Our latest Watchlist looks at 6 Cotonou centers from the NCAA pipeline: players who will be eligible and still under the radar for the 2026 FIBA market.
Some are still developing their touch and consistency, others are already showing the kind of mobility and size that will attract serious attention next summer. These are the names insiders should start monitoring now, before everyone else does.
NADJRICK PEAT
6’10 – 208 cm – Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (transfer Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans) – Senior.
Jamaican center and elite rim protector, consistently among the NCAA DII leaders in blocks. Efficient finisher around the rim (65.5% FG over last three seasons) and reliable lob target. Limited shooting range but with clear room for development.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Rim protector | Shooting range |
| Size | Limited scorer |
| Solid finisher | Foul management |
COMPARISON: Comparable to John Ojiako, former Coastal Carolina center with a solid rookie season in Pro-B France. Limited offensive option but a reliable defensive anchor.
PROJECTION: Projected entry point at a lower-tier European league (France Pro-B, Spain LEB Gold) to develop technically and add strength. With defensive tools and size, could quickly move to higher levels and become an option for teams needing a defensive specialist.
Full Report Available on website: [READ MORE]
UBONG OKON
7’2 – 216 cm – Robert Morris Colonials (transfer Alabama State Hornets) – Senior.
High-energy Nigerian big man with elite defensive upside as a rim protector and rebounder. Strong finisher around the rim and relentless on the offensive glass, still raw but with significant room for growth. A potential long-term investment for European teams.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Size – mobility | Shooting range |
| Rim protector – rebounder | Technical skills – very raw player |
| High potential upside | Limited experience |
COMPARISON: Comparable to Jamarion Sharp, elite rim protector and rebounder, limited shooting range, still developing his offensive skill set.
PROJECTION: Before his final college season, projected entry point is a lower-level European league (Kosovo, Cyprus, Georgia) or second divisions in Spain/France. Must monitor his development closely: with size and tools, he could also become a future G-League option.
Full Report Available on website: [READ MORE]
ALLEN UDEMADU
6’10 – 208 cm – Jacksonville Dolphins (transfer Missouri State) – Senior.
Rim-runner with size, mobility, and defensive presence. Shows double-double potential and energy on the glass but remains raw offensively and is coming off a season with limited minutes. A developmental big with upside as a paint protector.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Rim protector and rebounder | Limited offensive creation |
| Size – athleticism | Turnover prone |
| Movements off the ball | Defensive discipline – management fouls |
COMPARISON: Comparable to Brendan Medley-Bacon, solid defensive anchor with raw offensive skills.
PROJECTION: Developmental big-man for entry to mid-level European leagues. In the short term, his value comes from rim running, rebounding, and protecting the paint. With improved footwork, foul management, and a reliable short roll finish or mid-range jumper, he could become a valuable energy big in top second-tier leagues within two to three seasons.
Full Report Available on website: [work in progress]
JUSTICE AJOGBOR
6’10 – 208 cm – St. Joseph’s Hawks – Senior.
Physical big man with elite rim protection (2.5 BPG in A-10, after leading Ivy League with 2.9). Strong post defender and effective finisher around the rim, thriving in PnR and offensive rebounding situations. Limited offensive range and poor FT shooting restrict his scoring versatility. Lacks lateral quickness to switch defensively but offers reliable size, screening, and interior presence.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Reliable finisher | Shooting range |
| Rim protector | Passing skills |
| Size – physicality | Perimeter defense |
COMPARISON: Comparable to Osun Osunniyi, elite rim-protector, solid paint presence, limited offensive versatility.
PROJECTION: Cotonou status is a key asset for France/Spain second tier or similar competitive markets as BNXT. Can grow as a rotational rim-protector/back-up big in top leagues, tactical weapon defensively off the bench.
Full Report Available on website: [READ MORE]
SIMEON GERMAN
6’10 – 208 cm – The Citadel Bulldogs (transfer South Carolina-Aiken) – Senior.
Old school big-man with size and interior presence. Efficient finisher at the rim (63.7% from 2-P) and reliable rebounder (8.3 rpg), active defensively with shot-altering ability. Limited shooting range but offers upside as a physical, high-motor frontcourt piece.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Reliable finisher | Limited shooting range |
| Rebounder and rim-protector | Limited handling – turnover prone |
| Defensive anchor | Defense discipline – foul management |
COMPARISON: Comparable to Kevin Samuel, inside player with solid strength to absorb contact in the paint.
PROJECTION: Contributing immediately with rebounding, interior defense, and high-percentage scoring. With improved mobility, footwork, and a short-roll or mid-range jumper, he could grow into a reliable starter in lower leagues (Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Switzerland) or a situational big-man in leagues like Slovakia or Romania.
Full Report Available on website: [work in progress]
FRANCK KEPNANG
6’11 – 211 cm – Washington Huskies – Senior.
Physically imposing center with elite shot-blocking potential and rebounding instincts. Efficient finisher around the rim and capable defensive anchor when healthy, upside depends on staying on the floor.
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| Reliable finisher | Multiple knee injuries, surgeries |
| Rim-protector and rebounder | Limited offensive creation |
| Size and mobility – athleticism | Lateral quickness – foul management |
COMPARISON: Comparable to Kris Bankston, strong combination of size and mobility, with defensive impact as a rim protector.
PROJECTION: The ceiling is good, but the hinge point it’s the injuries. Projects as a center for teams needing rebounding and rim protection in leagues such as Finland, Latvia-Estonia, Czech Republic, or German Pro-B. If healthy, he could become a rotational big in a Top-10 European league thanks to his size and defensive tools.
Full Report Available on website: [work in progress]
The full list of D-1 Cotonou Senior Class
*update 07/10/2025
| PLAYER | CLASS | POS | HT | WT | NATIONALITY | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Vargas | Sr | G | 5-10 | 160 | Dominican Republic | Robert Morris |
| Babacar Diallo | Sr | F | 6-6 | 197 | Senegal | High Point |
| Babacar Faye | Sr | F | 6-9 | 230 | Senegal | Utah |
| Blaise Keita | Sr | C | 6-11 | 250 | Mali | Western Kentucky |
| Bouna Kebe | Sr | F | 6-9 | 212 | Senegal | Delaware |
| Breylin Garcia | Sr | F | 6-6 | 217 | Dominican Republic | USC Upstate |
| Chabi Barre | Sr | F | 6-9 | 225 | Benin | Akron |
| Chad Baker-Mazara | Sr | F | 6-7 | 172 | Dominican Republic | USC |
| Chisom Okpara | Sr | F | 6-8 | 240 | Nigeria | Stanford |
| Chris Ubochi | Sr | C | 6-9 | 220 | Nigeria | Pennsylvania |
| DeAngelo Elisee | Sr | C | 6-9 | 260 | Bahamas | Fort Wayne |
| Deyton Albury | Sr | G | 6-2 | 190 | Bahamas | New Mexico |
| Dok Muordar | Sr | C | 7-1 | 195 | South Sudan | Monmouth |
| Ed Nnamoko | Sr | C | 6-10 | 230 | Nigeria | Winthrop |
| Emmanuel Ogbole | Sr | C | 6-10 | 260 | Nigeria | Rutgers |
| Emmanuel Okorafor | Sr | F | 6-10 | 235 | Nigeria / Senegal | Wichita State |
| Evans Kipruto | Sr | F | 6-8 | 240 | Kenya | UC Santa Barbara |
| Fallou Diagne | Sr | C | 6-11 | 214 | Senegal | Southern Mississippi |
| Favour Aire | Sr | C | 6-11 | 220 | Nigeria | Coppin State |
| Felix Okpara | Sr | C | 6-11 | 235 | Nigeria | Tennessee |
| Fred King | Sr | C | 6-9 | 250 | Bahamas | Murray State |
| Handje Tamba | Sr | C | 6-11 | 230 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | St. John’s |
| Hansel Enmanuel | Sr | G | 6-6 | 167 | United States / Dominican Republic | Austin Peay |
| Henri Adiassa | Sr | C | 6-11 | 240 | Cameroon | Lehigh |
| Ifeanyi Ufochukwu | Sr | C | 6-11 | 240 | Nigeria | Duke |
| Isaac Ondekane | Sr | PF | 6-8 | 275 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Omaha |
| Israel Yaw | Sr | GF | 6-9 | 205 | Guyana | Campbell |
| Jeremiah Nyarko | Sr | PF | 6-9 | 215 | Ghana | Sacramento State |
| Jerry Ngopot | Sr | C | 6-10 | 260 | Central African Republic | Coastal Carolina |
| Josh Ojianwuna | Sr | FC | 6-10 | 230 | Nigeria / United States | Ohio State |
| Josue Grullon | Sr | G | 6-5 | 195 | Dominican Republic | La Salle |
| Keba Keita | Sr | C | 6-8 | 230 | Mali | BYU |
| Lassina Traore | Sr | F | 6-9 | 245 | Ivory Coast | Texas |
| Mohamed Wague | Sr | C | 6-10 | 225 | Mali | Oklahoma |
| Mor Seck | Sr | C | 7-0 | 235 | Senegal | Towson |
| Mouhamed Sow | Sr | SG | 6-9 | 205 | Senegal | Rhode Island |
| Noah Boyde | Sr | C | 7-0 | 245 | Saint Lucia | Western Kentucky |
| Olajuwon Ibrahim | Sr | C | 6-10 | 210 | Nigeria | Florida International |
| Paul Greene | Sr | GF | 6-6 | 185 | Bahamas | UMBC |
| Paul Otieno | Sr | F | 6-8 | 225 | Kenya | St. Louis |
| Ring Malith | Sr | C | 6-9 | 180 | South Sudan | SIU Edwardsville |
| Romad Dean | Sr | F | 6-7 | 210 | Bahamas | Tulsa |
| Sadiku Ibine Ayo | Sr | F | 6-6 | 215 | Ghana | St. John’s |
| Sadraque Nganga | Sr | F | 6-10 | 220 | Angola | San Jose State |
| Saliou Seye | Sr | C | 7-0 | 218 | Senegal | Grambling State |
| Sam Alamutu | Sr | G | 6-5 | 215 | Nigeria / Canada | Wright State |
| Samuel Ariyibi | Sr | SF | 6-8 | 190 | Nigeria | Utah Tech |
| Ugonna Onyenso | Sr | C | 7-0 | 247 | Nigeria / United States | Virginia |
| Valentino Simon | Sr | GF | 6-6 | 195 | Bahamas | Omaha |
| Vianney Salatchoum | Sr | C | 6-10 | 216 | Cameroon | TCU |
Players included in the Watchlist are monitored throughout the season and may be featured in future scouting reports.
Clubs interested in deeper scouting reports or tailored shortlists can get in touch directly for scouting and consulting services.
Pingback: Mapping the Next Rookie Market - Basketball Scouting Service