FRA - Fofana: "I want to be in ASVEL's starting five"

PARIS (LNB/NBA) - Bangaly Fofana has been playing basketball for only five years now but already he is considered a great prospect and could be selected in Thursday's NBA Draft.

The 22-year-old has spent his entire career with French side ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and showed promise in 2010-11 by averaging 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11 minutes of action before his season was cut short due to injury.

The 2.12m Fofana attended the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, earlier this month and got the chance to measure himself against some other international prospects such as Brazil's Lucas Nogueira and Deguara Samuel of Malta.

While still raw offensively, he impressed with his long frame - he boasts a massive 2.28m wingspan - his athleticism and, having a knack for defending the pick-and roll better than anyone else there.

He also showed he can impact the game with his presence in the paint where he blocked and/or altered his fair share of shots.

France national team head coach Vincent Collet, one of the instructors in Treviso, praised Fofana's attitude and work ethic, while Minnesota Timberwolves assistant general manager Tony Ronzone believes he could play in NBA.

Fofana had some workouts with NBA teams including the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.

He talked to FIBA.com about the valuable experience of going to the Eurocamp, the draft and where he sees himself next year.

FIBA: What will you take from the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso?
Fofana: It was a great experience for me. Obviously there were a lot of great players and I enjoyed being a part of it. This year there were a lot of french players like Antoine Diot, Andrew Albicy and Paul Lacombe. But I'm not satisfied with the way I played. Defensively, I was good but offensively it was hard for me.

FIBA: It wasn't difficult defensively with big guys like Lucas Nogueira and Samuel Daguera who are really tall?
Fofana: Not really, not on defense. I think that I did great. I'm really tall too and I'm more athletic so I didn't have a problem at that end of the court.

FIBA: Do you expect to be drafted?
Fofana: Well, I was injured this season and sat out for a long time. I had a difficult season so I don't really know. I have a few chances and as the saying in French goes: when there's life, there's hope.

FIBA: What are you going to do next season if you're not drafted?
Fofana: If I'm drafted or not, I will stay with ASVEL next season. My goal is to have a better season than the last and get in the starting five.

FIBA: Could you talk about your workout with Kim Tillie in Villeurbanne?
Fofana: I worked out with him a lot this past season. He's a great guy with a nice mentality. He had a great season this year, selected as an all-star and he was in France's preliminary squad for EuroBasket.

FIBA: What are your thoughts on your ASVEL team-mates Paul Lacombe and Edwin Jackson?
Fofana: I think Paul showed a lot of good things in Treviso. Edwin was one of the best at his position in the camp. He's in shape and focused so he might be drafted.

FIBA