Generation of Miracles: The Next Golden Era of Global Scouting (Part 1)
The Emerging Basketball Talent You Need to Know from INSEP and Beyond
Generation of Miracles: The Next Golden Era of Global Scouting (Part 1)
The game of basketball is becoming increasingly global each year. Last year, the top two picks in the NBA Draft hailed from France, and a record 4 out of 5 players on the All-NBA First Team were internationally born, signaling a massive shift in international scouting. Everyone is looking for the next big thing—the next Luka, the next Giannis, the next Wembanyama. But the question remains: who are the next ones?
My name is Alec Kichian (nbadraftpoint on X), and I’ve taken on the challenge of popularizing global scouting through a North American lens. After countless hours of research and scouting, I’ve grown familiar with many of the top youth clubs around the world, such as INSEP Pole France in France, Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, KK Mega Basket in Serbia, and Olimpia Milano in Italy, among others. This series is my attempt to cover the best U18 squads worldwide as a precursor to the annual Adidas Next Generation Tournament, where these clubs compete to earn the title of the top youth basketball program in Europe.
Looking at the emerging talent across the next few generations, it’s hard not to get excited. We’re seeing young phenoms like Mohamed Dabone (born in 2011), who is dominating U16 and U18 tournaments in Europe, and the forward duo of Hugo Yimga and Nathan Soliman, who are lighting it up in France’s NM1 league at just 15 and 16 years old. We are entering a golden era of youth competition overseas, with many U18 teams boasting a new level of depth. As college becomes a viable option for these international prospects, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with these rising stars.
Part 1: INSEP Pole France
Over the past five years, fourteen French prospects have been selected in the NBA Draft. INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance) has established itself as the premier youth talent development program in France, grouping the top-ranked prospects and national team candidates to compete in NM1, France’s third-tier professional league. INSEP has been instrumental in developing talent, with most of its players being key members of France’s youth national teams, including 2025 draft prospects Nolan Traore and Noa Essengue.
This year, INSEP has assembled a solid squad of players from the 2007 and 2009 birth years, 12 of whom were members of France’s U17 and U16 teams this summer. Here’s the current roster breakdown:
2007
Jonas Boulefaa (6’8 | Forward)
Meissa Faye (6’5 | Wing)
Noa Kouakou-Heugue (6’8 | Forward)
Yannis Allard (6’7 | Wing)
Elie Ntowoa (6’7 | Wing)
2008
Hugo Yimga Moukhouri (6’8 | Forward)
Cameron Houindo (6’8 | Big)
Achille Junior Elouma (6’6 | Wing)
Nanteo Gabriel Des Bordes (6’4 | Guard)
Matthys Mahop (6’5 | Guard)
Yael Masdieu-Reynaert (6’3 | Guard)
Mehdi Chaouad (6’8 | Forward)
Keny Vado (6’8 | Big)
2009
Nathan Soliman (6’6 | Wing)
Measurements courtesy of FIBA websites.
INSEP’s squad competes in France’s NM1 league against adults, despite most of their players being between 15 and 17 years old. Their model is somewhat similar to the G-League Ignite program but with younger players and a lower level of competition. While they don’t win many games, the experience they gain against older opponents becomes evident when they compete in age-group tournaments, such as the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, where they finished as runners-up last year, and in FIBA competitions, where they won gold at the U16 level. Headlined by forwards Hugo Yimga and Nathan Soliman, and backed by experienced veterans like Jonas Boulefaa and Yannis Allard, here’s a quick look at each of the notable prospects.
The Top Prospects
Hugo Yimga Moukhouri (6’8 | Forward | 2008)
FIBA U17 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 STK, 51% FG The clear standout of this INSEP roster, Yimga is a 6’8 forward with an incredible motor who consistently dominates above his age group in FIBA and national competitions. He’s built like a prototypical NBA forward and has shown steady improvement at every level. Yimga was a standout in last year’s Adidas Next Generation Tournament and led France in nearly every category while playing up at the U17 level this year. A great athlete and versatile two-way player, his motor, frame, and athleticism set him apart, despite needing to refine his shooting. He’s already ranked 10th overall in the On3 2026 HS class rankings.
Nathan Soliman (6’6 | Wing | 2009)
FIBA U17 Stats: 7.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 2.3 STK, 49% FG Soliman emerged during last year’s Adidas Next Generation Tournament as one of INSEP’s best players despite being the youngest in the entire competition. A 6’6 wing with advanced offensive skills, Soliman is an elite ball-handler and creator with the versatility to develop into a classic 3-and-D wing. His flashes of high-level shot creation are particularly impressive for a player his age.
Jonas Boulefaa (6’8 | Forward | 2007)
ANGT Paris Stats: 14.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 48% 3P One of the team’s leaders, Boulefaa turned heads with his big performance in last year’s Adidas Next Generation Tournament finals, where he scored 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a clutch effort against Real Madrid. Boulefaa is a knockdown 3-point shooter with a strong frame and great motor, making him a reliable scorer who can also do the dirty work in the paint.
Matthys Mahop (6’5 | Guard | 2008)
FIBA U16 Stats: 5.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, 38.5% FG Mahop, one of the younger players on this team, has shown flashes of high upside as a 6’5 point guard with creative playmaking and ball-handling abilities. While he’s struggled early on, his shifty ball-handling and instincts make him an intriguing prospect.
Cameron Houindo (6’8 | Big | 2008)
FIBA U16 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.6 STK, 53% FG Houindo is a powerful forward/center who led France’s U16 team to an undefeated record and a gold medal, earning tournament MVP honors. He’s a versatile defender and strong rebounder with flashes of offensive skill that could make him a key piece moving forward.
The "Vets"
Yannis Allard (6’7 | Wing | 2007)
FIBA U17 Stats: 8.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 37% FG
A consistent presence and veteran leader for this INSEP squad, Allard is one of the few players consistently starting in the NM1. He’s a wiry, multi-level scorer on the wing and serves as a reliable offensive option and shooter. While streaky, he’s a confident shooter capable of catching fire from three. Allard is also a great cutter and fluid offensive threat who should thrive when playing against opponents his own age. Despite the lack of a true point guard on France’s U17 team limiting his output, Allard still projects as a promising complementary piece for the future.
Noa Kouakou-Heugue (6’8 | Forward | 2007)
FIBA U17 Stats: 6.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 APG, 73% FG
One of the older players on the team, Kouakou-Heugue remains one of INSEP’s most underrated prospects. Standing at 6’8, he’s an explosive athlete with intriguing playmaking potential that often doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. He excels in transition and plays a physical style with two-way upside. A versatile player, Kouakou-Heugue has recently shown growth in his game and is a name to watch closely in the coming months.
Meissa Faye (6’5 | Wing | 2007)
FIBA U17 Stats: N/A
Although not as well-known as some of his teammates, Faye is an intriguing piece for INSEP. He recently exploded for 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three, to lead INSEP to their first victory of the season. A dynamic scorer with deep shooting range and a high basketball IQ, Faye is poised to take on a more significant role as one of the older players on the squad. Despite not being on the national team this year, he has the potential to make a significant leap this season.
The Up-and-Comers
Achille Junior Elouma (6’6 | Wing | 2008)
FIBA U16 Stats: 6.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 46% FG
Elouma showed plenty of flashes during his time with France’s U16 team, where he was one of the key contributors to their gold medal run. He is a versatile defender with moments of self-creation on offense and is particularly effective in transition as an athletic finisher who can both start and finish fast breaks. He also displayed some shooting potential. While not yet a primary player, Elouma has the tools to turn heads as he continues to develop.
Nanteo Gabriel Des Bordes (6’4 | Guard | 2008)
FIBA U16 Stats: 4.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
Des Bordes had a rough debut with the French national team, but there were moments where his shot-making ability flashed. Each time I watch him, he makes one or two plays that suggest he could grow into a valuable piece for this squad over time. He has already shown glimpses of his potential in his complementary role for INSEP in NM1.
The Next (Next) Generation
INSEP recently announced 11 new additions to their program, bringing in some intriguing local youth prospects. These players will likely debut next season with the departure of the 2007-born players to bigger ventures. The new additions include some of the top prospects from the 2009 and 2010 generations, who are gearing up to compete in NM1 alongside their more experienced teammates.
2009
Olatunji Allicio (6’7 | Big)
Kezyah Angoula (6’4 | Wing)
Abdou Diop (6’4 | Wing)
Hugo Manzano Dragone (6’7 | Big)
Brandon Muela (6’5 | Wing)
Sven Ngom (6’10 | Big)
Antoine Pansa (6’4 | Wing)
Djelany Tchicamboud (6’3 | Guard)
Messi Yangala (6’7 | Forward)
2010
Quentin Doumaye (5’11 | Guard)
Elyjah Nadeau Jolo (6’0 | Guard)
Most of these players are relatively unknown but promising. The headliners appear to be Messi Yangala and Sven Ngom due to their size, but I’ve also heard good things about Brandon Muela and Antoine Pansa. Elyjah Nadeau Jolo, though a few years away, seems to have considerable long-term potential.