Understanding International academies: A comprehensive guide to the factories creating Europe’s rising stars (Part 1)
Alec Kichian
With international recruiting at an all-time high, it’s becoming increasingly important for coaching staffs to understand the youth prospect landscape overseas. With every passing month, more NCAA programs and prep schools are dipping their toes into international scouting, with NIL and eligibility changes allowing previously untouchable prospects to gain new opportunities to play in America. My name is Alec, and over the past year and a half I’ve been traveling the world and dedicating countless hours of research to better understand the international youth landscape. I’ve been building a database to help coaches and fans alike track the early development of these prospects and academies overseas. Currently working freelance, my goal is to one day break into the scouting world and become an NCAA-level scout.
Without discrediting the American basketball developmental system, the European approach to youth development, especially at the U16 level, offers something incredibly unique, often producing some of the most technically gifted players in the world for their age. Countries such as Serbia, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany have produced numerous professionals over the past few years, most of them coming through national clubs that have invested years into developing these prospects. Serbia has consistently produced technically skilled big men, while Spain has developed guards with high-level experience at an early age. France, on the other hand, has emerged as the newest basketball hotspot for NBA prospects, where elite developmental programs intersect with the freakishly athletic physical profiles of French youth. There is something massive brewing overseas, something that can’t be ignored as long as international recruiting grows increasingly important at the NCAA level. This series is going to cover the top academies in Europe and their top prospects, from the draft eligible prospects to the young guys starting up their journeys as prospects. The goal is to hopefully provide a clearer look into these programs, starting with INSEP Pole France, then following the Real Madrid and FC Barcelona academies in Spain and finishing off with the KK Mega Superbet program in Serbia. Each part will start with an overview of the program, followed by the top players to watch in each age group in each academy and where to watch them play this season.
INSEP Pole France: The NBA Prospect factory
Over the last seven years, eighteen french players have been drafted into the NBA. Out of those eighteen players, eleven have spent time at the INSEP Pole France academy in some way or another. Notable alumni include Victor Wembanyama*, Theo Maledon, Nolan Traore, Noa Essengue and Noah Penda. INSEP, also referred to as the CFBB or the “Centre Federal du Basketball,” is the French national team’s development club, recruiting the top players under 18 in France and training them to represent France at the FIBA level. The club is usually an easy access pipeline to France’s U16, U18 and U20 national teams, with most of the players eventually representing the national team at least once during their youth careers. INSEP has done a great job creating NBA level players over the years, with a majority of their players having great size and length, with strong defensive capabilities, great mobility and fun flashes as a ball handler. The biggest weakness of the program has been developing above average 3-point shooters, with most prospects developing as shooters in later stages in their career. Interestingly enough, the combined 3-point percentage of all french national teams this summer, including the senior team was 26%. Otherwise, the combination of size, defence and ball skills is usually enough to help their prospects be considered as top prospects in their international generations, with Nolan Traore, Noa Kouakou-Heugue, Hugo Yimga, Cam Houindo and Nathan Soliman all considered as top 5 international prospects in their respective draft classes.
The program is split between two teams, the NM1 team and the U18 team, each with around twelve to fifteen players from 13 to 18 years old. The NM1 team plays in France’s third pro league, competing against adults, while the U18 team is usually made up of players 16 years old and under, playing against France’s top U18 competition, against other developmental programs. Players usually spend their entire youth careers with the program until they earn pro contracts with clubs in France or other countries. Recent graduates include Jonas Boulefaa (ADA Blois), Hugo Yimga-Moukhouri (Nanterre), Cameron Houindo (Cedevita Olimpija), Yannis Allard (La Rochelle) and Meissa Faye (Ulm), amongst others. While these teams aren’t usually successful in their leagues, it creates a competitive edge when playing against players their own age, usually developing a physical advantage when playing European U18 competition in tournaments like the Adidas Next Generations EuroLeague, where they routinely enter as favourites in the group stages. While not as talented as the last two seasons, this year’s NM1 team has an interesting blend of new faces and returners expected to take a step up, learning how to gel together as they improve playing local and international competition over the next year. Throughout this article I’ll be giving scouting reports on the top prospects to keep an eye on at the NM1 and U18 level going into next season.
INSEP Pole France’s NM1 team for the 2025-2026 season
Achille Junior Elouma (6’7 W | 2008 | #37)
Antoine Pansa (6’6 F | 2009 | #72)
Brandon Muela (6’7 W | 2009 | #11)
Keny Vado (6’9 C | 2008 | #34)
Matthys Mahop (6’4 G | 2008 | #00)
Mehdi Chaouad (6’8 F | 2008 | #6)
Messi Yangala (6’8 F-C | 2009 | #5)
Nateo Gabriel Des Bordes (6’4 G | 2008 | #27)
Nathan Soliman (6’8 W | 2009 | #14)
Sven Kelian Ngom (6’11 C | 2009 | #0)
Yael Masdieu-Reynaert (6’3 G | 2008 | #35)
Yanis Pierrot (5’10 G | 2009 | #10)
Nathan Soliman
6’8 Forward, 205 lbs, 2009-born
Nathan Soliman has been playing against pros for the past two years and was the second-leading scorer for the INSEP program last season, despite being the youngest player on the team by two years. Soliman combines intriguing length and fluidity with valuable experience competing against professionals, all while just turning 16 this year. At 6’8”, he continues to improve with every game, using his size to create mismatches and shoot over defenders on offense, while also developing into a reliable perimeter defender who can switch onto smaller players and hold his own in the paint. A quintessential 3-and-D prospect, his name has circulated in draft circles for years as a potential top-five pick in the 2028 NBA Draft. In his second and most recent FIBA U16 EuroBasket campaign, he averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.3 assists along with 4.0 “stocks” per game, on 52/25/70 shooting splits. Tasked with carrying a weaker 2009-born France generation that barely managed to qualify for the U17 World Cup, he put together MVP level performances to help France recover after a tough loss to an Italy team that disqualified them from an appearance on the podium. His 3-point shooting remains a work in progress, but the flashes of improvement have been encouraging, especially towards the end of his last season in the NM1. Although he’s still a bottom-age prospect within this group, this is likely Soliman’s last season with the program, similar to how Hugo Yimga and Cameron Houindo graduated last season. This season will be a big test to see how he adapts as the focal piece of an academy team as a star-caliber prospect.
Matthys Mahop
6’4 Combo Guard, 187 lbs, 2008-born
Matthys Mahop has a unique blend of physical tools and feel for guard prospect, with his height listed anywhere between 6’0 and 6’4. Point guard who is active in transition, with a smooth handle and some intriguing upside as a shot creator. Pass-first guard who has shown defensive potential with a plus wingspan and strong ball skills. One of the most dynamic dribblers and ball-handlers in the 2008 generation overseas, he has the ability to string together some intriguing dribbling combos, utilizing his long arms and strong game sense to get to the rim, or create open looks for himself on the perimeter. Mahop possesses all the tools to develop into a high-level guard prospect, but this season will be a make-or-break opportunity to see if he can translate that potential into production against top competition. Throughout his pro career, he’s tended to be a bit too passive on offense, as a low volume scorer, even during U18 competition like ANGT. Watching his games, I’d get impressed by his flashes as a scorer and the complete game on offense, but always left watching the film wanting to see a bit more from him. Over the next year, the key will be his growth on offense, as he had a tendency to fade into the background during his first season as a pro. With a higher on-ball volume this time around, he has the chance to truly break out in scouting circles as an NCAA candidate or a potential long-term pro.
Achille Junior Elouma
6’7 Wing, 190 lbs, 2008-born
Elouma could be in line for the biggest breakout on this squad, with minutes opening up at the forward position following the departures of Hugo Yimga, Jonas Boulefaa, Yannis Allard, and Meissa Faye. He broke onto the scene with France at the FIBA U16s, where he averaged 6.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 2.1 SPG, and spent last summer in the United States with Adapt Global Academy, earning an offer from La Salle. Big wing who has all the qualities that have intrigued NBA teams over the last decade: Long athletic wing with a plus wingspan who runs like a gazelle and can handle the ball well. Watching the ANGT film, his upside on offense is shown in flashes, with a quick twitch and a good handle able to initiate and finish plays. Once again, the flashes need to turn into production this year, becoming a centrepiece on this INSEP team this season. Improvements as a decision maker and finisher, as well as a consistent 3-point shot will be the swing skills to determine what his ceiling as a prospect could become. Elouma has clear two-way potential, with some intriguing flashes on the defensive end, having all the tools to potentially become one of the better defenders in his age bracket in France, with the frame and ability to defend 2 through 4. With a strong season and some improved consistency scaling up to a bigger role, Elouma has the tools to rise quickly in European prospect rankings this year.
Messi Yangala
6’8 Forward-Center, 203 lbs, 2009-born
Yangala arguably has the third-highest upside on this squad behind Soliman and Mahop, emerging as a dominant interior presence for France’s U16 team this summer. He was the team’s second-best performer, showcasing an elite motor, athleticism, and mobility that allowed him to control the rim on both ends against his age group. Offensively, he flashed touch as a shooter, converting 1-of-3 attempts from beyond the arc while also being effective in the mid-range. Built like a brick wall, the key question will be how his physicality translates against professional competition and whether he can lean more on skill than strength. Defensively, he displayed strong rim-protection instincts, with his length and mobility making him an impactful shot blocker capable of switching inside and out. Standing at around 6’8-6’9 with great athleticism off one or two feet, his positional versatility will likely play a big part in his development this season, being able to play reps as a small ball 5, as Pole France often tends to do. With his physicality and frame developing he could potentially become the successor to Cameron Houindo, who, while undersized for a center, played a critical role in the post for the french club. Yangala is expected to take a significant leap into this Pole France rotation, playing spot minutes towards the end of last season and showing some intriguing flashes in limited minutes.
Nateo Des Bordes
6’4 Combo Guard, 194 lbs, 2008-born
Des Bordes is another player who could benefit from the departure of last year’s graduates, having shown flashes of scoring upside in a smaller role during NM1 play. A proven shooter and scorer at the U16 level, he thrived as a catch-and-shoot option with some budding on-ball creation. With more minutes available and a year of experience under his belt, this season will test whether his shooting and scoring can translate effectively at a higher level, as well as whether he can add more value beyond his jumper. He showed encouraging flashes last year as an on-ball defender and could earn additional reps as a secondary or tertiary playmaker within this squad. With a larger offensive load and great positional size to compete against pros, he should hopefully showcase his skillset in a larger volume, as a potential starter at the 2-guard position this season.
Quick Hits
Yael Masdieu-Reynaert
6’3 Point Guard, 170 lbs, 2008-born
Yael Masdieu-Reynaert took a big leap in minutes and production throughout his last season for Pole France, playing 20 minutes a game and leading the team in assists, with 3.5 assists per game. A smart guard prospect with strong basketball IQ, he combines size and offensive skill to make himself an intriguing name to monitor in an expanded role this year. His 86% free-throw shooting suggests positive shooting touch and could indicate room for growth from beyond the arc, where he shot 33% on low volume last season. He’s expected to share ball handling during with Matthys Mahop once again, likely as a viable option for the starting point guard of this team this season.
Keny Vado
6’9 Center, 245 lbs, 2008-born
Keny Vado has been a consistent member of this squad for the last few years, as another undersized big with a strong frame, providing stability and strength as the anchor of this squad. At 6’9, 245 lbs, he’s an absolute unit in the post, who with more usage and higher confidence, could rise up European prospect rankings this season. He’s played up in age in multiple occasions in national play and has experience playing against pros. Vado could be up for a big season with the program.
Mehdi Chaouad
6’8 Forward, 207 lbs, 2008-born
Interesting physical profile at 6’8 with great bounce off one and two feet, he joins the squad after playing a season at dominating at the U18 level in France. As a relatively new member to this ensemble he could be the biggest wild card of the bunch, with great tools to potentially fill in that gap on the wing next to Nathan Soliman. His development as a shooter could create some really interesting lineup flexibility to this squad, with multiple big wings being able to play inside and out.
Sven Ngom
6’11 Center, 313 lbs, 2009-born
Ngom is one of the bigger wild cards in this group, standing 6’11” with a 7’4 wingspan and weighing 313 lbs, making him by far the tallest player on the squad and a newcomer to NM1 play this season. While his physical tools are impressive, conditioning remains the biggest hurdle, as he is often slow to get up and down the floor. If he can improve his conditioning and consistently produce at this level, his upside as a long-term center prospect is significant. His role this season will be worth monitoring as he develops into a potential successor at the position for next year.
Brandon Muela
6’7 Wing, 207 lbs, 2009-born
Muela is another intriguing long-term prospect on this squad, playing with the U18 team last season but getting spot minutes with the NM1 team, making his debut last season against pros. Great measurables for a modern wing prospect, but with his absence from the FIBA U16s, there isn’t much film to go on last season. He’s got some very intriguing tools and his potential is yet to be unlocked as a prospect still early in his development as a pro.
INSEP Pole France’s U18 Elite team for the 2025-2026 season
Camron Nonga Drieux (6’8 | 2010 | #20)
Darryl Makoumbou (6’5 C | 2010 | #92)
Elyjah Nadeau-Jolo (5’10 G | 2010 | #25)
Gabin Pascal (5’11 G | 2010 | #9)
Ilian Toholin (6’3 G | 2010 | #78)
Laynce Mendy (5’9 G | 2010 | #28)
Liam Kabeya (6’3 G | 2010 | #3)
Livio Mendes (6’5 W | 2010 | #2)
Mael Barbier (6’4 W | 2010 | #55)
Messie-Guethan Iwani (6’6 F | 2010 | #77)
Milo Pietri-Dangla (6’3 W | 2010 | #1)
Taig Nonga-Drieux (6’6 C | 2010 | #19)
Yohan Pomier (6’5 C | 2011 | #23)
While they have only played two games together as of this writing, the U18 squad has already shown promise, offering glimpses of potentially becoming one of France’s strongest generations in recent years. This summer, France sent its national U15 team to compete in the U16 EYOF tournament, one of the most prestigious U16 events in Europe, where they impressed while playing a year up in competition, securing notable wins against strong opponents with five future INSEP players on the roster. The current U18 team features an intriguing mix of size, length, and scoring, highlighted by standout prospects from the 2010 generation in Europe along with several potential breakout candidates in local play. It may be too early to draw firm conclusions about their long-term outlook, but here are some of the players who have stood out in both national and club competition.
Liam Kabeya
6’3 Guard, 2010-born
Kabeya has been the clearest standout within this group, as a 6’3 CG with a freakishly long wingspan and some fun ball skills at his age. Good scoring instincts with high level confidence and great physical tools, he uses his athleticism and wingspan as a mismatch on both ends. Good ball handler who can get to the rim in long strides, his physical and athletic tools project him as a future prospect to keep an eye on who’s most likely not done growing. Obviously incredibly early to tell, but there are some real indicators that make him the top name to watch within this group.
Messi Iwani
6’6 Forward, 2010-born
Messie-Guethan Iwani, 6’6 F, 2010
Heralded as the crown jewel of France’s 2010 generation, Iwani was the youngest player invited to France’s U16 EuroBasket training camp, a year younger than every other player invited. He was eventually cut, which led to him missing out in U15 action. Physical beast at a young age, he moves like a freight train with his big frame and ability to draw contact on drives. Strong athlete and willing shooter, he seems to be the next big forward to develop in the Pole France program.
Ilian Toholin
6’3 Guard, 2010-born
Toholin is another intriguing guard prospect with good size and length, already looking like an active defender with good scoring instincts on offence. Another player whose upside could be significant playing in the back court with Liam Kabeya. Another guard prospect who plays way above his age, with an ability to absorb contact and play physically in transition. His development will be one to track over the year, as a potential player to jump up international age rankings with a strong international season next summer.
Camron Nonga Drieux, Taig Nonga Drieux
6’8 Center, 6’6 Center, 2010-born
Hulking set of twins who stand above their peers as some of the more physically dominant prospects in their age group. INSEP has gotten their hands on a pair of giants who have been productive in early youth play so far in France. Both are still raw but hold some intriguing upside to keep an eye on. Big, athletic forwards who could potentially develop into quality big men prospects for the program. Taig is a bit quicker on his feet, making some really fun plays in transition and showing some fun flashes as a finisher from tougher angles. Camron is bigger and more dominant in the post and has shown some fun flashes as an athletic finisher above and below the rim. Both hold some really fun upside and could be pivotal parts on France’s youth teams in the next FIBA cycle.
Quick Hits
Milo Pietri Dangla is an intriguing shooter, looking confortable from long-range
Livio Mendes has one of the more intriguing physical profiles on this team at 6’5 with some great two-way athleticism
Mael Barbier your typical glue guy, as a good athlete with a strong physical frame and some great hustle on both ends
Yohan Pomier is the youngest player in the program, and while still insanely raw, has some intriguing potential
INSEP’s first taste of international action will be from September 25 to 27, playing in the NBA Academy showcase in Abu Dhabi. The NM1 squad will be playing in U18 competition facing up against the NBA Academy Africa team, IMG Academy and the Centre of Excellence out of Australia. This event will be a fun test to see how this squad matches up early against top youth competition.
Thank you for reading and supporting this series as I continue to cover the top basketball prospect academies in Europe. For more information on the top prospects in Europe, feel free to follow @nbadraftpoint on X & Instagram