Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Izan Almansa has earned attention through his relentless motor, rebounding instincts, and ability to impact games without needing the offense to run through him. His physical style of play and willingness to do the dirty work have helped him stand out against top competition at a young age.
Player Profile
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Izan Almansa Pérez
- Nationality: Spanish
- Date of Birth: June 7, 2005
- Hometown: Murcia, Spain
- Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
- Weight: 226 pounds (103 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
- Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
Basketball Career:
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Jersey Number: 8
- High School: Information not publicly available
- College: Did not attend; developed through various professional programs
- NBA Draft: Declared for the 2024 NBA Draft but withdrew to further develop his game
- Professional Teams:
- Overtime Elite (2021–2023): Played for the YNG Dreamerz team, averaging 9.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists during the 2022-23 season.
- G League Ignite (2023–2024): Joined the G League Ignite program to prepare for the NBA Draft.
- Perth Wildcats (2024–Present): Signed as part of the NBL Next Stars program to gain professional experience in Australia.
Achievements:
- FIBA U17 World Cup (2022): Named MVP, leading Spain to a gold medal.
- FIBA U18 European Championship (2022): Awarded MVP, contributing significantly to Spain’s success.
- FIBA U19 World Cup (2023): Earned MVP honors, showcasing his continued development and impact on the international stage.
Personal Life:
- Children: None
- Siblings: Information not publicly available
Player Archetype / Play Style
Izan Almansa profiles as an interior-oriented big man whose game leans toward activity, touch, and play-finishing more than perimeter skill or self-creation. Listed at 6-foot-10 and around 230 pounds during the 2024 draft cycle, he has good size for a frontcourt player and plays with strong hands, functional strength, and a feel for operating around the basket. Offensively, he fits best as a complementary scorer who can finish inside, score on short-range touches, clean up misses, and make simple reads rather than stretch the floor as a high-volume shooter. Defensively, he projects more as a team big and interior presence than a true eraser, with his value tied to positioning, rebounding, and physical work in the paint more than standout rim-protection upside. Overall, Almansa’s style is that of a modern support big: productive near the rim, active on the glass, and most effective when he can play off others and bring energy, touch, and interior instincts to a frontcourt rotation. (The NBA G League)
Scouting Report
Izan Almansa wins possessions with timing more than raw physical tools, and that’s easy to miss if you’re watching only where the ball goes. Offensively, he plays with the instincts of a connective big, constantly adjusting his screening angles, slipping into open pockets when defenders overplay the ball and arriving at the rim just as help rotates away. He doesn’t need a string of dribbles to become involved. A quick DHO, a short-roll catch or an early post seal is usually enough because he processes the next read quickly, whether that’s a touch pass to a cutter, a kick-out after drawing the low man or a controlled finish around the basket. The interesting thing is that he rarely forces the issue. He seems comfortable letting the possession dictate his role rather than hunting touches. Defensively, Almansa relies on positioning and anticipation. He reads developing actions well, rotates early to protect the paint and boxes out with purpose instead of chasing every rebound outside his area. He can hold his own in drop coverage by staying connected to both the ball handler and the roller, but asking him to defend in space against explosive guards or recover repeatedly after switches exposes some foot-speed limitations. That’s the trade-off. He influences games through awareness more than overwhelming physical dominance, which means his margin for error shrinks if his positioning slips. To me, he fits best in a motion offense that values passing bigs and continuous player movement, where his screening, decision-making and feel become just as important as his scoring. It’s easy to overlook how often he creates advantages before receiving the ball because his subtle repositioning frequently opens driving lanes or forces defensive communication. His game has shades of Domantas Sabonis in the way he connects offensive actions through screening and passing, although with less ball dominance, while there are similarities to Xavier Tillman in his disciplined interior defense, willingness to embrace physical work and understanding of how to keep an offense flowing without needing to finish every possession himself.
NBA G League — 2024 NBA Draft Profile: Izan Almansa
NBA.com — 2024 NBA Mock Draft with pro projections for top prospects
FIBA — Who will be the top European pick in the 2025 NBA Draft?
NBA.com — 2025 NBA Draft Early Entry Candidates