In recent years, thanks to the attentive eye paid by Tuomas Iisalo to the Axon game, the axis between Saint-Quentin and Bonn has been running at full speed. Pro B MVP, Parker Jackson-Cartwright first left the SQBB in 2021 to return to the Beko BBL. Then the following year, Deane Williams went straight from Pro B to the title of European champion. But this time, it will be in the opposite direction: for the return of Saint-Quentin to the European Cup, 33 years after the Korac Cup, Julien Mahé stole Noah Kirkwood (2.01 m, 24 years old) within the Telekom Baskets workforce.
Proof of the new dimension taken by the Axon club, which previously would never have been able to attract such a player, or just for a first experience in Europe. A graduate of Harvard in 2022, where he rubbed shoulders with Frenchman Louis Lesmond, discreet for his rookie season in the G-League, the Canadian fullback proved convincing for his discovery of the Old Continent, showing a complete range, both creator and shooter. Hired by Bonn, just winner of the BCL, he compiled 9.9 points at 46%, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 57 games in all competitions.
Under the colors of Telekom Baskets, Noah Kirkwood notably crossed paths with Dijon, during the Top 16 of the Champions League. Directly opposed to his future teammate Giovan Oniangue, he accumulated 21 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in his two outings against JDA.
