Prospect Overview
Confident scorer with promising perimeter shot making ability who had some big games in the NBL but has room to improve his consistency–particularly on the defensive end.
About Hugo Besson
Hugo Besson is a confident shot maker who scored in bunches for stretches in the NBL while getting his first taste of quality competition this season. A third-generation pro whose father and uncle are both still coaching in France, the Angers native has strong bloodlines. He emerged as a prospect averaging 18.9 points and 4.1 assists per game in the French junior league with Chalon during the 2018-19 season, but did not see meaningful action at the professional level until last season when he led the French 2nd Division in scoring averaging 18.5 points per game on loan with Saint-Quentin. Entering his name in the 2021 NBA Draft but withdrawing to little fanfare as the Pro B season ran into June, he subsequently looked abroad for his next landing spot. Signing with the New Zealand Breakers last offseason, the 21-year-old emerged as an x-factor in the NBL under Head Coach Dan Shamir averaging 13.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 27.4 minutes per game.
• Measured standing 6’5.75 in shoes with a 6’5.5 wingspan and a 180-pound frame, Besson has good size for a guard but lacks a degree of length and has room to get stronger. He is more skilled and crafty than especially explosive with the ball.
• Running very hot for stretches last season, Besson is an instinctive offensive player who does not hesitate to rise and fire from the perimeter off hang dribbles, after step backs, when running off screens, or from well beyond the three-point line in catch and shoot situations. Showing the ability to make reads out of ball screens, probe the lane with crafty footwork, and find shooters on the move, he showed some potential as a playmaker as well. Lacking a degree of physicality to finish inside and consistency with his pull-up, Besson still has room to evolve offensively, but proved to be a dangerous shot-maker on his best nights last season.
• Facing a spike in expectations defensively in the NBL, Besson had some ups and downs on that end of the floor last season.
Advanced Stats
• Shifting between roles playing on and off the ball, Besson consistently hunted scoring opportunities in the half court. Getting shots up in a variety of ways creating his own shot, spacing the floor, and serving as the target of designed actions, he showed intriguing versatility as a shot maker. Making some crafty plays off the dribble as well, he settled for few shots in the midrange, but leaned on his floater when getting downhill.
• Scoring 0.67 points per dribble jump shot [30th percentile] but 1.05 points per catch and shoot jump shot in the half court [59th percentile], Besson’s ability to shoot on the move off the catch stood out more than his ability to dribble into jumpers. Using screens effectively to free himself up, Besson has terrific instincts on the perimeter and was exceptionally consistent in space shooting the ball with fluid mechanics. He lacked consistency with his pull-up, but would confidently string together multiple dribble moves and knock down deep pull-back jumpers on his best nights.
• Scoring 0.82 points per floater [57th percentile] and 1.02 points per shot around the rim [27th], Besson had some very impressive moments probing the lane with his handle and footwork but lacked a degree of burst and physicality to finish at a strong rate inside. Even so, the touch on his floater and ability to find the open man on the move stood out at times.
• While Besson is wired to score, he showed some talent as a passer last season. Willing to take risks being creative both to score and set the table for others, he flashed his talent at the point guard position in spurts.
Defensive Analysis
• Facing a steep jump in competition, Besson held his own more consistently on the defensive end sometimes than others.
• He has good instincts on the glass and is active with his hands, but lacks a degree of length and physicality. His ability to get stronger, stay more consistent with his energy level, and improve his technique is a point of interest at the next level.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
