In his first five games into the season, N'faba Mané ranked top ten in Maryland in all the statistical categories averaging 13,8 points, 7,8 rebounds, 2,5 assists, 2,1 steals and 1,8 blocks, before slowing down due to a reawaking and nagging adductor problem he has carried on since June, ending the ten game stretch at 11,3ppg. Yet the 17 year old talent trained and played trhough pain without complaining until his last 2023 game on December 15th with a season high 21 points vs. FCA before doctors stopped him for one month. In his first 10 games in the US N'faba showed versatility, intensity and the ability to do everything with glimpses of great potential on both ends of the floor. His future will be bright if he learns to better balance team play with occasions in which he should use his solid 1 vs. 1 and shooting abilities to kill plays. Two things though are remarkable: he stands out on how he plays the game the right way and the effort he puts into making frequent little plays on both ends of the floor to help win games.
Astonishing transformation
In two years, from December 2021 to December 2023, N'faba could come down as one of the world's most improved 15-17 year old players if records were kept. From having no team in December '21 to making the Cholet Basket U18 squad in May '22, and to more than double his stats one year later at Springdale in his first 10 games when compared to the year before is impressive. He has truly worked hard at it like you rarely see. Talent has certainely played a key role, but N'faba's determination, perseverence and capacity to adapt, made a difference.
What his future may hold
Undoubtly, the player potential is there to make something great out of it. Talented, athletic with a good basketball body and mentality, it is now a matter to put it all together in due time and place to get noticed and make big leaps ahead. Seen the necessity to show all of his skillset to observers, there are things N'faba has to learn to fullfil his huge potential by doing the right things as a young player with strong aspirations. He starts from a strong base as someone who is very versatile, hard working and who knows how to play with good altruism combined with strong effort to serve the team's cause to win games.
