Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Fallout from Zion Williamson’s injury gives others a chance to shine

By Brendon Kleen

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 15
Next
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images) /

. F. Limoges. Sekou Doumbouya. 13. player. 18

Doumbouya is growing up. The 2019 class’ youngest prospect’s transition to the larger program at Limoges is helping him mature as a player and a person. “I’ve matured a lot — that’s the main difference between last year and this year,” Doumbouya told ESPN a couple of weeks ago. “I’m a better person on the court, off the court. Every day I’m with family men.” In fact, Doumbouya’s confidence is huge as he heads into the final stretch of his showcase for NBA decision-makers ahead of June’s draft. ESPN broke that journey down well:

"Doumbouya’s camp did an excellent job putting its prized prospect in position to focus solely on basketball, competing for a team where taking plays off isn’t an option. The club hired longtime mentor Benoit Gomis to coach as an assistant on the under-21 team, and he live with Doumbouya. Limoges also brought on Yacine Aouadi to work with Doumbouya individually, oftentimes twice a day — a rarity for French clubs. It beefed up its athletic training staff, and moved Doumbouya less than a two-minute walk from the arena. … Doumbouya is now playing a similar role to the one he’ll own early in his NBA career. He’s a multi-positional defender who adds value on the glass, in transition, as a cutter and occasionally in spot-up situations. He’s built for a more up-and-down, free-flowing NBA game so long as his motor is revved up."

The discipline will need to continue to trend upward as Doumbouya gets older. He committed five fouls in each of his first two games back from a thumb injury and has four turnovers to just five assists. The potential comes out in bursts at this point, but Doumbouya just turned 18 in December. To bring that much talent to a competitive league, the French Pro A, at such a young age is big for an international prospect. Doumbouya is going to be a project worth taking on for whoever drafts him this summer.

Home/NBA Draft