There are plenty of athletic players in this year’s draft, but few are as athletic as KK Cedevita center Joan Beringer. The 18-year-old Frenchman has impressed many with his play over in Europe, showcasing his athleticism and physical tools. Unquestionably, Beringer has significant potential as an athletic rim-running big who can protect the rim on the other end of the floor. The 6-foot-11 center will certainly attract interest from teams in the first round on draft night. Without any further ado, let’s analyze Joan Beringer’s skill set in this 2025 NBA Draft profile.
Joan Beringer 2025 NBA Draft Profile
International Career
Beringer started his professional career this past season in Slovenia, playing for KK Cedevita. In particular, he was slated to play for their junior team, but Beringer impressed the team so much during training that he was immediately promoted to the main team. He has provided Cedevita with productive play throughout their season. He is currently averaging 4.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in EuroCup and 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in the ABA. Before joining KK Cedevita, Beringer represented France in the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship. During that time, Beringer had the opportunity to play with another French draft prospect, Nolan Traore.
Strengths
The most standout aspect of Beringer is his insane athleticism as a center. Specifically, Beringer possesses explosive leaping ability, getting off the floor quickly for dunks or blocks. He has the fluidity and mobility to cover a ton of ground quickly, making him a massive threat in transition. Plus, Beringer has excellent length at a 7-foot-3 wingspan, using it to be disruptive defensively. Blocks and deflections are common around Beringer. Speaking of defense, he has operated well as a rim protector who is constantly active and aware of when to rotate. Beringer loves to obliterate shots at the rim, showing off his excellent ability to time his jumps.
Additionally, Beringer’s mobility allows him to be more switchable than other centers. His length and quickness can help him keep up with quicker players or give him the ability to recover quickly if his man has a step on him. Due to his mobility and length, Beringer has the upside to be deployed in various defensive coverages like drop or hedging ball screens. More importantly, Beringer is constantly bringing energy out on the court and always plays with a high motor.
Offensively, Beringer has been extremely efficient around the rim, and his athletic attributes allow him to be a major off-ball threat. In particular, Beringer operates well in transition, beating out other centers down the court for easy buckets. In the half-court, Beringer is great as the roll-man in the pick-and-roll. His enormous wingspan and hands extend the range in which he can catch passes. In the NBA, Beringer profiles well as an elite rim-runner who can get downhill and throw down highlight dunks.
Weaknesses
For all the good things that Beringer has going for him at such a young age, he does have his warts. One specific weakness is that he is still raw as a player. He is still figuring out how to use the tools he has to be a better basketball player. That weakness shows up the most on the offensive end.
In particular, Beringer has a very limited offensive skill set, mainly serving as a play finisher on offense. He is not a shooter at all, and he doesn’t project to be one either, despite how early he’s in his professional career. Furthermore, the free-throw numbers aren’t good, as he sits at just 50% in the EuroCup and 60% in the ABA. Beringer isn’t a passer as he lacks the feel and vision to make the right reads. He isn’t a source of post-up offense either since he lacks the ball-handling, footwork, touch, and strength to bang down low. Speaking of strength, Beringer can struggle to finish through contact as well.
On defense, Beringer can be over-aggressive as a defender, picking up unnecessary fouls or putting himself out of position to defend. He can get occasionally lost defending in the pick-and-roll, and he can close out too hard on shooters. Beringer’s lack of strength makes it difficult for him to defend in the post, where he can get overpowered by stronger NBA players.
NBA Comparison
In terms of NBA comparisons, Beringer compares well to players like Yves Missi and Nic Claxton. Specifically, the similarities are that they are all long, athletic centers that can make highlight plays on both ends. All of them are excellent rim protectors who can swat shots with authority and ferocity. Offensively, none of them are shooters of any sort, nor do they create their own shots. However, they are excellent at serving as rim-runners and lob threats. Not only that, but they are all active presences on the glass as rebounders.
2025 NBA Draft Projection
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