Sekou Doumbouya

Sekou Doumbouya
Doumbouya with Poitiers in March 2017
No. 45 – Limoges CSP
Position Small forward
League LNB Pro A
Personal information
Born (2000-12-23) 23 December 2000
Conakry, Guinea
Nationality French
Listed height 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight 95 kg (209 lb)
Career information
High school INSEP (Paris, France)
Playing career 2016–present
Career history
2016–2018 Poitiers
2018–present Limoges CSP
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  France
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
2016 TurkeyNational team

Sekou Oumar Doumbouya (born 23 December 2000) is a Guinean-born French professional basketball player for Limoges CSP of the LNB Pro A. Listed at 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and 95 kilograms (210 lbs), he plays both the small forward and power forward positions. He is considered one of the top international prospects his age and a projected lottery pick for the 2019 NBA draft.

Born in Conakry, Doumbouya grew up in France and began his career with local club CJF Les Aubrais when he was 13. In the following year, he attended INSEP and played for amateur team Centre Fédéral. His professional career started in 2016, when he joined Poitiers Basket 86 in the second-tier league of France, remaining with the team for two seasons. In 2018, he moved to the first division by signing with Limoges.

Doumbouya is a member of the youth sections of the French national team. He helped France win the gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, finishing as his team's leading scorer.

Early life and career

Doumbouya was born in Conakry, Guinea.[1] As a one-year-old, he moved to France with his mother M' Mah Marie, three siblings, and one cousin, settling in a small apartment in Fleury-les-Aubrais.[2][3][4] His father remained in Guinea as a member of its military.[4] In the absence of his father, Sekou became a leader for the rest of his family, often advising his siblings.[4] Doumbouya grew up playing football as a striker but was eventually hindered by his extraordinary height.[5][6] At age 12, he began playing pick-up basketball after a friend introduced him to the sport.[5] At that age, he was discovered by local basketball coach Benoist Burguet, who helped start his basketball career and later became his trainer.[2][7] By age 13, when Doumbouya stood 2.02 m (6 ft 7 1⁄2 in), he was playing youth basketball with his local club CJF Les Aubrais, the basketball sports section of Collège Condorcet.[8]

At age 14, Doumbouya moved to the renowned French sports institute INSEP in Paris and joined its affiliated club Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball, a member of the Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1), the amateur third-tier division of French basketball.[5][9] He made his 2015–16 season debut on 26 September 2015, recording 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against Aurore de Vitré.[10] As a result, Doumbouya became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the top three French leagues.[11] On 8 March 2016, he scored a season-high 23 points in a loss to Vendée Challans.[12] Doumbouya finished the season averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.[13] In May, he represented INSEP at the under-18 2015–16 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, averaging 14 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3 assists while being one of the youngest players at the event at age 16.[14][15] After the season, he left INSEP for disciplinary reasons.[16]

Professional career

Poitiers Basket 86 (2016–2018)

On 26 August 2016, at age 15, Doumbouya signed his first professional contract with Poitiers Basket 86 of the LNB Pro B, the second-tier French league.[17] At the time, he revealed his hopes to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) within the following three years.[11] In the season, Doumbouya saw regular playing time despite his lack of experience, being coached by Ruddy Nelhomme and playing alongside veterans like Jeff Greer.[18][19] While with Poitiers, he attended private school to work towards his diploma, and tried to model the focus he saw in former NBA player Michael Jordan with the help of a sports psychologist.[4] On 17 September 2016, Doumbouya made his professional debut, playing 13 minutes in an LNB Pro B Leaders Cup victory over Boulazac.[20] In his first Pro B season game on 14 October 2016, he scored two points in six minutes off the bench against Étoile Charleville-Mézières.[21] He scored double figures for the first time on 20 January 2017, in an 81–63 loss to Fos Provence, posting a team-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.[22] In his next game, a defeat to Lille Métropole, Doumbouya scored a season-high 21 points and nine rebounds, shooting 3-of-3 from the three-point line.[23] He finished the season averaging 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 16.9 minutes per game.[13]

Doumbouya, on 29 June 2017, signed a three-year contract extension with Poitiers.[24] On 29 September, he notched a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in a 76–71 win over Hermine Nantes at the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup.[25] Doumbouya debuted in the 2017–18 Pro B season against Denain Voltaire on 13 October 2017, recording 7 points and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes.[26] On 22 December, he scored a season-best 19 points and 8 rebounds in a loss to Saint-Chamond.[27] Doumbouya eclipsed that mark on 2 February 2018, in a career-high 26-point effort against UJAP Quimper 29.[28] In 28 games, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1 assist in 23.2 minutes per game, en route to earning Pro B Best Young Player honors.[13][29]

Limoges CSP (2018–present)

In May 2018, Doumbouya revealed plans to join a team in the LNB Pro A, the top basketball league in France.[30] On 25 June 2018, he signed with Limoges CSP of the Pro A.[31] Head coach Kyle Milling praised the newcomer: "Despite his age, next season, I rely on him being an impact player. He has tremendous physical qualities: running, counterattack and speed."[32] Doumbouya debuted for Limoges on 22 September 2018, recording 2 points and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes against Antibes.[33]

Career statistics

Cited from RealGM.[13]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

LNB Pro B

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Poitiers 31716.9.401.278.5763.3.8.3.56.8
2017–18 Poitiers 282423.2.393.293.7904.11.0.6.58.5
Career 593120.1.398.286.6833.7.9.5.57.7

National team career

In November 2016, Doumbouya obtained French citizenship.[16] The process was delayed by months due to "bureaucracy," according to the French national team, and as a result he was barred from two FIBA competitions.[6] Doumbouya made his national team debut at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in Samsun, Turkey, which he entered as its youngest player.[34][35] In his first game at the tournament, a 53–48 win over Russia, he scored 7 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.[36] In his next contest, Doumbouya led all scorers with 22 points and 6 rebounds against Slovenia.[37] In his third game, he erupted for 31 points, shooting 10-of-11 from the field, to lead France past Serbia, 71–68.[38] Doumbouya averaged a team-best 17.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks at the tournament, helping his team win the gold medal.[13] He was named to the All-Star Five, joined by teammate and most valuable player Frank Ntilikina.[39]

Player profile

Doumbouya has frequently stood out for his physical tools, athleticism, and explosiveness.[40][41] Basketball scouting website DraftExpress lists him at 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and 95 kilograms (210 lbs), and at a Basketball Without Borders camp in 2018, his wingspan was measured at 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in).[42][43] He is an unpredictable shooter, often attempting high-arcing jump shots, but he has been praised for his shot mechanics.[3] Passing and fundamentals have been considered Doumbouya's main weaknesses, although his potential as a playmaker has been noted.[43][44] His great potential on the defensive end has been lauded.[41] Doumbouya's teammates during his stint with Poitiers compared him to NBA players Carmelo Anthony and Lamar Odom because of his frame, shooting range, and his use of his left hand.[4] Vincent Loriot, sports director for French club Le Mans, likened Doumbouya to NBA player LeBron James, calling him "a monster with a child's face."[6] Although he is listed as a forward, he has the ability to play multiple positions.[32]

Doumbouya has been regarded as one of the best international prospects, and as a potential lottery selection, for the 2019 NBA draft.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ "Sekou Doumbouya, 16 ans, enflamme l'Euro U18 avec les Bleus" (in French). BasketSession. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Ohnona, Yann (26 March 2018). "Qui est Sekou Doumbouya, la nouvelle pépite du basket-ball français?". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 Gaibotti, Federico (26 November 2017). "Sekou Doumbouya: scouting report on the '00 French forward". BasketUniverso. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Meler, Bryan (28 June 2018). "Meet Europe's Next Elite NBA Prospect: France's Sekou Doumbouya". Slam. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Gardner, David (23 February 2018). "17-Year-Old NBA Superprospect Sekou Doumbouya Gets His First Taste of NBA Life". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 "Doumbouya's delayed international debut has been worth the wait". FIBA. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  7. ↑ Drechsler, Guillaume; Normand, Eric (31 December 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya, la future star du basket français, est revenu à Fleury-les-Aubrais pour les fêtes". France Bleu. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "2,02 mètres, 13 ans, graine de champion". L'Écho républicain (in French). 26 June 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Colombani, Xavier (13 October 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya, un «diamant brut» se cache en Pro B". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Sep 26, 2015 - Aurore de Vitre 99, Centre Federal Du Basket-Ball 60". RealGM. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  11. 1 2 Bellot, François (12 December 2016). "Il n'a pas fini de grandir". La Nouvelle République (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  12. ↑ "March 8, 2016 - Vendee Challans Basket 92, Centre Federal Du Basket-Ball 64". RealGM. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sekou Doumbouya Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "Doumbouya, Sekou". EuroLeague. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  15. ↑ Makris, Stefanos (22 May 2016). "Adidas Next Generation Tournament: Top Prospects". NBADraft. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Sekou Doumbouya est français". L'Équipe (in French). 3 November 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  17. ↑ "Sekou Doumbouya" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  18. ↑ Legendre, Pascal (15 October 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya (Poitiers), 15 ans en Pro B, et il joue !" (in French). BasketEurope. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  19. ↑ "Portrait Sekou Doumbouya" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  20. ↑ "Boulazac - Poitiers". Ligue nationale de basket. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  21. ↑ "Oct 14, 2016 - Poitiers Basket 86 69, Etoile Charleville-Mezieres 79". RealGM. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "Jan 20, 2017 - Poitiers Basket 86 63, Fos Ouest Provence Basket 81". RealGM. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "Jan 24, 2017 - Lille Metropole Basket Clubs 71, Poitiers Basket 86 70". RealGM. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  24. ↑ Camacho, Cyril (June 29, 2017). "Sékou Doumbouya à Poitiers jusqu'en 2020" (in French). BasketEurope. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Poitiers - Nantes" (in French). Ligue nationale de basket. September 29, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Oct 13, 2017 - Poitiers Basket 86 82, Denain ASC Voltaire 91". RealGM. 13 October 2017.
  27. ↑ "Dec 22, 2017 - Saint Chamond Basket 93, Poitiers Basket 86 91". RealGM. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  28. ↑ "Feb 2, 2018 - Quimper UJAP 84, Poitiers Basket 86 76". RealGM. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  29. ↑ "Sekou élu meilleur jeune de Pro B" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  30. ↑ "Sekou Doumbouya confirme qu'il y a quatre clubs dans sa short-list" (in French). BeBasket. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  31. ↑ "L'espoir du basket français, Sekou Doumbouya rejoint le Limoges CSP" (in French). Limoges CSP. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  32. 1 2 "Limoges signs young prospect Sekou Doumbouya". EuroHoops. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  33. ↑ "Antibes - Limoges" (in French). Ligue nationale de basket. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  34. ↑ "Ntilikina, Tchouaffe, youngster Doumbouya headline France outfit". FIBA. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  35. ↑ Makris, Stefanos (29 December 2016). "U18 European Championship: Top Prospects". NBADraft. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  36. ↑ "Dec 16, 2016 - Russia 48, France 53". RealGM. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  37. ↑ De Abreu, Dylan (17 December 2016). "Euro U18: la France explose la Slovénie". BasketEurope. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  38. ↑ "Dec 18, 2016 - Serbia 68, France 71". RealGM. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  39. ↑ "MVP Ntilikina headlines All-Star Five of FIBA U18 European Championship". FIBA. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  40. ↑ Tomes, Evan (1 March 2018). "Basketball Without Borders: Top Prospects". NBADraft. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  41. 1 2 "Sekou Doumbouya". Eurospects. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  42. ↑ Daniels, Evan; Gershon, Josh (22 February 2018). "Who stood out at Basketball Without Borders?". 247Sports. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  43. 1 2 "Sekou Doumbouya". DraftExpress. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  44. ↑ Wasserman, Jonathan (3 August 2018). "Way-Too-Soon Look at Potential Lottery Picks in the 2019 NBA Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
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