AfricaBasket Partners with WINGSPAN Scouting to Search for Africa’s Next Basketball Superstars

AfricaBasket Teams Up with WINGSPAN Scouting to Search for Africa’s Next Basketball Superstars

In a bold move to push the culture of African basketball forward, we at AfricaBasket would like to announce our game-changing partnership with WINGSPAN Scouting, the continent’s leading basketball scouting service. This collaboration marks a significant step in AfricaBasket’s mission to identify and assess the continent’s brightest talents in order to help further elevate African basketball and push the culture forward.

WINGSPAN Scouting, co-founded by Jacques Vandescure and David Helmer in 2023, has quickly become the go-to agency for scouting African talent for NBA teams, colleges, and FIBA clubs. Known for their rigorous player analysis and monitoring, WINGSPAN Scouting’s ability to recognise and track young talent from their formative years aligns perfectly with AfricaBasket’s mission to elevate the level of play across the continent.

In an exclusive interview, Jacques Vandescure, the CEO and Co-Founder of WINGSPAN Scouting and former NBA scout for the San Antonio Spurs, spoke about this exciting partnership, his professional journey, and his forward-thinking vision for the future of African basketball. With deep insights into scouting Africa’s top players, Vandescure shared how this collaboration will help AfricaBasket provide an unparalleled platform for evaluating emerging talent and shaping the future of the sport in Africa.

How have you been managing recently, both personally and professionally? How has your mental health been amidst the demands of your work?

Everything is great, man. I cannot complain. Life for life is good. So basketball season, basketball club season, well, should I say club basketball season is back in back in effect.

How are you feeling about the season so far?

I'm feeling good, it's every year, the game of basketball, a lot of surprises, a lot of things happening, I'm focused 100% on the African continent. African basketball development its only going up and taking a lot of exciting steps forward. So [I'm] always  excited about a new season. Its an amazing time!

Let’s start from the beginning—where did your journey in basketball first take shape? How did the sport come into your life and influence your path?

I was born and raised here in Brussels, Belgium. My My dad was Belgian. My mother was Congolese. So to a certain extent, first generation born here, started to play basketball like everybody else. Here in Belgium, I played soccer until I was 10, 11 years old. And I was in a neighbourhood where there was a big North African community.

During the summer, my friends would head back to Morocco or Algeria, and they'd play soccer. I joined in, being taller than most of them, but one summer, I found myself playing alone and thought, "I need something else." I was around 11 or 12 at the time. Back then, your parents didn’t need to know exactly where you were, as long as you showed up to eat and sleep. So, I ventured to a nearby playground where people were playing basketball, a whole different crowd.

There were North Africans, Congolese, Cameroonians, and Nigerians all playing. My older brother, who was 6'8", also played, so I thought, why not? They didn’t call you by your name until you earned respect, so they’d say, "That’s Lou’s brother." I got yelled at a lot but scored two points. The crowd and the energy drew me in, and I realised my build was better suited for basketball than soccer. That's how it all began.

Reflecting on the early stages of your basketball journey, where did you initially envision your career heading? Did you see yourself becoming a professional player, or did you think your skills would be better for coaching, scouting, or management?

When I played basketball, I was the player that would do a few different things without needing to have the ball in his hands the whole time. I believed that my understanding of the game could seamlessly transition into coaching, which was my initial goal. I played both inside and outside, handling the ball when necessary. My focus was always on the mental aspects of the game. When I moved to the United States in the '90s to play college basketball, I always got compliments about my fundamentals and basketball IQ, which made me feel comfortable pursuing coaching.

Growing up, I developed a mindset of pushing boundaries and striving for the impossible. I believed that if you aim for the stars, you might fall into the sky, which is already pretty high. While I always envisioned myself coaching, I never imagined doing it in my hometown; I dreamed of traveling and exploring new opportunities.

Which players from Belgium inspired your playing style or coaching approach? Was there a specific player or coach who influenced how you executed plays? Additionally, were there any African players or coaches who motivated you during that time?

As a first-generation born in Belgium, I noticed a lack of Africans or Black people in coaching and basketball. Growing up in a mixed environment, I felt like any other Belgian, despite my background. However, there were only a few Black players in Belgium, but as a Black man, and I think this is similar to many Black people around the world, you feel like you're close to the next Black person. And the next Black person was on TV [when I was growing up] was those playing in the NBA. So to a certain extent, there was something very exciting, very powerful, watching another Black man on TV being successful.

At 14, 15, or even 20 years old, I couldn't see a lot of Black people that look to me to be successful in Belgium, which made me question why I didn't see this in Belgium, but I did see it in the United States. My perspective shifted when Dikembe Mutombo was drafted from Georgetown to Denver. We would buy magazines and just share them for a month until the next one comes out. And that magazine goes to every household in the neighbourhood. haha

I remember feeling a lot of pride seeing someone from Congo, where my mother was from, making waves in the basketball world. Although my family could never afford to visit, that connection filled me with hope and inspiration.

What was it like seeing the late great Dikembe Mutombo back then?

I remember the level of pride seeing at the Dikembe Mutombo, I was like, that's amazing. That's where my mom is from. At that time, my family had never been to Congo. My mother, she worked part time at the hospital, so we never had money to actually fly to Congo. It was just too expensive. So the first time after hearing stories from my mom on a weekly basis about how she grew up and everything, I'm like, man, there's somebody from Congo in the NBA. That was amazing to me, plus Mutombo is he was highly productive in first year.

Watching him gave me a sense of real pride. I thought to myself, "Look at this guy from Congo, I can make something of myself too", when I was in school. Dikembe Mutombo being really the first African that attracted my attention.

What motivated you to focus on scouting in Africa to support basketball development, and was the shift from coaching to scouting a seamless transition for you?

So what drew me to Africa is the the the the high level of respect that we had for my for for our mother. The stories that she used to tell us, the food and our culture as a whole. At at some point, when I felt like I really want a chance to understand her better, and that's I what I wanted to do. Sometimes, when I was outside, I could see that we were living in a tough neighbourhood, and it shaped my perspective based on what I saw and heard in school.

When discussing colonisation, I remember people claiming they taught people in the Congo and African about God and Christianity, which felt strange to me. My mother was highly educated and had a strong philosophy. I have two big brothers, and my sister is well educated too. I wanted to make sure people understood where my mother was coming from. So, my first trip to Kinshasa meant a lot to me.

What motivated you to engage with players and coaches, and how did your experiences in Belgium and the United States influence your personal and professional growth?

From my background as a player, I was just drawn to talking with players and coaches, which really sped up my process. There was a genuine interest and curiosity about people like me, with my background. I played professionally in Belgium and went to college in the States, so when people want to know more about you, it helps you grow because you can share your energy with them.

Initially, I focused on individual coaching since players from all over Kinshasa wanted to spend time with me. I realised that the best way to move forward was to work with them one-on-one. So, I thought, "Alright, I have your time."

What, in your opinion and experience, were the first few things that stood out to you in wanting to help the development of African basketball?

It’s easy to say, "Oh, they’re athletes; they jump high," but that just shows a lack of understanding about the situation. It’s a quick way to label someone or a group without knowing their story. If you've lived in that culture, you could explain for hours why you see an athlete in a different light.

How do you approach teaching young athletes in your clinics, and why is it important for them to develop their skills and have their own basketball?

In my clinics, I focus on helping each kid develop their own skills. I always emphasise the importance of having their own basketball, as it’s essential for their growth and progress.

You also need to know how many shots you need to make or take. Coaches from the States in Belgium taught me that spending 30 or 45 minutes practising gives you a sense of effort, but technique and footwork are equally important. I realised I could share that information with others, even if I can't be with each of them personally. Every bit of knowledge contributes to the process, and that's crucial for development.

Can you explain how WINGSPAN Scouting was developed and launched? What sparked the idea and brought it all together?

I spent three years working for the Spurs, which was an incredible experience. It taught me a lot about how to evaluate and define a player. I also had the opportunity to work with the NBA Academy level coaching, which was very interesting.

I’ve always been involved in both coaching and scouting, and I think they complement each other. As a coach, you need to have a vision for your players, and as a scout, it can be easier to get on the court and explain what’s expected of a player in the next few years. However, I don’t just scout and write reports; I aim to do more than that.

I connect with the players, and I knew I needed to have my own company. I started this company with my friend and partner, David Helmer. He’s an American and lives in the States who's been traveling the world and has an amazing view on humankind.

What do you say to those that believe many basketball scouts are just exporting talent away from Africa?

We're not trying to send people away from Africa. That's not what WINGSPAN Scouting is about. It's not about escaping the continent; it's about helping young kids discover their potential. When I was 15, 16, or 17, I used to watch TV and dream about going to the United States.

I believe it's important for young men and women to explore the world. Learning about different cultures is beneficial for their growth. With this in mind, I don’t view Wingspan Scouting as just a way to send information to NBA teams and colleges.

How important is it for you to provide positive feedback to players in your reports, and how does that impact their self-esteem and motivation?

Whenever I write a report, I make sure the player knows someone has said something positive about them. When they wake up in the morning, I want them to feel good, thinking, "Wow, someone believes in me." It reminds me of when someone reached out to me 30 years ago. That’s what WINGSPAN Scouting is about—it’s more than just a scouting service; it’s about leaving a positive impact. Plus, when you’re an NBA scout, your goal is to aim for the best and to be the best.

How does the work you did, during your tenure in the NBA differ from your work for WINGSPAN Scouting?

[In the NBA] You study the best guys that's why there's no better league than the NBA. However, at WINGSPAN Scouting, we want to give visibility to anyone who can use basketball to improve their life. You could be playing in the third division of NCAA and still discover new opportunities. I’ll write about you and share your information, hoping someone reaches out.

You might find yourself playing in Spain, another country, or even Nigeria. Your skills can take you places. I believe every young man and woman deserves that chance to dream and explore, especially between the ages of 15 and 23, before they start paying bills hahah!

How did the collaboration between AfricaBasket and WINGSPAN Scouting come about, and what are your aspirations for its future of the partnership?

I started following AfricaBasket a while ago and was really impressed by your content. It's important to understand that someone could be as talented as [hypothetically speaking] Michael Jordan of a small village, town or city, but if no one is there to see or report on their skills, they may never get the chance to showcase their talent.

Even though media is not my strong suit, it's incredibly important. It should share information in a way that helps people learn and appreciate what's happening. In basketball, I've noticed that negative stories about African basketball often spread more than positive ones. I watch a lot of media now because I work as a TV consultant for Africa, specifically covering the NBA.

But this is a platform that really wants to talk about basketball. If we empower our own, if we share what we see from the inside, the game will grow and knowledge of African basketball will increase.

As part of our partnership, what type of information are you excited to share with our audience? Are you focusing primarily on player development, or will you also address professional-level skills?

I'm excited to bring a different perspective to your team. My work lets me travel a lot and immerse myself in basketball. When we talk about African basketball, we often take a soft approach, but sometimes we need to be direct about defining players, their strengths, and areas for improvement.

The next generation, and even our own, wants to hear that feedback. It’s crucial, just like when an employer gives you feedback on your work; it helps you grow. I look forward to sharing my observations with you wherever I go, highlighting what I see improving. I'm not much of a writer haha, but I'm eager to provide insights.

I'm excited about delving into the different nuances of basketball and to talk about everything African basketball!

Are there any particular areas of focus that you would be eager to explore and collaborate on with us?

There’s always a feeling of looking ahead and envisioning the peak of this collaboration—not necessarily the end of the road. Right now, I’m eager to see how the next couple of weeks play out with the Top 5. I’m keen to explore how much we can help, support, and develop.

I believe there’s a lot of potential to work across different platforms. The thing with WINGSPAN Scouting , as with any company, is that I have people I report to. As a whole, this is a project I’ve had in mind for a long time. During a conversation I had with a colleague, I was given information about AfricaBasket, and I thought, “Okay, I want to connect with these guys.” I’ve discussed it with my team, and I’ll show them what we can achieve together. I could talk about basketball for an hour!

Not a question, but we're going to work on a lot of great content together going forward, it's going to be great getting your insight:

I’m looking forward to next month. I just want to be surrounded by people like you all at AfricaBasket, who are passionate about the game, passionate about the continent, and highly professional. I feel with the content that we will create together, we can entertain in a way where people feel like "I enjoyed that 30 minutes." I know I’m with the right team!

Our exciting new partnership with WINGSPAN Scouting marks an exciting new chapter for African basketball. With Jacques Vandescure's deep expertise and unique global perspective, this collaboration promises to shed light on the continent's emerging talent.

The journey will start with Jacques breaking down the skills and potential of some top prospects at the 2024 FIBA Africa Regional Youth Camp. Together, AfricaBasket and WINGSPAN Scouting are set to highlight the next generation of African basketball stars.

Stay tuned for in-depth player analysis and much more to come!

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[Images and photography courtesy of WINGSPAN Scouting and Jacques Vandescure's Instagram Account]