France's Noa Essengue with 21 points in 21 minutes vs. Denmark yesterday, mostly just by tapping into his natural/physical talent as a fluid 6-10 forward. Ball-handling and shooting development will be monitored closely this season before 2025 draft.

Israel's Ben Saraf with a combined 50 points vs. Italy and Latvia in U18s. Natural 3-level scorer, plays at his own pace, subtle/abrupt ball-handling moves to separate, can make shots in variety of ways.

Potential top-5 pick Hugo Gonzalez racked up 26-9-5 +2 blocks in Spain's tough loss to Lithuania. Balanced mix of on/off-ball scoring. Big time athletic plays at the rim at both ends. Eyes will be on 3PT development in 2025 but otherwise very well-rounded wing prospect.

Turkey's Kaan Onat off to a strong start at U18s after averaging 19-5-5 at U17 WC. Not overly quick or athletic but continues to score (18 PPG at 17 y/o) off improvisation and shotmaking. Sneaky on D, combined 8 steals vs. Croatia and Belgium.

Potential lotto pick Kasparas Jakucionis scored 21 on 9 shots with 5 stocks today in Lithuania's win over Italy at U18s. Aggressive and crafty, 4th straight game with 6+ FTA. Tough shotmaker/shooter. Headed to Illinois.

Potential top-10 pick Nolan Traore with an easy 16 and 5 for France without playing the 4th quarter in blowout win over Turkey. Good vision, smart passing reads off the dribble. Pro at facilitating offense, getting teammates rhythm looks. Also hit a pair of 3s today.

Israel's Ben Saraf just went off for 40 points to outduel Hugo Gonzalez (32 points) and Spain. Human joystick off the dribble, constantly changing speed/direction. Relentless getting to spots. 4 3PTM. Special performance from the 6-5 18-year averaging 27 points thru 4 games.

France's Noa Essengue with another productive U18 showing yesterday with 28 points vs. Israel. Simply optimizes every inch of size and length at both ends. Doesn't turn 18 until Christmas, will be one of 2025 draft's youngest prospects.

Slovenia's Urban Kroflic is averaging 18.0 points, 9.0 boards, 4.8 assists through 5 games at U18s. Went for 21, 12 and 4 in win QF win over Sweden yesterday. Lefty 6-5 scorer with playmaking ability and feel. Shot 37% 3PT last year. Will play for Mega MIS first team.

Georgia commit Savo Drezgic combined for 65 points and 19 assists this weekend in the U18 semis and finals for Serbia. Not explosive but picked his spots right, plays slow to fast effectively. Shot 39% 3PT for the tournament.

Available school listings for notable incoming freshmen: Maluach 7-2 250 Newell 6-11 220 Queen 6-10 245 Bailey 6-10 200 Bidunga 6-9 220 Flagg 6-9 205 Derrion 6-8 220 Riley 6-8 180 Knueppel 6-7 217 McNeeley 6-7 210 Knox 6-6 225 Harper 6-6 215 Jakucionis 6-6 200 Evans 6-6 175 VJ

Schools typically measure with shoes on

Updated 2025 draft projections after summer of FIBA/Olympic play, NBA camps bleacherreport.com/articles/10130…

Florida is officially listing freshman Olivier Rioux at 7'9", 290lbs

Pro comps for potential 2025 lotto picks bleacherreport.com/articles/10131… As always these are exercises to paint a picture of each prospect's projected archetype/role (while trying to predict realistic ceiling outcome)

It was a big summer for a number of high-profile high school, international and incoming freshmen prospects bleacherreport.com/articles/10132…

Cayden Boozer's 30 and 9 were overshadowed the other day by Cam's 42 and 15 and Dybantsa's 43. Handful of quick passing reads and accurate deliveries into tight windows, along with pullup shooting, 2-point shotmaking and touch shots. Becoming a very complete PG prospect.

83 names announced for USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp in October, classes 2025 through 2028