Ben Saraf
Guard
Game managing combo guard with high-end passing flair.
Ben Saraf, 19-year-old combo guard, has made a name for himself with his strong performances on the international stage. Saraf has been an important contributor professionally with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany’s Bundesliga as well as the EuroCup.
Saraf broke out at the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket, winning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. He dominated as a lead ball-handler in the competition, putting up a stellar stat line of 28 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Not just an offensive threat, Saraf finds all kinds of ways to contribute to the box score.
The Israeli guard is always composed, never rushed or appearing out of control. This makes him very appealing at a position where he would have the ball in his hands often. This demeanor, in turn, helps him execute plays with precision. Running pick and roll, as he often does, displays Saraf’s jump passes with eye manipulation that open up an offense. Saraf may not be the greatest athlete, but this misdirect compensates by scrambling the defense.
Saraf is excellent at getting the defender on his back foot. This is due to his mastery of stop-start movements, which he uses advantageously. His ability to tell when his defender is off balance or when a driving lane opens allows him to exploit any weaknesses. He has craft in his footwork, letting him change direction abruptly. He also uses his large (for a point guard) frame strategically: Saraf uses his body to shield off defenders, keeping his advantage in traffic. This combination of smart movements, heightened awareness and clever physical play make Saraf a true offensive threat.
Larry Golden