NBA – Biyombo among early candidates for NBA Draft [video]

NEW YORK (NBA) - African center Bismack Biyombo went against Fuenlabrada's wishes and left the Spanish ACB side to play at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, earlier this month.

Now the 18-year-old center is hoping the decision pays off when the NBA Draft is held in Newark, New Jersey, on June 23.

Biyombo, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is among 20 international players to have submitted his name as an early entry candidate for the draft.

Fuenlabrada coach Salva Maldonado warned the 2.04m youngster that he would not have a role in the senior team if he went to the Hoop Summit instead of playing in vital league games and has so far remained true to his word.

France's point guard at last year's FIBA World Championship, Andrew Albicy of Paris-Levallois, and promising Lithuanians Donatas Motiejunas (Benetton Treviso) and Jonas Valanciunas (Lietuvos Rytas) are also early entry candidates along with Montenegrin-born Nikola Mirotic of Real Madrid.

Mirotic, who moved to Spain as a youngster and played for them at the U20 European Championship, last week signed a long-term contract with Madrid.

Biyombo talks about the NBA draft

Click here for the full list of early entry candidates to the 2011 NBA Draft.

FIBA