Evaluation of Noah Penda during a Coupe de France Basketball match – NBA scouting live

December 27, 2024

Original article written by: Alan Lu

Recently, I took the time to observe Noah Penda, a 1.98 m winger playing for Le Mans Sarthe, during a French Basketball Cup match held on October 15 against Rouen, thanks to YouTube provided by Rouen Métropole Basket. Penda is a talented and versatile winger who performs well in the French premier division, and I wanted to analyze his game. Here are my thoughts on his performance in this match, as well as how his skills could adapt to the NBA . For those interested, here is the link to the box score of the match, courtesy of RealGM.

Noah Penda scored 10 points, made 2 three-pointers and delivered 5 assists during his team’s 94-91 victory against Rouen (Photo: N. Luttiau/L’Équipe).

Penda gave a solid performance in this match. Although he is not an explosive athlete, he has good game intelligence and shot efficiently. His skillset could fit perfectly into a complementary role at the NBA level.

Penda is a good shooter, especially from beyond the arc. He demonstrated a talent for scoring three points receiving, particularly excelling on ball releases. He also shined in effort actions, managing to score on an offensive rebound action and running to get a basket near the rim. However, he struggled to score off the dribble, with his slow execution and difficulty finishing near the basket limiting his breakthroughs.

In terms of the passing game, Penda showed some interesting skills. Although he did not possess elite dribbling skills, he was able to make good reads in the game, frequently sending passes to his teammates positioned in the corners to rack up assists. He knows how to read the game and quickly pass to the free opponent. On the other hand, his speed and agility left something to be desired, and he sometimes lost the ball by excessive dribbling.

Regarding rebounding, Penda struggled, although he managed to grab a few offensive rebounds. Defensively, he looked average, but he used his size and positioning to defend opposing point guards. He is capable of contesting shots and causing errors from attackers, but he struggles to follow the rapid maneuvers of opposing players, causing delicate situations.

Overall, Noah Penda put in an encouraging performance in this close match against Rouen. Although he doesn’t have explosive potential, he profiles as a versatile player who could contribute once he arrives in the NBA. If he can develop his defense and mobility, he could become a quality role player, similar to Chandler Parsons.

Francois Wibaut also alternated between good and less good periods during this match. A 1.98m winger, he showed a certain agility and appreciable energy, even if he needs to perfect his mid-range shooting and his passing skills.

Wibaut demonstrated a suitable ability to score in the post-up, but lacked confidence at times, particularly in his contested shots. However, he seemed capable of scoring near the basket thanks to his physical strength.

He also showed qualities as a rebounder, often sneaking up to recover the ball thanks to his athleticism. On defense, his athleticism allowed him to anticipate and intercept passes, although he sometimes had moments of relaxation.

As for Narcisse N’Goy, the 2.08m pivot, he demonstrated his ability to run on the pitch and get involved in the game despite certain shortcomings. His ability to score up close is promising, and he will need to be more present and assertive on offense.

In conclusion, these observations on Noah Penda and other prospects reveal the evolution of players within the French championship, testifying to the emergence of talents capable of making a significant contribution to the NBA landscape. Thank you for your attention.