We are finally there. After months of waiting which had the effect of a real media hurricane at each of its outings on a field (and on social networks), the new jewel of French basketball, Victor Wembanyamawill be selected in first position of the 2023 Draft by the Spurs, tomorrow late at night from Thursday to Friday.
But “Wemby” will of course not be the only tricolor representative in the NBA next season. Alongside him, no less than three other French players should also play across the Atlantic at the start of the school year: Bilal Coulibalyhis Mets teammate this season, but also Rayan Rupert And Sidy Cissoko. We obviously do not forget either Nadir Hifieven if the latter, unlike his four compatriots, will stay in France next season, at Paris Basketball, and will take his time to join the best league on the planet.
It is therefore quite possible that five young French basketball players will be called up by Adam Silver (for the first round) and Mark Tatum (for the second) tomorrow, which would equal the 2016 record (Guerschon Yabusele, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Petr Cornelie, David Michineau, Isaia Cordinier). In any case, we wish the 2023 vintage a better success in the NBA than their elders, who all left the NBA for some time already without having imposed themselves there (the first three cities), or without ever setting foot there (the last two mentioned)…
With that being said, let’s now review, for the last time before they officially have drafted status in the NBA, the profile of each of our five young house talents.
Victor Wembanyama (19 years old)
Crew : Boulogne-Levallois Mets 92
Size : 2m24
Weight : 95kg
Stats 2022/23: 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3 blocks.
Best player in this 2023 vintage at the moment, with the greatest “superstar” potential, Victor Wembanyama is the jewel of this Draft, the Grail promised to Spurs.
After David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan in 1997, “Wemby” will thus become the third pivot chosen in the first position by the San Antonio franchise. And like his two illustrious predecessors, he will thus become the cornerstone of a new project, and even of a real renewal for Spurs at the bottom of the wave.
“Prospect” considered “generational”, with an absolutely unique profile, Victor Wembanyama has everything to become one of the new faces of the league, and the worthy heir to Tony Parker on the side of Fort Alamo.
Prognosis : Chosen in first position, by the Spurs.
Bilal Coulibaly (18 years old)
Crew : Boulogne-Levallois Mets 92
Size : 2m02
Weight : 88kg
Stats 2022/23: 5 points and 3.1 rebounds
The other French prodigy of the Mets 92, Bilal Coulibaly is also promised a great career in the NBA. Less “generational” than Victor Wembanyama, the young winger is nonetheless very attractive in the eyes of NBA franchises, in particular due to his totally “NBA ready” physical and athletic profile.
Archetypal “all-around” player in the Great League and endowed with great potential and significant room for improvement in certain areas (shooting, “handling”), he will be the other French headliner in this Draft 2023.
Prognosis : Between 12th and 16th position.
Photo credit: Sébastien Grasset
Rayan Rupert (19 years old)
Crew : New Zealand Breakers
Size : 1m99
Weight : 93kg
Stats 2022/23: 6.6 points and 2.5 rebounds
He’s one of the expatriates in the group, and it’s in New Zealand that he cut his teeth this season. Preferring the NBL to Europe or the NCAA, Rayan Rupert continued his progress with the Breakersbased in Auckland.
Not “flashy” but serious in his game over a fairly limited playing time this season (20 minutes), he especially seems to have caught the eye of the “scouts” during the pre-Draft process and in particular his “workouts” with the franchises, since he received an invitation to the “Green Room”.
Prognosis : Invited to the “Green Room”, he seems to have earned his place in the Top 25. Between 18th and 22nd position.
Sidy Cissoko (19 years old)
Crew : G-League Ignite Team
Size : 2m03
Weight : 92kg
Stats 2022/23: 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists
He is the second “expatriate” of the band, and it is on the side of Team Ignite in the G-League that we have seen him this season, alongside in particular the American prodigy Scoot Henderson, expected in 2nd or 3rd position.
Well exposed in the antechamber of the Great League thanks to the “hype” of the leader but also (and above all) thanks to his good outings, Sidy Cissoko has solidified his place in the 2023 Draft in recent months. It will surely be at the start of the second round, where his defensive qualities and his physical profile will make people happy.
Prognosis : Between the 30th and 37th position.
Nadir Hifi (20 years old)
Crew : The portel
Size : 1m85
Weight : 82kg
Stats 2022/23: 16.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists
We end with Nadir Hifi, the one for whom the certainties are less. What we know is that he will play in France next season, at Paris Basketball, and it is therefore not certain that a team will hold his rights to recruit him in the future.
Despite the uncertainty, there is still reason to be optimistic, especially because his scoring skills still appeal to the NBA, especially in the point guard position. Especially since he has done “workouts” with certain teams, and he should be available in the second round where he could be a real bargain.
Prognosis : In the second half of the second round. Could also not be drafted…
Photo credit: ESSM
