All articles tagged with #international prospects
James Nnaji, a former NBA draft pick and international player, has enrolled at Baylor University and will be eligible to play immediately, marking an unprecedented move that blurs the line between college and professional basketball, with the Knicks holding his NBA rights and closely monitoring his progress.
Kentucky Wildcats are recruiting 7-foot-3 Italian prospect Luigi Suigo, a 2026 class player with impressive measurables and international experience, with several top schools showing interest.
The Detroit Tigers are actively pursuing Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, a highly sought-after international prospect known for his exceptional fastball and splitter. Despite MLB's international bonus pool restrictions, which limit his signing bonus, the Tigers are preparing a strong pitch to attract Sasaki, competing against other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sasaki's agent suggests a smaller market team might be beneficial for his transition from Japan. If unsuccessful, the Tigers will focus on other roster needs, having recently added Alex Cobb to their rotation.
Serbian basketball prospect Nikola Topic has been diagnosed with a partially-torn ACL, which was revealed at the NBA's international draft combine in Italy. This injury has affected his draft stock, dropping him from a projected top-four pick. He is expected to travel to the US for further medical evaluation and will not be able to participate in workouts with teams.
Top international basketball prospect Kasparas Jakucionis from Lithuania has committed to Illinois. The 6-foot-6 point guard, a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft, has an impressive resume, including playing for Barcelona and leading the Adidas Next Generation tournament in assists. Jakucionis will join a strong Illinois backcourt and is expected to play a significant role. The trend of elite international prospects choosing the NCAA route is growing due to the rise of NIL agreements.
The New York Mets have signed 20 international prospects, including Vladi Miguel Guerrero, the half-brother of Vlad Jr. and son of Vlad Sr., as well as catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, shortstop Yensi Rivas, and outfielder Edward Lantigua. Guerrero, known for his hitting aptitude, is expected to sign for $117,000, while Rodriguez is anticipated to sign for $2.85 million. The Mets have also agreed to terms with shortstop/center fielder Bohan Adderley of the Bahamas.
The impact of international prospects on American basketball is growing, with more college programs than ever recruiting talent from around the world. Heading into the 2023-24 season, several top-ranked programs are expected to rely on immediate contributions from their international freshmen. One standout player to watch is Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 center from Spain, who brings significant experience and skill to the UCLA Bruins. While his lack of toughness in the paint and defensive struggles are areas for improvement, addressing these could potentially elevate him into the conversation for a top-10 NBA draft pick.
The 2023-2024 international signing period for Major League Baseball (MLB) starts on January 15 and ends on December 15. The top five international prospects expected to sign during this period are Leo De Vries, a shortstop with advanced hitting ability; Paulino Santana, an outfielder with strong baseball acumen; Jose Perdomo, a skilled shortstop with good bat-to-ball skills; Fernando Cruz, a powerful hitter with defensive prowess; and Adolfo Sanchez, a hard-hitting outfielder. The majority of the top 50 prospects are from the Dominican Republic, with 39 players, followed by 10 from Venezuela and one from Curacao. Various MLB teams have different signing pools based on their competitive balance picks and previous signings.
The NBA Draft Combine 2023 is underway in Chicago, with 78 prospects vying for a spot in the NBA. Among them are several international prospects, including Sidy Cissoko, Mojave King, Azuolas Tubelis, James Nnaji, Rayan Rupert, Adama Sanogo, and Tristian Vukcevic. These players hope to follow in the footsteps of global stars like Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have helped change the way international prospects are evaluated in the NBA.