If you only watch the top-tier of professional basketball in France – Betclic Élite, you are missing the future. The real gems are often unearthed in Elite 2, where young players get the minutes and responsibility to develop into stars. Right now, three names are generating significant buzz among NBA scouts: Illan Pietrus, Andrea Samat, and Oscar Wembanyama.
Their paths to the NBA all start here, in the league the Metros are joining this season.
Last season for Vichy, Pietrus averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 21.2 minutes per game, showing a polished scoring touch.
A 20-year-old combo guard with a famous surname (his father is former NBA player Florent Piétrus), Illan is making a name for himself. He arrived at Vichy as a medical replacement but finished the season as one of the league’s most exciting young scorers.
In April, he broke his career scoring record twice in four days, putting up 20 and then 21 points off the bench. He also recorded a 17-point, 10-assist double-double showcasing his playmaking ability. His « natural scorer » mentality, honed in Strasbourg’s youth system, is now flourishing in Elite 2.
Scouts love players who can score from all three levels. Pietrus’s ability to knock down threes (he averaged over 31% from deep) and get to the line makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. At 6’3″, he’s not a physical freak, but his feel for the game and scoring instincts are undeniable. Consensus mock drafts have the guard as a late first or solid second round selection in the NBA Draft. He’s a name to watch in the 2027.
Samat’s senior stats are limited: he averaged 2.6 points in just 7 minutes per game. But don’t let that fool you—his potential is measured elsewhere.
A 19-year-old guard (born October 26, 2006) standing 6’3″, Samat is a raw talent playing behind more experienced players. His limited senior minutes don’t tell the full story of his upside.
This is where the « project » label applies. Samat is NBA Draft eligible in 2028, giving him years to develop his body and game. He’s a classic long-term developmental bet for NBA front offices – a player who could be a steal in a few years. His lack of production now is less important than his physical tools and potential.
Wembanyama split last season between the senior and « Espoirs » (U21) teams of SIG Strasbourg. In the senior team, he averaged 0.9 points in 5.3 minutes in the top division. But in the Espoirs league, he was a different beast: 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Yes, the last name is familiar. Oscar is the younger brother of NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama. But at 18 years old and 6’7″, he is forging his own path. After limited minutes in the top flight with Strasbourg, he’s moved to Denain ASC Voltaire in Elite 2 for the 2026-27 season to get the playing time he needs to develop.
The physical tools are there – a long, athletic forward who can impact the game on both ends. His Espoirs numbers suggest a versatile player who can score, rebound, and create plays. However, his top-level production has been minimal, so moving to Elite 2 is a crucial step to prove he can dominate against professional competition.
For Metros fans, this is the most exciting part: You will see Oscar Wembanyama in person. When the Metros face Denain, the arena will be filled with NBA scouts. This is the caliber of talent your team will compete against.
Elite 2 is not a retirement league; it’s a launching pad.
Welcome to Elite 2, Metros fans. These are the names you’ll be telling your friends about in a few years – when they’re making noise in the NBA.
