40+ points for Louka Letailleur and Sacha Defoundoux: The 2008-born wings are lighting up the Espoirs league!
The 2008 generation of French basketball continues to show its potential. This weekend, two of its most prominent talents, Louka Letailleur (Gravelines-Dunkerque) and Sacha Defoundoux (Blois), delivered exceptional performances in the Espoirs championship. The first scored 41 points against Boulazac, the second 40 points against Orleans. Two explosive performances from two different profiles, but one certainty: French basketball has two promising wings for the future.
Two standout performances from the 2008 generation
Having just returned to the Espoirs after starting the season with the pros, Louka Letailleur (6’6″, 17 years old) caught fire this Sunday against newcomer Boulazac (91-75). The Gravelines wing scored 41 points on 15/23 shooting, including 5/7 from 3-point range, adding 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. A member of the U16 EuroBasket 2024 All-Tournament Team, this pure product of local development confirmed everything we already suspected about him: a rare blend of power and shooting touch.
After playing three games with the professional team in Betclic ELITE, but only 3 minutes on Friday against Saint-Quentin, Letailleur took advantage of this return to Espoirs ELITE to remind everyone why he’s considered one of the best European wings of his generation.
🇫🇷 Louka Letailleur (2008 | 6’6″ Wing) delivered a spectacular performance this past weekend in the U21 French League (Espoirs Élite).
Usually part of the pro rotation with Gravelines-Dunkerque in Betclic Élite, the 17-year-old made his first U21 appearance of the season — and… pic.twitter.com/gOJw4hzwKD— Scouting lab (@scouting_lab) October 20, 2025
Sacha Defoundoux, Blois’ rising force
Meanwhile, Sacha Defoundoux (6’8″, 16 years old) also put up impressive numbers on Saturday. Playing against Orleans with Blois’ Espoirs team, he posted an impressive stat line: 40 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks, with a perfect 14/14 from the free throw line.
Originally from Châteauroux, having gone through ASPTT, the Orleans academy, Fleury-les-Aubrais and the French National Institute of Sport, Sacha Defoundoux is emerging as one of the main attractions in the Espoirs ELITE 2 championship this season. Averaging 23.5 points in four games, he has already gotten a taste of professional basketball with Blois in ELITE 2.
🇫🇷 Sacha Defoundoux is a name to watch closely as one of the bigger breakout prospects out of France this year
6’8, 16-year old wing splitting time between pro and U21, who was absolutely dominant in his last game
40 PTS | 11 REB | 4 AST | 6 STK on 48/40/100 splits https://t.co/wKlF25nUQl pic.twitter.com/8MqG3KsF2G
— nbadraftpoint (@nbadraftpoint) October 20, 2025
Two parallel paths towards the French U18 national team
At 16 and 17 years old, Defoundoux and Letailleur should logically be in discussions to join the French U18 national team next summer. Their early development, physical impact, and basketball IQ confirm the depth of the 2008 generation, already represented by other talents such as Hugo Yimga-Moukouri or Cameron Houindo.
While their paths differ — Letailleur already well integrated into Gravelines’ professional rotation and Defoundoux still in his development phase at Blois, though regularly called up by the pros (one appearance this season) since early 2025 — their weekend performances send a clear message: French basketball’s next generation is well on its way.
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