21-year-old Tristan Vukcevic, who had been impressing with elite performances in Europe, joined the Washington Wizards in March. Since making his way over to the NBA, Vukcevic has been impressive with his polished skillset and high-IQ approach to the game. In eight contests, he is averaging 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and one assist on 43.5% shooting from the field.

When speaking to the media following Washington’s 108-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Kyle Kuzma praised Vukcevic’s impact since joining the team.

“That boy can play,” Kuzma said. “He’s smart. You could tell that he’s been in Europe, he’s a European style player, plays the right way, understands spacing, competes… I think that’s a big one. He knows when to space the floor and shoot and take solid shots. So, very impressed by seeing him so early.”

The Wizards selected Vukcevic with the 42nd pick in the 2023 draft, but he was permitted to continue to develop his game in Europe. Now that he’s arrived in the U.S., we’re starting to see why he’s among the brightest international prospects. With Washington navigating a rebuild, finding value from late-round draft picks is essential to the team’s current plan.

Right now, stacking wins isn’t vital for the Wizards. Instead, the current goal is to provide young talent with opportunities. That will allow the front office to decide who to keep around and who to try and trade for upgrades elsewhere on the roster. Early indications are that Vukcevic is the type you keep due to how he plays the game.

Vukcevic already looks like a steal. Earning praise from Kuzma so quickly proves he has the talent to be a potential star in the league.