Increasing with the new wave of five rookies arriving this year, the French contingent presents fourteen representatives on the starting line for the 2023/24 NBA season.
The big news is obviously the first French No. 1 in the Draft with Victor Wembanyama, as well as another major prospect in Bilal Coulibaly (chosen in 7th position, like Killian Hayes’ previous record).
Furthermore, there are several “Frenchies” who could very well make a name for themselves in teams that can go far next spring, starting with Rudy Gobert in the long-toothed Wolves, but also Nicolas Batum (and Moussa Diabaté at the same time) with the Clippers with his back to the wall, even Ousmane Dieng (and Olivier Sarr) with a Thunder which is one of the rising values of the Western conference.
A notable feature of the year is that there will be four “pairs” of French in four different franchises: Victor Wembanyama and Sidy Cissoko in San Antonio, Killian Hayes and Malcolm Cazalon in Detroit, Nicolas Batum and Moussa Diabaté with the Clippers and finally Frank Ntilikina and Théo Maledon in Charlotte!
Victor Wembanyama, the new lighthouse
Whether it’s in between with a Stephen Curry quadruple NBA champion and double MVP excited like a kid, or on the counter(s) on an Andrew Wiggins who no longer knows what to do to get over the wall, or even with the ultra-veteran Chris Paul on tiptoe after having carried out the classic exchange of jerseys in the postgame, Victor Wembanyama swept like a tsunami of “hype” over San Francisco.
As with most of his previous pre-season outings before, in fact… The unicorn rookie, even extra-terrestrial, from Chesnay, continues to unleash passions across the Atlantic. And that’s just the beginning !
With 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks on average in preseason, all at 51% shooting success including 32% at 3-points, “Wemby” has everything to win the title of best beginner of the year if he continues its momentum.
The new “franchise player” of Spurs will nevertheless be judged on his ability to withstand the shock physically, he who only played one match per week last season in Levallois. And then, like LeBron James before him, on his ability to win games for his franchise. To confirm unprecedented anticipation!
The “other” rookies, between hope and expectations
Behind “Wemby”, we find his former Mets teammate, Bilal Coulibaly who has already made an impression in preseason with a large number of interceptions and several counterattacks with impressive timing and scope. “Lottery pick”, the very young winger should benefit from the indulgence and patience of his staff, in a team in reconstruction which will need defenders alongside Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma…
For the three other beginners, who come from very different backgrounds (one in the Australian league, the other in the G-League and the last in Serbia), the future is more dotted. Although author of a very good game with 16 points in preseason, Malcolm Cazalon seems destined to squat the Pistons bench more often than not (8 minutes in total before this last match), and to tread the boards on the lower level to show what he is capable of. The former Mega Basket player is in fact on a “two-way contract” and it would take a small miracle to see him join Monty Williams’ rotation alongside his compatriot Killian Hayes.
In the same way, Rayan Rupert still seems particularly tender to be able to impose itself on a Portland team which is rebuilding everything from floor to ceiling. Often in difficulty in preseason (5/14 on shots overall, including 1/5 from 3-point range), he will probably have a few minutes to spare due to his defensive involvement, but it is his progress in attack (which will be necessary scrutinize) which could allow him to establish himself in the NBA.
For his part, Sidy Cissoko already knows that Gregg Popovich above all wants to see him play in the G-League… where he already played last season. Powerful winger who must refine his offensive game, with just one basket scored in 46 minutes of play in preseason, the former Vitoria player starts from afar. Even if his defensive qualities can quickly please Pop…
Veterans in doubt
As he confirmed during the summer, Nicolas Batum nearing the end of his career, at least in the NBA. The captain of the Blues could make his last American tour with the Clippers. A final lap that could just as easily descend into furious madness if his superstar teammates, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, stay in shape all season. As in a new episode of depression if they spend even more time in the infirmary than on the boards… In both cases, Nicolas Batum will always be the veteran winger who plugs the holes in the Californian defense, hoping that he finds skill again after the World Cup fiasco.
Conversely, if he was much more skillful under the tunic of the French Team during the summer, Evan Fournier doesn’t have many illusions about the season that awaits him in New York: either it’s an exchange that frees him, or it will once again be the path of the cross at the end of the bench if Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks don’t have him find a satisfactory base.
For Rudy Gobert, the outlook is still more encouraging with the Wolves being one of the teams moving up in the Western Conference. And above all a second season for the pivot within a collective which played for stability in the off-season, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, the two local stars.
Six Frenchies in the wind
For the six other French players involved, we will still have to work hard. To start with Killian Hayes who is entering his fourth NBA season, and final year of guaranteed contract, within a well-congested outside sector in Detroit. The former Cholet leader seemed squarely in the hot seat during the summer, but he intrigues his new coach, Monty Williams. To see if it will be part of his plans, and if he will finally manage to launch his career…
It will be with the same sword of Damocles above the head that Frank Ntilikina And Theo Maledon will begin their season in Charlotte, one more or less stepping on the other’s toes. If the current coach, Steve Clifford, appreciates the work and application of his two “Frenchies”, declaring in particular that Frank Ntilikina (injured in the shin for four weeks) is his best defender, the future of the two men in Carolina North remains fragile.
In Oklahoma City, Ousmane Dieng And Olivier Sarr will have to perform well in the minutes that Mark Daigneault deigns to grant them. Just extended by the Thunder, the first leaves several steps ahead of his compatriot, in a “two-way contract”, but both have a lot of things to prove before securing their place in the Okahoma City sunshine.
Finally, we fear that Moussa Diabaté is also forced to struggle more often in the G-League than in the NBA, like a day without end after a year already spent making the elevator between the two levels.
