Last week it was the "Semaine des As" in France ( a competition similar to the Copa del Rey in Spain). For one week, the top 8 teams fight for the first title of the season.
This was the occasion to see a bunch of young French prospects in action in a competition with quiet surprinsing results.
Cholet and his two young prospects won the title.
- Nando De Colo played very well. He averages 19 pts, 6rebs, 4 ast and 2 st in 32 minutes in 3 games and was the leader of a surprising Cholet team. De Colo is a 20 yo 6'5 combo guard with a bright future in the Euroleague. He is a Sharp shooter and a leader on the floor, have well rounded skills and looks very mature. IMO he doesn't have an NBA body but he worth keeping on eye on.
- Reaudrigue Beaubois is the other Cholet prospect. This 20 yo 6'2 prospect doesn't have De Colo experience but has an NBA body he is very athletic, extremely quick and has a huge wingspan. With 12 pts and 3 steals in 12 minutes he had one of his best game so far against Roanne (Euroleague Team) in a first round win. For the 3 games he averages 7 pt 1 ast 1 stl in 15 minutes. He is far from ready but Rodrigue as a very intriguing potential.
No prospect for Vichy the other finalist.
HTV (Hyères Toulon) lost in semis against Vichy.
- Ajinca is the top prospect for HTV. In the first round in a win over Nancy (arguably the best french team). With Masingue (HTV starting C) in foul trouble, Ajinca had 28 minutes to showcase is defensive presence. With 6 pts (3/8), 14 rbds, 7 blks (10 blks according to himself and many fans) and 2 asts, the 7'2 skinny center proved he could soon become a dominant defensive center. If he can add some muscle to his frame there is no doubt he will soon be an NBA player. In the semis 71-72 loss against Vichy Ajinca had 2 pts (1/2), 5 rbds, 1 ast, 1 blk in 11 minutes.
ASVEL lost in the Semis against Cholet. Their only prospect Edwin Jackson, who was dominant at a lower level doesn't seems to adapt to this level of competition and doesn'play much.
Teams with only one loss in the first round:
- No real prospect for Le Havre or Nancy
- In Roanne Marc Antoine Pellin the 5'6 PG had a decent 3pt, 6ast game. After playing great in december Pellin had a step back. His very short size doesn't make him and NBA prospect.
- Le Mans has two prospect:
With 14 pts and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes Batum had is usual production but was unable to carry Le Mans. Batum is still the best French Prospect.
Diot was the best player for Le Mans with 15 pts 5 rbds 2 ast and 3 stls in 18 minutes. This 19 yo 6'4 PG is a born leader and even if he doesn't have elite athletism his body may allow him to play at an NBA level. IMO he should stay in Europe.
Conclusion on the French prospect:
1 top prospect, probably one of the 2-3 with the best potential in the next draft : Batum
1 prospect with amazing potential but also a high bust risk : Ajinca
1 player with all the tools for the NBA but a lot of work to do on his game before he can be considered a legit prospect: Beaubois
2 solid player with high Euroleague potential but probably not athletic enough for the NBA: Diot, De Colo
A bunch of player with nice potential but who should not have an NBA future (Pellin, Jackson, Vaty,...)
IMO Ajinca his a great second round pick (let him grow up in Europe and wait for a couple of year to see if you can offer him a contract).
), very athletic for his size and is a fairly skilled young player. On the defensive end is length and athletism make him a very intimidating presence altering and blocking a lot of shot. He would be a perfect prospect if he was not so skinny (listed at 210 lbs). This is a real problem because right now he doesn't have the strength to hold his position against most oponent. 
