BORN: 20/04/2000
HEIGHT: 6-5 / 196 cm
WEIGHT: 190 / 86 kg
LAST TEAM: Rayos de Hermosillo (MEX)
VIDEO
INTRODUCTION
Joe French split his NCAA career between Bethune-Cookman and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning MEAC All-Rookie Team honors in 2020, and later a spot on the SWAC Second Team in 2022. In his final college season, he ranked third in made three-pointers and was the best among those with fewer than 300 attempts, demonstrating his shooting efficiency.
Joe French is a lean and agile shooting guard with a strong ability to move off the ball and find balance through excellent footwork. He is widely regarded as one of the most accurate three-point shooters in recent NCAA seasons, consistently shooting over 40% across four years on high volume (41.9% on 6.0 attempts per game). He is effective in catch-and-shoot situations, coming off screens, and even from extended range. While he can attack closeouts and create mid-range pull-ups, French can improve his finishing around the rim; signs of development came from his rookie experience in Mexico. Adding muscle mass could help him absorb contact more effectively and expand his offensive game beyond shooting. His playmaking and decision-making still show room for improvement, particularly when asked to handle the ball under pressure.
Defensively, French uses his size and wingspan to guard multiple perimeter positions. However, increased strength would help him be more impactful in the paint and on the boards.
Overall, French is an elite shooter with a defined skill set that could bring immediate value in the European environment. With development in key secondary areas, he has the potential to grow into a more complete offensive weapon suitable for a high level.