forward. Bender is a versatile big who runs like a deer in transition or starts the break by throwing great outlet passes. His 9'3 standing reach gives hope for him as a good rebounder and a defensive force. On offense, the Croatian has an all around skill set including passing, post play, and shooting. He can post defenders up and pick up an assist or score around the basket. Bender's face up game is where he is proficient because he loves to use his speed to take defenders off the dribble. In addition, his shooting ability keeps defenders honest. Also, he can stretch out to make three pointers. Bender needs to add some muscle to his frame and become more explosive. He has the potential to be a good scoring option in an offense, but not necessarily a go to scorer.

Furkan Korkmaz: Turkey, 6'7, 185 lbs. (Mid-1st Rounder)

Korkmaz has the potential to be the best foreign player in this draft with his offensive repertoire. He is known for being an excellent shooter. Korkmaz has the ability to be a streaky knockdown shooter, shoot off screens, and shoot off the dribble. He has good form, a high release, and extension on his shot. Korkmaz shooting sets up a lot of the things he likes to do. His shooting ability spaces the floor and allows him to be a good playmaker. Korkmaz has a sneaky way of changing direction with the ball as he drives to the rack where he can finish with an emphatic dunk. He struggles against size, but his 185-pound frame should fill out, as he gets older. Defensively, Korkmaz has to become more disciplined and focus in on his assignment. He has the tendency to stand straight up and lose his defender with mental lapses. 

Timothe Luwawu: France, 6'7, 205 lbs. (1st Rounder)

The first thing you notice when one watches Luwawu is his lanky frame and the wingspan of a pterodactyl. He follows suit by using that 7'2 wingspan by playing above the rim with ease and finishing with his left or right hand. Luwawu is a marginal shooter so early on in his career many defenders will allow him to take intermediate and long range jumpers. If he can set his feet and stay balanced, he can make a jumper with his clean follow through. Luwawu can handle the rock as he uses his long strides in the transition game or in the half court running pick and rolls. He is crafty with the ball with a smooth hesitation move to get where he wants. The Frenchman has to learn how to play with composure when defenders get up and into him. He ends up turning the ball over a lot or takes low percentage shots. Also, Luwawu lacks the awareness, defensively, to be on the court at times.

Ivica Zubac: Croatia, 7'1 260 lbs. (Late 1st Rounder) 

The Croatian has excellent size to enter the NBA and be a rotation player as a rookie. His size allows him to hold his own on the low block as well as post up where he can finish with a hook or spin toward his right shoulder. Also, Zubac uses his length to rebound on the offensive glass and alter shots defensively. He has defensive potential so he just needs good coaching on fundamentals and he will get better with game experience. He has soft hands and catches everything cleanly in the post. Zubac loves to use his speed to beat bigs down the court or diving to the basket on pick and rolls. However, he has to improve his pick and roll defense. When he switches onto a guard, Zubac looks really awkward and gets blown by. He needs to box out more often or the elite bigs will out rebound him. Finally, he is not athletic due to his knee injuries. 

Guerschon Yabusele: France, 6'8, 260 lbs. (Late 1st/ Early 2nd Rounder)

Yabusele plays with good energy and a high motor for an undersized big. I think he takes it personal when he plays bigger players because he is ultra aggressive and tries to dominate them. Yabusele is extremely strong and explosive when finishing in the paint. He is dexterous and maintains good body control in the air offensively and defensively. The Frenchman uses pump fakes to keep defenders on their heels and has a good drop step. He is as quick as a cat in transition. Yabusele uses that quickness to disrupt passing lanes with his seven-foot wingspan. His long arms also help him out rebound others. With his size and body frame, he is easily comparable to DeJuan Blair. Yabusele can be a bit over aggressive at times that can get him into foul trouble. His jumper needs work and he struggles against athletic bigs.

Ante Zizic: Croatia, 6'10, 240 lbs. (Early 2nd Rounder)

Zizic could earn the reputation as the toughest foreigner in this year's class. He does not excel at one skill, but he does everything with a great deal of energy. Offensively, he is another big that is fleet of foot. Zizic will run in transition and set good hard screens so he can dive to the basket. He can manufacture easy points by attacking the glass for easy put backs. Defensively, he makes it hard for defenders to post him up. Against the pick and roll, Zizic competes hard even when he is matched up against guards. He does not have good lateral quickness as a defender and his jumper needs to be developed. The word that best describes Zizic is: fighter. He will not “wow” you with his stats, but when you watch the film his impact is felt on both ends. Zizic will be a good change of pace backup big like Tyler Hansbrough or Luis Scola.

Juan Hernangomez: Spain, 6'9, 220 lbs. (2nd Rounder)

Hernangomez is an all or nothing type player meaning it's either a basket at the rim or a three-point bomb. He is a smart player with a good feel for the game offensively. The Spaniard has a nice shot with a quick shooting motion. He hardly takes a bad shot when he has the ball and he is good in pick and pop situations. He can come off screens well as a shooter and can make a cut toward the basket if the defender is overzealous. Hernangomez can occasionally put the ball on the deck and finish in the paint. He is tough on the glass as well with his relentless pursuit. Hernangomez is a tweener as he is not quick enough to defend wing players, but not strong enough against big men. 

Isaia Cordinier: France, 6'5, 183 lbs. (2nd Rounder)

Cordinier is a supreme athlete with long strides in the open court. He loves attacking the rim with malice. He will run a lot of backdoor cuts to generate his points and he slashes to the rim with the ball. Cordinier shoots the ball with more confidence than he did a year ago with great elevation on his shot that makes it hard to block. He has good arc on his shot; however, it still needs some work. The French guard can pass well too with flashy ball movement. On defense, he plays an annoying brand with good energy and pesky play. Cordinier is willing to stick his nose in the paint and rebound for his team. His intangibles are what make him an intriguing second round selection. Cordinier is a gym rat and plays with a tremendous amount of heart according to his coach in France. Cordinier is better off at shooting guard, but he will need to guard point guards. He does struggle with playing through contact; in addition, teams are not so high on him because he does not play in the best French league. He will be a project player wherever he is drafted. If what Cordinier's coach says is true, his commitment to the game should pay dividends.