After Killian Hayes’ historic draft in 7th choice, the highest selection for a French player, all eyes are now on the next vintage. In this case, for the tricolor contingent, there will be a lot of interesting candidates, and this, from all over the world.
There will obviously be NCAA players, such Olivier Sarr and Yves Pons, but also other nuggets raised with good French grain, such as Matthew Strazel, Matthieu Gauzin, Malcolm Cazalon or, later, Victor Wembanyama.
And then there will be lesser known players, but also talented, like Tom Digbeu who plays in Lithuania.
A striking performance against Kaunas
Alain’s son, a former star at Asvel and among the first French players to successfully export abroad, notably to Barcelona (and drafted in the NBA by the Atlanta Hawks in 1997, even if he did not will never play there), turns for once to 9 points, 2 rebounds in 19 minutes with Prienai this season.
But if he recently arrived on the front of the stage, it is especially after his big performance against Zalgiris Kaunas (of Joffrey Lauvergne) when he finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds for 36 evaluation. Which earned him the honors of MVP of the week in LKL, at 19 years old…
“When you play against teams which evolve in Euroleague, Eurocup or BCL, you are automatically over-motivated”, he explained recently on the Greek site SDNA. “It was natural for me. I played my game and that motivation came naturally. “
Having started basketball late (at the age of 12) in Alicante, where his father then evolved, then in Villeurbanne, again in his father’s footsteps, the young Tom then took off to join the prestigious center training from Barcelona, where he stayed for four years, from 2015 to 2019.
“Before going to Barcelona, physically and mentally, I was not in the best possible conditions, I don’t hide it. Over time, however, I gained confidence and realized what to do on the pitch and what not to do. This experience made me who I am now. “
The NBA in sight… after a passage in Euroleague?
At 19, after a season without playing due to health problems, Tom Digbeu is biting into the ball to the fullest this year. In the former club of LaMelo Ball, the French prospect gradually regains his best physical condition and continues his express learning.
“Endurance is my strong point. I have the first step to overwhelm my direct opponent and complete the action, or to pass to my teammate. What I want to improve is the consistency I have in shooting, to be more constant in address, and I also want to improve on my left hand dribble. This year, I want to mature over time. I will continue to work hard and want to show what I can do. “
Currently 7th in the championship with 4 wins for 7 losses, Tom Digbeu’s club can still claim to play in the playoffs, but we will have to seriously tear ourselves away. His coach, Mantas Sernius, confirms a certain potential, but also a lack of rigor and investment in training …
“Tom is a talented basketball player, he just needs to understand that he can’t train like he did before coming to Prienai. If he continues to work like this, I think he will be an interesting basketball player, and maybe he will come back to Zalgiris next season. “
In any case, with a return to Zalgiris (to which it belongs), the ambitious “combo guard” tricolor has only one idea in mind for its future. And the near future to that …
“The NBA, without a doubt. I hope to be able to register for the Draft as soon as possible. My plan is to go to the NBA as soon as possible. “
Perfect your outdoor shot
Generation 2001 just like Killian Hayes and Théo Maledon, the last two “Frenchies” drafted in the NBA, Tom Digbeu intends to follow the movement by crossing the Atlantic, if not this year, the next…
“Yes, I spoke to Killian Hayes and Theo Maledon. We had a chat and I congratulated them and tried to get them to continue like this. Killian and I have known each other very well for many years. “
Passed from the position of rear shooter to that of leader as his training progressed, Tom Digbeu is now a tall “combo guard” at 1.95m. Its main strength is its percussion ability with its speed and changes of rhythm. Conversely, his main weakness is his outside shot, with 9/38 3-pointers for just 24% this season with Prienai.
But the young Digbeu continues to work in addition, before and after training, while continuing his training in videos. “James Harden and Kevin Durant are the two players I’ve watched the most. More from James Harden to be precise. I observe in particular their hesitation dribbling, whether it is to pass their opponent or to attack the basket. I would take this gesture out of their arsenal without thinking and after that catch & shoot shooting, I think pull up will take me to the next level. “
Still frail physically, Tom Digbeu has nevertheless progressed a lot since his hesitant beginnings in Alicante, even in Barça. In just seven years, he went from “son of” to legitimate NBA prospect.
Be careful, however, not to burn your wings, to want the Great League at all costs, too early in your career …
His big match against Zalgiris
A big dunk, for fun
