Top European NBA prospects for the 2025 Draft

This year marks the 79th iteration of the NBA draft. And almost every year, European players share the spotlight with American talent. The continent has birthed some of the NBA’s finest players, including MVPs like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić, as well as stars like  Luka Dončić and Rudy Gobert.

This year, as well, several teams are throwing money at international scouting to uncover the next big thing. From great forwards to versatile point guards, this article covers the top European prospects of the 2025 NBA draft.

Nolan Traoré (France)

Nolan Traoré is a 19-year-old basketball player who plays for Saint-Quentin of the LNB Élite. Although he has had certain struggles at the beginning of this season, his speed, shot creation, and playmaking attributes are nothing short of phenomenal.

After joining Saint-Quentin in the middle of the 2023/2024 season, he averaged 10.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in just seven matches. However, he bumped up his profile as he became a regular in the 2024/2025 season, posting an average of 11.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 22.8 minutes across 29 different contests.

Traoré is buzzing with potential. This makes him the right pair of feet for any team looking for a young point guard with diverse strengths.

Hugo Gonzaléz (Spain)

Gonzaléz was born in Madrid, Spain. He joined the Real Madrid youth basketball team when he was just 10. In 2022, he was among the under-17 Spanish national team that took silver at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The 19-year-old made his Real Madrid debut in last season’s EuroLeague as part of the reserve team and has played 10 minutes per game across 57 appearances. Gonzaléz has ascended the basketball ladder by using his speed and athleticism to weave past defenders like no man’s business. Despite his brilliance, the young star still struggles around the rim and is guilty of making several incomplete passes.

Nonetheless, the Spaniard has the potential to be a top-class point guard. He doesn’t get as much draft buzz, but his chances are pretty good in the 2025 NBA draft. You can see what the pros have to say by following SportyTrader for picks and predictions on the NBA. Whether you intend to predict the first European player to be selected or if a draft pick will fall under or above a certain position, SportyTrader has all the expert insights. 

Noah Penda (France)

France-born Penda played many sports before settling for basketball. He’s currently contracted to the Le Mans Sarthe Basket of the LNB Élite. In the 2024/2025 season, he averaged a solid 10.2 points, 2.6 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 26.6 minutes across 28 appearances. These numbers didn’t go under the radar, earning him All-Star status and the title of the Most Valuable Player of the League’s Young Star Game. 

On the international front, Penda continues to impress. In 2024, he helped his team win the FIBA under-20 EuroBasket tournament,  averaging 11.7 points per game.

At 6.8 feet, the Frenchman has the build to play as a forward spot in either position. He can create scoring opportunities for his teammates or simply do the scoring himself. On the defensive front, he can recover lost balls quickly and guard the rim against opposition attempts.

He has demonstrated his ability to score from all three levels of the court and defend effectively when the need arises. This makes him a great option for NBA franchises seeking to strengthen their attacking and defensive cores.

Other European players with good draft potential

Here are some more European talents that could join the NBA by the start of the new season:

• Noa Essengue (France) – SF/PF

• Joan Beringer (France) – C

• Michael Ruzic (Croatia) – PF

• Bogoljub Marković (Serbia) – PF

• Izan Almansa (Spain) – PF/C

• Neoklis Avdalas (Greece) – SG/SF

European basketball players have thrived in the NBA. So it’s no wonder that teams are looking towards these international athletes. This year’s group isn’t the caliber of elite talent we’ve seen in previous years, but there’s a good number of players with NBA quality in there. The top three names we’ve highlighted have excellent game IQ and impressive skills and will be a welcome addition to any NBA franchise.

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