Keny Vado, a U17 player to complete France’s U19 World Cup team
Keny Vado (2.05 m, 17 years old) will play in the U19 World Cup in Lausanne with Team France. Born in 2008, the Guyanese is the only U17 player in the final selection announced this Sunday, June 22, six days before the first match against Cameroon. The France Basketball Academy center was preferred over Sohann Mendy (Elan Chalon) and Gabin Lefort (Cholet), who were cut after the final preparation match against Canada.
Keny Vado, the surprise in the final roster
In a team missing several key players from the 2006 generation – Nolan Traore, Joan Beringer and Noa Essengue, all expected at the NBA Draft this week – the French staff made a bet on youth by including Keny Vado among the 12 players who will participate in the U19 World Cup.
Rarely used this season with the France Basketball Academy in NM1 (2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds in 33 games), the Guyanese wasn’t expected to make the final rotation, even less ahead of Mendy and Lefort, who are more experienced and more exposed in ELITE Prospects. However, after the two friendly matches against Canada at INSEP – including an 87-81 victory on Saturday – the staff led by Rudy Nelhomme made their decision.
A younger but ambitious team
Alongside U19 players Talis Soulhac, Léon Sifferlin or Mohamed Sankhe, Keny Vado will represent the 2008 generation in a group that also includes two U18 players, like Noa Kouakou-Heugue or Soren Bracq. The French team’s first game is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 against Cameroon.
This World Cup represents a first major international experience for the young Guyanese, who will have the opportunity to compete against centers of a different caliber, in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.
France U19 Team for the World Cup:
- Point Guards: Talis Soulhac and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada
- Shooting Guards: Soren Bracq (U18), Léon Sifferlin and Yohann Sissoko
- Small Forwards: Thomas Bassong and Mohamed Diakite
- Power Forwards: Noa Kouakou-Heugue (U18), Japhet Moupadele and Timéo Pons
- Centers: Mohamed Sankhe and Keny Vado (U17)
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