PHYSICALS
Standing at 6’9 (but more like 6’8 barefoot) Sekou Doumbouya combines a muscular and wiry body, with high-end athleticism, natural explosiveness and plenty of length (6’11 reported wingspan). When you put all those pieces together you get not just a physical baller who consistently plays above the rim, but a first-rate combo-forward with nimble feet and terrific second jump in standstill situations or on the run.
At times you could wonder about Sekou’s motor, though. He might look a bit too passive off the ball or like he’s fallen asleep defensively. Like he could shift up a gear or two. But then Doumbouya will soon change your perception as he accelerates and rotates from weak side, bursts a gut with a second or third effort on the boards, or beats everyone running the whole of the floor to finish with a highlight-reel dunk.
HOW DOES HE PLAY
Back to 2019 it was expected for NBA front offices to make the call and pick Sekou Doumbouya as one for the future. Awfully young, tremendously fluid/easy on the eye, and fitting right into the rim-runner forward archetype despite his limited production at Limoges (7.3pts+3.0rbs and 31.5 3P% in less than 20min per game). Those days are gone now, and while Sekou might never reach the heights of that initial promise, he certainly has shown his electric and competitive nature by stacking up numbers in last season and how he can still make a lot of money at FIBA level. His recent performances with Andorra in Lliga Catalana and the Basketball CL qualifiers have given us the necessary blueprint to understand Sekou’s approach.
A newcomer to watch in #LigaEndesa? Former 1Rd pick Sekou Doumbouya 🇫🇷/🇬🇳 is turning heads in pre season w/ Andorra: 16.4pts+6.4rbs in 5 games
Uber athletic 6’9 rim-runner who plays above the rim, can put it on the floor & gets buckets. Watch out for his 3pt-ball #FibaYouthBball pic.twitter.com/gDsBbAU97f
— MaceoBaller (@MaceoBaller16) September 13, 2024
Doumbouya is first and foremost an bucket-getter at the rim (70.8% over 7 attempts per game) who can get to the hoop in multiple ways. On top of a force in transition (3.5pts/night) and being extremely efficient scoring off cuts (85th percentile per Synergy), Sekou has become a willing screen-setter that plays through contact and gets the job done as a dynamic roller in the Pick-N-Roll (1.4 PPP) even if in a lower volume. However, Doumbouya multiplies his offensive impact when he operates in the low blocks as a post-up menace (92nd percentile), testing his man and finding finishing angles against bigger opponents or punishing smaller players in ‘mismatch city’. Sekou usually goes to work on his preferred left block (1.2pts/night) turning to the baseline and sealing his defender for an easy layup or getting enough room for a turn-around jumper. The mix of speed, strength and footwork makes the Frenchman tough to guard down low.
In addition to his prowess at the rim, Sekou Doumbouya displays his value with the jump shot in spot-up actions (30% off his total offensive diet in the LNB). Although he shot only 32.1% from deep last year, Sekou’s shooting mechanics are far better than the numbers: one-motion form with decent dip, nice lift and release at the top of his jump. There can be some variability when he pulls up on the move or is heavily contested in the mid-range. At Chorale Roanne Doumbouya was often asked to stretch defenses off the catch and Andorra will likely use him in the floor spacer role as well. Can Sekou improve his percentages (32.7%) and 0.93 PPP production in the Catch-N-Shoot? It’ll be a tall task, but he shouldn’t shy away from the challenge and take those open looks on the pop or after relocating. High-volume from downtown creates new opportunities off the dribble, especially attacking closeouts. Sekou is not an initiator by any means, but he has shown his handles in the open court with Grab-N-Go moves and has proven to be a real threat with limited dribbles in the Catch-N-Drive (0.72 PPP), able to finish with the offhand when he drives left.
Lastly, it’s important to notice how Doumbouya has brought his hard hat and showed aggressiveness on the offensive glass in preseason, constantly hunting for second chances or keeping the play alive with a new 14-second clock for Andorra. He’s made the most of his instincts and leaper ability with his powerful vertical jump. All in, Sekou’s offensive package is far from the finished article but well-rounded and with simple passing reads in transition and hi-lo action as well as the classic ball-mover routine. Doumbouya blends feel with physical gifts and exciting flashes of skill. Occasionally it can look like he doesn’t get involved enough in games, starved of touches and marauding the 3pt-line. Or maybe just too casual with his pull-up jumper. Then again, Sekou can easily heat up and put points on the board in a rush or light up the place and change the tide of a game with single moments of pure brilliance.