TITLE: Amini and Ishchenko Remain in 2026 NBA Draft; Ferrari and Suigo Pull Out
SLUG: amini-ishchenko-ferrari-suigo-draft-moves
CONTENT:
Iranian forward Mohammad Amini will stay in the 2026 NBA Draft, his agent Xavier Severin told DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. The decision became official ahead of Saturday’s 5:00 p.m. ET deadline for international early entrants to withdraw.
Amini, 21, split the past four seasons between Monaco and Nancy Basket in France’s LNB Élite. He posted averages of 7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 50.0% shooting in 27 games (22.6 minutes) during the 2025-26 campaign.
Other International Decisions
Vsevolod Ishchenko is also remaining in the draft, agent Alex Saratsis confirmed to Givony. The Russian wing recorded 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 45.1% from three-point range in 48 appearances (23.6 MPG) for Lokomotiv Kuban. ESPN currently ranks him No. 60, placing him in late-second-round territory.
Italian forward Francesco Ferrari opted to withdraw after testing NBA interest, according to BasketNews contributor Orazio Francesco Cauchi. Ferrari interviewed with the Pistons, Hawks and Bucks before deciding to return to Virtus Bologna, where he averaged 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11 games (10.2 MPG) last season.
Countryman Luigi Suigo has also pulled out of the draft and will suit up for Villanova next season. Speaking with Sky Sport, the center said an ankle sprain days before the draft combine limited his workouts. Suigo worked out for the Wizards, Spurs and Celtics and would have stayed in the draft with a projected top-20 guarantee, but chose an additional year of development with plans to re-enter in 2027.
The only outstanding decision among international early entrants is Serbian center Pavle Backo. The NBA is expected to release its official list of remaining prospects in the coming days.
Source: Hoops Rumors
