Recruiting Update: Nicolas Elame (2019)
Like French point guard Sylvain “Frenchie” Francisco before him, Nicolas Elame has come to the United States and helped shred the existent stereotypes regarding the style of play in France.
While comparing anyone under a Top-20 to Francisco–an electrifying guard at West Oaks Academy (FL) who is now a professional in France–seems unfair, Francisco has registered his imprint as a hard-driving guard who prospers in the above-the-rim game.
In his up-tempo, high-motor attack, Elame has helped stymie the stereotypes about French players being soft and shying away from the physical, speedball brand of play employed here in the United States. Francisco’s knack for getting to the rim and pulling off dazzling, athletic dunks through traffic has resonated with Elame.
The French guard looks to drive first and can attack the rim with a minimal amount of dribbles. His first step, sneaky explosiveness, and sneaky athleticism are perhaps the most unique attributes of his game.
This much has been on display this season, most recently in a 22-point effort against Prolific Prep in which he had back-to-back dazzling dunks during a spurt.
Now under Kyle Weaver at Bella Vista Prep (Az.), Elame has interest from Utah and Arizona State.
ASU, which is in close proximity to Bella Vista’s campus, recently pulled off a massive recruiting coup in getting 6-foot-4, 218-pound mountain man Luguentz Dort.
Dort, a Canadian who speaks fluent French, played alongside Elame briefly at The Conrad School in Orlando.
“Coach (Kyle) Weaver is a great coach, he’s by far the best coach I’ve had since I’ve been to the United States,” Elame said.
“He’s been putting me in a great position to be successful. By letting me play my game and holding me to a high standard, I’ve been able to improve tremendously this season. I see myself as a high-major player.”