Next Up: The Top 5 International Prospects from the 2007 & 2008 Generations
Why These International Prospects Could Be College Basketball’s Next Big Names
As we kick off the 2024-25 basketball season, the influence of international prospects in college basketball is at an all-time high. More top international talents are choosing the college route, thanks to the growing appeal of NIL deals, which allow student-athletes to earn money while playing, with some college programs now boasting budgets that rival those of overseas professional teams. With college programs recruiting globally, international prospects are bypassing professional opportunities abroad in favor of playing at the collegiate level.
In this article, we rank the top 5 international prospects born in 2007 and 2008, offering a glimpse into players we may soon see suiting up for college teams. These are just the first few names to watch from a deep pool of global talent. Over the coming months, we’ll unveil our top 50 prospects from these classes, tracking their progress throughout the 2024-25 season.
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1. Karim Lopez
Karim Lopez is currently the top-ranked international prospect from the 2007 class and is widely projected to be the premier international prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. Often regarded as the best Mexican basketball talent in history, Lopez recently signed with the New Zealand Breakers on a Next Stars contract, following two developmental seasons with Joventut Badalona in Spain. The 6’8” wing has immense potential and will look to follow in the footsteps of former Breakers like RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng as he prepares for his first NBL season.
Lopez brings a unique background, being the son of former Mexican player Jesus “Chino” Lopez. He’s already built an impressive resume, including representing Mexico’s senior national team during the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. This experience against high-level competition has only accelerated his development.
On the youth stage, Lopez shined at the 2024 Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Paris, averaging 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, leading the tournament in PIR and blocks while earning All-Tournament Team honors.
His combination of size, athleticism, and skill is what makes him such a coveted NBA prospect. Lopez excels as a versatile wing, capable of playing positions 2-4, with a promising ability to create off the dribble, shoot from deep, and defend multiple positions. His high basketball IQ and well-rounded game make him an intriguing two-way player with significant long-term upside.
2. Miika Murrinen
Miika Murrinen is already a familiar name in basketball circles. The Finnish forward made waves by moving to the U.S. to join Sunrise Christian last season and spent the summer playing for Bradley Beal Elite in the EYBL, where he showcased his all-around game against top-tier competition. Now, Murrinen is set to take the next step in his development, as it was announced in June that he will join Arizona Compass Prep for the upcoming season. Listed at 6’10” and weighing in at 200 pounds, Murrinen is one of the most versatile players in the 2026 class, solidifying his reputation as a legitimate NBA prospect.
Basketball runs in Murrinen's blood—both of his parents were professional players. His father, Kimmo Muurinen, played for Finland’s national team, while his mother, Jenni Laaksonen, starred at North Carolina and represented Finland's women's national team.
Carrying on that family legacy, Murrinen made his senior debut for Finland at just 17 during an Olympic qualifying warm-up game against New Zealand, where he recorded two points, an assist, and three blocks. He followed that up with appearances against Latvia and earned a spot on the roster for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Murrinen’s physical profile and skill set makes him one of the top prospects in the world. He’s an athletic jumbo wing who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. His potential as a dribble, pass, and shoot wing, combined with his ability to guard multiple positions, points to a future where he could be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft if he continues his development.
3. Hugo Facorat
Hugo Facorat is quickly gaining recognition as one of the premier long-term prospects from the 2007 generation, and there’s a legitimate argument that he might be the best of the group. The 6’10” French forward is set to join the City Reapers in the OTE league this season, a program that’s rapidly becoming a top destination for elite prospects worldwide. Facorat's combination of size, skill, and upside makes him a tantalizing NBA prospect.
Last season, Facorat developed his game with the U18 and U21 squads of Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez in France, showing flashes of his potential at every level.
His breakout moment came during the Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Paris, where he averaged 13.8 points per game as his team’s second-leading scorer, while also leading them in blocks at 1.5 per contest. Facorat's performance solidified his status as one of the top high ceiling prospects in Europe.
4. Filipe Minzer
Argentinian guard Filipe Minzer is making waves after a standout summer on the international stage, where he showcased his unique blend of confidence, flair, and high-level playmaking. The 16-year-old guard has emerged as one of Argentina’s top young prospects, impressing with his performances at the U17 World Cup and U18 AmeriCup. Minzer currently plays for Zaragoza in the Spanish U19 League, and he’s already building a solid reputation overseas.
Last season, Minzer averaged 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting an efficient 47.5% from the field in the Spanish U19 competition. However, it was his performances this summer that truly put him on the global map. In the U17 World Cup, Minzer averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 steals, while in the U18 AmeriCup, he posted 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Across both tournaments, he shot a combined 50.4% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc.
Minzer’s blend of ball-handling, playmaking, and two-way impact reflects the quintessential Argentinian guard style—he plays with a level of poise and creativity that sets him apart from his peers. His international success paved the way for his professional debut on September 24, 2023, when he suited up for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain’s ACB, arguably the toughest domestic league outside the NBA.
5. Boyuan Zhang
Boyuan Zhang emerged as one of the biggest standouts from the FIBA U-17 World Cup and has a strong case as the best shooting prospect from the 2007 generation. The 6’8” Chinese wing not only has ideal positional size but also surprises with his sneaky athleticism and efficient finishing in the paint.
However, Zhang’s primary appeal is his elite shooting ability—he’s a certified deadeye from beyond the arc.
Over the past year, Zhang has been lighting it up across three major FIBA tournaments—the U16 Asia Championships, U17 World Cup, and U18 AsiaCup. Across 19 games, he’s averaged 18.2 points per game while shooting an impressive 48% from the field and 43% from three-point range on 6.6 attempts per game. His ability to knock down big shots and difficult looks was a key factor in China’s strong performances, helping them secure victories over more highly regarded teams.
Currently playing for Shanxi Fenjiu in China, Zhang is already on the radar as a top international prospect. If he chose to cross over to the U.S. and play at a high school or prep level, he would immediately rank among the top prospects in his class.
2008
1. Hugo Yimga Moukouri
France has been a consistent pipeline for NBA-level talent, and Hugo Yimga Moukouri is another name to watch as the country continues to produce high-caliber prospects. Fresh off an impressive spring and summer, Yimga held his own against older competition, proving himself as one of the youngest standout players in multiple international tournaments.
Listed at 6’8” with a mature frame and elite athleticism, Yimga Moukouri showcased his potential at the U17 World Cup, where he averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field. He also made his mark in the U18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, where he averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.25 steals while shooting an efficient 54% from the floor over eight games during the 2023-24 season.
At just 16 years old, Yimga is still developing his skill set—particularly as a perimeter shooter, where he remains reluctant—but his physical tools and relentless motor make him an effective paint presence at this stage of his career. As his shooting and overall offensive game continue to evolve, HYM has the potential to remain the top dog in the 2008 generation for years to come, with a ceiling that could see him emerge as a premier prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft.
2. Paul Osaruyi
Paul Osaruyi made a name for himself last season at Glendale (AZ) Canyon International Academy and with his performances on the EYBL circuit, where his athleticism and raw potential were hard to miss.
This summer, Osaruyi continued to flash his upside, playing for the Canadian U17 national team at the FIBA World Cup. Despite really struggling with efficiency, he averaged 6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, he showed enough glimpses of what he could become in the long term to earn this ranking.
Standing out with his bouncy athleticism, Osaruyi is one of the more intriguing prospects from the 2008 generation. His ability to impact the game as a rim protector, rebounder, and play finisher provides him with a solid floor, but it’s his upside on the offensive end that keeps me intrigued. While still developing consistency, Osaruyi’s athleticism and high-energy style make him an active presence on both ends of the floor. If he continues to refine his offensive skill set, he has the potential to be special.
3. Abraham Juom Maker Bol
Abraham Juom Maker Bol turned heads at the No Borders Eurocup Tournament, where the South Sudanese prospect put up eye-popping numbers, averaging 18.8 points, 21.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game representing Baskonia. At 6’11” with incredibly long arms—longer than the lines at Disney World—Maker Bol is an intriguing long-term prospect due to his combination of size, length, and agility.
AJMB impacts the game as a dominant rim protector, relentless rebounder, and efficient play finisher. He possesses a good foundation of post moves, with impressive footwork and fundamentals, allowing him to score with soft touch finishes around the rim. What makes him even more intriguing is his versatility—he’s shown flashes of ball-handling, playmaking, and even stretching the floor with long-range shooting potential.
While still in the early stages of his development, Maker Bol’s upside is clear. If his growth continues along this trajectory, he has the tools to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, making him one of the most promising big men in his class.
4. Cameron Houindo
Cameron Houindo was named MVP of the 2024 FIBA U16 EuroBasket after leading France to the tournament title with a stellar all-around performance. Houindo averaged 13.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game, pacing his team in points, rebounds, and blocks. He delivered three double-doubles across seven games, showcasing his ability as an old-school low post bruiser who thrives as a paint scorer and relentless rebounder.
What really stood out was Houindo’s defense. He ranked second in blocks and fourth in steals per game at the tournament, making him one of the most impactful defenders I evaluated this summer. His broad frame, physicality, and defensive instincts made him a consistent force on both ends of the floor.
Houindo projects as one of the better two-way prospects from the U16 EuroBasket, with significant upside at the college level. If he can extend his shooting range and improve his playmaking when double-teamed, he could be a key contributor at a high-major program.
5. Mathias Vazquez
Mathias Vazquez made a strong impression this summer, leading Brazil in scoring at the U18 AmeriCup despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament. The versatile wing averaged 12 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game, showcasing his ability to contribute across the board on both ends of the floor.
Currently playing for Real Betis' second team in Spain, Vazquez continues to build his reputation as a stat-stuffing connector with high basketball IQ. In Spain’s EBA league last season, he posted 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He also made three appearances in Spain’s U19 league, averaging 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game against older competition.
Depending on the source, Vazquez is listed between 6’5” and 6’8”, but regardless of his exact measurements, he finds a way to make an impact on the floor. His defensive versatility, combined with his knack for filling the stat sheet and making winning plays, makes him one of the top prospects in the 2008 generation. Vazquez projects as a high-IQ, multi-positional defender who can guard all over the floor while contributing as a connector on offense.
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