Prospect Watch (International Edition): Doncic and Musa put scouts on notice

While other big names make waves in college basketball, two international prospects are standing out overseas.

Luka Doncic has made a name for himself over the past five months, and now looks to maintain his position near the top of almost every mock draft. He had an outstanding summer in international basketball, helping lead Slovenia to a European championship - the first in the country's history.

Dzanan Musa, a lesser-known commodity, is sneaking into lottery position on draft boards. He may not be as proven as Doncic, but he's averaging double figures in 20-plus minutes against professional athletes in Eastern Europe.

So what makes these 18-year-old phenoms good enough to compete in the NBA?

Luka Doncic (Slovenia) - Real Madrid (Spanish League)

Season Stats

It's surreal to see some of the things Doncic can do on the court, and he offered a demonstration while dismantling some of the best players in the NBA during the EuroBasket tournament alongside countryman Goran Dragic.

He has the natural instincts of a point guard, but at 6-foot-8, Doncic is able to see over defenders to make some ridiculous passes. He also possesses the potential to become an elite shooter. Though he has the tools to become a superstar, question marks remain about his athleticism and foot speed.

Still, Doncic has the IQ and awareness of an NBA veteran. His transition play and size help make up for his athletic shortcomings.

In EuroLeague play, Doncic ranks second in points, 18th in rebounds, and 10th in assists. He's dominating teams in arguably the best league outside the Association using crafty ball-handling and creativity around the basket. His 3-point numbers don't accurately capture his ability from distance: He often takes difficult shots, and his high release makes him difficult to defend. It helps that he's fearless when going up against some of the best players in the world.

To understand his ability, watch his EuroBasket highlights. Anyone concerned that Doncic can't handle opponents at the next level should remember what happened when he went head to head with New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis, scoring 27 points and grabbing nine boards in a win over Latvia.

His foot speed can be concerning, especially against fast-paced, aggressive NBA defenders, but his other talents allow him to compensate. While it'll be difficult to measure his ceiling until he reaches the NBA, he already appears to have the versatility of a prototypical guard.

Dzanan Musa (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Cedevita (Croatian League)

Season Stats

While Doncic dominates the top league in Europe, Musa's flown under the radar in the second-tier EuroCup, showing off his size and shooting ability for Croatian club Cedevita. Over the past couple of months, he's managed to boost his draft stock into lottery-pick territory.

It's rare for an 18-year-old to get the kind of minutes Musa plays, plus the green light to shoot. His form is a little awkward, but the combination of his quick release and 6-foot-9 frame has attracted scouts. It doesn't hurt that he has unlimited range on his jumper. Against aggressive closeouts, shooters need to be willing and ready, and Musa's ability to gather from any angle off screens can change an offense.

Consider how important Miami Heat guards Wayne Ellington and Kyle Korver are to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. Though the ability to gather, rise, and shoot occasionally seems to be a lost art, Musa may be ready to revive it early in his career.

The unselfishness typical of European basketball has also helped Musa's game. He's a capable passer on drive-and-kicks, and his decision-making and maturity have consistently improved. His style of play is well-suited to NBA basketball, and any team that needs high-level perimeter shooting shouldn't be disappointed to end up with Musa.