Deon Thompson selected the top Ivorian playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Ivorian players, who play currently abroad.

Deon Thompson

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced international center Deon Thompson (204-88, college: UNC, currently plays in Spain). He could not help Unicaja Malaga (10-2) in their last game. Despite Thompson's good performance Unicaja Malaga lost 83-95 on the road to the lower-ranked (#5) Burgos. He scored 12 points (went 5 for 5 at the free throw line) in 22 minutes on the court. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This year Thompson averages: 8.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 2FGP: 52.4%, 3FGP: 41.2% in 17 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Ivorian and American. Despite Thompson played previously for the USA university national team, he is currently a member of the Ivorian senior national team.

Vafessa Fofana

   #2. Second place goes to an international swingman Vafessa Fofana (198-92, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Fofana managed to help Cholet Basket to win against the closely-ranked Tsmoki-Minsk (2-3) 89-71 in the Basketball Champions League in Tuesday night's game. He scored only 2 points. Cholet Basket (2-3) is placed third in group C. Fofana's team will play only one more game in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Fofana's overall stats this season are: 9.0ppg, 3.0rpg. He is in the roster of the Ivorian senior national team.

Baru Adjehi

   #3. The Ivorian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center Baru Adjehi (206-91, agency: Duran International, college: Charleston, currently plays in Denmark). Adjehi contributed to Randers' victory against the third-ranked Svendborg (10-5) 92-78 in the Danish BasketLigaen on Wednesday night. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. It was his first game for Randers this season. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Pro A. His team is placed second. It was Randers' third consecutive victory in a row. It's Adjehi's first year with the team. Adjehi played for the Ivorian national team two years ago.

Seydou Aboubacar

   #4. Center Seydou Aboubacar (207-94, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a Leche Rio Breogan's victory against the fifth-ranked Burgos (12-5) 83-79 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) in Sunday night's game. He scored only 3 points in 10 minutes. Leche Rio Breogan (8-1) is placed first in Group A. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. This year Aboubacar's overall stats are: 2.9ppg and 2.1rpg in nine games. He is another player who holds two passports: Ivorian and Nigerien. Aboubacar is also Ivorian national team player.


The list of other players, who all have Ivorian passport but never been selected to any of Ivorian national teams:

   #1. Cheick Traore (203-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the Carlow University (12-5) crushing them 109-56 in the NCAA last Monday. Traore recorded 8 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Youngstown State University has rather weak 2-4 conference record this season. It's Traore's first year with the team. His overall stats this year are: 2.7ppg and 3.1rpg.

   #2. Jonas Zohore (208-C-91, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Basquet (4-5) crushing them 87-67 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Wednesday night. Zohore scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 19 minutes. HLA Alicante (9-1) is placed first in Group B. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Zohore's overall stats are: 5.9ppg and 3.6rpg in 10 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Danish and Ivorian.

   #3. Mike Fofana (206-F-97, agency: One Motive Sports, college: HSU, currently plays in Portugal) could not help Esgueira (6-0) in their last game. Despite Fofana's good performance Esgueira lost 81-86 on the road to the lower-ranked (#6) Oliveirense. He scored 12 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 26 minutes. It's Fofana's first season with the team. Fofana has relatively good stats this year: 12.3ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.8apg in nine games. He is another player who holds two passports: Ivorian and American.


Other top Ivorian players, who play abroad:

Assemian Moulare (183-PG-3) plays for Levallois in French Jeep ELITE ProA
Charles Abouo (196-G/F-89) plays for Le Portel in French Jeep ELITE ProA
Mohamed Bamba (211-C-98) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Bazoumana Kone (193-G-93) plays for Braunschweig in German BBL
Alain Koffi (207-C-83) plays for Le Mans in French Jeep ELITE ProA
Ladji Meite (204-F/C-0) plays for Chorale de Roanne in French Jeep ELITE ProA
Ousmane Doumbia (200-SF-1) plays for ALM Evreux in French ProB
Cedric Bah (198-PF-94) plays for ADA Blois in French ProB
Willy Kouassi (208-C-91) plays for DSG in Tunisian ProA
Louri Frejus Zerbo (208-C/F-89) plays for Aix-Maurienne in French ProB

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Ivorian playing currently abroad. Go to Ivorian Abroad Page to see completed list.