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Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress

Rudy Gobert measuring 214 cm (a little over 7-feet) without shoes at the #adidasEuroCamp

Rudy Gobert's wingspan measured 236 centimeter, a hair under 7-9. Longest wingspan in our database

Often safer to draft a physical freak center from europe as opposed to US due to [1] experience playing the position legitimately, and [2] competing against seasoned vets in most cases compared to kids.

A probable lotto pick.

[ed. i believe Ilimane Diop has a 7'9" wingspan as well, being 3 years younger]

the next alexis ajinca?

shaolin wrote:[ed. i believe Ilimane Diop has a 7'9" wingspan as well, being 3 years younger]

one of the best first names i've ever seen.

More footage from Ilimane Diop:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsG913luTiw[/youtube]

Dude's a twig, but he's longer than a mofo (nh).

Lol at this: http://twitpic.com/9vdeo4

ManualRam wrote:the next alexis ajinca?

Should've put an asterisk next to "europe" by excluding France. Good point.
France disposes over the least advanced basketball platform amongst the main countries, but then again, euro athletes are mainly derived from that country exclusively. The other source is naturalized Spaniards.
Other than that, Milicic and Aleksandrov (what.a.talent. crushed by injures early on) are the only physical freaks out of europe i can think of. I guess Radmanovic and P. Gasol were fairly athletic, but not freaks.

shaolin wrote:

ManualRam wrote:the next alexis ajinca?

Should've put an asterisk next to "europe" by excluding France. Good point.
France disposes over the least advanced basketball platform amongst the main countries, but then again, euro athletes are mainly derived from that country exclusively. The other source is naturalized Spaniards.
Other than that, Milicic and Aleksandrov (what.a.talent. crushed by injures early on) are the only physical freaks out of europe i can think of. I guess Radmanovic and P. Gasol were fairly athletic, but not freaks.

What made Aleksandrov unique was his skilset for a guy of his size, he wasn't a freak athlete, not anymore than Gasol that's for sure.
If you're looking for freaks Javtokas is your man, before the motorbike accident he was a facking beast.

shaolin wrote:[ed. i believe Ilimane Diop has a 7'9" wingspan as well, being 3 years younger]

Can't confirm but he's got to be close, the kid can touch the rim without jumping.

ManualRam wrote:the next alexis ajinca?

Gobert looks a lot like Ajinça physically (although he's got more length and less fluidity), but he's a totally different player. Gobert plays like a real big man, he's not afraid to go in the paint. He reminds me more of a Tyson Chandler in the way he plays.

Strength : height and length, natural shotblocker, mobility for his size, good hands, very effective (shots 80% in top french league), good BBIQ, good learner

Weakness : no post game due to lack of strength, in defense gets overmuscled by smaller players, must improve his Free Throws

He's got a really high upside if he manages to gain muscles without losing his mobility

shaolin wrote:

ManualRam wrote:the next alexis ajinca?

Should've put an asterisk next to "europe" by excluding France. Good point.
France disposes over the least advanced basketball platform amongst the main countries, but then again, euro athletes are mainly derived from that country exclusively. The other source is naturalized Spaniards.
Other than that, Milicic and Aleksandrov (what.a.talent. crushed by injures early on) are the only physical freaks out of europe i can think of. I guess Radmanovic and P. Gasol were fairly athletic, but not freaks.

I'm french but to me the best euro-athlete is Jan Vesely, and he's Czech not French


There are a lot of good athletes in Russia too (Kirilenko, Khryapa, Monya, Mozgov...), Great Britain (Deng, Pops), North-East Europe (Lithuania, Poland, Germany).

The main athletic prospect in Europe is Clint Ndumba Capella from Switzerland, a big forward (6'9, 1994) with terrific frame and mobility, but really raw basketball skills

A lot of athletic prospects are emerging in Europe, you're right France is by far the best country in this domain, but this is not the only country

7-Day Dray wrote:More footage from Ilimane Diop:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsG913luTiw[/youtube]

Dude's a twig, but he's longer than a mofo (nh).

Is this guy related to Desagana Diop?

Not that i know. Diop is probably the most common surname in Senegal.

shaolin wrote:
Often safer to draft a physical freak center from europe as opposed to US due to [1] experience playing the position legitimately, and [2] competing against seasoned vets in most cases compared to kids.

History laughs at you.

sisibilio wrote:

shaolin wrote:

ManualRam wrote:the next alexis ajinca?

Should've put an asterisk next to "europe" by excluding France. Good point.
France disposes over the least advanced basketball platform amongst the main countries, but then again, euro athletes are mainly derived from that country exclusively. The other source is naturalized Spaniards.
Other than that, Milicic and Aleksandrov (what.a.talent. crushed by injures early on) are the only physical freaks out of europe i can think of. I guess Radmanovic and P. Gasol were fairly athletic, but not freaks.

What made Aleksandrov unique was his skilset for a guy of his size, he wasn't a freak athlete, not anymore than Gasol that's for sure.
If you're looking for freaks Javtokas is your man, before the motorbike accident he was a facking beast.

not true. i had chance to watch aba league games before his injury. he was not athlethic freak, but was far more athletic then gasol. let's say close to young kukoc athletic abilitys. he had good shoothing touch and good drive to basket. but other skills of aleksandrov were average at best. his back to basket game was not good and his left hand was usles in drives or in low post game

You can see some of his highlights in Treviso in this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXSgw_ep ... _embedded#!

Gobert was called as additional help in French NT in order to prepare Olympic Games. For the moment Seraphin is the only center available : Noah and Traoré are injured, Mahinmi is withdrawing and Turiaf is still playing the play-offs.

I doubt Gobert will do the Olympics as he's programmed to play with U20 NT this summer but it will be very good for his experience to train against NBA players like Diaw and Seraphin.

He's got a shot to play international games against Italy and Ivory Coast by the end of the month

Wow Diop's arms are kind of scary, literally.

Rudy Gobert is twenty today, and will probably get his first French NT selection tomorrow against Italy.

Here is a video of his highlights in French Pro A this year with Cholet Basket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdTECaze ... r_embedded

No offensive game except dunks, putbacks and alley-hoops but you can see him owning some of the most physical Pro A players like Junior Elonu or Akingbala (who are 6'10 250 lbs athletic centers).

He's a better prospect than for example Isiah Austin

The French and probably smarter Mcgee.

This is a seriously talented dude. You'd think he'd just come out this year and go top 10.