Noa Kouakou-Heugue Q&A

Credit: Basketball Without Borders

Noa Kouakou-Heugue arrived at Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Oakland, California on an upward trajectory – after an outstanding showing with France at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup last July, where he led his team in FG%, he has continued his solid play into his current season with INSEP and onto the floor at BWB. 

In this interview, Pro Insight had a chance to sit down with Noa and talk about his play style, motivations, goals for the future, and a host of other topics. 

For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2007-born prospect Noa Kouakou-Heugue, from Paris, France:

Pro Insight: To start off with, please introduce yourself to our audience. 

Noa Kouakou-Heugue: So, I’m Noa Kouakou-Heugue, I’m from France. I have played for INSEP for three years now. This is my last year this year. I started playing basketball six years ago…and let's see…I’m a power forward, I’m 6'10" with a 7'0” wingspan. I’m a hustler on the court. I like to play hard, get every rebound, and block every shot. I’m saying things like “that’s my paint.” I’m trying to be the most multidimensional and multipostional player I can be. 

PI: Talk a little bit more about how you got to where you are today.

NKH: So, when I started playing basketball six years ago, I was always used as an inside player. It’s been two years now since I started playing outside and becoming a more mobile player, thanks also to a lot of work on my physique since my three years at the INSEP and a lot of work on my shooting. So it’s an advantage to be able to work in both positions. It also means hard work. And countless hours in the gym.

PI: Do you have any other athletes in your immediate or extended family? 

NKH: No, I’m the only one playing basketball and playing sports in my family. Nobody plays any other sport. 

PI: Did you play any other sports growing up? 

NKH: I played tennis for two years and that’s it. 

PI: So, why basketball? 

NKH: People always tell me that I was tall, so I thought I might as well try it. 

PI: Makes sense. What does the game mean to you now?

NKH: Basketball is the reason for my life. Every time I wake up, I feel basketball in my body. I speak basketball. I think basketball. My whole life consists of it. I’ll do everything for basketball, to get better every day. 

PI: Who is someone you really look up to or are inspired by?

NKH: I’ve growing up watching a lot of KD – ever since I started to play basketball

PI: What are some of your takeaways when watching him?

NKH: His ability to score in every situation; the mobility he got with his size, his change of rhythm.

PI: For those who haven’t seen you play before, how would you describe your game?

NKH: I’m a versatile player who can defend in all positions, facilitate, attack the rim, and shoot. I move quickly, grab rebounds and I’m fearless. And unpredictable.

PI: What are you really specifically focused on improving/developing?

NKH: I focus on everything, but mainly on the development of my shot, my body, and my IQ.

PI: Talk a bit about your experience at BWB Global. How did it go for you? 

NKH: Yeah, that was crazy. Good experience. We saw a lot of talent play here. It’s so good to compare yourself to players from other continents and to see at what point of your trajectory you are and see if you are dominant or have to work on something else in your game – so, yeah, it was a good experience. It was good too for visibility, showing who you are to the scouts, you know? That’s it. 

PI: Any players in particular stand out to you at camp?

NKH: I played with TJ. TJ Wal, my teammate. He played very good. He made tough shots. He helped us to win the first game of the playoff and yeah he’s a really good player, he made tough shots, has handles like crazy and yeah we are good friends now.

PI: Switching gears. What would you say keeps you motivated?

NKH: The drive to getting better.

PI: What are your biggest short and long term goals on the court?

NKH: My short term goal is to win the ANGT. My long term goal is to make it to the league and be dominant.

PI: What are your plans for the rest of the spring and summer?

NKH: My goals are to continue to perform and improve day-by-day and to give my all with the U19 team at the World Cup – if I get selected – and after that, work on my game during the rest of the summer.

PI: What are your biggest interests off the court?

NKH: Off the court I spend a lot of time with my friends, talking and watching basketball. I laugh a lot and I’m quite sociable. 

PI: If you had a free/off-day where you weren’t allowed to play basketball or work out/train, what would you spend your time doing?

NKH: If I have a free day, I watch basketball, read and go out. 

PI: What’s your favorite book?

NKH: My favorite book is Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.

PI: How about your favorite movie?

NKH: My favorite movie is Freedom Writers.

PI: Favorite snack?

NKH: My favorite snack is fruits.

PI: Any fruit?

NKH: Mango.

PI: Do you have a go-to pre-game meal?

NKH: Pre-game, I eat dates or fruits.

PI: Describe yourself in just a handful of words.

NKH: Crazy, funny, creative, worker, hustler.

PI: Five years from now, where do you see yourself?

NKH: In five years I see myself in NBA.