2020 NBA Draft takes on strong international flavor

BRISTOL (USA) - One of the most exciting times in the lives of many a young basketball player was on Wednesday night when the 2020 NBA Draft was held and true to recent editions, many prospects with precious FIBA competition experience had their names called.

Among the 60 players selected, 24 have represented their countries in national team competitions and five were participants of the Basketball Without Borders program.

Fourteen of those drafted have played for USA youth national teams and reached the podium, with most clinching titles, including the likes of James Wiseman, picked second by the Golden State Warriors, and Isaac Okoro, selected 5th by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A total of 14 international players from 10 countries were selected, led by Killian Hayes when he became the highest-drafted French player ever when taken seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons

Israel's Deni Avdija was also the highest-drafted player ever from his country and just the second Israeli to be taken in the first round when he was chosen ninth by the Washington Wizards. Leandro Bolmaro became the highest-drafted Argentinian player ever when he was selected 23rd overall by the New York Knicks, later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With the selections of Hayes and Avdija, at least two international players have been drafted in the top 10 in each of the last eight NBA Drafts.

Hayes has been raising eyebrows a long time. He showed his incredible promise in 2018 by leading France into the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup Final in Argentina. Hayes spent last season playing for Ulm in Germany.

"It's a big relief because in my head, I kind of knew it was Detroit," Hayes said. "But nothing was guaranteed. When I heard my name with Detroit, I was really happy. … A lot of excitement. I felt super proud of myself."

Theo Maledon, who played with Hayes at the U17 Basketball World Cup and is now on the books of ASVEL, was taken 34th by the Philadelphia 76ers, later traded to Oklahoma City Thunder).

Avdija has been causing a stir for a long time. He put on a stunning performance for Israel when they hosted and won the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2019. The 2.03m (6ft 8in) guard led the team in scoring and rebounding and had the best efficiency rating. Before that, he was named the MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Europe (BWB) 2018. He was also the MVP of BWB Global 2019.

Omri Casspi had been the Israeli to be drafted highest when he was taken 23rd overall in 2009. 

"For me just to represent my country and to make history, that's a blessing," Avdija said. "I have the whole nation behind me. I hope I'm going to represent well."

Israel got a double dose of excitement as Hapoel Tel Aviv guard Yam Madar was chosen 47th overall by the Boston Celtics. Madar played in the same Israel side as Avdija that captured the FIBA U20 European Championship on home soil.

Aleksej Pokusevski of Serbia was selected 17th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves (later traded to Thunder) and Josh Green, who played American college basketball for the University of Arizona, joined the rich tradition of Australians to be drafted when he was chosen 18th by the Dallas Mavericks. 

Currently a member of Barcelona, Bolmaro has represented his country's youth teams, including at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 in Greece. He was at the BWB Americas in 2017 and earned All-Star honors at the Basketball Without Borders Global 2018.

Nigeria's Jordan Nwora, who played at the World Cup in China, was drafted 45th by Milwaukee

Nigerians Precious Achiuwa, Udoka Azubuike and Jordan Nwora were drafted. University of Memphis standout Achiuwa was selected 20th by the Miami Heat while former Kentucky Wildcat Azubuike went at No. 27 when taken by the Utah Jazz. Nwora, who played college basketball at Louisville and represented his country at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, was chosen 45th by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Czech Republic international Vit Krejci was taken at No. 37 by Washington and traded to Oklahoma City

Vit Krejci of the Czech Republic followed in the footsteps of countryman and national team star Tomas Satoransky when he was chosen 37th by the Washington Wizards. Satoransky was selected 32nd by Washington in 2012. Krejci, who plays for Basketball Champions League club Casademont Zaragoza, was then traded by the Wizards to Oklahoma City.

At No. 42, the New Orleans Pelicans picked Jamaica's Nick Richards, although he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls used the 44th selection on promising center Marko Simonovic of Montenegro. Simonovic represented his country at the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2019.

Point guard Nico Mannion, who has already represented Italy in national team competitions, was taken 48th by the Golden State Warriors. 

FIBA