The Charlotte Hornets are looking to make their first-round selection in next month’s draft. Could they add a talented international player to their frontcourt with the 12th pick?
In this year’s draft, it would be ideal for the Charlotte Hornets to target a player who could upgrade their frontcourt. Of course, selecting someone for the frontcourt will depend on if Kemba Walker re-signs with Charlotte.
A prospect that would be worth looking into would be the talented international player from France, Sekou Doumbouya. This prospect only played for one season with Limoges.
About Sekou Doumbouya
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 210 pounds
Wingspan: 6’11″
2018-19 stats: 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 48% FG, 19.0 minutes
Strengths
- Really fast for someone his size
- Shows maximum effort on fastbreaks and rebounds
- Nice jump shot mechanics
- Finishes well through contact
- Nice rim protector
- Has the ability to make perimeter shots
- Turns 19 in December, can still grow
Weaknesses
- Needs to be more consistent with his jump shot
- Must improve his passing vision
- Needs to work on defensive positioning
- Needs to improve communication on defense
- Must improve on shot form from beyond the arc
Doumbouya is a young prospect that has a lot of potential for someone his age. He is set to turn 19 in December, so having a young prospect like this is an NBA coach’s dream.
Scouts did not get to see Doumbouya for a lot of time while he was on the court, but he did show a lot of promise. He has the ability to score in multiple ways while on offense.
For someone who plays the power forward position, I am impressed with everything that he can do on offense. He has the speed to keep up with NBA players, and I think he has a good inside game when he’s finishing through contact.
I am a strong supporter of giving international players a shot because the NBA has seen a lot of potential from international players who don’t attend college. He only played in 19.0 minutes per game for Limoges, and I think he did a lot of great things while on the court.
He has a lot that he could improve on, such as his jump shot and defensive mechanics. I think if he works on these things, he can dramatically improve his game and chances with an NBA team.
It would be interesting to see if Charlotte selects an international player in this year’s draft. The Hornets’ last international player that they draft was Arnoldas Kulboka, a draft and stash player, who was drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft.
With the NBA draft coming up in under thirty-days, should the Hornets take a chance on an international player in the first round? It will be interesting to see what Mitch Kupchak has up his sleeve for this year’s draft.