Izan Almansa, a 19-year-old Spanish power forward standing 2.08 meters tall, has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft. Initially, he was forecast to be among the top 15 picks, but he eventually fell to the middle of the second round, prompting him to wait for a better opportunity. According to Jonathan Givony, ESPN’s expert on young talent, Almansa will explore options in both Europe and Australia to try to climb back into the first round in the 2025 edition.
Almansa recently attended the NBA’s Draft Combine in Chicago, where he tested himself against other prospective NBA players and underwent physical examinations. Although he left the camp satisfied with his performance, it was not enough to regain his place among the top 15 picks.
During his stint with the G League team Ignite, Almansa averaged 10.5 points and 7.2 rebounds with a triple shooting percentage of 54.3. However, he has struggled in an environment where individualism prevails, even in the face of defeat. Ignite lost 32 of their 34 games, and Almansa has said he did not feel comfortable in an environment where team defeats were common and individual achievements were overshadowed by individual losses.
Almansa is a promising Spanish player and a potential star in the coming years. In training tournaments, he has already shown his capabilities, collecting MVP awards. He was named the best player of the 2022 U17 World Cup, despite his team’s loss to the United States, averaging 12.1 points and 12.9 rebounds. He also earned MVP honors in the Eurobasket U18 and U19 World Cup tournaments.
At present, only Juan Núñez remains as an eligible player, with Aday Mara choosing not to register.