2013 NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Mouhammadou Jaiteh (Boulogne, France)

Name: Mouhammadou Jaiteh

Age: 18

Height: 6-foot-11

Position: Center

School/Country: Boulogne (France)

Latest Stats: 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg

Mouhammadou Jaiteh has heritage from both the Gambia and Senegal, but he has spent his playing days in France, most recently with Boulogne. Jaiteh is an intriguing prospect, standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing in at 249 lbs. He has proven in the past the ability to produce and produce in bunches, averaging 16.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game France’s Pro B league. Jaiteh was actually up for consideration for the league’s MVP award following his production last season. The most interesting part about Jaiteh’s potential though is he is young — enter the2013 NBA Draft at only the age of 18.

Jaiteh has an excellent combination of size and strength and although he may still be considered a project player given his age, this 6-foot-11 prospect could very well end up being a nice pick-up for some NBA franchise. However, Jaiteh is still relatively new to the game of basketball, considering he did not begin playing until he was 13 years old. Prior to signing a professional contract in France, Jaiteh was being recruited by a number of colleges in the United States.

Expect Jaiteh to hear his name called in the late first, early second round of this year’s draft.

Strengths: Jaiteh has an excellent combination of size and strength and he uses them well to his ability. Jaiteh has proven in the past at the professional level in France to produce and produce well as his numbers have indicated. That production won’t articulate right away, but if Jaiteh continues to improve and use his strengths to his advantage, that could be the case someday.

Weaknesses: Jaiteh is young at only 18 years of age and only has five years of playing experience under his belt. It’s a shame that scouts couldn’t get an even better look at him had he made the decision to play collegiality here in the United States. Jaiteh needs to learn how to play above the rim more or he will struggle against more athletic big men in the NBA.

Draft Projection: Late First, Eary Second Round

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