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FIBA World Cup: 5 players from outside the NBA that could make an impact

By Joseph Nation

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 27: Nick Calathes #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket on Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 27, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 27: Nick Calathes #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket on Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 27, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Lucas BARIOULET / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCAS BARIOULET/AFP/Getty Images
Photo by Lucas BARIOULET / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCAS BARIOULET/AFP/Getty Images /

5. Theo Maledon

Counting Theo Maledon in this list is sort of cheating. He’ll almost certainly be a top 10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft barring catastrophic injury, and I personally consider him a realistic contender for the first overall pick.

His measured approach to the game from the point guard position, along with his good size, has drawn a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comparison, but that sells him significantly short in some areas. Gilgeous-Alexander has never had the feel for shooting the ball that Maledon has, and that’s why Maledon is already seeing real time for the senior national team of a top 10 nation.

Maledon has seen great success for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, France’s strongest domestic league team, playing a not insignificant role off the bench for the Tony Parker/Nicolas Batum-owned squad. That’s turned into getting him an early chance with the senior national team.

In one prep game against Tunisia, he turned in 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and three steals, which is a solid line for a full FIBA game … except he only played five minutes. If France is going to succeed in this tournament, despite many of its best players being on the wrong side of their prime, guys like Maledon will have to step up. The good news for France is that looks primed to happen.

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