All eyes have been on the LNB Pro A French league this season, with 19-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama drawing plenty of attention from NBA scouts.
The projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has been a star for Metropolitans 92, taking home league MVP among other end-of-season honors, but there's another player on the roster gaining momentum in the draft stakes — his 18-year-old teammate Bilal Coulibaly.
While Coulibaly hasn't grabbed the headlines to the extent of Wembanyama, the teenager is one of the names to watch out for on Thursday night in Brooklyn.
MORE: Updated 2023 NBA Mock Draft: Were will Coulibaly land?
Who is BIlal Coulibaly?
Background
Coulibaly was born in Courbevoie, France on July 26, 2004.
He began playing basketball for Courbevoie Sport Basket at age eight, before joining Levallios Sporting Basket in 2017.
A 6-foot-7 forward, with a monstrous 7-foot-3 wingspan, Coulibaly won't turn 19 until after the draft, making him one of the youngest prospects on the board.
He has been a part of the French youth basketball system since he was 13 and in 2022, played for the France under-18 team at the FIBA U18 European Championships.
His size and frame make him one of the most exciting athletes in the class, but it took a while for his game to take shape as he hit a massive growth spurt between the ages of 15 and 17, growing from 5-foot6 to 6-foot-3.
French league
Coulibaly began his professional career with Metropolitans 92 in 2021 and quickly blossomed into a star at the under-21 level.
In 16 games with the under-21 team, he averaged 21.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks on 53.0 percent shooting and 32.4 percent from the 3-point line in 32.1 minutes per game.
With Coulibaly flying somewhat under the radar, the secret was out in August 22 after he put on a show against Bronny James in an exhibition game in Nanterre, pouring in 25 points to lead his team to victory.
In 27 games this season for Metropolitans 92, Coulibaly posted averages 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game.
NBA Draft analysis
In recent weeks Coulibaly's draft stock has risen considerably, with some impressive performances in the LNB Pro A Finals.
Wembanyama took to Twitter earlier this month singing his teammate's praises.
By now, everyone knows he deserves to be top 10. But not enough realize he deserves to be top 5 🤫 https://t.co/xmBexcuQgc
— Wemby (@vicw_32) June 4, 2023
The Sporting News' NBA Draft expert Kyle Irving projects him going at No. 20 to the Rockets in his latest mock draft.
"Coulibaly is the type of versatile defender, impactful cutter and budding playmaker who could develop into a hidden gem during Houston's rebuild," Irving wrote.
"He would also be a great fit for new head coach Ime Udoka's defensive scheme."
Coulibaly's length and athleticism project him as a solid defender at the NBA level, with his huge wingspan giving him the ability to disrupt passing lanes and guard multiple positions.
Bilal Coulibaly, projected to go in the mid-late lottery, showing off his elite athleticism: pic.twitter.com/TRd57RhIY2
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 14, 2023
Bilal Coulibaly 2022-23 stats
Regular season (27 games)
- 5.0 points per game
- 0.8 assists per game
- 3.1 rebounds per game
- 0.8 steals per game
- 18.1 minutes per game
- 53.2 percent shooting
- 45.2 percent 3-point shooting
- 59.5 percent free throw shooting
