LOOKING to follow in the footsteps of Alexandre Sarr, Ousmane Dieng and Rayan Rupert, Frenchman Noa Kouakou-Heugue is looking to achieve his NBA dreams of getting drafted, and has joined the NBL Next Stars program as his pathway of reaching that goal.

Kouakou-Heugue will be joining the Perth Wildcats, and hoping to have the same level of success as Sarr, who had a successful campaign with the team out west and was taken second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Although he has a few more steps to take, Kouakou-Heugue has some serious potential to reach the top level in the next 12 months, and if he can make the most of his opportunity with the Wildcats, it will give his draft stock a massive boost.

Noa Kouakou-Heugue – Perth Wildcats
Forward/Centre | 28/03/2007 | 208cm | 94kg

The big man is incredibly versatile, which will undoubtedly make him more appealing to teams at the top level given the number of ways he can impact the game, and if the Wildcats can play him in a variety of roles this season, it will be the perfect showcase for his skillset.

Kouakou-Heugue’s preferred position is the power forward spot, where he can make the most of his mobility and athletic traits. He has the capability to outwork and burst past his opponent with impressive acceleration, and could prove a tricky matchup for some frontcourt players during his time with the Wildcats.

On the offensive end, he does his best work in transition, and will operate best in the open court if he can get out ahead of the defence and finish on the fast break. He will be looking to become more of a threat in pick and roll situations, and if he can combine with some of the team’s premier playmakers, it will certainly unlock his potential on the scoring front.

His versatility will be a huge weapon on the defensive end as well, with Perth hoping he can bring switching on that side of the ball with the ability to defend multiple positions crucial in the modern game. Kouakou-Heugue’s athleticism will likely see him emerge as one of the team’s premier rebounders as well.

He will have a strong mentor in recent signing Jo Lual-Acuil, who will lead by example on both ends of the floor, and give the Frenchman a clear example to follow as a two-way force. The pair could be a seriously athletic duo in the frontcourt and give opposition teams a hard time when looking to attack the paint.

Kouakou-Heugue also has experience on the international stage, representing France at the 2025 U19 World Cup, where he averaged seven points and five rebounds per game. His memorable moment came when he threw down a massive dunk that showcased just how impressive his athletic profile is, and Wildcats fans will be hoping to see more of the same in the 2025/26 NBL season.

Although still reasonably raw as a prospect, there is plenty of upside in Kouakou-Heugue’s game, and the Next Stars program could be the perfect platform to take his draft stock to another level. If he can cement his place in the frontcourt, expect the Frenchman to soar up the draft boards over the next 12 months.