SNAPSHOT
A combo guard who has plenty of playmaking nous, Ben Saraf is a smokie for the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago, boasting positional size, vision and overall craftiness in the backcourt, which will undoubtedly tempt scouts at the top level.
Boasting a pure point guard's skillset, Saraf will slot onto any roster, and although there are some concerns around his shooting and athletic traits, he is simply too talented playing the one and could be one of the better point guards in the class.
DRAFT PROFILE
Saraf's professional career began in Israel's second division competition, playing for the Elizur Netanya, where he quickly rose to prominence as a scorer and playmaker, and averaged 14 points a game throughout the 2022/23 season, putting him on NBA radars.
The guard then moved up to the Israeli Premier League, and was named the league's rising star after producing another standout campaign that cemented him as one of the best NBA Draft prospects outside of the United States.
Saraf then took yet another step up in his basketball journey, joining Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga for his most recent campaign, and cemented himself as a first round threat in the 2025 NBA Draft, for which he declared recently.
Throughout his time with Ratiopharm Ulm, Saraf posted numbers of 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks per game, while shooting 45.3 per cent shooting from the field, 29.4 per cent shooting from behind the arc and 76.4 per cent from the free throw line.
STRENGTHS
+ Playmaking
+ Shot creation
+ Height for his position
+ Footwork
IMPROVEMENTS
- Shooting
- Athleticism
Saraf operates best in pick and roll situations, using elite vision and tremendous touch to find his teammate rolling to the basket. He does not always make the same play as well, showing the capability to make the most creative passes look easy and proving unpredictable for the defence.
The way he finds the bottom of the net is extremely creative, using excellent footwork and touch around the hoop to evade the defence and hit the scoreboard at a consistent rate. He overcomes his lack of bounce with smooth moves under the hoop to create separation.
Saraf's best position is the point guard, which plays heavily in his favour given the height he brings to that spot. His playmaking and inside scoring sees him primarily in that position, but his height also allows him to play the shooting guard in the future too.
That largely relies on the improvement of his shooting from behind the perimeter, as he seriously struggles shooting off the dribble both inside and outside the arc. If he can steady as a shooter, it will improve his standing as a combo guard.
DRAFT PROJECTION: Early second round
Saraf is an intriguing guard prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Class, bringing height and crafty playmaking to the table, and if he can improve his shooting off the dribble, he could become a seriously productive player on the offensive end.
