New NCAA expatriate: Ladji Kante to join Northern Illinois
May 20, 2025
Rayane Poisson
Noah Badibanga to replace Adama Bal at Santa Clara, Chalon laments another NCAA departure
NCAA - Noah Badibanga, young prospect from Élan Chalon, will continue his journey in the United States. He joins Santa Clara University, where he will succeed another Frenchman, Adama Bal. This marks another departure to NCAA for the Burgundy club, following Ladji Kanté this year, as well as Quentin Diboundje, Kyshawn George and Mathias M'Madi since 2020.
Photo Credit : Charlotte Geoffray / Elan Chalon
Noah Badibanga (6’7″, 18 years old) will discover the NCAA championship with Santa Clara. The young player from Garonne leaves Élan Chalon to succeed Adama Bal, who completed his time with the Broncos. This signing marks another departure of a Chalon prospect to American college basketball, following several young talents who left in recent years.
News: 6’7 French G/F Noah Badibanga has committed to Santa Clara
Noah has put together a pretty solid Espoirs season for Chalon, averaging 13.0 PTS, 4.7 REB, 2.3 AST, while shooting 48/32/66 splits.
The 18 year old has an intriguing blend of size + guard skills pic.twitter.com/CAoKw7EksE
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) May 22, 2025
Another loss for Élan Chalon
After arriving in Chalon-sur-Saône from the South-West, Noah Badibanga signed an aspirant contract last summer. He has since progressed step by step, eventually playing his first minutes in Betclic ÉLITE this season. He made his debut in December during a victory against Saint-Quentin, then recorded his first assist in a loss at Bourg-en-Bresse before scoring his first point against Le Portel in late March.
But it was with the Espoirs ÉLITE that he truly shined this season. Over 29 games with the U21 team, the wing posted solid averages: 13.1 points with 48.1% shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. These statistics caught the attention of American recruiters.
Noah BADIBANGA
Position(s): Shooting Guard / Point Guard
Height: 201 cm
Age: 18 years (06/06/2006)
Nationality:
Stats 2024-2025 / Espoirs ELITE
PTS
13.1
#26
REB
5.1
#37
AST
2.3
#57
At Santa Clara, Noah Badibanga will take over from Adama Bal, former INSEP player and ex-Arizona player. This transition illustrates an increasing trend among young French players, attracted by the exposure and opportunities – now including financial ones – offered by the NCAA.
For Chalon, this is another departure to process, just days after announcing Ladji Kanté’s move to Northern Illinois. Before them, Quentin Diboundje, Kyshawn George and Mathias M’Madi had already taken the same path, confirming the attractiveness of North American college basketball for young French talents. And the impoverishment of the Espoirs championship that cannot compete with the power of the dollar.
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