Offense Ben Saraf enters the draft as one of the most inventive passers and intuitive playmakers in the class. A left-handed guard with flair and vision, Saraf’s offensive value lies primarily in his command of the floor and his ability to create opportunities for others. At just 19, he’s already a high-usage initiator for Ratiopharm Ulm, a top-tier German club, and previously led Israel’s U18 team with standout scoring and distributing performances on the FIBA circuit. Saraf’s ability to manipulate defenders and deliver passes from live-dribble situations is elite for his age. He excels in the pick-and-roll, where his command of pace, deceleration, and creative angles allow him to generate high-quality looks for teammates. His passing bag is deep: he can sling live-dribble skips with either hand, flip no-look pocket passes, and string together wraparounds or lobs on the move. His 3.5 assists per game this season, paired with only 1.9 turnovers, highlight how well he manages decisions despite the flair. But as dynamic as Saraf is as a playmaker, his scoring profile is still under construction. Though he led the U18 European Championship in scoring and has proven himself against older competition in Germany, he lacks a clearly translatable method of scoring at the NBA level. His touch and footwork are refined, especially on drives where he leans on craft and timing, but he’s a below-the-rim finisher who struggles when defenders can stay in front of him or absorb his gathers. Saraf shoots just 38.9% at the rim in the halfcourt and doesn’t often get two feet deep into the paint. The shot is the swing skill. As a shooter, Saraf’s profile is uneven and somewhat limited by mechanics. His lefty stroke features a high release, but the footwork is often imbalanced, where he tends to lead with his left foot, and his rhythm can break down on off-the-dribble attempts. He shot just 24.5% from three overall this season and only 15.6% on off the dribble threes. Even on pull-up twos, he hit just 41%, and his free throw percentage (71.8%) does little to suggest strong touch from distance. Still, there are encouraging indicators. Saraf hit 38.9% on catch-and-shoot threes this year, a far better number that points to possible viability as an off-ball floor spacer in time. More importantly, he displays real confidence and fluidity as a midrange shooter, as he took a high volume of midrange dribble jumpers and connected on 40.9% of them, often showing the ability to create clean looks in isolation. If he can extend that consistency beyond the arc, his offensive ceiling rises significantly. Saraf’s handle, while deceptive and full of rhythm changes, is loose at times and can get away from him in traffic. When defenders pressure him physically or cut off his left hand, he can lose control or settle for low-efficiency shots. Improving his strength and right-hand comfort will be vital to unlocking his ability to get downhill more reliably. Still, Saraf’s pick-and-roll orchestration and transition reads are advanced enough to envision him scaling up to a high-level initiator role, even without elite burst. Defense Defensively, Saraf is more of a project. His effort level and instincts flash at times, as he posted a 2.6% steal rate this year, showing that he can get his hands into passing lanes and jump actions when engaged, but his actual impact is inconsistent. On the ball, Saraf struggles with screen navigation and lateral recovery. He opens his hips too early, gets caught reaching, and can be taken out of plays with quick changes of direction. Despite being 6’5”, he doesn’t always play to his size defensively. He isn’t yet strong enough to absorb contact or hold up against physical guards, and when caught out of position, he tends to lunge or swipe rather than contain. He often needs to recover instead of anticipating, and while his long arms and reactive quickness help him make up ground occasionally, the defensive process isn’t sound. Off the ball, Saraf shows a bit more poise. He has a solid understanding of space and rotations and can close out effectively when on time. However, he’s prone to ball-watching, and pump fakes can send him flying out of plays. With a more disciplined approach and NBA-level strength training, Saraf could become a passable defender, particularly as a team-based helper who relies on length and anticipation. Looking Ahead Ben Saraf is a clear bet on feel, positional size, and elite playmaking instincts. As a passer, he’s already operating at a level that translates to the NBA,with his command of pick-and-rolls, ability to manipulate defenses, and flair for spontaneous reads give him a unique floor. He processes the game quickly, sees multiple levels of the court, and consistently creates for others in ways most teenagers cannot. But the path to his ceiling hinges on shooting and strength. Without a more dependable pull-up jumper or the burst to pressure the rim, Saraf risks becoming a pass-first guard who defenses can sag off. His shooting off the catch offers hope, but his off-the-dribble touch and form must develop to avoid becoming a spacing liability. Likewise, defensively, his lack of physicality and inconsistency could limit his role early unless he’s paired with stronger point-of-attack defenders. If Saraf lands with a team that emphasizes development, spacing, and patience, giving him the freedom to make reads, the structure to hone his shot, and the strength program to fill out, there’s a real chance he becomes a starter-level guard. At worst, his passing chops and vision give him a floor as a backup facilitator who can orchestrate second units. For a team in the back half of the first round looking to invest in upside with tangible skill, Saraf is a worthwhile swing.