Towo-Nansi to Cholet, Yimga-Moukouri to Nanterre but an exodus of French prospects abroad?
While the last two NBA Draft #1 picks came from Betclic ELITE, and Nolan Traore, a top global prospect, chose to stay at Saint-Quentin rather than form a promising duo with Cooper Flagg at Duke or join the Next Star program in Australia’s National Basketball League, the new generation could take flight outside of France.
Australia still pursuing French prospects
Except for Aaron Towo-Nansi (16 years old), who is promised a spot in Cholet’s professional team, and Hugo Yimga-Moukouri (16 years old), who chooses to return to Nanterre to be mentored by Julien Mahé, the 2007-2008-2009 generation could set sail.
Thus, Noa Kouakou-Heugue (17 years old) should opt for the Next Star program in NBL. Alexandre Sarr’s former club, Perth, is particularly interested in him. He’s not the only one being courted by the Australian program.
Still in his U17 season, Cameron Houindo (17 years old) is being pursued Down Under, as well as across Europe. But no decision has been made yet by the Northern France native. His Pole France teammates Jonas Boulefaa (18 years old) and Meissa Faye (17 years old) are still undecided, with particular interest in NCAA. Illinois was long the frontrunner for the power forward from Southwest France, but the Fighting Illini just recruited three interior players.
🇫🇷 6’8 »SF prospect Noa Kouakou-Heugue (2007) is playing at Pôle France (INSEP) was elite against Metz (French pro team)
20 points (57.1% FG)
8 rebounds
5 assists
2 blocksThe athletic small forward showcased his versatility, combining efficient scoring, strong rebounding,… pic.twitter.com/yi2OYHgMxn
— Scouting lab (@scouting_lab) March 30, 2025
Ulm continues to attract French prospects
Among Pole France graduates, at least a second will be in LNB as Yannis Allard (18 years old) should choose La Rochelle where he would reunite with former Nanterre youth academy coach Mickaël Bur. From the 2007 generation, he won’t be the only guard staying in France as Maxence Lemoine (17 years old) is at Strasbourg, Soren Bracq (18 years old) at Cholet and Akram Naji (18 years old) – though likely on loan – at Chalon. However, Adam Atamna (17 years old) has the opportunity to cross the Rhine. The shooter developed at LyonSO by ASVEL is being approached by Ulm, which has launched several prospects’ careers in recent years. The same goes for Saint-Quentin’s lanky wing, Mohamed Diakite (19 years old), who is highly valued across the Atlantic.
An incredible salary for Kamardine at Kansas State
The exodus of young French talents shouldn’t only concern the youngest. Increasingly open to already proven professional players, NCAA is even more attractive since the implementation of NIL. Thus, Kansas State has offered an unbeatable salary to Ilias Kamardine (21 years old), who should leave JDA Dijon while others of his generation, like Adama Bal and Maxime Raynaud, have finished their college careers.
But we have a feeling the Marseille native will be far from the last to make this choice this summer, much to the dismay of LNB and FIBA who have no solution against Uncle Sam’s dollars… Fortunately, FFBB still retains one of its jewels, Nathan Soliman (15 years old), who should spend one more year at Pole France despite strong interest from a French club – but not only – this time, Cholet Basket. Phew.
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