NBA Comparison: Dominick Barlow

Strengths: Well-built forward with a 7’3 wingspan, has a good vertical leap and wingspan to defend both forward positions at the NBA level … His long wingspan gives him the ability to get deflections and alter shots … In the FIBA U19 Semi Final game versus future Miami Heat Nikola Jovic was able to smother him defensively … Offensively is a ferocious rebounder and will finish plays with powerful two-handed dunks. He runs the floor well and is a great finishing option on the fast break. He has nice touch around the rim shooting nearly 65% (122-194) from inside the arc for ADA Blois in the top French league. Use his strength to back down opponents in the post. Still only 21 years old he has experienced at the pro level in France as he has played two seasons in the top French league first with Levallois Metropolitans, as teammates of Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly under the tutelage of French National team head coach Vincent Collet, and this season for ADA Blois where he averaged 26 minutes per game in 33 games.

Weaknesses: During his 2022/23 season with the Metropolitans, he sustained a knee injury that has affected his lateral quickness and there are concerns that this may be something he will have to manage the rest of his basketball career … Armel has not shot the ball well from the free throw line or from three in his junior FIBA or Pro career … Hovering at roughly 65% from the free throw line and under 30% from three … A little stiff, he is unlikely to dribble drive past his opponent on half court sets given the defender plays off of him to allow him to shoot the outside jumper … He is likely a draft and stash option and there’s hope that he will develop his outside shot as he matures as a player …

Notes: Has had great success at the FIBA level, making the U19 WC finals in 2021and being a starter on the gold medal U20 European Championships for France in 2023 … Eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft where he is seen as a potential late round draft and stash pick … Brother of top prospect Nolan Traoré a likely top 10 2025 NBA Draft pick …

Eric Guilleminault 6/26/24