Chicago Bulls: 3 rising international prospects to target at No. 38

Rising international prospects for the Chicago Bulls to target: Usman Garuba

Potentially the most well-known international draft prospect on this list at this point in time is the Spanish 6-foot-8 and 230-pound big man Usman Garuba. At just 19 years old, Garuba’s game is well ahead of his age and that could help him contribute more value right away if he’s to make an impact in an NBA rotation.

Garuba has played against some top competition over the last two or three seasons in Europe. He played the past two seasons with Real Madrid in EuroLeague and Liga ACB. Garuba spent the last three seasons too with Real Madrid in Liga ACB.

Very different from the type of prospect that Simonovic is for the Bulls, Garuba is an energetic two-way big man that fits more of the traditional mold. He has tried to draw out his game further in the last two seasons to shoot more from downtown. But it took him until last season to even average more than one attempt from three-point range per game in EuroLeague or Liga ACB.

Garuba is also a well-rounded defender who has a very high IQ on that end of the floor. Although his height is limited, he can use his large frame and 7-foot-2 wingspan well. He can protect the rim when needed, is switchable on the perimeter, and provides excellent help defense.

If the offensive game of Garuba continues to draw out from the paint, then he could really be a high-value draft target for the Bulls in the second round. As it stands now, Garuba tends to shoot around 50-55 percent from the field and 55-60 percent from the free-throw line, with his offensive game living in the paint.

Garuba could be a high-floor prospect for the Bulls in more of a traditional big man mold. If he expands his offensive range, then he could also be an international prospect with a rather high ceiling for the Bulls.