Team Breakdown: Nanterre 92

The wait is finally over! Top European international basketball is back in arenas (and on TV screens) with Euroleague and Eurocup, the two strongest competitions in Europe starting this week.

Cedevita Olimpija, a club from my home country Slovenia, is amongst the 24 teams that will fight for the title in Eurocup and a ticket for Euroleague in next season and I will (try to) breakdown all their opponents in this competition, starting with their first opponent Nanterre 92.

Interestingly, these two teams played against each other in last year’s edition of Eurocup with Nanterre winning both games; 87–93 in Ljubljana and 90–87 in Nanterre. Both teams changed their rosters a lot during this long offseason and we will see two completely different games between those two teams so I won’t put much weight on results from last season.

Nanterre 92 played only two games in the preparation period and won both of them; 87–71 vs Chalons-Reims and 91–77 vs Boulazac. The season in France national championship has also already started and Nanterre lost their first game at home vs Bourg en Bresse (82–95) and managed to win at Limoges (85–76) in the second round.

26/08: vs Chalons-Reims 87–71
Top scorers: Warren 15, Stone 14, Dussoulier 14, Fevrier 11

13/09: vs Boulazac 91–77
Top scorers: Fevrier 15, Bouquet 14, Warren, Conklin and Cordinier (10 rebounds, 10 assists) 12

23/09: vs Bourg-en-Bresse 82–95
Top scorers: Stone and Cordinier 18, Buycks 10

26/09: at Limoges 76–85
Top scorers: Warren 24, Cordinier 16 (10 rebounds), Fevrier and Kaba 13

OFFENSE

Will not go much into the X’s & O’s in this section, just some brief takeaways how Nanterre is usually playing in offense.

• Most of the action goes through the hands of Chris Warren and even more through Isaia Cordinier. They both run a lot of pick & rolls to penetrate and dish assists to open teammates or go straight to the rim.
• There are a few sets for Cordinier to get him open or get him some advantage, followed by a pick & roll, usually on the right wing or on top. He is attacking mostly to his strong right side and can find many different solutions — attacks the rim, shoots from mid range, finds shooters in corners or passes to the roller.
• Alpha Kaba and Brian Conklin are the only two players that roll to the rim. If Tyler Stone or Ivan Fevrier are setting the screen, they rarely roll, they pop out and are very reliable shooters from the top, so you can’t leave them open.
• The team likes to run in transition after getting a steal or rebound. Warren, Cordinier and Stone especially like to push forward and their bigs also run the floor well.
• Johnny Berhanemeskel and Dwight Bucks haven’t played any games in preparations and their role isn’t that big now, should get bigger during the season.

DEFENSE

• Hedging on central pick & rolls most of the time. Their big man, usually Kaba, is running back to his man poorly and better teams can punish that.
• Help defenders on the weak side are pinning the roll man and leaving too much space to shooters in corners.
• Their transition defense isn’t on the highest level and teams can score some easy fastbreak points against them.
• Bad rim protection and interior defense, they lack size under the rim.
• Damien Bouquet and Isaia Cordinier are their main defenders, covering the top players on perimeter and doing most of the job in defense.

ROSTER

#1 Johnny Berhanemeskel (SG | 188 cm | ‘92)

Came last to the team to replace Dussoulier who injured his knee. Usually a shooting guard but should get some minutes on the wing in small balls too. Plays mostly off ball as a shooter. More a microwave shooter, hard to stop when in rhythm and in good shape but there could be games where he can’t buy a bucket. Rim oriented, rarely looking for an assist.

#2 Dwight Buycks (G | 191 cm | ‘89)

Spending last years playing in China and scoring high numbers. Hasn’t shown much in the first two games from Nanterre this season but has the talent to be a great player for this team. A combo guard, that can play both guard positions and make an impact in offense in different ways. Versatile scorer, quick with good handles and can separate from defenders and get to the rim but also a good shooter from distance. Should not be defined just as a scorer, can make some good passes too. Still not sure if his role in the team will be to lead the 2nd unit or will he start the games and Warren come off the bench.

#3 Florian Fortas (G | 193 cm | ‘00)

Not a big role from him is expected in Eurocup but a pesky defender, who can make life hard to opponent’s guards. Good athlete, long and quick arms..

#7 Ivan Fevrier (PF | 205 cm | ‘99)

Coming off the bench and having a good role in this team. Operating behind the three point line and knocking shots when he is left open. Has good feel for game and knows how to use his body on the defensive end.

#8 Damien Bouquet (F | 199 cm | ‘94)

Glue guy of this team, doing his thing in defense. Versatile defender that can guard almost anyone on perimeter. Slides his feet well, strong enough to compete against bigger players and quick enough to defend guards. Not a big role in offense, usually in corners waiting for the ball or cutting to the basket.

#10 Isaia Cordinier (SF | 197 cm | ‘96)

Their most important player on both sides. Versatile and can play anything from 1 to 3. Great athlete and penetrator but making improvements as a shooter from distance too and becoming a complete player. Has the ball in his hands most of the time and is initiating the offense through pick & rolls. Explosive first step and can get to the rim where he can finish with both hands. Great defender too, his combination of size and athleticism make him one of the best defenders in the competition. He is probably not far away from taking his leap to the NBA — Brookly Nets hold his rights since 2018.

#11 Alpha Kaba (C | 209 cm | ‘96)

Played in Mega Bemax a few years ago so he is not an unknown player for basketball fans in this region. His offensive role in this team is small, more or less setting screens and rolling to the rim. Has the athleticism to play above the rim and finish with some nice dunks. Not an elite defender but can contest shots around the rim with his length. Good rebounder.

#14 Brian Conklin (PF/C | 203 cm | ‘89)

Playing mostly as an undersized five. Strong and compact body that is not moved easily. Tough defender with great instincts for rebounds, always on the right spot at the right time. Has a good motor and fights for loose balls. Doing all the dirty work under the rim. Can also score some points in offense but his offensive role this year isn’t so big as last year in Limoges.

#22 Lucas Dussoulier (F | 207 cm | ‘96)

Injured his knee and out the season. Just some trivia stuff about him: One of the best French 3x3 basketball players, playing for Nantes on 3x3 tour

#32 Victor Wembanyama (PF/C | 220 cm | ‘04)

The player that will bring the most attention in Nanterre games, especially from NBA scouts and executives. Probably the best prospect in Europe if not even broader, more on him in one later post about “Eurocup prospects.” Unique skill set on both ends. Can shoot or dribble the ball like guards while protecting the rim like top interior defenders. A match up nightmare in making but his physicality level is not on the senior level yet and will need some time to get there so not many minutes are expected from him in Eurocup this season, especially in close matches.

#33 Tyler Stone (F | 203 cm | ‘91)

Versatile forward that can play on both forward positions. Cedevita had a similar player a few years ago in Elgin Cook. Good athlete that can make some highlight plays in offense but mostly operating behind the three point line and shooting threes. His release is quick and needs to be guarded tightly. Can change the momentum of the game with some quick baskets in early offense.

#69 Chris Warren (PG | 178 cm | ‘88)

This will be the third time that Chris Warren will wear Nanterre’s jersey. He played for them already in the 2012/13 season and also in the 2016/17 season and averaged double digit numbers in both seasons. I have my best memories of him from his days in Bremerhaven in the 2018/19 season where he averaged 16.9 points per game and was one of the best scorers in the German BBL. Chris had some heart problems during his career so it’s good to see him still out there ballin’. Has great scoring abilities and can take and make shots from long distance. Not the most physical player but really quick and can throw defenders out of balance and create space for shot. Shouldn’t be underestimated as a passer since he has a good eye for his team mates too and knows when and how to deliver a pass. Can get to the rim and has soft touch around the rim and even though he lacks size, his shots aren’t blocked that often around the rim.

KEYS FOR CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA’S WIN

• Control the pace: one of the most important aspects in today’s game will be which team will control the pace. Nanterre has better athletes that like to play fast, transitional basketball, especially after turnovers or getting a rebound. Cedevita Olimpija needs to slow the pace down with more halfcourt offense and stop the transition from Nanterre.
• Limit the output from Warren and Cordinier: as said above, their main two initiators in offense. If Cedevita Olimpija makes both of theirs life hard and doesn’t let them create in offense, they have done a big part of their job.
• Force Cordinier to his left: kinda similar to the bullet point above. Cordinier is much stronger when he is attacking to his strong right side. Making better decisions, getting easier opportunities to score.. It will be important to force his to go left as much as possible
• Don’t let any open three point shots for Stone and Fevrier: both are good three point shooters and can change the momentum of the game. If they find their shooting touch soon in the game, they will be hard to stop.
• Attack the rim: with post ups or with drives. Cedevita Olimpija doesn’t have any big post up threats with Mathiang out but also Ukić has a big size advantage over Warren and should exploit that. Nanterre lacks size and rim protection, there should be enough room for easy finishes in the paint. Much easier that against Cordinier and Bouquet on perimeter
• Look for open corner shooters: Nanterre is over-helping from the weakside and leaving too much space for corner shooters. Also sometimes their whole defense is too ball focused and leaving some opportunities for cuts to the basket.