The NBA Playoffs are well underway after an exciting season across both Eastern and Western Conferences. The four-round, best-of-seven tournament has seen plenty of highlights so far, with plenty to take away from a chaotic opening game between Boston and Indiana, as well as a comprehensive statement of intent from the Minnesota Timberwolves who look to win their first ever championship through their suffocating defence.

Indeed, magic has been in the air across the playoffs so far, with international stars from across the globe leading the way for MVP. Jokic has won it for the third time, while the ‘Greek Freak’, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was hot on his tails the whole year.

It begs the question – when will the homegrown talent step up to the plate? Even last year saw Cameroonian Joel Embiid win MVP, and with the Americans looking at the foreign teammates to step up to the plate, attention may turn to the next generation of rookies to try and grab supremacy back from the plethora of international superstars in modern basketball.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best young international players within the NBA Academy and try to uncover who could soon earn their spot and continue the dominance of international stars. There is a solid academy alumni ready for the draft. Read on to find out more.

Tyrese Proctor

Duke has a great range of academy talent and over the years has produced the likes of Art Heyman and Bobby Hurdley, and with the 2024-25 season they have some exceptional talent, spearheaded by Tyrese Proctor. Jon Scheyer’s third year as head coach has seen Proctor and teammate Caleb Foster develop exponentially, but it’s the former that has all the makings of a future NBA star.

The 20-year-old Australian is already 6 feet, 5 inches tall and for the Blue Devils has enjoyed a great season in the ACC, but is still unsure when his time will come for a pro deal, committing to one more year at Duke as he feels another year as captain will develop his leadership.

“It really just comes down to me, what I feel comfortable with,” he said.

“I feel like the best decision for me and what I’m most comfortable with is coming back for another year and going further (in the NCAA Tournament) than we did last year. I feel like it’s the right decision and I’m happy I made it.”

Rest assured, when Proctor does leave Durham there will be plenty of teams interested in his signature.

Aly Khalifa

African and Asian players are getting more representation in the NBA in the modern game, and the sport’s growing popularity worldwide has allowed players like Aly Khalifa to burst onto the scene. The “Egyptian Magician,” a junior big man for BYU, is a uniquely gifted passer and popular bookies in India will command good odds to see the youngster earn a professional deal in the NBA, with 33 assists already this season.

Nelly Junior Joseph

From Egypt to Nigeria, Nelly Junior Joseph has made waves with the New Mexico Lobos in the Mountain West Conference, seemingly coming out of nowhere. The 22-year-old emerged as one of the best power forwards in the academy, with the pandemic meaning he had to bide his time for a chance to play basketball in America.

Due to embassies in Africa being closed, Junior Joseph was unable to secure a visa to the United States until he signed for Iowa in 2020, and following a move to New Mexico last season he has come on leaps and bounds. In 33 games for the Lobos in 2023-24, he has ranked second on the team in total rebounds (282) and blocks (49) for the year, and looks destined for the NBA when the draft arrives.

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Overall, there are plenty of international stars from every corner of the world playing in the NBA Academy, with lots of honourable mentions including Oumar Ballo, Francisco Farabello, and Fred King. Only time will tell if we have the next Luka or Giannis on our hands, but the way that continental stars are covering ground in the NBA, it would be very unlikely that none of these names mentioned ends up having an influence on a new era of basketball.