POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
We bring you last week's top performances from Ivorians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is an international forward
Deon Thompson (203-88, college:
UNC, currently plays in EuroCup). He led his Spanish team
Unicaja Malaga to a victory over the third-ranked Asseco Arka (1-1)
66-59 in the Eurocup in Wednesday night's game.
Thompson was MVP of the game. He scored 21 points in 21 minutes on the court.
Unicaja Malaga (2-0) is placed first in group D.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
It's Thompson's first year with the team.
Thompson has relatively good stats this season: 13.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 53.3%, 3FGP: 22.2% in two 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.
#2. Second place goes to former international center
Aboubacar Aboubacar Hima (207-94, currently plays in Spain). Aboubacar Hima contributed to
Carramimbre's victory against the closely-ranked Real Canoe (1-0)
93-81 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Friday night.
He scored 7 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in 24 minutes.
Carramimbre CBC Valladolid (2-0) is placed sixth in the LEB Gold.
But the season is still in it's first stage and everything can happen.
This year Aboubacar Hima averages: 4.5ppg, 10.5rpg and FT: 25.0% in two games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Ivorian and Nigerien.
Aboubacar Hima played for the Ivorian national team in 2017.
#3. The Ivorian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward
Moussa Kone (203-93, college:
Hofstra, currently plays in Sweden). He could not help
Wetterbygden (2-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Kone's very good performance Wetterbygden was defeated
88-84 on the road by the lower-ranked Boras Basket (#5).
He recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 12 rebounds. Kone also added 6 assists.
But there are still lots of games to play and it's a long way to go.
This season Kone has relatively solid stats: 11.5ppg, 9.3rpg, 3.3apg, 2FGP: 48.6%.
He has both American and Ivorian nationalities.
Kone played for the Ivorian national team four years ago.
#4. Swingman
Vafessa Fofana (198-92, currently plays in France) was not able to help
Cholet Basket in their game against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (2-1) in the French Jeep ELITE ProA.
He scored 6 points in 21 minutes.
The league leader Cholet Basket lost
76-85 in Villeurbanne to the lower-ranked (#4) ASVEL Lyon- Basket.
This year Fofana's overall stats are: 8.7ppg and 3.0rpg in three games.
He is also Ivorian national team player.
#5. Former international swingman
Issife Soumahoro (197-88, currently plays in France) was the main contributor in
SOPCC's victory against the fifth-ranked Andrezieux (2-2)
85-74 in the French NM1 (third division) on Friday night.
Soumahoro was the best player in that game. He recorded 14 points and added 3 passes.
SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz (4-0) is placed second in Group B.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
Soumahoro has reliable stats this season: 14.0ppg, 1.8rpg and 2.5apg.
He also holds two passports: Ivorian and French.
Soumahoro used to play for the Ivorian national team
three years ago.
#6. Center
Bali Coulibaly (199-95, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for
Toulouse in their game against Caen (3-0) in the French NM1 (third division). He cannot count it as his best performance.
Coulibaly recorded only 2 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 18 minutes.
his team was crushed
97-58 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Caen in the Group A.
It's Coulibaly's first season with the team.
His stats this year are: 11.8ppg and 7.0rpg in four games.
Coulibaly is an international player who is currently on the senior Ivorian National Team roster.
One more player who has never been selected to any of national teams, but has Ivorian passport: #1. Experienced
Alain Koffi (207-C-83, agency:
BeoBasket, currently plays in France) was the major contributor in
Gravelines-Dunkerque's victory against the 12th-ranked Boulazac Basket (1-2)
108-106 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Friday.
Koffi scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (1-1) is placed sixth in the Jeep ELITE ProA.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
This year Koffi has relatively solid stats: 11.5ppg and 5.0rpg.
He has a dual citizenship: Ivorian and French.
Other top Ivorian players, who play abroad:Mohamed Bamba (211-PF-98) plays for
Orlando Magic in the NBA
Jean-Francois Kebe (185-PG-94) plays for
Saint-Quentin in French ProB
Charles Abouo (196-G/F-89) plays for
Provence Basket in French ProB
Louri Frejus Zerbo (208-C-89) plays for
JL Bourg in French Jeep ELITE ProA
Cedric Bah (198-C-94) plays for
ADA Blois in French ProB
Jonas Zohore (208-C-91) plays for
Rilski in Bulgarian NBL
Mohamed Kone (211-C-81) plays for
JA Vichy in French ProB
Willy Kouassi (208-C-91) plays for
Peja in Kosovan Superliga
Abdul-Aziz Dembele (198-SF-87) plays for
Marmande in French NM2
Notice:
The list above includes only some of the Ivorian playing currently abroad. Go to Ivorian Abroad Page to see completed list.
