The 2024 NBA draft prospects are starting to take shape following the withdrawal of 12 young international prospects. On Sunday, Mouhamed Faye, Ilias Kamardine, Zacharie Perrin, and Izan Almansa decided to withdraw on the last day international players could opt out. All four players will be among the international players to watch for the 2025 draft.
15 Young International Prospects Withdraw From 2024 NBA Draft
Later last night, 12 other international players withdrew from the 2024 draft. Croatian big man Andrija Jelavic and Trinidad and Tobago wing Malique Lewis were the top prospects of the second group of prospects. Timotej Malovec, Luka Bogavac, Bogoljub Markovic, Thijs De Ridder, Eli Ndiaye, and Thiery Darlan were among the other players who withdrew.
Meanwhile, Chinese wing Yongxi “Jacky” Cui chose to keep his name in the draft, per Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express. Cui attended the G-League’s Elite Camp in May and recently worked out with the Indiana Pacers.
Cui is seeking to be the first Chinese player to be drafted since Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin in 2016. The 20-year-old wing averaged 15.9 points and 5.7 rebounds. 1.6 steals and 3.1 assists while shooting 37% for 3 for Guangzhou in the Chinese CBA. He is a graduate of the NBA Global Academy in Australia.
Here Is A Look At The Players Who Withdrew From NBA Draft
Mouhamed Faye, Senegal
Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Faye returns to the Italian club Reggio Emilia after conducting five individual workouts with NBA teams. The 19-year-old Senegalese center stands at 6-9 and has a 7-5 wingspan. He averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 62.4% from the field to earn Italy’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Faye is someone to watch next season. He was ranked No. 99 on ESPN’s Big Board.
Ilias Kamardine, France
Kamardine is a 6-4, 20-year-old Frenchman who played in France’s second league last year with JA Vichy. In 54 games, he averaged 11.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, with shooting splits of 42.3%/30.8%/72.3%.
Kamardine is a shifty and crafty ball-handler who is also a disrupter on the defensive end. He is someone to watch for 2025. ESPN had him as the No. 80 prospect.
Zacharie Perrin, France
Perrin is a 6-10 forward who played one game at Illinois in 2022-23. The 19-year-old played in the French B League, compiling 10.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists with shooting slash lines of 56.0%/37.3%/63.2%. Givony said he has signed a three-year deal with France’s SLUC Nancy.
ESPN ranked him the No. 67 prospect in this year’s draft and a player to watch in the future.
Izan Almansa, Spain
Almansa played for G-League Ignite this past season. The 6-10 forward played well all season but stepped up his game during the regular season. He averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists with a shooting slash line of .560/.200/.614.
Almansa produced seven double-doubles and scored in double-figures 25 times. The 19-year-old Spaniard is exploring options in Europe and Australia next season as pathways to being a first-round pick in 2025, per Givony. He was ranked as the No. 49 prospect.
Andrija Jelavic – Croatia
Jelavic is a 6-11 forward who played for Mega in the Croatian League. The 20-year-old scored 10.3 points, 7.6 caroms, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals, combining shooting splits of 47.1%/28.7 %/69.8%. He was ranked No. 77 by ESPN and reportedly worked out for the New York Knicks.
Timotej Malovec – Slovakia
Malovec is a 6-7 wing who played for Mega in the Croatian League. The 20-year-old Slovakian tallied 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds with shooting splits of .510/.333/.700. He has a long way to go to become an NBA prospect.
Luka Bogavac – Serbia and Montenegro
Bogavac is a 6-5 guard who played for SC Derby of the Croatian League after spending two seasons with Mega. The 20-year-old averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 boards, and 1.4 assists with a shooting split of 42%/33.2%/76%. He has a long way to go to become an NBA prospect.
Bogoljub Markovic – Serbia
Markovic is a 6-11 Serbian power forward who played in the Serbian and Adriatic Leagues. The 18-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. He compiled shooting splits of 56.8%/35.3%/75%.
Markovic is someone to keep an eye on in the future.
Malique Lewis – Trinadad and Tobago
Lewis is a 6-8 forward who played for Mexico City of the G-League. While the 19-year-old didn’t have an outstanding campaign, he did show improvement as the season progressed.
Known for his athleticism and defense, Lewis averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks with the Capitanes. Lewis compiled shooting splits of 50.6%/37.7%/69.2%. He compiled three double-doubles and grabbed double-figure rebounds on nine occasions.
Lewis was ranked as the No. 76 prospect in this year’s draft.
Thijs De Ridder – Belgium
De Ridder is a 6-8 forward who needs to work hard to become an NBA prospect. The 21-year-old averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 caroms with shooting splits of 52.2%/33.9%/70.3%. Jon Chepkevich said De Ridder will look to build upon a strong ACB + FIBA Europe Cup season with Bilbao Basket and will be auto-eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Eli Ndiaye – Senegal
Ndiaye is a 6-8 center who played for Real Madrid. The 19-year-old averaged 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds with shooting splits of 47.1%/33.8%/74.2%. He has a lot of work to do to become an NBA prospect.
Thierry Darlan – Central African Republic
Darlan is a 6-8 forward who played for G-League Ignite last year. While the 20-year-old struggled last season, he did show improvement as the season progressed. Darlan averaged 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds with shooting splits of 40.4%/34.1%/74.1%. He scored in double-figures in seven times.
Darlan was rated the No. 84 prospect in the 2024 draft. He needs to do a lot of work to become a legitimate prospect.
Mohamed Diawara – France
Mohamed Diawara is a 6-8 forward who played for a few French teams last season. In 34 games, the 19-year-old averaged 6.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists with shooting splits of 39.1%/30.2%/76.8%.
Diawara was named the best defensive player in Adidas Eurocamp 2024. According to Diawara’s agent, Olivier Mazet, Diawara withdrew his name from the 2024 NBA draft to focus on the next season with a target on 2025 draft.
Ruben Dominguez – Spain
Ruben Dominguez is a 6-5 guard who played at AB Castello in Spain’s LEB, a second-tier league. The 21-year-old totaled 11.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while compiling shooting splits of 41.2%/37.2%/85.1%.
Dominguez is automatically eligible for the 2025 draft.
Noah Penda – France
Noah Penda is a 6-4 wing who played for JA Vichy of France’s second-tier league. The 19-year-old averaged 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 17 minutes over 41 games. He posted shooting splits of 46.9%/21.4%/66.9%.
Chepkevich said that Penda will play for Le Mans in Pro A next season with a chance to break into the 2025 round 1 mix with continued shooting improvement.
Other Players Who Will Remain In The Draft
Zaccharie Risacher (France)
Tidjane Salaun (France)
Alexandre Sarr (France)
Pacôme Dadiet (France)
Juan Núñez (Spain)
Nikola Djurisić (Serbia)
Ulrich Chomche (Cameroon)
Melvin Ajinça (France)
Armel Traoré (France)
Quinn Ellis (Great Britain)
Babacar Sane (Senegal)
