Bilal Coulibaly, Wembanyama’s teammate at Boulogne-Levallois, is also running for the draft

Bilal Coulibaly (18), partner of Victor Wembanyama at the Metropolitans of Boulogne-Levallois, has signed up for the next NBA draft. He could be chosen in the first round during this draft where France is aiming for a record.

Bilal Coulibaly tries the big leap. The French winger from Boulogne-Levallois (18 years old, 1.99m), teammate of Victor Wembanyama in the Metropolitans jersey, has signed up for the next NBA draft. This major annual ceremony, during which the various NBA franchises select the 60 best young players on the planet, takes place on June 22.

Gradually integrated into the professional workforce of Boulogne-Levallois in recent months, Bilal Coulibaly is running at 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6 ratings and 16 minutes on average for his first season in Betclic Elite. Elected MVP of a match organized in Nanterre last summer between Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, and a selection of young French players, he can hope to be drafted at the end of the first round (among the first 30 players selected).

France can break a record

Behind the Wembanyama phenomenon, announced as the No. 1 in this draft, there are several French people who can hope to be drafted in the first round, the assurance of benefiting from a guaranteed contract: Bilal Coulibaly, therefore, but also Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers) or Sidy Cissoko (G-League Ignite). Rupert is expected around 15th or 20th place, when the last named is projected around 30th place.

If the planets align, France can beat its record of representatives drafted in the first round in a single draft. The reference mark is currently two players, established in 2003 (Mickaël Piétrus and Boris Diaw), 2005 (Johan Petro and Ian Mahinmi), 2008 (Alexis Ajinça ​​and Nicolas Batum), 2013 (Rudy Gobert and Livio Jean- Charles) and 2016 (Guerschon Yabusele and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot).

Three other young tricolors are also on recruiters’ radars for this 2023 draft: Nadir Hifi (Le Portel), Malcolm Cazalon (Mega Basket) and Tom Digbeu (AS Alsace). But they are currently projected beyond the top 60.