By Jordan Sensi
"I want to dominate the ProA before going to the NBA next summer". This is what Mouhammadou Jaiteh (’94) -at the pic- announced when he decided to withdraw his name from the 2014 NBA Draft. After an outstanding first professional season in the Pro B with Boulogne sur Mer (16.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 21.7 valuation, French MVP), he joined Nanterre to play the Euroleague. Despite an all-star selection, his season was below the big expectations. Jaiteh is so talented, but he has not the professional basketball player mentality, and looks like a kid who always wants to have fun on the court without playing hard. Coach Pascal Donnadieu is very strict and severe with him and all of this should pay off this season.
Axel Bouteille (’95) signed his first professional contract this summer after an outstanding season in the Espoirs league. With 24.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, he was logically named MVP. Now, he has to prove he can compete in the ProA. If he will not receive a lot of minutes this season it will be interesting to follow his progress, coming from the league where he did not have to play hard to dominate, the transition will be tough at the beginning. It also will be interesting to follow Bouteille’s defense, to get minutes he will have to defend hard which is not one of his first strength.
After very interesting minutes in last season’s playoffs, Benjamin Sene (’94) was given the backup point guard role in Nancy this season. With his athleticism, his defensive abilities, and the fact he is never afraid of anything, Sene can carry this role well. Moreover, more minutes will allow him to improve his in-game decisions which is a much-needed.
In an upgraded ASVEL roster Alexandre Chassang (’94) recently received an extension to be the back-up power forward. He has got all abilities needed to carry this role in a top Pro A team thanks to his strong body, his basketball IQ and his shooting range. Nevertheless, after 2 professional seasons in Villeurbanne, it is time for him to stop being shy on the floor and play his game. Coach Pierre Vincent will give him minutes, now it is for him to seize his chance.
After a great showing in the Espoirs league and an interesting second half of the season in a top Pro B team, Chalons-Reims, David Michineau (’94) will live maybe the most important season of his young career. Back in Chalon Sur Saône, he is receiving the back-up point guard role from Jean-Denys Choulet, who is one of the only French coaches not afraid to give big minutes to a young player. Michineau’s quickness and first step are devastating, as well as his pull-up mid-range jumper, but now he has to reduce a lot his number of turnovers, and learn how to manage his team in a lower-tempo rhythm to keep the Jean-Denys Choulet’s trust.
Auto-eligible this season Yannis Morin (’93), the very athletic and active power forward from Cholet has to display a lot of improvement in his game before next June. His club of Cholet trusts him and gave him a 3-year extension this summer, but expects a better impact from his young player. Morin brings a lot of energy from the bench, running and jumping everywhere but has to be much more efficient on the floor.
Even if he was one of the three best player of the U20 French National Team, Kevin Harley (’94) and Coach Jean-Aimé Toupane agreed to cut him just before the U20 Euro. The athletic and offensively-gifted shooting guard will stay in Pro B with Poitiers this season and will receive a consequent amount of minutes in a top leagueteam. With a better game comprehension and more experience he should improve his percentages consequently (39% from the field and 16% behind the arc) and draw much more interest from Pro A teams.
After a perfect season in the Espoirs-team of Gravelines (29-1 record and champion) William Howard (’93) will fly by himself in the Pro B with Denain. In this team who uses to be in the bottom of standing, Howard will have a lot of minutes. Being auto-eligible this season, it is time for him to show off his all-around game at the professional level.
Twitter of the author: @Jordan_Sensi
Photo: FIBA Europe / Image Photo
