For the French side, Chalon shooting guard
Axel Bouteille was the top performer, scoring 22 points on 20 shots. Appearing in 35 games in the French League in his first full season at the senior level after averaging a ridiculous 24.1 points per game at the Espoirs level a year ago, Bouteille's reputation as a scorer certainly held up here. A crafty offensive player who uses an array of eurosteps, changes of speed, and terrific instincts to create opportunities for himself, Bouteille looked to impose his will early and often in this game.
Lacking great length and being just a fair athlete, the 6'6, 95-born swingman had a number of shots rim out, but did a little bit of everything, as he figures to be one of this team's top players at the 2015 FIBA U20 European Championship after averaging 10.5 points per game at last year's edition of the event. A bit of a unique player in that he attempts a lot of midrange jump shots but very few 3's, Bouteille will need to continue to improve his consistency as a set shooter to help prepare himself for the higher quality competition he'll face at the senior level, but his overall skill level and scoring instincts should certainly pay dividends for him in time in the European game and could give him a shot at getting drafted down the road. He didn't declare for this year's draft, but won't be automatically eligible until 2017.
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