An ever-growing pool of African prospects, headlined by Duke center Khaman Maluach, just got larger with Malagasy guard Mathias M’Madi declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. Initially reported by DraftExpress’s Jon Chepkevich ahead of the weekend, M’Madi released an official statement on Sunday.
“Playing in the NBA is my ultimate goal,” he writes (h/t AfricaBasket editor-in-chief Ayo Biyibi). “I will continue working hard to continue improving.”
2025 NBA Draft Adds International Entrant Mathias M’Madi
A 6-foot-5 guard, M’Madi played for CB Morón in Spain’s Primera FEB in 2024-25. Across 32 games, the 19-year-old averaged 7.1 points and 1.0 steal in 17 minutes per contest. He wasn’t particularly efficient or effective on either end of the ball, but his shiftiness and shot-making capabilities were constantly put on display.
CONFIRMED: 6’5” Madagascan
guard Mathias M’Madi has declared for the 2025 @NBADraft.
M’Madi averaged 13.3 PTS, 5.7 REB, and 4 AST for Madagascar
Primera FEB this… pic.twitter.com/e9A7a4nB9W
— Δ¥Ω
(@iam_Ayo) April 27, 2025
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M’Madi did put up stronger numbers during the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers.
Mathias M’Madi (2005) showed his on-ball creativity and shotmaking, driving Madagascar to qualify for #AfroBasket 2025.
He put pressure on the rim and was a threat pulling up from mid and long range. He also made plays for others in transition and the PnR. pic.twitter.com/sLTI46pPyy
— Ngijol Songolo (@5ongolo) February 23, 2025
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In the three games he played, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 steals per contest, all while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Notably, Madagascar was just 1-2 when M’Madi played. However, he was instrumental in a narrow victory over Egypt’s experienced squad.
Ultimately, Madagascar was able to qualify for the 2025 AfroBasket Tournament. The field also includes teams like Nigeria and South Sudan, which have earned respect on the international stage.
Will He Be Drafted?
Because of M’Madi’s age, teams could look at him as a draft-and-stash prospect, hoping to set his curriculum from afar.
Regardless of that, like many international prospects, an invite to the NBA Draft Combine would be beneficial. For starters, it puts him in the room with NBA scouts and executives that may not be familiar with him. In addition, it allows him to show how he measures up against prospects who have already left a positive impression.
With that being said, timing can matter quite a lot when it comes to a player’s draft stock. International intrigue, especially for players that have experience in European leagues, can’t be discounted either. So, while M’Madi is a relatively unknown, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could still hear his name called on Draft Day.
If so, he would be the first Malagasy player to make it to the NBA out of the 93 that are known.
© David Banks-Imagn Images
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