Scouting Profiles from Adidas Next Generation Paris
Senegal's Assane Sankare emerges as a standout in Europe, clinching the MVP title at the ANGT in Paris.
Assane Sankare - 2007
6’9” Forward
ANGT Paris
Sankare was impressive and established himself as one of the best long-term prospects in Europe en route to winning the tournament MVP. He’s a talented athlete who utilizes his motor and massive wingspan to impact games and dominate the offensive glass. I believe Sankare is ultimately a power forward, but he shows flashes of wing skills and potential as a ball handler. Despite not being the most physically imposing player, Sankare is aggressive and plays bigger than his listed frame. While he’s a difference-maker due to his length, energy, and athleticism, Sankare is also a sneaky good passer with the passing instincts to find open teammates when the defense collapses. However, Sankare’s best attribute is on the defensive end as he both controls the glass and protects the rim, making the paint his personal no-fly zone.
14 ppg, 11 reb, 2.5. blk, 1.5 stl
Hugo Yimga Moukouri - 2008
6’8” Wing
PFYM INSEP
Moukouri was a standout on a INSEP full of young talent at the tournament. Throughout four games, Moukouri scored at three levels and was constantly putting pressure on the defense in transition (4 FTA/game.) He’s got a good frame, especially considering his age. His peers at the tournament were skinnier which makes me wonder how much more growing his has left. Even still, he has the ability the play on the perimeter. His first step is good but he was often able to overpower guys to get to his spot. Moukouri displayed good touch from 3 (40%) though struggled at the foul line. A few times, he would turn down an open 3 to take a contested shot at the rim. There are also times where he shows that his footwork needs to improve, in particular off the ball and into dribble pull ups. He has a bit of a slow release that he shoots behind his head.
14.8 ppg, 4.8 reb
Veniamin Abosi - 2006
6’5” Combo Guard
Olympiacos
Another physically developed kid, Abosi is a big guard that can play either on or off the ball. He used his speed to go by slower defenders and looked to bully smaller guards. As a point guard, he often found teammates in position to score, though I would say he’s more of a ball mover than a playmaker. Opposing teams dared him to shoot as he’s more comfortable catching and shooting than shooting off the dribble. Easily his best attribute is his ability to defend multiple positions. He held tournament standout Karim Lopez in check, something no other team was able to do. Abosi stuffed the stat sheets to the tune of 15.5 ppg, 6.5 reb, 5.5 apg while shooting 32% from 3.
Hugo Facorat - 2007
6’10” Ball Handling Forward
ANGT Paris
Facorat is an intriguing prospect. He has a wiry frame but is very agile and coordinated. He absolutely can put the ball on the ground to create his own shot. He showed counter dribbles when cut off and although skinny, he’s not afraid at all of contact. On the catch he shows a tremendous first step which makes life tough for opposing 4 men trying to guard him. He showed creativity in transition; more than just straight line drives. He only took 9 threes in 4 games but hit 4 of them. Facorat has NBA upside but will have to improve his rebounding output as he’s leaving opportunities on the table by not crashing the glass.
13.8 ppg. 2.2 reb
Finn Schott - 2006
6’9” Big
Gran Canaria
Schott appears to be a back-to-the basket big with an array of post moves. He showcases good footwork and good touch around the basket. He’s a big undersized, but uses his lateral quickness to blow by slower centers. He doesn’t particularly play above the rim, but I would consider him to be a good athlete. Because he was so productive on the block, opponents often sent double teams to force the ball out of Schott’s hands. He routinely found open teammates. On the block he also favors to shoot over his left shoulder. He did have counter moves, but again, he wanted to get to the middle of the floor to his jump hook. Another sign of his athleticism was his ability to grab offensive rebounds using his quick second jump. As previously mentioned, Schott appears to be on the smaller side, so he will have to continue to improve his shooting touch outside of the paint. He tried to space the floor but saw little success shooting only 1/8 from the 3 point line. Equally as disturbing was his efficiency from the foul line, shooting a paltry 45% on 6 attempts per game.
18 ppg, 10 reb
Nathan Soliman - 2009
6’8” Forward
PFYM INSEP
The buzz on Soliman is real. He’s only 14 and is already extremely mobile and agile. He’s not was wiry as you’d expect for a 14 year old to be, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He’s comfortable using both hands in the congested lane. Soliman shows speeding transition and has excellent lateral moving ability as he was able to stay in front of smaller defenders. Again, at 14 he was not overmatched in any aspect, Soliman rebounds out of position and did not shy away from contact. He did only shoot 50% from the foul line though his jumpshot mechanics look very good.
On a very talented team, he stood out. His NBA trajectory is legit
10 ppg, 5 reb.
Jonas Boulefaa - 2007
6’8” Stretch Big
PFYM INSEP
Yes, another really talented, young forward from the INSEP program. Boulefaa showcased his shooting ability in different ways. He made catch and shoot 3s. He made 3’s as the roll man. He made moving 3s in actions. When he wasn’t taking and making 3s, he had enough to put the ball on the ground to either make a play for himself or for others. While his role was diminished due to the teams talent, there might be more to his game as an isolation scorer in the mid post.
14.5 ppg, 5 reb, 48% 3PFG
Hugo Nguyễn - 2006
6’1” Scoring PG
Paris Basketball
Hugo Nguyễn was electric. He had the keys the team and knew that he would be the reason his team stayed competitive. Throughout the event, Nguyen’s scoring creativity was on full display. He was not afraid to shoot 3’s off the dribble often favoring a step-back going to his left. He was not fazed when defenses blitzed his screens. One of the most unique aspects to his game is that he’s developed a natural fade on his jumpshot which allows him to get good looks at the basket. He scored at all 3 levels and displayed his awesome body control often contorting his body away from larger defenders. Because of his smaller stature, Nguyen was unfortunately not able to get to the free throw line very often resulting in six total free throw attempts. His inability to draw fouls makes his a volume scorer often having to depend on fade-away jumpers.
20 ppg, 7 apg, 3 reb
Karim Lopez - 2007
6’7” Combo Forward
Joventut Badalona
Last, but certainly not least, the standout of the tournament. Lopez is as good as advertised. His jump shot looks effortless and the efficiency backed up the eye test. Lopez is very fluid at his size and shows some ability to put the ball on the floor. I would say at this point in his career, he projects to be a power forward though I wouldn’t be surprised if his handle improves and he can play the 3 full-time. His body still has some maturing to do but that doesn’t deter him from attacking the basket. As impressive as his offensive game is, he’s equally as talented on the defensive side. Lopez totaled 13 stocks and contested many shots at the rim. Not afraid to mix it up, Lopez rebounds out of position. He’s on NBA radars for a reason and made sure to showcase his all-around ability in Paris
17 ppg, 10 reb, 2.5 apg, 2 blocks
58/44/67 shooting splits