As a Nets fan, I’m especially looking at all the prospects in the 2025 draft. I’m super high on Saraf as well. His scoring gravity, ball handling, playmaking, IQ, ability to create space, craftiness, size, even defense, makes him an interesting prospect with huge upside. The one concern is his 3 point shooting and even shooting in general. I think that is what’s going to determine if Saraf ends up as a lottery pick or not. Going to keep an eye on him.
I have no idea how nobody's is making the Manu comp yet... I dont think he'll have the body of Luka/Harden, he's thiner but super tough and crafty...he still far from Manu's craftiness & intelligence & skill but he's definitely on his way.
I think a Manu comparison is super lazy. Yes they are both left-handed and non-American. Manu was a supremely creative passer and had unbelievable lateral offensive mobility. Stylistically Saraf is more comparable to an iso-centric/PnR ball handler than he is to Manu
@@UtilitySports Interesting, because I'm hearing the Manu comp a lot. Thanks for the insight. Do you have any comp of him you like? any successful NBA player he reminds you of?
I'm not understanding why teams draft based on need rather than best player available. This is why Ayton and Bagley got drafted before Luka. Many others as well but those two are ridiculous. This guy has talent and upside. If he shows this year that he can improve his shot, he should be top 5.
Yoooooi can’t believe I made the video , this is my greatest accomplishment 😭. But for real love the breakdowns you know I’m here almost every video. You’ve low-key inspired me to want to do this for myself. Could talk basketball all day. But this a great break down and I’m genuinely excited to watch his development over the year as well as Noa Essengue who I believe has the potential to rise up boards for multiple reasons especially if that 3pt shot is at least average this year, I believe he has a lot to like. And since I’m in Europe I might go watch a few games live
There's weird thing... Saraf had 8 dunks in 7 games on Euro U18. Probably more than any guard on the tournament, but after this seeing this profile people probably would think he hardly can jump:) I think he's much better athlete that he's typically given credit. But his right hand finishing is lacking, and his shot is not ideal.
This was an outstanding video man. Really relate to the way you evaluate a player and little stuff that can impact his ability to translate to the next level. My main question is how will he handle he length in the NBA in regards to his scoring - because a lot of the shots he gets in the midrange have little to no separation, and not to mention his ability to finish at the rim which is already a bit problematic - and with NBA length it would probably worsen. But as an 18 year old prospect the sophisticated level of game he’s displaying is well, WELL beyond his years. Be it with his dribbling, playmaking and decision making. What caught my eyes is the ways he uses his dribble to navigate and manipulate the defense in the pick and roll knowing they want to close his left hand, and him having that understanding and dribble security and sophistication to hold to the ball for that millisecond to allow the play to develop so the opportunity presents itself, and the poise to actually follow through on his read in an instant, using his own players as coy, or waiting for the bigman defender to make a decision and quickly capitalize on the opening. Great stuff man. You definitely gained a new subscriber in me!
I watched this as a follow-up to your last mock draft where you had Portland taking him at #4. I came into this open-minded and ready to be convinced and shown what I was missing thus far with Saraf. But, I've come away very disappointed. I don't think he's going to measure at 6'6", maybe, but, he looks more about 6'5" and around 175 lbs. In your mock draft video comment to me, you suggested that he could play 1-3. Of this, I don't see that at all. He really needs to add more size and strength from a physical standpoint alone to even approach that status. Plus, as I mentioned I don't even think he sniffs at 6'6". I definitely can't see him at the three. Maybe as a combo guard at best. As a two, I'm not seeing that either from this video. His shot is very slow, and at least in these clips, he didn't shoot well at all. No, I only see him at the point right now. From watching this video, I'd still take a plethora of other prospects over him at #4 for Portland. Edgecombe, Harper, Demin, Gonzalez (who is bigger than Saraf), Pate, Powell, Zikarsky, and others. We already have Scoot and Sharpe and even if we took Saraf, he's clearly not good enough to be taking minutes away from either one as a #4 pick, you want much more than that. I know you love skilled players, but, Scoot, Banton, Rupert, and even Avdija at times can cover any point guard responsibilities more than enough. If Saraf was even that good, he would only massively clutter things up. It's bad enough that we still haven't traded Simons yet, which needs to happen. Heck, Rupert is massively better than Saraf shows here. And, I haven't even addressed his lack of athleticism. I'm doubtful as to him even being a lottery pick because he is so lacking here. Others like Demin and Gonzalez dwarf him in this department and that's not even mentioning someone like Edgecombe. In this video, Saraf doesn't show any speed, quickness, burst, vertical, etc. I was shocked at how unathletic he is and I have very serious concerns about him becoming anything near what you're seeing. I'm still willing to see and learn more about him, but, as I mentioned, I was very disappointed by what this video revealed.
I think you're underestimating his athleticism, he's certainly a better athlete than your description. Maybe his European style of "playing at his own pace" bringing this sense, but he's a good athlete, I'd say something close to Ginobili when he was 18 years old. Saraf can still improve it to a prime Ginobii level IMO). And his dribbling and offensive bag is as advanced as you would find in this draft class from someone his size. I have him pick #7 at the moment.
Athleticism is overrated lol, it’s a big plus don’t get me wrong but don’t need it to be elite. He also look like he is in 6’5-6’6 area, which is a good size for a combo guard. He has that craftiness or deceleration ability similar to Doncic or SGA. In all honestly, the best guards in the league right now ain’t hyper athletic like Luka, SGA, Jalen Brunson, Haliburton etc. Not saying he will become these guys, but just emphasizing that being crafty>freak athlete
" Gonzales is bigger than Saraf" take is so weird... Gonzalez is just wing. His ball handling, shot creating and passing is not in same universe as Saraf's. I can agree that Portland may be not the team which needs Saraf, but it has nothing to do with abilities but with Blazers' roster. And. "He didn't shoot well in... clip" is just puzzling idea. The scoring performance of Saraf in this tournament was unmatched on age-groups Euro championships in decades and may be ever. He scored 28+ ppg on huge usage and not bad ~55% ts% while also was one of best distributors on tournament. On the same tournament Goznalez had 20.7 ppg on pretty mundane 44/21/69 split and much more turnovers than assists. In this clip author tried to analyze Saraf's game not serve as his promoter. You can look highlights clip and there Saraf would shot flawless 100% but it was not the point here. By the way Saraf had 8 dunks in the tournament. I think more than any other guard. It's just not the main quality of his game.
@@guyben1657 Saraf's in not elite athlete, but he's good athlete. He's switching speeds, using screens and explores mismatches, and not trying to just attack full-speed ISO as some not very skilled and/or not high BBIQ "athletes" do, so some people think he's slow - but it's not like he doesn't have high gear too. He also actually can jump (while it's not seen in this clip :)) and had I think 8 dunks in 7 games
@@arusinov Agreed. I'm not too concerned about his athleticism. He had a one explosive penetration actually on his BBL debut when he finished with some creativity on air, I'd like him in the future to dunk on people in these situations, Ala Ginobili, hopefully it would come with NBA conditioning and training. I'd also want him to learn to use his off hand under pressure, it would open up so much to his game, sine it seems he actually has a good first step.
His veteran-like decision making is whats stands out to me, especially when you watch his in-between game
As a Nets fan, I’m especially looking at all the prospects in the 2025 draft. I’m super high on Saraf as well. His scoring gravity, ball handling, playmaking, IQ, ability to create space, craftiness, size, even defense, makes him an interesting prospect with huge upside. The one concern is his 3 point shooting and even shooting in general. I think that is what’s going to determine if Saraf ends up as a lottery pick or not. Going to keep an eye on him.
I’m hoping as a fellow Nets fan, we can get him later on in the draft and develop him.
His reading of the game is definitely is biggest strength extremely impressive for a 18 year old
1 of the top PG in this class
Ben 😤 Saraf 😤
I have no idea how nobody's is making the Manu comp yet...
I dont think he'll have the body of Luka/Harden, he's thiner but super tough and crafty...he still far from Manu's craftiness & intelligence & skill but he's definitely on his way.
I've heard Manu comps and some people saying he has shades of SGA, which I like as well.
I think a Manu comparison is super lazy. Yes they are both left-handed and non-American. Manu was a supremely creative passer and had unbelievable lateral offensive mobility. Stylistically Saraf is more comparable to an iso-centric/PnR ball handler than he is to Manu
@@UtilitySports Interesting, because I'm hearing the Manu comp a lot. Thanks for the insight. Do you have any comp of him you like? any successful NBA player he reminds you of?
Ben Saraf is the Real Deal !
I'm not understanding why teams draft based on need rather than best player available. This is why Ayton and Bagley got drafted before Luka. Many others as well but those two are ridiculous. This guy has talent and upside. If he shows this year that he can improve his shot, he should be top 5.
I hope you do more of these scouting profiles!
What I noticed is this draft is full of freshman/young 19 or 20 year olds
It's a little bold putting him that high, but I like it! Be nice to have a VJ Edgecombe after this last summer he just had...
Yoooooi can’t believe I made the video , this is my greatest accomplishment 😭. But for real love the breakdowns you know I’m here almost every video. You’ve low-key inspired me to want to do this for myself. Could talk basketball all day. But this a great break down and I’m genuinely excited to watch his development over the year as well as Noa Essengue who I believe has the potential to rise up boards for multiple reasons especially if that 3pt shot is at least average this year, I believe he has a lot to like. And since I’m in Europe I might go watch a few games live
There's weird thing... Saraf had 8 dunks in 7 games on Euro U18. Probably more than any guard on the tournament, but after this seeing this profile people probably would think he hardly can jump:)
I think he's much better athlete that he's typically given credit.
But his right hand finishing is lacking, and his shot is not ideal.
This was an outstanding video man. Really relate to the way you evaluate a player and little stuff that can impact his ability to translate to the next level.
My main question is how will he handle he length in the NBA in regards to his scoring - because a lot of the shots he gets in the midrange have little to no separation, and not to mention his ability to finish at the rim which is already a bit problematic - and with NBA length it would probably worsen.
But as an 18 year old prospect the sophisticated level of game he’s displaying is well, WELL beyond his years. Be it with his dribbling, playmaking and decision making.
What caught my eyes is the ways he uses his dribble to navigate and manipulate the defense in the pick and roll knowing they want to close his left hand, and him having that understanding and dribble security and sophistication to hold to the ball for that millisecond to allow the play to develop so the opportunity presents itself, and the poise to actually follow through on his read in an instant, using his own players as coy, or waiting for the bigman defender to make a decision and quickly capitalize on the opening.
Great stuff man. You definitely gained a new subscriber in me!
A very good post.
Luka Ginobili 😆
Portland trail blazers ‼️
he's not top 5 good
@@Justfrank_0 Have you seen his debut EUROCUP game? he WON the game
@@mayaandyaeli & have you seen the top 5 prospects?
Let's hope not
He looks 35
Bro how
@@daniellevin5002 the thumbnail he had before was either someone else or just made him look old af
I watched this as a follow-up to your last mock draft where you had Portland taking him at #4. I came into this open-minded and ready to be convinced and shown what I was missing thus far with Saraf. But, I've come away very disappointed.
I don't think he's going to measure at 6'6", maybe, but, he looks more about 6'5" and around 175 lbs.
In your mock draft video comment to me, you suggested that he could play 1-3. Of this, I don't see that at all. He really needs to add more size and strength from a physical standpoint alone to even approach that status. Plus, as I mentioned I don't even think he sniffs at 6'6". I definitely can't see him at the three. Maybe as a combo guard at best.
As a two, I'm not seeing that either from this video. His shot is very slow, and at least in these clips, he didn't shoot well at all. No, I only see him at the point right now.
From watching this video, I'd still take a plethora of other prospects over him at #4 for Portland. Edgecombe, Harper, Demin, Gonzalez (who is bigger than Saraf), Pate, Powell, Zikarsky, and others.
We already have Scoot and Sharpe and even if we took Saraf, he's clearly not good enough to be taking minutes away from either one as a #4 pick, you want much more than that.
I know you love skilled players, but, Scoot, Banton, Rupert, and even Avdija at times can cover any point guard responsibilities more than enough. If Saraf was even that good, he would only massively clutter things up. It's bad enough that we still haven't traded Simons yet, which needs to happen. Heck, Rupert is massively better than Saraf shows here.
And, I haven't even addressed his lack of athleticism. I'm doubtful as to him even being a lottery pick because he is so lacking here. Others like Demin and Gonzalez dwarf him in this department and that's not even mentioning someone like Edgecombe. In this video, Saraf doesn't show any speed, quickness, burst, vertical, etc. I was shocked at how unathletic he is and I have very serious concerns about him becoming anything near what you're seeing.
I'm still willing to see and learn more about him, but, as I mentioned, I was very disappointed by what this video revealed.
I think you're underestimating his athleticism, he's certainly a better athlete than your description. Maybe his European style of "playing at his own pace" bringing this sense, but he's a good athlete, I'd say something close to Ginobili when he was 18 years old. Saraf can still improve it to a prime Ginobii level IMO). And his dribbling and offensive bag is as advanced as you would find in this draft class from someone his size. I have him pick #7 at the moment.
Athleticism is overrated lol, it’s a big plus don’t get me wrong but don’t need it to be elite. He also look like he is in 6’5-6’6 area, which is a good size for a combo guard. He has that craftiness or deceleration ability similar to Doncic or SGA. In all honestly, the best guards in the league right now ain’t hyper athletic like Luka, SGA, Jalen Brunson, Haliburton etc. Not saying he will become these guys, but just emphasizing that being crafty>freak athlete
" Gonzales is bigger than Saraf" take is so weird... Gonzalez is just wing. His ball handling, shot creating and passing is not in same universe as Saraf's. I can agree that Portland may be not the team which needs Saraf, but it has nothing to do with abilities but with Blazers' roster.
And. "He didn't shoot well in... clip" is just puzzling idea. The scoring performance of Saraf in this tournament was unmatched on age-groups Euro championships in decades and may be ever. He scored 28+ ppg on huge usage and not bad ~55% ts% while also was one of best distributors on tournament. On the same tournament Goznalez had 20.7 ppg on pretty mundane 44/21/69 split and much more turnovers than assists. In this clip author tried to analyze Saraf's game not serve as his promoter. You can look highlights clip and there Saraf would shot flawless 100% but it was not the point here.
By the way Saraf had 8 dunks in the tournament. I think more than any other guard. It's just not the main quality of his game.
@@guyben1657 Saraf's in not elite athlete, but he's good athlete. He's switching speeds, using screens and explores mismatches, and not trying to just attack full-speed ISO as some not very skilled and/or not high BBIQ "athletes" do, so some people think he's slow - but it's not like he doesn't have high gear too.
He also actually can jump (while it's not seen in this clip :)) and had I think 8 dunks in 7 games
@@arusinov Agreed. I'm not too concerned about his athleticism. He had a one explosive penetration actually on his BBL debut when he finished with some creativity on air, I'd like him in the future to dunk on people in these situations, Ala Ginobili, hopefully it would come with NBA conditioning and training.
I'd also want him to learn to use his off hand under pressure, it would open up so much to his game, sine it seems he actually has a good first step.