Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 forward from Spain, has signed with the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League for the 2024-25 season, the league announced.
Almansa originally entered the 2024 NBA draft after playing last season with the G League Ignite. He competed in the draft combine and worked out with at least two teams in the predraft process before ultimately withdrawing from consideration on June 16.
The 19-year-old will now join the Wildcats as part of the Next Stars program, a plan introduced by the NBL to give top prospects a way to play professionally. The program has helped the likes of Alex Sarr, AJ Johnson, LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey, among others.
Bienvenido a Perth, Izan! ⭐️
Perth Wildcats are delighted to announce the signing of U19 and U17 FIBA World Cup MVP Izan Almansa as the club’s NBL25 Next Star.
Izan (pronounced Ee-thahn) is the first Spanish player to become an NBL Next Star!
Read more: https://t.co/pUP8CjVO23 pic.twitter.com/YAAFhM7fLH
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) June 29, 2024
Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 54.3% shooting from the field last season with the Ignite. He registered five games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 23 points and five rebounds on Jan. 2.
He has also represented Spain several times at the junior level, earning Most Valuable Player at the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship and 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He averaged 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds last year.
Almansa will now look to improve his overall ability and establish himself as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He will need to improve his offensive skill set and shooting ability, and he has shown promise in reaching that potential.
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