Since 2016, there has been at least 1 French player selected in every draft totaling 10 selections overall. The secret is out and the talent this country boast has scouts flocking in every year, and rightfully so. With the buzz of the next generation led by JSF Nanterre’s phenom and projected future lottery pick, 7’1 16-year-old Victor Wembanyama, there are many more reasons to keep an eye on France for the next several years.
With the 2020 draft continue to see delays, draft hopeful and projected second round pick Abdoulaye N’Doye made the decision to sign with AS Monaco and begin the 20-21 campaign. Arguably one of the best on ball defenders of the European prospects, N’doye is an automatic entry in the 2020 draft which will be interesting for a draft and stash candidate. He displayed potential 3 and D qualities in the 19 -20 season, but his offense (ball handling and outside shooting) still needs improving. It will be curious to see how he will fair in Monaco and Europe’s second highest competition 7 days Euro Cup. He departs Cholet basket after 7 seasons where he blossomed into the player he is today.
2002 generation prospect pg, Matthew Strazel, broke out unto the scene last season for LDLC Asvel by playing valuable minutes in Euro League and league play. He also starred for Asvel’s U17 team in the ANGT tournaments. Smaller in stature than most guards in his class, Strazel has a fearlessness when playing and a knack for his on-ball defense. Last season the coaching staff showed tremendous confidence in him and he rewarded them by occasionally hitting big shots on the big stage and defending well in crucial stages of the game. In year two, with the departure of Theo Maledon likely to the NBA, will this provide an opportunity for Strazel to grow or will Asvel rely heavily on their experience of probably the most dominate teams (former draftees Norris Cole, and Guerschon Yabusele) constructed on paper in recent memory by a French club? Time will tell.
Note: Asvel added former Barcelona prospect and British big man sensation Matthew Marsh. With a better chance at integrating into the first team roster, Marsh will have his work cut out this season. He will start the 20-21 campaign featured with the U21 and no guarantees of meaningful minutes with the pros. But his athletic qualities and finishing ability around and above the rim, and if he holds his own in the Espoir (U21) division, do not be surprise if he gets first team nods.
A pair of prospects that are not making much headway in the Jeep Elite is the Chalons-Reims duo of combo gaurd Matthieu Gauzin and Lithuanian floor general Arnas Velicka. Gauzin arrives on loan from Le Mans where he struggled to find his footing on the roster in the 19-20 season. His development did not go as plan in the past season as the club embarked upon a disastrous campaign. The smooth savy Gauzin looks to remind scouts this season of the talent he possesses. On the other hand, Velicka has interesting traits for France. His ability to dissect the pick and role will be something to take note. And with the physical play of the league, he has good size on him to fend off defenders. Velicka is the second coming of Valenica’s Martin Hermannsson for coach Heitz of Chalons-Reims. Velicka seems destined for success under the offensive system in place.
The rare prospect watch in Pro B:
This season in particular in the prospect watch, more eyes will be on Pro B, France’s second division. Most notably will be on the second tower in Paris, late blooming big prospect Ismael Kamagate of Paris Basketball. His emergence onto the prospect radar last season has many excited about his potential. A rim runner with a great stride and a decent pair of hands to go with, Kamagate displays elusiveness and great mobility at his size. He is a very efficient roller and finishes above the rim. Tracks rebounds well around the rim and has a very quick second jump. This season it will be interesting to see if he has added the physical nature into his game by playing through contact as oppose to avoiding it and if he added some low post offense. Alongside Kamagate is highly touted teammate Juhann Begarin. A freak athlete with incredible finishing around the rim. Begarin leads the hype for the 2002 generation of French players. He models his game after NBA star Russell Westbrook displaying speed and explosiveness in the open court and using his size and physicality to get into to the lane in the half court setting. The pair of prospects will definitely have the division buzzing as they look to lead Paris Basketball, in year two, for the bid to the first division.
Also featured in the Pro B division is 2021 draft dark horse Mbaye N’diaye. He will be one to pay close attention to, developing the last three seasons in JL Bourg in U21. The Senegalese forward boast a great NBA Frame (long arms, wide shoulders), and can defend 1 through 4. Already a highflyer in the open court on the offensive side, Ndiaye’s motor and energy on the defensive end show his willingness to be a complete player. Signing a 3-year deal with ADA Blois in Pro B, the hope is that his potential can intrigue an NBA franchise enough to possibly draft and stash allowing him to grow.
Opportunity Knocks:
Other noteworthy prospects in the Jeep Elite division would be Cholet Basket pg Karlton Dimanche and forward Yoan Makoundou. The early departure of Killian Hayes last season to ULM Ratiopharm provided Dimanche with an unexpected opportunity. With a full season featured with the pros under his belt, Dimanche looks to continue his climb on the 2002 generation prospect radar. This season with Cholet he will test his skill in the Basketball Champions League competition. Makoundou was a fairly unknown prospects (playing in 5 division) before arriving last season and having a breakout U21 campaign with Cholet. This season he will integrate with the pros with much improvement on the horizon. A player that possess freak athletic abilities but still very raw, Makoundou is a tweener still figuring out his pro position (undersize as a big and lacks dribbling/ shooting ability to play outside). But his athleticism and energy on both sides of the ball will allow him to see spurts of minutes here and there with the pros.
Allow me to reintroduce myself (Jay Z):
Lost in the prospect shuffle is big Essome Miyem. A member of the talented 2001 generation of French players and rounds out a list of prospects that will integrate with the Pro team after starring several seasons in U21 for SIG Strasbourg. Miyem has attributes (great hands, and low post footwork) that makes him a promising talent. His goal this season will be to see consistent minutes with the Pro side that will be feature in the Basketball Champions league competition.
After playing on loan in Pro B last season, can guard Babacar Niasse crack the rotation in Elan Chalon? Once thought to be a sure pro for the club, Niasse has struggled in the past to become a regular on a roster, in Elan Chalon, which always feature a hand full of experience import guards. Childhood friend and teammate Mathis Dossou Yovo, also spent a year out on loan and will again play a year on loan in ADA Blois. Hopeful that he would rejoin Elan Chalon this season, Dossou Yovo is still very raw offensively, and needs to develop consistency. He definitely has a body and physical tools to make an impact in the 2nd division.
Long wing/forward Kenny Baptiste will rejoin the Jeep Elite with Sarthe LeMans after playing a year stint in Pro B. His will look to gain meaningful minutes and hope to play a role as the club looks to rebound from a devastating season a year ago.
Pro Debut after injury:
CSP Limoges forward Maxime Carene has NBA talent written all over him. After an injury plagued campaign saw him out the entire 19-20 season, Carene is looking to rebound and reintroduce himself to the basketball scene once again. Incredible measurements which allows him to alter shots and track rebounds, Carene’s work will be cut out as the team will play league and European cup competition (Basketball Champions League). What away to be introduce to basketball again.
These are just a few names that scratches the surface of a prospect hot bed in France. The excitement surrounding the next generation will be around for years to come.
