19-YEAR-OLD Izan Almansa is following Alexandre Sarr‘s footsteps and joining the Perth Wildcats as a Next Star of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Almansa is a talented power forward/center that recently withdrew his name from the 2024 NBA Draft Class in a bid to build his stock ahead of next year. It was a move that worked wonders for Sarr, who was taken with the second overall pick in June.

With some well-experienced teammates and the ability to test his skills against developed players, Almansa could shoot up the draft board if the season goes well.

Izan Almansa

Team: Perth Wildcats
Birth nation: Spain
Position: Power Forward
Age: 19
Height: 208cm (6ft, 10in)
Weight: 104kg (229lbs)

Playing history

Almansa’s breakthrough moment in his junior basketball career was when he led UCAM Murcia at the Spanish National Championship, averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds, towering over the opposition with his strength and size.

His strong junior play saw Almansa recruited to play for Real Madrid, and over his two years with the team, he competed at Under-16 and reserve level.

He stormed into draft contention after joining the Overtime Elite (OTE) ahead of its first season, a program that is highly renowned for developing draft prospects. Competing against players around the same mark development-wise, he showed good signs on the scoring and rebounding fronts.

During the first OTE season, he performed strongly, averaging 9.3 points and 8.6 rebounds and having multiple double-double performances. He also has experience playing the G-League before joining the Next Stars program ahead of next month’s season opener.

Almansa also has experience at international level, representing Spain and winning tournament MVP honours at the Under-17 European Championship and Under-18 World Cup over the past few years, stuffing the stat sheet to average a double-double on both occasions.

How he plays

Almansa looks destined to be a double-double machine given his ability to excel as an inside scorer and crash the boards on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, he times his cuts well to get into the right position near the basket, and does his best work scoring the ball with post moves inside the paint. He has clever footwork to create separation from the defender and has a nice soft touch when finding the bottom of the net. The big man can also put the ball on the floor to create his own shot.

He works well in pick and roll scenarios, showcasing a strong leap to be a genuine lob threat when cutting to the basket after setting a solid screen. He will greatly benefit from playing alongside the NBL’s best guard in Bryce Cotton in these situations.

He has a solid enough jumpshot for a player of his size, and if he can develop his range, it will make him a more well-rounded threat on the offensive end.

Defensively, he uses his size to his advantage and is a good rim protector. However, if he is forced into a switch, he has room to grow in terms of perimeter defence. In a league such as the NBL where off ball screens are prominent, he will need to improve this area.

Prediction

Although there are still areas of his game that require some work, Almansa’s physical stature and work inside the post should see him have an impact as a Next Star.