The top international players entering college basketball this season

The impact of international prospects on American basketball isn’t a new phenomenon. One need look no further than last season’s All-NBA first team, which featured four players born outside the United States — a group that didn’t include two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Or the last five NBA MVP awards, all won by players born outside the United States. Or France native Victor Wembanyama, the most recent No. 1 NBA draft pick.

International players have had an influence on the NBA dating back to the 1980s, when Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria) and Patrick Ewing (Jamaica) were selected No. 1 in back-to-back drafts (1984 and ’85) and then went on to dominate the league for years.

Their impact on men’s college basketball, however, is growing. A decade ago, only a handful of schools were consistently going abroad to procure talent. There was Gonzaga, there was Saint Mary’s, there were programs recruiting the top players in Canada — and then there were programs that would recruit players once they came to the United States for high school.

That has all changed in recent years, as top international prospects are no longer playing professionally overseas until it’s time to enter the NBA draft, and more college programs than ever are recruiting talent from all over the world. There are a few reasons behind the trend. The biggest is the introduction of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, which now allow student-athletes to make money while playing in college. Another is the proliferation of Basketball Without Borders, NBA Basketball Schools and the NBA Academies. Add increased access for college coaches to FIBA events, and there are simply more opportunities to evaluate a high number of high-level international prospects in competitive settings.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, there’s a case to be made that at least seven or eight programs in the preseason top 25 are going to need immediate contributions from their international newcomers; a couple could even be one-and-done. Here’s a look at the most impactful international prospects entering men’s college basketball this season, and how they’ll slot into their respective programs.

Note: This list includes only players who didn’t play high school basketball in the United States.

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Scouting report: The center from Zaragoza, Spain, is a huge target in the low post, and as a pick and roll finisher with his 7-foot-7 wingspan, terrific skill level and feel for the game. He’s a very good passer with polished footwork, reliable hands and a soft touch around the basket, already bringing significant experience at the highest levels of international basketball. The main questions, besides his NCAA eligibility, revolve around his lack of toughness in the paint and his defensive struggles on the perimeter. Addressing these could propel him into the top-10 NBA draft pick conversation as quickly as June. — Jonathan Givens

How he fits: It will be interesting to see how Mara plays alongside the team’s lone returning starter, Adem Bona, who was consistently in foul trouble last season. He could be Bona’s backup, but it’s hard to imagine Mick Cronin keeping a lottery-level talent like him on the bench too much. Mara’s offensive skills — particularly his ability to play away from the basket and in the high post — mean he and Bona can coexist offensively, but both would run into issues at the other end of the floor. And as we’ll see with the next player, UCLA is already likely headed for a bigger lineup next season. If Mara lives up to the hype, however, it will be impossible to keep him off the floor. — Jeff Borzello

Scouting report: The power forward from Bursa, Turkey, played significant minutes versus high-level competition last season, and already made his debut with the Turkish senior national team. He was the best player on the floor at this summer’s FIBA U19 World Cup in a win over USA Basketball, proving himselfas a skilled, intelligent, versatile player who impacts every facet of the game. Shooting the ball with better consistency and showing he can defend quicker players on the perimeter are key to solidifying himself as a first-round draft pick. — Givony

How he fits: We mentioned earlier UCLA might have to get creative when it comes to playing Mara and Bona together, and that will have a trickle-down effect on Buyuktuncel. The Turkish forward is versatile and has the ability to stretch the floor and make shots from the perimeter — Cronin has already compared him to Jaime Jaquez Jr. — but will he be able to consistently defend opposing wings if he has to play the small forward position? UCLA also has Utah transfer Lazar Stefanovic, a 6-7 wing who averaged double figures last season and made nearly 36% of his 3s. — Borzello

Scouting report: At first glance, Krivas’ appeal is obvious. The center from Siauliai, Lithuania, brings an excellent combination of physicality — 7-2, 258 pounds — and skill as a major target in the post and a finisher with polished footwork and soft hands and touch. He’s been an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker as well. While there’s little doubt he will be a highly productive college player, likely as early as this season, NBA teams will want to see him continue to make strides with his frame, lateral quickness and explosiveness getting off the ground, to avoid being labeled as too much of an old school big man for their taste. — Givony

How he fits: Arizona returns one of the best big men in the country in 7-foot center Oumar Ballo, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, averaging 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds. Behind him, however, Tommy Lloyd doesn’t have established depth. Neither Henri Veesaar nor Dylan Anderson carved out a consistent role last season, with Veesaar seeing six DNPs and 28 total minutes in the final two months of the season, and Anderson playing just over 50 total minutes — which could open up opportunities for Krivas. The biggest advantage for the Lithuanian might be his size and strength; he’s 45 pounds heavier than Veesaar and has 25 pounds on Anderson. — Borzello

Scouting report: Turning 20 in February, Murauskas is older and more experienced than most players on this list, and spent last season going up against high-level competition in the Lithuanian first division and in the EuroCup. He offers significant mismatch potential from the perimeter with his strong frame, physical style and dynamic shot-creation ability, pushing off the glass aggressively and getting to the free throw line prolifically. His evolution as a perimeter shooter and defender will determine how long he ends up staying in Tucson. — Givony

How he fits: The second Lithuanian (from Kaunas) joining Arizona this season, Murauskas should provide wing and forward depth for the Wildcats. Lloyd added San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson from the portal in the spring for much-needed toughness, especially on the defensive end. Sweden native Pelle Larsson, a returning starter, is likely to start at the three. But Murauskas would bring a different dimension to the position with his size and physicality. Further competition for minutes could come from returnee Filip Borovicanin, a Serbia native who impressed over the summer and creates mismatches as a 6-9 perimeter player. — Borzello

Scouting report: The Melbourne, Australia native was an almost complete unknown heading into the summer, then had a standout showing at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta in July. Furphy brings guard skills with impressive pace and craft as a shot creator, explosiveness as a downhill driver, live dribble passing and dynamic shot-making prowess. He’s full of swagger and competitiveness but will need to continue to make strides with his frame after hitting a late growth spurt, raising questions about his lack of high-level defending experience. — Givony

How he fits: After his breakout in July, Furphy might be the second-best NBA prospect on Kansas’ roster. That said, Bill Self won’t need to rely on him to start immediately for the No. 1 preseason team. Kevin McCullar Jr. returns as a starter on the wing, while potential one-and-done freshman Elmarko Jackson and Towson transfer Nick Timberlake will get the minutes at the two. But Furphy will certainly find time at both positions, and can even play some small-ball four. And if he shoots like he did over the summer, he might not be on the bench — or in Lawrence — for very long. — Borzello

Scouting report: Ivišić has a world of talent at his disposal; it’s hard to find 7-footers anywhere on the planet who can make shots as dynamically as he does pulling up off the dribble and creating separation like a guard. The Vodice, Croatia native is also an explosive finisher, a productive shot-blocker and shows flashes of ability pushing off the glass and creating his own offense in a pinch. Ivišić’s struggles staying healthy along with his lack of physicality as a rebounder, post-defender and screen-setter, and poor awareness as a passer and perimeter defender have made him more of a theoretical prospect for scouts, however. He got a cold shoulder from the NBA in each of the past two drafts, and now will be automatically eligible the next time he elects to enter. Nevertheless, he’ll intrigue NBA teams every time he steps on the floor. — Givony

How he fits: Although Ivišić being admitted to Kentucky was a huge step, there is still the question of when he will be able to play. Given offseason foot injuries to top-five freshman Aaron Bradshaw and 6-11 sophomore Ugonna Onyenso — both of which required surgery — John Calipari would love for the Croatian big man to be available sooner rather than later. When everyone is healthy, Bradshaw is the likely starter given his ability at both ends of the floor, while Onyenso’s shot-blocking prowess is his biggest strength. Until then, though, Ivišić would certainly find early minutes. For now, West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell is the primary option down low. — Borzello

Scouting report: A late-bloomer who grew ten inches in the past four years, the guard from Monthey, Switzerland is a strong perimeter shooter and passer, and should play a variety of roles for Miami. He’s drawn strong reviews early in the preseason, but doesn’t have a great deal of experience at higher levels of competition and is still growing into his frame — despite turning 20 in December. Jim Larrañaga loves big guards who can play on or off the ball and defend multiple positions, and George’s feel for the game and skill level give him unique potential projecting long-term. — Givony

How he fits: Miami returns backcourt starters Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar, as well as sixth man Bensley Joseph, who is expected to move into the starting lineup and replace departed ACC player of the year Isaiah Wong. But if there’s one thing we know about Larranaga and the Hurricanes in recent years, there are never enough perimeter players in Coral Gables. And there are minutes up for grabs behind the aforementioned three veterans. Returnees Christian Watson and Jakai Robinson and fellow freshman Paul Djobet will be George’s competition, but George’s size, ability to play multiple positions and score in different ways should see him get on the floor. — Borzello

Scouting report: The center from Enugu Agidi, Nigeria has a 7-foot-8 wingspan and 244-pound frame to go with his 6-11 height, and is a relentless rebounder with mobility, length and quickness off his feet both as a rim protector and switching onto the perimeter defensively. A late bloomer who doesn’t have a great deal of high-level experience to speak of, Chinyelu’s offensive skills are a work in progress. He’s also somewhat foul-prone, so we’ll have to see how quickly he can adjust to the speed of the college game. Still, NBA Academy alum in his mold have often exceeded expectations. — Givony

How he fits: Kyle Smith has had success in recent years landing talented bigs from Africa, from Efe Abogidi to Mouhamed Gueye to Adrame Diongue. Abogidi was productive in his two seasons in Pullman, while Gueye was a second-round pick last June, and Diongue was a top-50 recruit before transferring after just one season in Pullman. Chinyelu is the latest. There is very little proven Pac-12 production on the roster right now, and Smith will likely rely on Idaho State transfer Isaac Jones, junior college transfer Oscar Cluff and returning starter Andrej Jakimovski up front. But Chinyelu’s shot-blocking and rebounding will put him in a strong position to get minutes alongside those three. — Borzello

Scouting report: A 6-6 guard from Domzale, Slovenia, Vide is a prolific scorer with a physical, relentless attacking style of play that puts constant pressure on opposing defenses. He’s got great size for a guard with strong passing creativity, showing his scoring instincts most vividly in transition, drawing fouls and with tough short-range finishes. Vide’s struggles as a perimeter shooter, at times selfish style of play and inconsistent defensive effort have been issues for scouts in projecting him as an NBA prospect. — Givony

How he fits: The third Bruin to make this list, Vide has the cachet to push for a starting job from day one: He suited up at various age groups for Real Madrid for several years and won MVP honors at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament finals. And Cronin will need his talent rather quickly. He’s likely to play alongside Dylan Andrews in the backcourt, given his size, scoring and playmaking acumen and ability to effectively man either guard position. UCLA isn’t exactly flush with perimeter shooters or shot creators this season, so will hope to see Vide fill the void with a consistent outside shot. — Borzello

Scouting report: A skilled, mobile big man from Gornji Milanovac, Serbia who can play both the power forward and center positions, Djokovic’s ability to shoot 3s, create for himself or others from the perimeter, finish out of pick and roll and operate with his back to the basket gives Sean Miller significantly versatility on the roster. His thin frame and still-developing physicality on the glass and defensive skills might require a transition from the European game, but he has quite a bit of talent at his disposal. — Givony

How he fits: Djokovic didn’t commit to Xavier until August, after putting up impressive numbers for Serbia at the FIBA U19 World Cup. But with injuries to key frontcourt returnees Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter, and Indiana transfer Logan Duncomb stepping away from basketball due to health reasons, Sean Miller is going to need Djokovic to make an impact quickly. Freemantle underwent another foot surgery in September after missing the back half of last season due to an injury to the same foot, while Hunter has been sidelined since July due to a medical issue — Miller has said he doesn’t expect either player to be available this season. That leaves Djokovic and North Texas transfer Abou Ousmane as the anchors up front. Fellow international prospects Gytis Nemeiksa (Lithuania) and Sasa Ciani (Slovenia) will also help in the frontcourt. — Borzello

Honorable mention: Rory Hawke, SG, Saint Mary’s; Jun Seok Yeo, PF, Gonzaga; Marqus Marion, F, Wake Forest; Churchill Abass, C, DePaul; Lee Aaliya, PF, Michigan; Michael Belle, SF, VCU; Alex Condon, C, Florida; Luka Krajnovic, SG, Gonzaga; Rashaan Mbemba, PF, Colorado State