Basketball has become more of an international game over the past decade or two.
More players are being drafted who didn’t play in college, but rather played for a club team or, for example, in a European league.
Victor Wembanyama is one of the greatest prospects from the 21st century and was an international player himself.
Comparing Wemby to other players is one thing, but a new prospect is being compared to Wembanyama and multi-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A clip surfaced recently of a 13-year-old prospect from Burkina Faso. His name is Mohamed Dabone.
According to NBA Draft Room, Dabone is already 6-10. He’s currently playing for U18 FC Barcelona at just age 13.
Dabone is playing with players who are almost old enough to be in the NBA, yet he is only the age of a middle schooler.
NBA Draft Room did note that “it must be said there is some speculation about his actual age (he was listed as a 16 year old in a 2023 tournament) but if he was indeed born in 2011, he’s the most advanced prospect I’ve ever seen for his age.”
Either way, his size and build for even a 16-year-old are stunning.
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Both Wemby and Giannis came into the NBA with a similar tall stature, but slim build.
It’s proved to be a recipe for success, as both are two of the best players in the NBA entering next season.
NBA Draft Room estimated that Dabone has at least a 7-4 wingspan, which would already place him in the top-45 for the NBA in terms of the biggest wingspan.
His shot blocking and shooting are described to be very similar to Wemby’s when he entered the league, drawing further similarities between the two.
Time will tell if he pans out or even becomes a legit top prospect, as there are still a couple of years before he’d be talked about as a potential generational prospect, if he moves towards attaining that level of talent.
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