ANCHORED IN the paint, Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame’s on-court presence continues to present problems for opposing teams. Since claiming the Rookie of the Year honor in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Blue Eagle center has been one of the most dominant players in the local collegiate game. The 23 year-old was a key cog in two of Ateneo’s most recent three-peat title runs and is a two-time blocks leader in the UAAP.
With his promising collegiate career, Kouame is now a big part of Gilas Pilipinas’ future. Earlier in December, the House Committee on Justice approved House Bill No. 5951, seeking the naturalization of the Ivorian native. Once Kouame’s naturalization is ratified by Congress, the Atenean big man will boost the Gilas Pilipinas roster in future international campaigns with his unique combination of size, athleticism, and defensive versatility.
Uncharted waters
Rooted in his dream to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Kouame initially planned on pursuing a career in the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association (US NCAA) Division II. However, he made his way to the Philippines instead after his American visa application proved to be unsuccessful.
Similarly, his stint with Gilas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Qualifiers’ November window did not push through as his citizenship status prevented him from suiting up. Despite being a member of the 16-man training pool, Kouame was excluded from the tournament roster ashis citizenship was not approved in time for the tournament. However, the likelihood of his eventual naturalization in order to suit up for the national team has since grown.
Man in the middle
The consideration for Kouame’s bid to play for the country was due to his stellar collegiate performance. An integral part of the Blue Eagles’ perfect 16-0 finish in UAAP Season 82, Kouame ended the tournament with averages of 12.5 points, 14 rebounds, and a league-high 5.5 blocks. The Season 81 Rookie of the Year also led the league in field goal percentage, sinking 54% of his recorded 140 attempts.
Back in 2018, the Blue Eagles’ successful UAAP campaign also presented an opportunity for the Ivorian center to get a taste of international competition: Playing in the 2018 William Jones Cup. Despite Ateneo’s fourth place finish, Kouame showed his ability to compete against international bigs after averaging 12 points and 10.5 rebounds through eight contests that included an 11-point, 14-rebound duel against Asian powerhouse Iran in the semis.
Exemplified through his two years in the league, Kouame’s strength and defensive capabilities have solidified his on-court presence. Being a traditional center, Kouame’s strengths are most evident as a rim protector and finisher within the paint. His excellent timing and high motor allows him to regularly grab offensive boards—presenting numerous second chance opportunities for the Blue and White. Simultaneously, Kouame is expanding his offensive repertoire, as he develops back-to-the-basket moves, hook shots, and a soft touch on layup attempts.
On the other end of the floor, Kouame’s defensive prowess makes it difficult for the opposition to convert around the basket. His lengthy frame puts him at an advantage against other players as he consistently contests and swats away shots near the rim. Despite residing mostly in the paint, Kouame is an agile perimeter defender. His athleticism allows him to stay in front of guards on switches amid isolated triple-threat scenarios.
Continuous grind
Despite his strengths, Kouame needs to develop certain skills to excel in the international level. With shooting and playmaking becoming crucial skills for modern big men, Kouame must improve his ball handling and perimeter shooting to take his game to the next level. The prevalence of sweet-shooting and playmaking big men has allowed teams to spread the floor and open driving lanes for better inside-out play, as NBA All-Stars like Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns mirror. Fellow Gilas Pilipinas prospects like Isaac Go, Kemark Carino, and Justine Baltazar have also expanded their games beyond the arc which has proven effective in their stints in the 2021 FIBA Asia Qualifiers’ November window.
Through a limited sample size, the Ivorian center has already shown an ability to knock down three-point shots. In Season 82, Kouame converted seven out of his 18 attempts (38.89%) beyond the arc during the elimination rounds, showcasing a sweet-shooting stroke. However, given the depth of the Ateneo’s guard and wing rotation, Kouame’s opportunities to shoot from beyond the arc have been scarce. Once Kouame can unleash his shooting arsenal, the 23-year old will become a viable pick-and-pop threat and a capable floor spacer.
Kouame’s finishing ability around the basket is another skill to refine. Although he led the league in field goal percentage for Season 82, his success inside the paint is mostly attributed to his size advantage over defenders. The 6’10” center is an average finisher for his size, sometimes missing on point-blank layup attempts. His footwork also must be polished as his inconsistent post-game limits his ability to attack mismatches off a switch. Through an improved post game and finishing ability he can become a more versatile offensive option near the rim.
Looking ahead
With his lengthy wingspan and size, Kouame will be a key piece for Gilas Pilipinas going into the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Like his idol, fellow African and NBA All-Star Joel Embiid, Kouame provides much needed energy and hustle to the team—observed through his scrappy playing style and initiative to go after every loose ball.
However, compared to other international centers, Kouame has yet to make a name for himself in overseas competitions. His bar may be set quite high as the next naturalized player, though this only describes his overall potential. With an opportunity to play in the 2021 FIBA Asia Qualifiers’ February window, the Atenean center can gain the necessary experience and learning opportunities he needs to excel as Gilas’ next naturalized big man.
