Sekou Doumbouya
Sekou Oumar Doumbouya (born 23 December 2000) is a French professional basketball player for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He plays both the small forward and power forward positions.
No. 45 – Delaware Blue Coats | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Small forward / power forward | ||||||||||||||
League | NBA G League | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born | Conakry, Guinea | 23 December 2000||||||||||||||
Nationality | French | ||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | ||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 2019: 1st round, 15th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |||||||||||||||
Playing career | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
2015–2016 | Centre Fédéral | ||||||||||||||
2016–2018 | Poitiers | ||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | Limoges CSP | ||||||||||||||
2019–2021 | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
2019–2020 | →Grand Rapids Drive | ||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | →South Bay Lakers | ||||||||||||||
2022–present | Delaware Blue Coats | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Born in Conakry, Guinea, Doumbouya grew up in Paris, France and began his career with local club CJF Les Aubrais when he was 13. In the following year, he attended INSEP and played for amateur team Centre Fédéral. His professional career started in 2016, when he joined Poitiers Basket 86 in the second-tier league of France, remaining with the team for two seasons. In 2018, Doumbouya moved to the first division by signing with Limoges CSP. After one season, he was selected by the Pistons with the fifteenth pick in the 2019 NBA draft. In his rookie season, he was the youngest active player in the NBA.
Doumbouya is a member of the youth sections of the France national team. He helped France win the gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, finishing as his team's leading scorer.
Early life and career
Doumbouya was born in Conakry, Guinea.[1] As a one-year-old, he moved to France with his mother M'Mah Marie, three siblings, and one cousin, settling in a small apartment in Fleury-les-Aubrais.[2][3][4] His father, who was unable to receive a visa, remained in Guinea as a member of its military.[4][5] In the absence of his father, Sekou became a leader for the rest of his family, often advising his siblings.[4] Doumbouya grew up playing football as a striker but was eventually hindered by his extraordinary height.[6][7] At age 12, he began playing pick-up basketball after a friend introduced him to the sport.[6] At that age, he was discovered by local basketball coach Benoist Burguet, who helped start his basketball career and later became his trainer.[2][8] By age 13, when Doumbouya stood 2.02 m (6 ft 7+1⁄2 in), he was playing youth basketball with his local club CJF Les Aubrais, the basketball sports section of Collège Condorcet.[9]
In May 2016, Doumbouya represented French sports institute INSEP at the under-18 2015–16 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, averaging 14 points, 3.7 rebounds, and three assists while being one of the youngest players at the event at age 16.[10][11] After the season, he was dismissed from INSEP for disciplinary reasons.[12]
Professional career
Centre Fédéral (2015–2016)
At age 14, Doumbouya moved to the renowned French sports institute INSEP in Paris and joined its affiliated club Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball, a member of the Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1), the amateur third-tier division of French basketball.[6][13] He made his 2015–16 season debut on 26 September 2015, recording 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals against Aurore de Vitré.[14] In turn, Doumbouya became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the top three French leagues.[15] On 8 March 2016, he scored a season-high 23 points in a loss to Vendée Challans.[16] Doumbouya finished the season averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.[17]
Poitiers Basket 86 (2016–2018)
On 26 August 2016, at age 15, Doumbouya signed his first professional contract with Poitiers Basket 86 of the LNB Pro B, the second-tier French league.[18] At the time, he revealed his hopes to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) within the following three years.[15] In the season, Doumbouya saw regular playing time despite his lack of experience, being coached by Ruddy Nelhomme and playing alongside veterans like Jeff Greer.[19][20] While with Poitiers, he attended private school to work towards his diploma, and tried to model the focus he saw in former NBA player Michael Jordan with the help of a sports psychologist.[4] On 17 September 2016, Doumbouya made his professional debut, playing 13 minutes in an LNB Pro B Leaders Cup victory over Boulazac.[21] In his first Pro B season game on 14 October 2016, he scored two points in six minutes off the bench against Étoile Charleville-Mézières.[22] He scored double figures for the first time on 20 January 2017, in an 81–63 loss to Fos Provence, posting a team-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.[23] In his next game, a defeat to Lille Métropole, Doumbouya scored a season-high 21 points and nine rebounds, shooting 3-of-3 from the three-point line.[24] He finished the season averaging 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 16.9 minutes per game.[17]
Doumbouya, on 29 June 2017, signed a three-year contract extension with Poitiers.[25] On 29 September, he notched a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in a 76–71 win over Hermine Nantes at the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup.[26] Doumbouya debuted in the 2017–18 Pro B season against Denain Voltaire on 13 October 2017, recording seven points and four rebounds in 16 minutes.[27] On 22 December, he scored a season-best 19 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Saint-Chamond.[28] Doumbouya eclipsed that mark on 2 February 2018, in a career-high 26-point effort against UJAP Quimper 29.[29] In 28 games, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist in 23.2 minutes per game, en route to earning Pro B Best Young Player honors.[17][30]
Limoges CSP (2018–2019)
In May 2018, Doumbouya revealed plans to join a team in the LNB Pro A, the top basketball league in France.[31] On 25 June 2018, he signed with Limoges CSP of the Pro A.[32] Head coach Kyle Milling praised the newcomer: "Despite his age, next season, I rely on him being an impact player. He has tremendous physical qualities: running, counterattack and speed."[33] Doumbouya debuted for Limoges on 22 September 2018, recording two points and four rebounds in 11 minutes against Antibes.[34] On 17 October, he scored 11 points, shooting 4-of-6 from the field, in a 102–93 loss to Alba Berlin in the EuroCup.[35] In late December, Doumbouya scored 12 points in three straight games in the EuroCup and Pro A, shooting a combined 14-of-17 from the field.[36] On 26 December, he suffered a right thumb injury that required surgery.[37]
Doumbouya returned to action on 9 February, scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds versus Strasbourg.[38] On 9 March, he recorded a season-high 14 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in an 85–73 loss to Monaco.[39] Doumbouya erupted for a career-high 34 points, with five three-pointers and nine rebounds, on 18 May, in a 106–78 regular season finale win over Levallois Metropolitans.[40][41] In 29 Pro A games, including two playoff contests, he averaged 7.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. In eight EuroCup appearances, Doumbouya averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.[17]
Detroit Pistons (2019–2021)
On 20 June 2019, Doumbouya was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the fifteenth pick in the 2019 NBA draft.[42] He became the first player born in Guinea to be drafted into the NBA.[5] On 4 July, he signed his rookie contract with the Pistons.[43] Doumbouya missed his team's first four games at the 2019 Las Vegas NBA Summer League with hamstring pain and scored nine points in his only appearance, during a 105–85 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.[44][45] In his rookie season, he was the youngest active player in the NBA.[46] He suffered a concussion during practice on 9 October and was sidelined for multiple games after being placed into the concussion protocol program.[47] On 4 November, before playing an NBA game, Doumbouya was assigned to the Pistons' NBA G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.[48] He made his G League debut four days later, scoring 12 points in a 109–94 win over Raptors 905.[49]
On 23 November 2019, Doumbouya was recalled by the Pistons and made his NBA debut in a 104–90 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[50] In early January 2020, he registered double-doubles in each of his first two starts against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.[51] On 15 January, Doumbouya scored a season-high 24 points with two rebounds, an assist and a steal in a 116–103 victory over the Boston Celtics.[52] His production declined after the performance, and he scored at least 10 points in one more NBA game for the rest of the season. On 6 March, Doumbouya was assigned to the G League, recording 30 points and eight rebounds and making a game-winning jump shot in a 102–101 win over the Maine Red Claws.[53] In the 2019–20 NBA season, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game, starting in 19 of his 38 appearances.[54]
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022)
On 4 September 2021, Doumbouya and Jahlil Okafor were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and multiple second-round draft picks.[55] On 6 October, Doumbouya was again traded, alongside a 2024 second-round pick, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for cash considerations.[56] He was waived the following day.[57]
On 12 October, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Doumbouya to a two-way contract with the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League.[58] On 16 November, Doumbouya was waived by the Lakers, after appearing in two games, to make room for Chaundee Brown.[59]
On 12 January 2022, the Lakers re-signed Doumbouya to a two-way contract.[60] However, before appearing in a game during his second stint with the team, he was waived on 1 March.[61]
Delaware Blue Coats (2022–present)
On November 4, 2022, Doumbouya was named to the opening night roster for the Delaware Blue Coats,[62] and eventually helped the team win the NBA G League title.[63]
National team career
In November 2016, Doumbouya obtained French citizenship.[12] The process was delayed by months due to "bureaucracy," according to the France national under-18 team, and as a result he was barred from two FIBA competitions.[7] Doumbouya made his national team debut at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in Samsun, Turkey, which he entered as its youngest player.[64][65] In his first game at the tournament, a 53–48 win over Russia, he scored seven points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.[66] In his next contest, Doumbouya led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds against Slovenia.[67] In his third game, he erupted for 31 points, shooting 10-of-11 from the field, to lead France past Serbia, 71–68.[68] Doumbouya averaged a team-best 17.8 points, seven rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks at the tournament, helping his team win the gold medal.[17] He was named to the All-Star Five, joined by teammate and tournament most valuable player Frank Ntilikina.[69]
Player profile
Listed at 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) and 104 kg (229 lb), Doumbouya is primarily a small forward but is capable of playing the power forward position due to his size and length,[70] standing 2.05 m (6 ft 8 3⁄4 in) with a wingspan of 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in).[71][72] He displays fluid athleticism that helps him thrive in transition and finish at the rim.[73] His physical tools give him great potential in the modern NBA, especially on the defensive end, where he is able to defend four positions.[74][75] Doumbouya also has potential as a shooter, with evaluators often praising his mechanics, and as a playmaker.[76][77] His playing style has drawn comparisons to NBA players Pascal Siakam and Draymond Green.[75][78][79] Vincent Loriot, sports director for French club Le Mans, likened Doumbouya to NBA player LeBron James, calling him "a monster with a child's face".[7]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
References
- "Sekou Doumbouya, 16 ans, enflamme l'Euro U18 avec les Bleus" (in French). BasketSession. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Ohnona, Yann (26 March 2018). "Qui est Sekou Doumbouya, la nouvelle pépite du basket-ball français?". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Gaibotti, Federico (26 November 2017). "Sekou Doumbouya: scouting report on the '00 French forward". BasketUniverso. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Meler, Bryan (28 June 2018). "Meet Europe's Next Elite NBA Prospect: France's Sekou Doumbouya". Slam. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Bancharel, Antoine (19 June 2019). "Sekou Doumbouya : " Ils veulent tous savoir la même chose. Tous "" (in French). Basket Infos. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- Gardner, David (23 February 2018). "17-Year-Old NBA Superprospect Sekou Doumbouya Gets His First Taste of NBA Life". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Doumbouya's delayed international debut has been worth the wait". FIBA. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Drechsler, Guillaume; Normand, Eric (31 December 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya, la future star du basket français, est revenu à Fleury-les-Aubrais pour les fêtes". France Bleu. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "2,02 mètres, 13 ans, graine de champion". L'Écho républicain (in French). 26 June 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Doumbouya, Sekou". EuroLeague. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Makris, Stefanos (22 May 2016). "Adidas Next Generation Tournament: Top Prospects". NBADraft. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya est français". L'Équipe (in French). 3 November 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Colombani, Xavier (13 October 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya, un "diamant brut" se cache en Pro B". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Sep 26, 2015 – Aurore de Vitre 99, Centre Federal Du Basket-Ball 60". RealGM. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- Bellot, François (12 December 2016). "Il n'a pas fini de grandir". La Nouvelle République (in French). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "March 8, 2016 – Vendee Challans Basket 92, Centre Federal Du Basket-Ball 64". RealGM. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- Legendre, Pascal (15 October 2016). "Sekou Doumbouya (Poitiers), 15 ans en Pro B, et il joue !" (in French). BasketEurope. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Portrait Sekou Doumbouya" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Boulazac – Poitiers". Ligue nationale de basket. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Oct 14, 2016 – Poitiers Basket 86 69, Etoile Charleville-Mezieres 79". RealGM. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- "Jan 20, 2017 – Poitiers Basket 86 63, Fos Ouest Provence Basket 81". RealGM. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- "Jan 24, 2017 – Lille Metropole Basket Clubs 71, Poitiers Basket 86 70". RealGM. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- Camacho, Cyril (29 June 2017). "Sékou Doumbouya à Poitiers jusqu'en 2020" (in French). BasketEurope. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Poitiers – Nantes" (in French). Ligue nationale de basket. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Oct 13, 2017 – Poitiers Basket 86 82, Denain ASC Voltaire 91". RealGM. 13 October 2017.
- "Dec 22, 2017 – Saint Chamond Basket 93, Poitiers Basket 86 91". RealGM. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Feb 2, 2018 – Quimper UJAP 84, Poitiers Basket 86 76". RealGM. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Sekou élu meilleur jeune de Pro B" (in French). Poitiers Basket 86. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya confirme qu'il y a quatre clubs dans sa short-list" (in French). BeBasket. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "L'espoir du basket français, Sekou Doumbouya rejoint le Limoges CSP" (in French). Limoges CSP. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- "Limoges signs young prospect Sekou Doumbouya". EuroHoops. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- "Antibes – Limoges" (in French). Ligue nationale de basket. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- "Oct 17, 2018 – ALBA Berlin 102, CSP Limoges 93". RealGM. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya Game Logs". RealGM. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- "Sekou Doumbouya out 5 to 7 weeks". EuroHoops. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- Pante-Jouve, Gabriel (4 February 2019). "Limoges: Doumbouya de retour contre Strasbourg ce samedi?" (in French). BeBasket. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- "Sekou Doumbouya has career high in loss for Limoges". EuroHoops. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- "May 18, 2019 – Paris-Levallois Basket 78 at CSP Limoges 106". RealGM. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- Rutard, Sacha (18 May 2019). "Record personnels de 34 points et de 37 d'évaluation pour Sekou Doumbouya (Limoges)" (in French). BasketEurope. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- Beard, Rod (20 June 2019). "'A kid with big upside': Pistons select Sekou Doumbouya with 15th pick". The Detroit News. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- Khan, Ansar (4 July 2019). "Pistons sign top pick Sekou Doumbouya". MLive. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- Langlois, Keith (16 July 2019). "Other than Sekou's minor setback, Pistons had a smashing stay in Las Vegas". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- Beard, Rod (13 July 2019). "Doumbouya makes most of his minutes in Pistons' Summer League finale". The Detroit News. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- Sankofa II, Omari (29 May 2020). "Detroit Pistons rookie Sekou Doumbouya teased us with a glimpse of the tools to be special". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Taylor, Cody (25 October 2019). "Concussion protocol has delayed the debut of Pistons' Sekou Doumbouya". Rookie Wire. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- Wallner, Peter J. (4 November 2019). "Sekou Doumbouya heads to Grand Rapids Drive". MLive. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- "Nov 8, 2019 - Grand Rapids Drive 109 at Raptors 905 94". RealGM. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- Khan, Ansar (23 November 2019). "Pistons' Sekou Doumbouya poised for NBA debut after recall". MLive. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- Ellis, Vince (4 January 2020). "Detroit Pistons' Sekou Doumbouya nets 2nd double-double in win vs. Warriors, 111-104". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- "Sekou Doumbouya scores 24, Pistons down Celtics 116-103". ESPN. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- Beard, Rod (8 March 2020). "Sekou Doumbouya showing signs that Pistons made the right pick". The Detroit News. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Kasabian, Paul (18 April 2020). "Pistons' Sekou Doumbouya Home with Family in France Amid COVID-19". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Brooklyn Nets Complete Trade With Detroit Pistons". NBA.com. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- "Brooklyn Nets Complete Trade With Houston Rockets". NBA.com. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- Gauruder, Dana (7 October 2021). "Rockets Waive Sekou Doumbouya". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- "Lakers Sign Sekou Doumbouya to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- "Lakers Sign Chaundee Brown Jr. to Two-Way Contract; Waive Sekou Doumbouya". NBA.com. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- "Lakers Sign Sekou Doumbouya to Two-Way Contract". NBA. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "Lakers Sign D.J. Augustin and Wenyen Gabriel". NBA. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- "Blue Coats Announce Opening Night Roster". oursportscentral.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- Levick, Noah (7 April 2023). "Delaware Blue Coats win G League championship; Jaden Springer named Finals MVP". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- "Ntilikina, Tchouaffe, youngster Doumbouya headline France outfit". FIBA. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- Makris, Stefanos (29 December 2016). "U18 European Championship: Top Prospects". NBADraft. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "Dec 16, 2016 – Russia 48, France 53". RealGM. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- De Abreu, Dylan (17 December 2016). "Euro U18: la France explose la Slovénie". BasketEurope. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "Dec 18, 2016 – Serbia 68, France 71". RealGM. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "MVP Ntilikina headlines All-Star Five of FIBA U18 European Championship". FIBA. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- Givony, Jonathan (19 April 2019). "French teen Doumbouya declares for NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- "Doumbouya Sekou" (in French). Ligue nationale de basket. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Daniels, Evan; Gershon, Josh (22 February 2018). "Who stood out at Basketball Without Borders?". 247Sports. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- Crabbe, Kyle (15 May 2019). "NBA Draft: Best team fit for each of the top 10 prospects". Sir Charles In Charge. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Chang, Anthony (21 May 2019). "What to know about draft prospect Sekou Doumbouya. What if he's there for Heat at 13?". Miami Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Goul, Matt (19 April 2019). "Sekou Doumbouya NBA Draft 2019 profile: Stats, bio, video of the international forward". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Hughes, Chase (28 May 2019). "2019 NBA Draft prospect profile: Sekou Doumbouya". NBC Sports. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Strobl, Pete (31 March 2019). "Scouting report: Get to know draft prospect Sekou Doumbouya". HoopsHype. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Rand, Michael (2 June 2019). "A French Siakam and the Wolves?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- Cohen, Josh (1 May 2019). "2019 Draft Prospects: Sekou Doumbouya". Orlando Magic. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- "Doumbouya, Sekou - Welcome to 7DAYS EuroCup". eurocupbasketball.com. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Sekou Doumbouya at archive.fiba.com
- Sekou Doumbouya at eurobasket.com
- Sekou Doumbouya at eurocupbasketball.com
- Sekou Doumbouya at lnb.fr (in French)