SEASON 2024/25 of the National Basketball League (NBL) saw Perth Wildcats Next Star Izan Almansa make his mark as a solid frontcourt contributor that has the tools to make it at NBA level in the future if selected.

While he is not the flashiest player around, Almansa is productive in the more traditional sense, playing his role at the power forward and racking up figures in the scoring and rebounding columns. Although stuck behind star teammates for playing time, he still managed to keep his spot in the rotation and even started a few games.

Almansa will appeal to NBA teams looking to add a rock-solid frontcourt contributor, who brings size at six-foot-10 and had the blueprint to develop his game further. Although not a guaranteed selection on draft night, he still should be around the mark.

Izan Almansa

Averages – 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.3 blocks

WHAT HE HAS SHOWN

Almansa has made a name for himself as a consistent contributor inside the paint, playing to his strengths throughout his time with the Wildcats as an inside scorer and rebounder. He is gifted with an impressive leap for his size, and often used that to his advantage to tower above his opponents and generating plenty of valuable plays for Perth.

He has a great feel for his positioning and the timing of his cuts, often finding himself in the right spot under the hoop and on the end of some dish off passes. With his impressive height and some clever footwork, Almansa can score from a standing start and is often unfazed by any defensive pressure from the opposition.

He also has incredibly reliable hands, catching nearly every pass that comes his way, which will also be a huge positive for NBA sides looking for a reliable performer in the frontcourt.

HIS IMPROVEMENTS MOVING FORWARD

Shooting is the name of the game in modern basketball, and Almansa is not the most reliable shooter from deep. If he can work on his jumpshot and add a three-point shot to his already impressive inside game, it will make him a more balanced player and a much trickier defensive assignment. The Spanish prospect also left plenty of points at the free throw line, shooting just 53 per cent from the charity stripe throughout the 2024/25 season. If he continues to be streaky with his free throws, it may cost him on the scoring front.

HIS BEST PERFORMANCE

Although his Wildcats fell to a Melbourne United comeback, Almansa was impressive against the eventual grand finalists. The forward made the most of his opportunity as a starter, posting 19 points for the match and 17 in the first half alone. It was the perfect demonstration of what happens if the defence overcommits with its help defence, and Almansa was able to make United pay in the first half. Although his output faded in the final two quarters, his red-hot start to the match was certainly encouraging.

IN A SENTENCE

Almansa is certainly worth the punt for NBA sides that are looking to add to their frontcourt, with his excellent production and efficiency scoring the basketball inside the paint undoubtedly of value to a team at the top level.