The upcoming NBA draft is filled with talented forwards who either played internationally or bypassed college basketball.
French teenager Zaccharie Risacher could very well be the No. 1 overall pick and , while Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland II went through the G League Ignite developmental program for top prospects. All are positioned to be lottery prospects, along with Colorado one-and-done freshman Cody Williams as an athletic wing.
A look at the top forward prospects:
Zaccharie Risacher, France
STRENGTHS: There is intriguing potential surrounding the 6-foot-9, 195-pound forward as a developing player who could impact both ends of the court. He has guard skills and the ability to thrive as a catch-and-shoot wing after making about 39% of his 3-pointers for JL Bourg between league and Eurocup play last season. He's active away from the ball as a cutter and can thrive in transition or off a closeout, while his roughly 6-10 wingspan can create problems for smaller ballhandlers.
CONCERNS: The 19-year-old needs to get stronger to prepare for the physical play in the NBA. He also averaged 0.9 assists and 1.6 turnovers in league and Eurocup play, highlighting a need to improve as a playmaker.
Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
STRENGTHS: The 6-9, 197-pound Buzelis was a top-flight recruit and McDonald's All-American who bypassed college to play for Ignite. Buzelis, who turns 20 in October, . He has shown signs of an all-around offensive game from attacking off the dribble or scoring on step-back shots, averaging 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds for Ignite while also using his length (6-10 wingspan) to average 2.1 blocks and rank fourth in the G League.
CONCERNS: He's a willing outside shooter but he made just 27.3% on 3-pointers with Ignite. He also shot just 67.9% at the foul line. He is also still developing as a playmaker (1.9 assists compared to 2.1 turnovers) and could help himself by adding strength.
Cody Williams, Colorado
STRENGTHS: who measured roughly 6-7 without shoes at the combine and has a 7-1 wingspan. The 19-year-old shot 55.2% from the field and showed the ability to play in transition, attack the rim and finish. He also made 41.5% of his 3-pointers to stretch defenses, while his length projects well for the defensive end.
CONCERNS: He's has a light 178-pound frame that will need strength, which could also help him improve as a rebounder after he averaged just 3.0 boards — including a total of three rebounds in 64 minutes during three NCAA Tournament games.
Ron Holland II, G League Ignite
STRENGTHS: He has . Holland has shown the ability to run the floor, get downhill and attack the rim. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.6 rebounds while also making 75.7% of his foul shots for Ignite, but played just 14 games before needing thumb surgery. Throw in his length (6-11 wingspan), and there's also a defensive upside that showed with 2.5 steals per game.
CONCERNS: He struggled with his outside shot (24% on 3s) and will have to improve his range. He also could use improvement in decision-making considering he had nearly as many turnovers (42) as assists (45).
Others of note:
—TIDJANE SALAUN: The 6-9, 217-pounder is a fluid athlete with a nearly 7-2 wingspan, which could land him late in the lottery. If he can refine his 3-point shot — he shot around 32% with French club Cholet last season — he has the long-term potential to stretch defenses and harass smaller players outside the paint.
—TRISTAN DA SILVA: The 6-8, 217-pounder . The 23-year-old made 98 career starts over the past three seasons in his four-year run at Colorado, and he averaged 15.9 points while shooting 39.5% from behind the arc in a leading role the past two years. That offensive punch could make him a solid pick in the last third of the first round.
—JAYLON TYSON: The 6-6, 218-pound wing took a big leap offensively after going from Texas to Texas Tech and finally California last season. The first-round prospect averaged 19.6 points (up from 10.7) last season and has a track record as a reliable outside shooter (making 37.8% over the past two seasons).
—TYLER SMITH: The 6-9, 224-pound Smith bypassed college basketball, first with Overtime Elite and last year with G League Ignite. The first-round prospect offers a power forward frame (with a 7-1 wingspan) who can be a lob threat and 3-point range (36.4%) to pull defenders from the paint.
—PACOME DADIET: The 18-year-old Frenchman has played in Germany and is still developing his 6-8, 217-pound frame. He has shown potential as a rim finisher with 3-point range, which could land him in the first round.
—BOBI KLINTMAN: The 6-9, 212-pound wing flashed potential at Wake Forest before spending last season in Australia's National Basketball League. He could go late in the first round with length (6-11 wingspan) and ability as a catch-and-fire 3-point shooter.
—HARRISON INGRAM: He's after at North Carolina (38.5%, up from 31.9% at Stanford). He is a strong rebounder, including 19 against rival North Carolina State. Measuring roughly 6-5 at the combine, Ingram has a strong frame (234 pounds) and 7-foot wingspan.
—BLAKE HINSON: Another flier who could offer outside-shooting punch. The 24-year-old is sturdy (6-8, 230) and averaged 18.5 points .
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AP NBA:
Aaron Beard, The Associated Press