Early Ignitors: Thierry Darlan
Tracking the progress of the highest-rated African-born guard prospect in NBA draft history
Film breakdown below.
The start to the G-League Ignite’s season has been rough to say the least. The on-court product has been lackluster as the team has gotten off to a disappointing 0–8 start to the season. Their offense has looked stagnant, defense uninspired and developmental uncertainty is in abundance. Except for Tyler Smith, none of the team’s draft hopefuls have consistently played well to this point. Concerns about the initiative’s efficacy and ability to produce quality NBA players are beginning to bubble to the surface of draft discussions.
It’s still early in the season to declare Ignite a failure though, as injuries have plagued a few members of the team and young prospects often learn quickly with the right direction. One such player is 6’8" guard, Thierry Darlan. Hailing from the Central African Republic, he is attempting to be the first African-born guard to get drafted into the NBA and has historically been ranked as a mid to late first round pick. Darlan missed the entire preseason as he worked his way back from a dislocated ankle suffered last February at BWB Global and it’s evident the experience has affected his gameplay. The team’s poor play and his own subpar production thus far have caused Darlan’s draft stock to plummet. Still, it’s a testament to his strong will and mindset that Darlan is powering through this challenge and confidently playing through the rough patch.
Film Breakdown
