FRA - Kahudi - the French revelation

LE MANS (EuroBasket) - The way things started for France's Charles Kahudi at the EuroBasket, it didn't seem he'd make much of an impact.

The 1.97m forward didn't get off the bench in Group B wins over Latvia and Germany, and he averaged just five minutes per game in victories over Israel and Italy.

Coach Vincent Collet eventually did turn to the 25-year-old and Kahudi made the most of the opportunity.

In an overtime win over Serbia, and triumphs over Turkey and Lithuania, Kahudi averaged 14 minutes and supplied dogged defense, high-flying dunks and three-point shooting.

It was a summer, Kahudi says, that he will never forget.

"It's a huge experience, playing against the best players in Europe and you get a chance to show what you can do against them," Kahudi said to FIBA.com.

"It's good for your confidence, for the future and for my career."

Kahudi especially showed his ability to contribute when Mickael Gelabale went down with a sprained ankle in the 68-64 win over Turkey in the Second Round.

He played 17 minutes and scored eight points while also corralling five rebounds.

By the end of the EuroBasket, which saw France win a silver medal and book a trip to the London Games, Kahudi was one of the best stories of the tournament.

"For me, it was a huge experience," he said.

"It was my first EuroBasket, first experience at this level.

"I enjoyed being in Lithuania with the national team and hopefully I can be there next year at the Olympics.

"I'll be working hard all year with my team (Le Mans) to be back."

Born in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kahudi moved to France at the age of three.

He represented the French at the U18 European Championship in 2004 and again at the U20 European Championship in 2006.

Jacques Monclar, a former national team guard and coach in the French league, worked for Canal Plus as a television commentator at the EuroBasket and watched all of Kahudi's games.

"For me, he is the best defender in France," Monclar said to FIBA.com this week.

"He is able to 'D' (defend) either on the two (shooting guard) or three (small forward).

"He's strong, motivated, pretty quick. Catch and shoot - he's a very good player. His three-point shot is consistent.

"He's not a great driver. When he drives, he doesn't know where to go.

"But basically he's a very good player and physically, he can stop a top-level player."

Kahudi is now at the beginning of the French and Eurocup season but he has one eye on London.

"I had a chance to show something at the European Championship," Kahudi said.

"Now, let's see what happens.

"I don't feel pressure.

"I'll just go into every game and do what I can do.

"If the coach wants me back next year, then I'll be there and show him that I'm getting better."

FIBA