Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Michael Ruzic
Position:Â Forward
Team:Â Joventut Badalona (Spain)
Class:Â International
Height/Weight:Â 6'9", 223 lbs
Birthdate:Â October 4, 2006
Player Overview
Michael Ruzic is a skilled and smart player whose combination of size, shooting, and basketball IQ makes him a promising developmental prospect. At 6'9" with a 7-foot wingspan, Ruzic’s physical profile positions him as a versatile forward capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, Ruzic shows promise as a three-level scorer with a smooth shooting stroke and soft touch around the rim. His basketball IQ is evident in his off-ball movement and ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. However, his shooting consistency in live game situations remains a work in progress, and he needs to improve his aggressiveness on the boards to maximize his impact.
Defensively, Ruzic’s lack of physical strength and lateral quickness raises questions about his ability to guard multiple positions effectively at higher levels. Improving his strength and adding muscle will be critical to his long-term success, as will refining his ability to defend quicker opponents on the perimeter.
"Ruzic’s skill set, particularly his ability to stretch the floor at his size, makes him an intriguing long-term prospect. With added strength and improved shooting efficiency, he has the potential to become a valuable player at the next level." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Shooting Potential:Â Smooth mechanics and soft touch hint at long-term stretch-four capabilities.
Basketball IQ:Â Smart player with strong decision-making and awareness on the court.
Versatile Offense:Â An effective scorer around the rim who has shown mid-range and perimeter shooting flashes.
Length:Â He offers excellent positional size at 6'9" with a 7-foot wingspan.
High Motor:Â Plays with energy, particularly when cutting and in transition.
Concerns
Physical Strength:Â Needs to bulk up to handle physical opponents and improve rebounding.
Shooting Consistency:Â While promising, he must prove he can hit shots consistently in game situations.
Defensive Impact:Â Lateral quickness and strength limitations affect his ability to guard multiple positions.
Rebounding Effort:Â Not aggressive enough on the boards, given his size.
Questions
Can Ruzic develop into a more consistent shooter from three-point range?
Will he add enough strength to handle the physicality of professional basketball?
How well will his skills translate against more athletic and physical competition?
Bottom Line
Michael Ruzic is a young, skilled forward with significant upside, particularly as a shooter and finisher. While his lack of strength and defensive limitations currently hold him back, his high basketball IQ and solid fundamentals provide a foundation for development. With improvements in physicality and shooting consistency, Ruzic has the potential to become a valuable stretch forward at the professional level.