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(Ignite: Forward, G League, 6-10)
Overall rank: 25 / Previous rank: 12 (-13) / Best rank: 9 / Worst rank: NR
G League Ignite’s Izan Almansa has some NBA talent evaluators divided on his future. Some believe Almansa’s size, IQ, and overseas success as a youngster can translate, while others question if he’ll be able to become more than a traditional big man in their eyes.
“Almansa has had moments where he’s been better than most bigs in the G League, but I just know if he translates to the NBA,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “He’s not a big time shooter or lob threat. You’re not playing a lot of ball with your back to the basket in the NBA these days.”
Almansa enjoys playing in pick-and-roll sets, faking dribble handoffs, and using a right-handed hook shot against smaller defenders on switches in the post. Defensively, he can be a switchable defender at times. The Spanish big man is aware he must continue to work on his shooting range, foul shooting, and shot-blocking in the eyes of talent evaluators.
“I play center because I’m the biggest guy on the court, but I’m not like the traditional center that just plays in the post or sets screens,” Almansa told HoopsHype at the G League Showcase. “Sometimes, I like to attack facing the basket. Sometimes, I shoot or can dribble the ball. I’m like a forward because I can do a little bit of everything. Sometimes, I have to play with my back to the basket, and I like it, but I don’t want to be staying under the basket and just posting up. I’m trying to show I can be a modern NBA big man.”
Almansa hopes to emulate some of Domantas Sabonis in his own game, specifically referencing Sabonis’ passing and rebounding.
“I think Almansa has good size and feel for the game,” an NBA scout opined. “Most of these kids have some stuff they can build on, but they’re coming in the NBA, and they’re not special. They need to be in the right situation to stick.”
