The 2024 NBA Draft opened our eyes to the rapid development of foreign prospects overseas and the NBA’s growing influence outside the United States. Three French prospects were selected in the top-six picks: Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1), Alex Sarr (No. 2), and Tidjane Salaun (No. 6). France became the second nation to have at least three native players selected in the top-10. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Risacher with the No. 1 pick, making him the second consecutive French player to be drafted first overall after Victor Wembanyama in 2023. Now, looking at the 2025 NBA Draft, it isn’t as crowded with international talent as years prior. However, there are still many highly-regarded international prospects projected throughout the first round. Additionally, there are several underrated international prospects who must be highlighted as potential steals for teams selecting in the second round.
Most Underrated International Prospects in 2025 NBA Draft
Noah Penda
French wing Noah Penda has elite vision for his position. He can make any pass on the court, finding the open teammate in the corner or down in the paint. When Le Mans needed an easy basket, they relied on Penda to facilitate the offense. Penda provided Le Mans Sarthe with great hustle and energy, particularly with his constant effort on defense.
His skill set is highlighted by great defensive versatility, using his length and quickness to get into passing lanes and switching as a help defender. For Le Mans Sarthe last season, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Even with his keen defensive ability, Penda’s floor spacing and shot-creating ability will need to improve, as he lacked any flashes with his jumper.
Hansen Yang
Chinese center Hansen Yang is your traditional big who has excellent footwork and touch in the post. Standing at 7’1″, it is difficult to stop him when he obtains deep post positioning. He possesses great vision out of the post for a big man too, using his decisiveness and feel for making the accurate pass. Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 assists per game in his final CBA season with Qingdao.
In his overseas career, he prided himself on the defensive end of the floor. He vacuumed in rebounds on the defensive glass and developed into a natural rim protector, averaging 2.2 and 2.6 blocks per game in the past two seasons. Yang earned the CBA DPOY in 2024 while also being named to the All-CBA First Team in back-to-back seasons. However, his slow feet and lack of outside shot will determine if he can make an effective transition.
Bogoljub Markovic
Serbian forward Bogoljub Markovic provides upside as a stretch big in the NBA. With the correct development, his outside shot, post-scoring, and playmaking upside will create an immediate impact in a young rotation. Last season with Mega Basket, Markovic averaged 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and an effective 37% from distance. His high release point and touch with both hands signify great offensive tools that teams cherish in modern-day forwards.
Markovic will need to add more muscle to build out his frame and reach his defensive potential. He stands at 6’11”, 195 pounds, which is concerning. However, he already has the size and quickness that can give him a head start in his development.
Mouhamed Faye
Senegalese center Mouhamed Faye possesses a high motor on both ends of the floor, helping him fit effortlessly onto any roster. On offense, he displays natural instincts as a lob threat and hustle on the offensive glass. However, he lacks any true polish offensively, as outside of his paint scoring, he hasn’t developed much else. In 2024-25 for Reggio Emilia, Faye averaged 10.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
As a defender, Faye has developed great defensive versatility for a big. He is able to stick around the perimeter while protecting the rim and effectively running the floor. His physical dominance and long 7’5″ wingspan give him the ultimate advantage on defense.
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