Pistons select Sekou Doumbouya with No. 15 pick
With the No. 15 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected forward Sekou Doumbouya.
The 18-year-old is relatively unknown to the general fan, but Doumbouya is perhaps the best-kept secret in French basketball.
The top-ranked international prospect in this year's draft was on his country's gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship as a 16-year-old. Doumbouya averaged 17.8 points on 50 percent shooting while adding seven boards per contest to earn all-tournament team honors.
He played for Limoges CSP in France's top basketball league this past season after spending the previous two years playing a tier below for Poitiers Basket 86, averaging 7.7 points per contest across 59 appearances. Doumbouya was named the Best Young Player in the league during the 2017-18 season.
The Frenchman is an intriguing prospect, and he only took up basketball six years ago. He's also a project that could reward a patient team.
Bio
Position: SF/PF
School: N/A
College Experience: N/A
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Has the athleticism to play multiple positions. His length and quickness allow him to defend guards and forwards.
- Runs the floor well in transition and can finish above the rim.
- Has a smooth release, and a high-arching jumper that should translate into more success with repetition. Last season he shot 34.3 percent from distance on 2.5 attempts per game.
- Looks for opportunities to cut to the net.
Weaknesses
- Questionable motor, and has shown a tendency to drift off and become disengaged at times.
- Inexperienced at higher levels of pro basketball. France's LNB Pro A isn't highly regarded compared to Spain's Liga ACB or Turkey's Basketball Super League.
- He's still relatively new to the game, so fundamentals like boxing out don't come second nature to him.
- Has some trouble creating his own shot off the dribble.