The Brooklyn Nets raised some eyebrows during the 2025 NBA Draft when they used the 26th overall pick on Ben Saraf - a 6'6" guard who wasn’t exactly a consensus first-rounder on most big boards. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about the draft, it’s that upside doesn’t always follow projections.
And Saraf? He’s starting to look like a swing worth taking.
After making a name for himself in the Israeli league, Saraf entered the draft as a bit of a mystery - raw, young, but undeniably talented. Now, just a few months into his rookie season, he’s already flashing signs that he might be more than just a developmental stash. His recent 40-point outburst for the Long Island Nets in the G League didn’t just turn heads - it forced Brooklyn’s coaching staff to take notice, including head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Fernandez, who’s been tasked with overseeing a Nets team in transition, didn’t hold back when asked about Saraf’s performance.
“He looked like an NBA player out there,” Fernandez said. “We watched the game and how confident he was, how he shot the ball, how he shot the three, his finishes around the rim. If he had finished a few more at the rim, he could’ve scored 50.”
That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a coach seeing something real in a young player’s game - confidence, rhythm, and a scoring toolkit that could eventually translate to the NBA level.
At 19 years old, Saraf is still very much a work in progress. But the tools are there.
He’s got a smooth perimeter jumper, the kind of athleticism that allows him to get downhill and finish, and just enough playmaking instincts to keep defenses honest. He’s not a primary initiator yet, but he doesn’t look out of place when asked to run the offense - a promising sign for a young guard trying to find his footing.
The Nets aren’t in win-now mode, and that gives them the flexibility to take their time with Saraf. The G League is the perfect proving ground for him - a space where he can take on a high-usage role, learn through reps, and build confidence without the nightly pressure of NBA rotations. And if Monday’s 40-point performance is any indication, he’s making the most of that opportunity.
For Brooklyn, the long-term vision is clear. They’re building a foundation, and Saraf has a chance to be a part of it.
His scoring outburst in Long Island wasn’t just a fluke - it was a glimpse of the kind of offensive punch he could eventually bring to the big club. He’s already showing he can adapt to the system, and that’s half the battle for a young player trying to carve out a role.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but the early returns are encouraging. Saraf has time, talent, and a coaching staff that believes in him. If he keeps trending upward, the Nets might have found a gem at the back end of the first round - a player who wasn’t on everyone’s radar but might just end up being a key piece of their future.