Yannick Kraag Scouting Report

DOB: 16-10-2002

Nationality: Dutch

Position: Forward

Height: 6'8

Wingspan: 7'2.5

Weight: Unknown

Team: Joventut Badalona

Pro Comp: Trey Murphy III in his early college years / Josh Minott

Draft range: Late second round / Undrafted

Strengths:

-NBA-level athleticism and size

-Covers a lot of space in defense

-Improved shooting mechanics

-Familiarity with his projected NBA role

Weaknesses:

-Lack of measurable impact and aggressivity in offense

-Needs to build up his body

-Inability to defend heavier players in the post

Question marks:

-Rebounding ability (has posted a solid 18% DREB in ACB so far)

-Halfcourt offense impact

Development level in Spanish basketball for NBA prospects has been a point of emphasis from a couple of scouts I speak to, and not especially for good reasons. ACB teams have the blessing of being in one of the most competitive basketball leagues in the world. The success Spanish teams have had in the past few years, makes teams financially incentivized to try to win the most games as possible to clinch European tournament positions or to not be relegated. This has caused Spanish teams to lean way more into seasoned players and limit the minutes of the young prospects that will end up leaving the discipline of the teams in a couple of years. 

Players like Yannick Kraag, a Dutch forward who plays in Joventut Badalona, create hope that NBA prospects can develop under the Spanish system, especially if they stay until 22 years old when they become auto-eligible for the NBA Draft. 

This intriguing forward has been playing an important role all season long for a Eurocup team. At his age, his defensive instincts and versatility are something that stands out every time he's on the floor. In half-court offense, his role has been limited to standing in the corners to slash or shoot the ball, and he has shown in a small volume his ability to use his motor attacking the rim, and great shot mechanics despite his large wingspan. He's a transition threat who is willing to push the basketball using his incredible dribbling with both hands, which he also can use in inverted pick and rolls.

His defensive foundation is strong. He can cover a lot of spaces cutting passing lanes, defending pick and rolls both switching as the defender of the screener or even being the point of attack defender. His screen navigation against pro centers has been great, but he still has to better understand the angles especially when defending smaller players. 

Stats playing in the different categories of the Netherlands National Team. (via ProBallers)

In several youth tournaments playing for the Netherlands and lower Spanish leagues, he has shown he can be the primary scoring option if asked to. His background playing in the guard position during his development years seems evident every time he ran pick and rolls as the ball hander, created mid-range shots, and off the dribble 3s. Neverthless, while playing with the first team in Joventut Badalona his lack of aggression to attack closeouts and attack the rim has been evident, raising concerns about his chances to become a rotational NBA player who is not simply a non-factor in the offense. His combination of skillset and athleticism abilities should impulse him to become a two-way player who can play as a revulsive coming off the bench. 

His efficiency at the rim has been off the charts. He's shooting 75%FG at the rim in 40 FGA this season in Euroleague, and 62%FG in 52 FGA in ACB. He benefits from the creation of his guards, offering himself as a lob-threat and a smart back door cutter, dunking the ball with ease using his physical tools. Finishing at the rim against defenders

The ultimate X-Factor deciding if he can have a long NBA career may be his three-point shooting. He has been a low-volume but efficient three-point shooter, most of them coming from the corner in his professional career. In only 1.3 attempts per game, he had a 41.3% 3PT in the 2023-24 season all club competitions considered. He has never been a mid-volume efficient shooter, probably because when he increased his volume of threes it was related to a different shot profile 

Impressive showing for Yannick Kraag in the EuroCup win for Joventut Badalona with 12/7/1 + 2 BLK. The 6'8 🇳🇱 forward is a strong athlete and great finisher at the rim. Kraag has an increased role this year, playing valuable minutes in both the EuroCup and ACB. EuroLeague future. pic.twitter.com/iM54ayDvXC

— Clay Atkinson (@ClayAtki) October 19, 2023

He shares agents with other NBA Draft prospects in Juan Nuñez and Leonardo Okeke — who may decide not to declare this year and wait another year until he's auto-eligible. It's highly likely that he and Nuñez attend the NBA Combine in Chicago to have private workouts with teams. He will have to show the scouts his ability to shoot the three in different scenarios in order to convince them to invest in a second-round pick to potentially have him stashed. Igor Crespo, the agent, will likely want Kraag to expend at least another year in Joventut Badalona in the 2024/25 season, especially taking into consideration the player is under contract until 2026.