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

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Ivorians who are currently playing abroad.

Deon Thompson

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced international center Deon Thompson (204-88, college: UNC, currently plays in EuroCup). He could not help Unicaja Malaga (0-1) in their last game. Despite Thompson's very good performance the third-placed Unicaja Malaga (0-1) lost 86-95 on the road to the leading Joventut in the group E of Eurocup. He was the top scorer with 23 points. Thompson also added 4 rebounds in 26 minutes on the court. This year Thompson averages: 9.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 56.1%(32-57), 3FGP: 44.0% and FT: 70.6% in 11 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.

Seydou Aboubacar

   #2. Second place goes to an international center Seydou Aboubacar (207-94, currently plays in Spain). Aboubacar was not able to help Leche Rio Breogan in their game against Leyma Basquet (8-3) in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division). He scored 6 points in only 11 minutes. Leche Rio Breogan lost 68-72 in Coruna to the second-ranked Leyma Basquet in the Group A. They ended the series of six consecutive victories. It's Aboubacar's first season with the team. This year Aboubacar's overall stats are: 3.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 2FGP: 43.3% in 10 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Ivorian and Nigerien. Aboubacar is in the roster of the Ivorian senior national team.

   #3. The Ivorian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Salim Kone (92, currently plays in North Macedonia). He was not able to secure a victory for Crn Dream (1-7) in their game against Rabotnicki (5-1) in the North Macedonian Prva Liga. Kone scored 6 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. It was his first game for Crn Dream this season. Crn Dream was edged 84-81 in Skopje by the second-ranked Rabotnicki. It was Crn Dream's sixth consecutive loss in a row. Kone played for the Ivorian national team four years ago.

Mohamed Kone

   #4. Center Mohamed Kone (211-81, college: Valpo, currently plays in France) contributed to a JA Vichy's victory against the 16th-ranked Lille Metropole (1-4) 71-64 in the French ProB (second division) in Tuesday night's game. He scored 10 points, had 6 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 24 minutes. Jean D'Arc Vichy Clermont Metropole (3-1) is placed fifth in the ProB. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Kone is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in JA Vichy's roster. This season Kone's total stats are: 8.0ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.5spg in four games. He has both Ivorian and French nationalities. Kone used to play for the Ivorian national team back in 2019.

Cedric Bah

   #5. Former international power forward Cedric Bah (198-94, currently plays in France) managed to help ADA Blois Basket 41 in a 3-point victory against the ninth-ranked SPO Rouen (3-3) 73-70 in the French ProB (second division) on Saturday night. Bah scored only 2 points in 11 minutes. ADA Blois Basket 41 (5-1) is placed first in the ProB. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Bah has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 4.5rpg and 1.2apg in six games. He used to play for the Ivorian national team four years ago.

Louri Frejus Zerbo

   #6. Power forward Louri Frejus Zerbo (208-89, currently plays in France) helped Aix-Maurienne win their game against the league outsider Poitiers (0-5) 76-69 in the French ProB (second division) last Monday. He scored only 2 points in 12 minutes. Aix-Maurienne Savoie Basket (2-2) is placed 12th in the ProB. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Zerbo has averaged so far 2.0ppg and 2.3rpg in four games. He is a former international player as he played for the Ivorian senior team two years ago.

Issife Soumahoro

   #7. Former international swingman Issife Soumahoro (198-88, currently plays in France) led SOPCC to a 1-point victory against the 11th-ranked Orchesien BC (3-5) 99-98 in the French NM1 (third division) on Tuesday night. Soumahoro scored 11 points. SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz (4-3) is placed seventh in Group B. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Soumahoro has averaged so far 8.8ppg, 2.1rpg and 1.3apg. He used to play for the Ivorian national team five years ago.

Jean-Francois Kebe

   #8. Point guard Jean-Francois Kebe (185-94, currently plays in France) couldn't help Gries/Oberhoffen (1-4) in their game against ALM Evreux (1-4) in the French ProB (second division). Kebe scored 7 points and added 3 passes in 22 minutes. Gries/Oberhoffen lost 74-79 in Evreux to the higher-ranked (#15) ALM Evreux. It was Gries/Oberhoffen's third consecutive loss in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Kebe has relatively good stats this year: 12.8ppg, 1.4rpg and 3.2apg in five games. He plays currently for the Ivorian national team.


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

   #1. Mohamed Bamba (211-C-98, college: Texas, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Orlando Magic (6-5) in their last game on Friday. Despite Bamba's good performance the Orlando Magic (6-5) was crushed 132-90 on the road by the Houston Rockets. He scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Bamba's overall stats this year are: 5.0ppg and 3.5rpg. He has a dual citizenship: Ivorian and American. Despite Bamba's Ivorian passport, he previously played for the USA U18 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Ivorian team.

   #2. Mike Fofana (206-F-97, agency: One Motive Sports, college: HSU, currently plays in Portugal) led Esgueira to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Galitos-Barreiro (4-9) 80-61 in the Portuguese LPB in Saturday night's game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 14 rebounds. Fofana also added 5 assists. Esgueira / Oli (6-0) is placed fifth in the LPB. So far his team won all six games in the Regular Season. Fofana has relatively good stats this season: 12.2ppg, 7.0rpg and 2.1apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Ivorian and American.

   #3. Nisre Zouzoua (188-G-96, agency: Duran International, college: Nevada, currently plays in France) was not able to help Dax-Gamarde (2-6) in their last game. Despite Zouzoua's very good performance Dax-Gamarde (#14) lost 73-84 in Challans to the much higher-ranked (#6) Vendee in the Group A. He was the top scorer with 31 points. Zouzoua also added 6 rebounds in 32 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. Zouzoua has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.0apg and 1.4spg in seven games he played so far. Zouzoua has both American and Ivorian nationalities.

   #4. Jonas Zohore (208-C-91, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for HLA Alicante (9-2) in their game against Palma (6-5) in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division). He scored only 4 points. HLA Alicante was defeated 80-69 in S'Arenal by the lower-ranked Palma (#5) in the Group B. It was HLA Alicante's first loss after three consecutive victories. Zohore has averaged so far 5.7ppg and 3.5rpg. He also holds two passports: Danish and Ivorian.

   #5. Cheick Traore (203-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) managed to help Youngstown State University to win against the Wright State University (6-2) 74-72 in the NCAA in Friday night's game. Traore scored only 2 points. The Youngstown State University has 3-5 conference record this season. Traore has averaged so far 2.4ppg and 3.2rpg.