The Nets love international point guards…
After taking a Russian at No. 8 then a French point guard at 19, the Nets completed an international trifecta at 26 by adding an Israeli point who plays in Germany, Ben Saraf.
Saraf, a 6’6” point, is in fact still playing in the German League playoffs for Ratiopharm Ulm.
He follows Egor Demin, a 6’9” point guard from Russia who played for BYU at No. 8 and Nolan Traore, a 6’4” point guard from France who played for St. Quentin in France.
Jonathan Givony described the pick this way:
The Brooklyn Nets have selected Ben Saraf with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The 6’6 Israeli brings an impressive combination of size, scoring instincts, feel, aggressiveness and playmaking, showing supreme timing and creativity operating in pick-and-roll. pic.twitter.com/yVWmrk86pu
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025
Like a number of the Nets picks, ESPN had Saraf lower than where Brooklyn picked. In this case, No. 31,
NBA.com offered its take on his skills.
Passing is his best skill and the lefty Saraf is an excellent playmaker. He has above-average height, can make almost every type of pass and makes reads with ease. Saraf drives often, focusing on downhill moves and change of direction rather than shifting left to right on the perimeter. He pulls up with confidence from the mid-range and has a solid form that could lead to improved 3-point shooting as he develops.
Considering Saraf’s passing talent, he should be able to function as a floor general wherever he lands. His size could allow him to play multiple positions, which could be opened up further if he develops a more consistent 3-pointer. That versatility is valuable and provides a potential pathway to minutes on a variety of teams and he could draw comparisons to Elfrid Payton or Manu Ginobili.
Saraf led Israel’s U19 national team to a fourth-place finish in the European Championship last year and was named tournament MVP after averaging 28.3 ppg. He also led Israel’s U16 team in scoring in 2022.
If as planned, the Nets hold a press conference Friday to introduce their picks (absent Drake Powell who won’t be officially a Net until July 6,) it’s unlikely Saraf will be on hand. Ratiopharm Ulm is tied 2-2 in the German League finals with the 5th and final winner-take-all game is scheduled for Thursday. His teammate, Noa Essengue, was drafted 12th by the Bulls after leaving Ulm for New York.
The requisite highlight video.
Saraf is 19, as are four of the five picks. Danny Wolf is 21.