Tag: Izan Almansa

Spanish forward Izan Almansa to sign with Perth as part of NBL Next Stars program

Almansa has signed with the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League for the 2024-25 season.

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.

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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Report: Spanish forward Izan Almansa to withdraw from 2024 NBA draft

Izan Almansa will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and explore his professional options for next season.

Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 forward from Spain, will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and explore his professional options for next season, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 54.3% shooting from the field with the G League Ignite. He registered five games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 23 points and five rebounds on Jan. 2.

He had until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday to withdraw from the draft.

The 19-year-old competed in the draft combine last month in Chicago, Illinois. He was considered a potential second-round pick, given his ability as a defender and prior professional experience before signing with the Ignite last year.

Almansa began playing professional basketball at 16 years old with the Real Madrid junior team in the Liga EBA. He then spent one year each with Team OTE and YNG Dreamerz at Overtime Elite before signing with the Ignite in June 2023.

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 play with another team next season and establish himself as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He will need to improve his offensive skill set and shooting ability and has shown promise to reach that potential.

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Izan Almansa looks up to Al Horford and Domantas Sabonis

Izan Almansa headlines the next generation of Spanish basketball, garnering recognition after winning MVP awards in international tournaments. He became the first player ever to win MVP awards at both the FIBA U17 World Cup, despite his National …

Izan Almansa headlines the next generation of Spanish basketball, garnering recognition after winning MVP awards in international tournaments. He became the first player ever to win MVP awards at both the FIBA U17 World Cup, despite his National Team losing the final to the United States, and the FIBA U18 European Championship. Almansa won the FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP in 2023 and was selected to participate in the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game.

Currently projected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Almansa sat down with HoopsHype after a recent training session to talk about his journey, playing in Overtime Elite (OTE), the G League, NBA players he tries to emulate, being a sleeper prospect, and more.

Izan Almansa: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2005 | 6’10 | 7’0 WS | 230 LBS Team: G League Ignite Best aggregate mock draft rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 55.6 percent from the field and 20.0 …

2005 | 6’10 | 7’0 WS | 230 LBS

Team: G League Ignite

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 55.6 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from three.

Spanish forward Izan Almansa announces decision to declare for 2024 NBA draft

Almansa registered five 20-point games with the Ignite, including a season-high 23 points and five rebounds on Jan. 2.

Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 forward from Spain, announced Tuesday on Instagram that he had declared for the 2024 NBA draft after one season with the G League Ignite.

Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 54.3% shooting from the field in 48 games with the Ignite. He registered five games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 23 points and five rebounds on Jan. 2.

The 18-year-old was selected to compete in the Rising Stars game at NBA All-Star Weekend as one of the top players in the G League. He also participated in the G League Next Up Game.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6HEyWpuppx/

Almansa began playing professional basketball at 16 years old with the Real Madrid junior team in the Liga EBA. He then spent one year each with Team OTE and YNG Dreamerz at Overtime Elite before signing with the Ignite in June 2023.

He is considered a potential first-round pick, given his ability as a defender and evolving offensive game. He isn’t much of a shooter at this stage of his career, converting just 20% from 3-point range (7-of-35) this past season. He will need to improve in that area.

Almansa also boasts experience representing Spain, 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.

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NBA Rising Stars 2024: Bennedict Mathurin unanimously named MVP to lead Team Jalen to title

Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship.

Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin on Friday was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mathurin produced 18 points in the opening game as Team Jalen defeated Team Tamika. He had four points, two assists and one steal in a 26-13 win in the final over Team Detlef, which consisted of seven of the top players in the G League.

While Mathurin did the bulk of the scoring in the semifinal round, Dereck Lively II had six points and Jordan Hawkins and Jalen Williams each chipped in five points in the final. Williams drained the game-winning 3-pointer to end it for Team Jalen.

The event featured four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games were played to a target score of 40, and the championship game was played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consisted of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches and the players from the G League were selected by the league office.

The four teams were coached by Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who led the G League team.

Here is how the teams performed in the event.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Full rosters revealed in draft announcement

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams. The seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Here are the rosters drafted by Gasol, Catchings and Rose.

2024 NBA Mock Draft: Latest first-round projections at midway point of season

Rookie Wire took a look at the 2024 NBA draft class and where the top prospects stand as of Feb. 1.

The top NBA draft prospects worldwide have collectively reached the second halves of their respective seasons as they look to showcase themselves in front of scouts and executives.

The class this year has seen several players help their stock, while others have struggled and fallen down draft boards. Some players have also dealt with recent injuries and other factors that have prevented them from reaching their potential.

The draft is widely considered open at the top of the board, with several prospects in the conversation to be the first selection. Unlike last year, when Victor Wembanyama was the consensus No. 1 pick, there is no clear-cut choice this year.

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Prospects will continue to see their standing fluctuate over the remaining two-plus months of action on the court as scouts have more time to evaluate them. The sheer unknown atop the draft board should create plenty of storylines to follow over the remainder of the season.

The NBA announced on Wednesday that the draft will be expanded to a two-night format, with the first round set to take place on June 26 at the Barclays Center. The second round will be at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York the following night.

Rookie Wire looked at the class and where the top prospects stand at this point of the season. The order was determined by the reverse order of the NBA standings as of Feb. 1.

Note: Player fit wasn’t necessarily taken into account with each pick. Pick protections and other notes courtesy of Tankathon.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Player pool revealed for annual showcase at All-Star Weekend

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 at All-Star Weekend.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams and the seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Assistant coaches from the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs will join the honorary head coaches in coaching the Rising Stars teams. The NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs for both the Eastern and Western Conferences have yet to be determined.

TNT will televise the competition beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

Babacar Sane leads G League Ignite to win to wrap up FIBA Intercontinental Cup

Sane led the G League Ignite to a win on Sunday to wrap up the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.

Potential second-round pick Babacar Sane led the G League Ignite to a win on Sunday to wrap up the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Kallang, Singapore.

Sane produced a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in the 80-60 win over Al Manama of the Bahraini Premier League. He went 6-of-10 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line as the Ignite finished 1-2 in the tournament.

Ron Holland, the potential No. 1 pick next year, also registered a double-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. London Johnson added nine points and five assists, and Izan Almansa had four points and six assists.

Matas Buzelis, Thierry Darlan and Dink Pate did not play.

The Ignite were one of six teams that competed in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup this year representing different countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Egypt and Germany. The group finished fifth with its win on Sunday.

After facing the Perth Wildcats twice earlier this month, and finishing their three-game run in Singapore, the Ignite will now look ahead to the start of the regular season in the G League. They will host the Ontario Clippers in their season opener on Nov. 10.

With several draft-eligible prospects, the Ignite will take the court with perhaps their most talented roster yet. The team figures to attract plenty of attention and should be one of the most exciting groups to watch in the G League.

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