Basketball

Joan Beringer Drawing Late-Lottery Interest in NBA Draft: “It’s Been My Dream to Play in the NBA”

Published: May 22, 2025, 12:00 PM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:06 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
Joan Beringer

Joan Beringer (Photo by Cedevita Olimpija)

Joan Beringer didn’t grow up dreaming of NBA stardom. Until three years ago, the 6-foot-11 French center was a soccer player. But after a growth spurt made cleats impossible to find, Beringer picked up a basketball and began playing on the outdoor courts near his home in Strasbourg.

Now, just 18 years old and with limited organized experience, Beringer has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. Sources around the league have indicated to RG that he is drawing interest from teams in the late lottery range, with several front offices intrigued by his defensive instincts, mobility, and long-term upside.

“It’s been my dream to play in the NBA,” Beringer told ESPN. “It’s a good moment to go. I want to say thank you to my teammates. They made everything a lot easier for me.”

Defensive Upside Drawing Interest

Beringer played the 2024–25 season with Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia, appearing in both the Adriatic League and EuroCup. Across all competitions, he averaged 4.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 18 minutes per game over 51 games, shooting 61% from the field. He also led the Adriatic League in block percentage.

Though his offensive skill set remains limited, Beringer’s length and agility have stood out to NBA evaluators. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he has flashed the ability to protect the rim and guard in space—traits that remain at a premium in today’s game.

“Coach gave me a chance to prove myself, and I did well in those games, so they decided to keep me on the team,” Beringer told ESPN. “Defense was the reason I got a chance.”

During private conversations with RG, one team many scouts see as a strong fit is the Atlanta Hawks. With veteran center Clint Capela entering free agency, Beringer could offer immediate rim protection and serve as a play-finishing threat in pick-and-roll alongside Trae Young.

Beringer’s best performance came in March, when he recorded 12 points and five rebounds in a win over Krka. Still, scouts caution that his feel for the game remains a work in progress. He’s prone to foul trouble and is still learning how to operate within structured offensive sets.

Rapid Rise From Street Courts to Draft Boards

Beringer didn’t play organized basketball until the fall of 2021. After playing casually with friends, he joined a small local club, Saint-Joseph Strasbourg, and began developing his game.

“I first started playing basketball in the street with my friends. Just for fun,” Beringer told ESPN. “I played football before, and there was a basketball court nearby the field. My feet got too big, so I couldn’t find soccer cleats anymore. I was 6’8 then. I’m 6’11 without shoes now. I joined a small club, Saint-Joseph Strasbourg, two weeks later. My work and willingness to go after things are the reason I was able to be where I am now.”

He represented France at the 2024 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 68.9% shooting. Coaches and executives have taken note of his rapid progress and steady commitment to development.

Beringer is the third-youngest player in the draft class and widely considered one of the most physically gifted. While his offensive game may take years to fully mature, his ability to anchor a defense and cover ground makes him a compelling bet for teams seeking long-term value.

For a player who first picked up a basketball less than four years ago, Beringer has made a fast climb—and may hear his name called earlier than expected on draft night.

NBA Reporter
Grant Afseth is a Dallas-based basketball journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, G League and FIBA. He’s reported from the NBA Finals, All-Star Weekend, Olympics and FIBA World Cup, focusing on analysis and front office insight. He runs DallasHoopsJournal.com, covering the Mavericks and Wings with game coverage, features and interviews. His work includes conversations with stars like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, and is known for its accuracy, sourcing and adherence to AP style.
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Mark Medina
Mark Medina
NBA Reporter

Mark Medina is a veteran NBA reporter with more than a decade of experience chronicling some of the league’s most iconic players, championship moments and behind-the-scenes developments. His coverage spans six NBA Finals (2010, 2018–2022), Kobe Bryant’s final five seasons (2012–2016) and the rise of the Golden State Warriors dynasty (2017–2019). His storytelling combines deep reporting, access and a focus on the human side of the game.

During the 2020 NBA bubble, Mark was one of the few journalists embedded on-site from July to September, reporting not just on the games but also on the league’s strict COVID-19 protocols and the players’ social justice activism. His January 2020 in-depth interview with Kobe Bryant, focused on Bryant’s post-retirement ventures in media and youth development, was one of the last before the basketball legend’s passing.

Throughout his career, Mark has conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with basketball icons and influential figures, including Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Pau Gasol, Metta Sandiford-Artest, Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jeanie Buss. Known for his enterprise reporting and nuanced features, Mark has developed a reputation for balanced, thoughtful journalism that explores both the athletic and cultural impact of the NBA.

📍 Based in: Los Angeles, USA

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