By Valentin LeClezio @BBfromLA
No Frenchman heard his name called by Adam Silver during last June's NBA Draft. Alpha Kaba ('96) and Timothé Luwawu ('95) pulled out their names at the deadline, Guershon Yabusele, Petr Cornelie, Axel Bouteille or Isaia Cordinier were never even part of the early entry list while Mouhammadou Jaiteh waited 5 excruciating hours in an emptying Barclays Center for a night that will forever stay in his memory. Luwawu and Kaba have traded ProA and France for insurances and playing time in Serbia and Mega Vizura. Meanwhile, a new crop of potential NBA draftees looks to make its presence felt at both French professional levels.
Guershon Yabusele ('95, 6'8, PF/C, Rouen)
Guershon Yabusele had an extremely busy summer following up a convincing first full-time pro season with Roanne. He impressed an NBA scout assembly in Treviso, went on to have a less than stellar overall performance at the U20 European Championship, made a surprise appearance at Adidas Nation in Los Angeles, signed a 3 year deal with Rouen (NBA out after each of the first two seasons) and then fired his agent. The Paris native has settled down really well in his new life and role in Rouen. He has been handled the keys of the Power-Forward spot right off the bat. He was outstanding all pre-season long averaging 20 points a game, displaying great energy and motor, rebounding the ball at a high rate and hitting shots from 13-15 feet with more consistancy. He will be surrounded by a couple of experienced and well-seasoned veterans (Alain Koffi, Devin Searcy...) as well as a young debuting coach at this level (Remy Valin) that should help make his transition much smoother.
Still only 19 year old, Yabusele is a physical specimen who is probably in the best shape of his life. Undersized at around 6'7 without shoes (with above average length), developing a consistant outside jumper will do wonders to expand his offensive game and improve his ceiling as a prospect. He has made no secret that his goal was to be ready for the 2016 Draft and will be looking to have a breakout season in ProA.
Petr Cornelie ('95, 6'11, PF, Le Mans)
Part of the U20 French National team that failed to meet expectations this summer, Petr Cornelie will look to bounce back with slightly increased minutes and responsibilities with Le Mans this season.
If former New Jersey Nets Damion James and Mouphtaou Yarou should occupy most minutes available at the 4 and 5, Cornelie should still see the floor 15 to 20 minutes a game on both positions.
Le Mans' schedule is pretty ectic until late December with 10 Eurocup games. It should be a major incentive for Erman Kunter to give his less-experienced player some run.
Cornelie spent a ton of time playing on the perimeter last season taking 27 threes (out of 80 shots, hitting them at a nice 37% clip) and going to the free-throw line only 7 times in over 380 minutes. Le Mans' coaching staff focus has been to play Cornelie closer to the rim this season as he continues to add more strength. In pre-season he was seen posting-up way more than he did at any point last season. His lower-body strength has improved and he should a be a substantially better post-up defender as well. Standing at 6'11 with long-arms and the ability to cover quickly a lot of ground, Cornelie has all the tools in his arsenal to become a dissuasive force inside.
2016 is a crucial year for Cornelie. His profile as a modern, lengthy, stretch Power-Forward should make him a potential late first to early second round pick next June.
Isaia Cordinier ('96, 6'5, G, Denain)
Despite showcasing some flashes of future brilliance, Cordinier's first Pro season was by large a disappointment. Stuck behind a deep backourt rotation in Evreux and suffering of constant knee tendinitis issues, Cordinier was never able to receive consistant playing time or to get into any kind of rythm.
He opted to rest his knees and get ready for the upcoming season this summer and pulled his name out of the U20 French national team.
Cordinier took advantage of the off-season to add a few pounds to his upper body, work on his outside jumper and has looked like his old bouncy self early on in the pre-season.
Denain's style of play should perfectly fit Cordinier's game. He will thrive in the up-tempo, constant ball-pushing offense of Denain (Pro B).
Denain has made a reputation for itself the past couple years for being able to develop and fit young players into a winning program, playing deep into the post-season (Yakhouba Ouatarra, Vafessa Fofanna).
Alongside US imports Ivey Jeb (PG) and Austin Hollins, Cordinier should take on more responsibilities this season as an off-guard. He has been starting in most pre-season games and had double digits performances in his first two official games. Cordinier has all the tools in hands to have a break out season as he should see the floor 20 to 25 minutes per game.
His career plan is probably to get some ProA experience before entering his name for the 2017 NBA draft, but don't be surprised if he opts to speed up that process. He will turn 19 later this year.
Axel Bouteille ('95, 6'7, SG, Chalon S/ Saône)
Following on a strong showing at the Adidas Eurocamp, Axel Bouteille seemed to be well on his way to a all-tournament performance at the U20 European Championship. The clear-cut leader of the French Squad, Bouteille unfortunately broke his hand during a preliminary round game and his career with youth French national teams was over.
Six weeks and a surgery later, Bouteille is back on the court as he looks to get more rotation minutes this season.
Once again Chalon's coach Jean-Denys Choulet opted for a heavy dose of US imports to build his roster. Bouteille will have to battle for minutes behind Jeremy Hazell and rookie Tyler Kalinoski. He should see the court 10 to 15 minutes this season.
His progress with his 3 point shot (already consistant from mid-range area) and his ability to create off the dribble will be closely monitored as well as how he improves physically - upper-body strength - to go through contacts. Bouteille doesn't have anthing to prove at youth levels anymore and will now need to prove and produce at the senior level.
A crafty scorer, Bouteille is a gym rat and a great teammate. He doens't have the greatest of ceilings because of his limited physical tools but he is the kind of players coaches love to have around.
He is likely to enter his name into next year's Draft and will no doubt get multiple looks in the second round.
Youssoupha Fall ('95, 7'3, C, Le Mans)
It might finally be the year we get to discover the 7'3 Dakar born Center against Pro competition. Stuck at the espoirs level the last couple of seasons (passport issues) - where he dominated and was elected to the all-season team - Fall should finally be included to Le Mans' frontcourt rotation this season.
The Senegalese big man received consistant minutes all pre-season long (11 minutes per game), and should be able to find a niche behind Mouphtaou Yarou and Petr Cornelie for 5 to 8 minutes each weekend. Possessing amazing size and length going with an impressive frame, Fall is a surprisingly agile and well-coordinated athlete for a huge human-being. Offensively he can post-up and finish with a nice right-handed hook shot and even showed the ability to face up from times to times last season.
Fall is following a specific training and dietetic regimen alongside fellow giant Jonathan Jeanne. Despite being pretty agile for his size, Fall still struggle to defend pick-and-roll situations and opposing teams love to bring him as far as possible from the rim to make him move his feet. He will need to continue to improve his lateral mobility and become even more dissuasive as a rim protector. Most of his of potential lies on that end of the floor.
It also needs to be mentioned that some pundits raised questions regarding his age. Not possessing any proof or answer to those questions, I will not elaborate on that matter.
Fall is an intriguing project to track. Observing how Le Mans can help he and Jeanne's growth over the next couple seaons will be interesting given the poor track record of French basketball when it comes to developing bigs.
*Mentions:
This quatuor of auto-eligible point-guards will try to improve its stock in order possibly (it's a long shot) get looks deep in the second round: David Michineau (Chalon), Kevin Harley (Poitiers), Benjamin Sene (Nancy), Boris Dallo (Antibes).
*Waiting room:
Those players are not eligible until 2017 or are extremely unlikely to enter their names in next year's Draft.
Frank Ntilikina ('98, PG) and Kostja Mushidi ('98, SG) should both dominate at the espoirs level as their potential first rounders statute indicates. Ntilikina should even play consistant ProA rotation minutes behind Rodrigue Beaubois and Louis Campbell. He just turned 17 but is already extremeley mature and poised with the basketball. Jonathan Jeanne ('97, C) is a tremendous potential but also a work in progress. He will be given major minutes at the espoirs level while practicing some with Le Mans' professional team. He has already shown flashes of his potential while facing Pro competition in practice according to sources. Adding weight to his frail frame, especially his lower-body, is his main goal for the next 3 to 4 years. Adam Mokoka ('98, G) has been fairly impressive for Gravelines in pre-season. This very physical and explosive guard has been a major actor in pre-season practices and got some very positive stretches in friendlies. He shouldn't play much this year but his incredible defensive potential make him a potential NBA prospect to keep tracking. Stephane Gombault ('97, C/PF) and especially Luc Loubaki ('97, SG) had surprisingly good preseason for Asvel and Orleans respectively. Loubaki may even have a serious shot at being a rotation player within Orleans' backourt. Outside of a deep Asvel frontcourt rotation, Gombault should mostly play at the espoirs level while practicing with the Pros. Darel Poirier ('97, PF) should, likewise, be a dominant force at the espoirs level while practicing with Cholet's first team. Injured on a regular basis the past 3 seasons, it's time for the explosive power-forward to finally produce on the hardwood. Insights from pre-season practices say he has more than hold his own.
Cyrille Eliezer-Vanerot ('96, SF) may be the sleeper of this year's crop of prospects. Despite only appearing in one game last season, the athletic wing was given multiple opportunities to express himself in the pre-season with a few 20+ minutes games. Among a Paris team that lacks depth right now, it wouldn't surprise anybody if Eliezer-Vanerot was used in a 3&D role off the bench. He comes in with an improved jumper added to his lateral mobility, explosiveness' and length on the defensive end. Small-Forward and sharpshooter Maxime Roos ('95, SF) will also need to be closely monitored as he tries to make a full transition from the espoirs to the Pro level.
Finally, after one season of transition (first year living in France, leaving home land of Senegal), former Jordan Brand Classic MVP Ibrahima Fall Faye ('97, PF) will shoulder a bigger load for Chalon S/ Saone espoirs team. His tremendous physical attributes, athleticism and youth are too impressive for him not to be closely tracked.
*Interesting matchups in the next few weeks:
Paris-Rouen, October 3rd
Chalon S/Saone-Le Mans, October 6th
Rouen-Le Mans, October 17th
Rouen-Chalon S/ Saone, October 30th
No Frenchman heard his name called by Adam Silver during last June's NBA Draft. Alpha Kaba ('96) and Timothé Luwawu ('95) pulled out their names at the deadline, Guershon Yabusele, Petr Cornelie, Axel Bouteille or Isaia Cordinier were never even part of the early entry list while Mouhammadou Jaiteh waited 5 excruciating hours in an emptying Barclays Center for a night that will forever stay in his memory. Luwawu and Kaba have traded ProA and France for insurances and playing time in Serbia and Mega Vizura. Meanwhile, a new crop of potential NBA draftees looks to make its presence felt at both French professional levels.
Guershon Yabusele ('95, 6'8, PF/C, Rouen)
Guershon Yabusele had an extremely busy summer following up a convincing first full-time pro season with Roanne. He impressed an NBA scout assembly in Treviso, went on to have a less than stellar overall performance at the U20 European Championship, made a surprise appearance at Adidas Nation in Los Angeles, signed a 3 year deal with Rouen (NBA out after each of the first two seasons) and then fired his agent. The Paris native has settled down really well in his new life and role in Rouen. He has been handled the keys of the Power-Forward spot right off the bat. He was outstanding all pre-season long averaging 20 points a game, displaying great energy and motor, rebounding the ball at a high rate and hitting shots from 13-15 feet with more consistancy. He will be surrounded by a couple of experienced and well-seasoned veterans (Alain Koffi, Devin Searcy...) as well as a young debuting coach at this level (Remy Valin) that should help make his transition much smoother.
Still only 19 year old, Yabusele is a physical specimen who is probably in the best shape of his life. Undersized at around 6'7 without shoes (with above average length), developing a consistant outside jumper will do wonders to expand his offensive game and improve his ceiling as a prospect. He has made no secret that his goal was to be ready for the 2016 Draft and will be looking to have a breakout season in ProA.
Petr Cornelie ('95, 6'11, PF, Le Mans)
Part of the U20 French National team that failed to meet expectations this summer, Petr Cornelie will look to bounce back with slightly increased minutes and responsibilities with Le Mans this season.
If former New Jersey Nets Damion James and Mouphtaou Yarou should occupy most minutes available at the 4 and 5, Cornelie should still see the floor 15 to 20 minutes a game on both positions.
Le Mans' schedule is pretty ectic until late December with 10 Eurocup games. It should be a major incentive for Erman Kunter to give his less-experienced player some run.
Cornelie spent a ton of time playing on the perimeter last season taking 27 threes (out of 80 shots, hitting them at a nice 37% clip) and going to the free-throw line only 7 times in over 380 minutes. Le Mans' coaching staff focus has been to play Cornelie closer to the rim this season as he continues to add more strength. In pre-season he was seen posting-up way more than he did at any point last season. His lower-body strength has improved and he should a be a substantially better post-up defender as well. Standing at 6'11 with long-arms and the ability to cover quickly a lot of ground, Cornelie has all the tools in his arsenal to become a dissuasive force inside.
2016 is a crucial year for Cornelie. His profile as a modern, lengthy, stretch Power-Forward should make him a potential late first to early second round pick next June.
Isaia Cordinier ('96, 6'5, G, Denain)
Despite showcasing some flashes of future brilliance, Cordinier's first Pro season was by large a disappointment. Stuck behind a deep backourt rotation in Evreux and suffering of constant knee tendinitis issues, Cordinier was never able to receive consistant playing time or to get into any kind of rythm.
He opted to rest his knees and get ready for the upcoming season this summer and pulled his name out of the U20 French national team.
Cordinier took advantage of the off-season to add a few pounds to his upper body, work on his outside jumper and has looked like his old bouncy self early on in the pre-season.
Denain's style of play should perfectly fit Cordinier's game. He will thrive in the up-tempo, constant ball-pushing offense of Denain (Pro B).
Denain has made a reputation for itself the past couple years for being able to develop and fit young players into a winning program, playing deep into the post-season (Yakhouba Ouatarra, Vafessa Fofanna).
Alongside US imports Ivey Jeb (PG) and Austin Hollins, Cordinier should take on more responsibilities this season as an off-guard. He has been starting in most pre-season games and had double digits performances in his first two official games. Cordinier has all the tools in hands to have a break out season as he should see the floor 20 to 25 minutes per game.
His career plan is probably to get some ProA experience before entering his name for the 2017 NBA draft, but don't be surprised if he opts to speed up that process. He will turn 19 later this year.
Axel Bouteille ('95, 6'7, SG, Chalon S/ Saône)
Following on a strong showing at the Adidas Eurocamp, Axel Bouteille seemed to be well on his way to a all-tournament performance at the U20 European Championship. The clear-cut leader of the French Squad, Bouteille unfortunately broke his hand during a preliminary round game and his career with youth French national teams was over.
Six weeks and a surgery later, Bouteille is back on the court as he looks to get more rotation minutes this season.
Once again Chalon's coach Jean-Denys Choulet opted for a heavy dose of US imports to build his roster. Bouteille will have to battle for minutes behind Jeremy Hazell and rookie Tyler Kalinoski. He should see the court 10 to 15 minutes this season.
His progress with his 3 point shot (already consistant from mid-range area) and his ability to create off the dribble will be closely monitored as well as how he improves physically - upper-body strength - to go through contacts. Bouteille doesn't have anthing to prove at youth levels anymore and will now need to prove and produce at the senior level.
A crafty scorer, Bouteille is a gym rat and a great teammate. He doens't have the greatest of ceilings because of his limited physical tools but he is the kind of players coaches love to have around.
He is likely to enter his name into next year's Draft and will no doubt get multiple looks in the second round.
Youssoupha Fall ('95, 7'3, C, Le Mans)
It might finally be the year we get to discover the 7'3 Dakar born Center against Pro competition. Stuck at the espoirs level the last couple of seasons (passport issues) - where he dominated and was elected to the all-season team - Fall should finally be included to Le Mans' frontcourt rotation this season.
The Senegalese big man received consistant minutes all pre-season long (11 minutes per game), and should be able to find a niche behind Mouphtaou Yarou and Petr Cornelie for 5 to 8 minutes each weekend. Possessing amazing size and length going with an impressive frame, Fall is a surprisingly agile and well-coordinated athlete for a huge human-being. Offensively he can post-up and finish with a nice right-handed hook shot and even showed the ability to face up from times to times last season.
Fall is following a specific training and dietetic regimen alongside fellow giant Jonathan Jeanne. Despite being pretty agile for his size, Fall still struggle to defend pick-and-roll situations and opposing teams love to bring him as far as possible from the rim to make him move his feet. He will need to continue to improve his lateral mobility and become even more dissuasive as a rim protector. Most of his of potential lies on that end of the floor.
It also needs to be mentioned that some pundits raised questions regarding his age. Not possessing any proof or answer to those questions, I will not elaborate on that matter.
Fall is an intriguing project to track. Observing how Le Mans can help he and Jeanne's growth over the next couple seaons will be interesting given the poor track record of French basketball when it comes to developing bigs.
*Mentions:
This quatuor of auto-eligible point-guards will try to improve its stock in order possibly (it's a long shot) get looks deep in the second round: David Michineau (Chalon), Kevin Harley (Poitiers), Benjamin Sene (Nancy), Boris Dallo (Antibes).
*Waiting room:
Those players are not eligible until 2017 or are extremely unlikely to enter their names in next year's Draft.
Frank Ntilikina ('98, PG) and Kostja Mushidi ('98, SG) should both dominate at the espoirs level as their potential first rounders statute indicates. Ntilikina should even play consistant ProA rotation minutes behind Rodrigue Beaubois and Louis Campbell. He just turned 17 but is already extremeley mature and poised with the basketball. Jonathan Jeanne ('97, C) is a tremendous potential but also a work in progress. He will be given major minutes at the espoirs level while practicing some with Le Mans' professional team. He has already shown flashes of his potential while facing Pro competition in practice according to sources. Adding weight to his frail frame, especially his lower-body, is his main goal for the next 3 to 4 years. Adam Mokoka ('98, G) has been fairly impressive for Gravelines in pre-season. This very physical and explosive guard has been a major actor in pre-season practices and got some very positive stretches in friendlies. He shouldn't play much this year but his incredible defensive potential make him a potential NBA prospect to keep tracking. Stephane Gombault ('97, C/PF) and especially Luc Loubaki ('97, SG) had surprisingly good preseason for Asvel and Orleans respectively. Loubaki may even have a serious shot at being a rotation player within Orleans' backourt. Outside of a deep Asvel frontcourt rotation, Gombault should mostly play at the espoirs level while practicing with the Pros. Darel Poirier ('97, PF) should, likewise, be a dominant force at the espoirs level while practicing with Cholet's first team. Injured on a regular basis the past 3 seasons, it's time for the explosive power-forward to finally produce on the hardwood. Insights from pre-season practices say he has more than hold his own.
Cyrille Eliezer-Vanerot ('96, SF) may be the sleeper of this year's crop of prospects. Despite only appearing in one game last season, the athletic wing was given multiple opportunities to express himself in the pre-season with a few 20+ minutes games. Among a Paris team that lacks depth right now, it wouldn't surprise anybody if Eliezer-Vanerot was used in a 3&D role off the bench. He comes in with an improved jumper added to his lateral mobility, explosiveness' and length on the defensive end. Small-Forward and sharpshooter Maxime Roos ('95, SF) will also need to be closely monitored as he tries to make a full transition from the espoirs to the Pro level.
Finally, after one season of transition (first year living in France, leaving home land of Senegal), former Jordan Brand Classic MVP Ibrahima Fall Faye ('97, PF) will shoulder a bigger load for Chalon S/ Saone espoirs team. His tremendous physical attributes, athleticism and youth are too impressive for him not to be closely tracked.
*Interesting matchups in the next few weeks:
Paris-Rouen, October 3rd
Chalon S/Saone-Le Mans, October 6th
Rouen-Le Mans, October 17th
Rouen-Chalon S/ Saone, October 30th
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