2013 NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Axel Toupane, Small Forward, Strasbourg (France)


Jerry Lai-USA Today Sports

Name: Axel Toupane

Age: 20

Height: 6-foot-6

Position: Small Forward

School/Country: Strasbourg (France)

Latest Stats: 3.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg

 

By way of Strasbourg (France), Axel Toupane is entering his name into the 2013 NBA Draft. Toupane, who stands at 6-foot-6, features good size and quickness alongside the perimeter. He can handle the ball particularly well and he can dish through traffic thanks to a high offensive IQ. Toupane can finish around the rim and is usually looking to push in transition.

Toupane does not have any guarantees heading into draft night and unless one NBA organization, late in the second round is bent on his potential at 20 years of age, this 6-foot-6 small forward may be continuing his career in France. It’s a toss up for Toupane, so we will see if he is selected in late June.

 

Strengths: At 20 years old, Toupane can do plenty of things well on the perimeter. He can handle the basketball and he has a great court sense which allows him to find his teammates in transition and in the half court.

 

Weaknesses: Toupane needs to work more on his offensive game. While he has good IQ on the fly and in the half court, he’s not much of an offensive threat off the dribble. Toupane needs to show his ability to score in other ways other than in transition. Strangely enough, he’s not much of an outside shooter despite being labeled as a small forward.

 

Draft Projection: Undrafted

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

 


Sign Up
for the

We Recommend

Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties