
1
Sep
Next Stars
'I’m strong, I’m here': Noa's star is on the rise
Highlights
French forward Noa Kouakou-Heugue determined to deliver as Perth Wildcats' NBL Next Star
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It’s only four weeks into Noa Kouakou-Heugue’s time down under, but at the conclusion of the NBL Blitz, the 18-year-old Frenchman is loving life in Perth and ready to hit the ground running in NBL26.
The NBL Next Star had six points, three rebounds, two assists and a block in a disappointing 100-92 loss at the hands of Illawarra to conclude Perth’s NBL Blitz, but he hopes to impact beyond the numbers.
“I don’t care about all the stats, I just want to show everybody in the league at centre or power forward that’s in front of me, I can look skinny or whatever they want, but I’m strong, and I’m here,” he told basketball.com.au.
Key Details
- Name: Noa Kouakou-Heugue
- Age: 18 (April 27, 2007)
- Nationality: French
- Height: 2.04m (6'8")
- Team: Perth Wildcats; 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup; 2024 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup; 2023; and FIBA U16 European Championship

Kouakou-Heugue said physicality is an area he’ll look to develop throughout the NBL26 campaign as he builds up his slender frame. Though, he shared where he can take advantage against his more experienced opposition.
“They are stronger than me that’s a fact, but I think the weight can play into my advantage, because they can’t move as fast as I can and I got quick hands,” he said.
“I’ve gotta play with versatility and utilise the ability I have to jump high, run quick, get to the rim on the break, roll fast.”
He was tasked with defending Illawarra bigs Mason Peatling and Harry Froling on Friday night, but what the youngster gave up in size he made up for with mentality, and he stood up well.

It’s a mindset he believes will carry him through the NBL26.
“If you want to be strong, you’ve gotta be mentally strong. You’ve gotta be smarter than the man in front of you, and don’t let him get the ball,” he said.
“When there’s a shot and you gotta go box out, you’re gonna go face to face. If you’re gonna go on the court and think I’m gonna play strong, I’m gonna hit him first, you’re gonna be the winner.”
The Frenchman said his mentality had grown during the last year with the help of his agent, and past coaches, leaving him with a set of non-negotiables he lived by on the court.
“I always get into the game knowing I’ve gotta leave it all on the court, give my heart to the sport, crash every board, get on the floor when the ball is down,” he said.
“For me, in basketball you’ve gotta think about the defense and it’s how I’m gonna get minutes on the court.
"Setting good screens, getting good box outs, good hedges, good defense on the ball screen, all those things you can’t see in the stats, that’s what makes you win a game.”

Kouakou-Heugue said he had been spoilt with mentorship from his new Wildcats teammates, which have allowed him to make a seamless transition into a professional system.
“I think Wags [Jesse Wagstaff] has taken the lead, he’s played 16 seasons in the league, and he’s played as a four and centre," he said.
"He knows the game, he knows what I’ve gotta do in the position, where I’ve gotta be, how I can help my teammates,”
“Jo [Lual Acuil Jr.], he’s helped me to be the best version of myself on the court. He tells me to rim run, hit well on the screen, roll deep, defend hard and play as fast as you can.”
Whilst some of this advice has contributed to his on-court production, Kouakou-Heugue has also gotten some key learnings concerning his mental space.
“I’ve learnt a lot about work ethic. Dylan Windler and Sunday [Dech] talked about it with me,” he said.
“You can come in the gym and practice and then leave. But you’ve gotta work before you practice, and after you practice.
"You’ve gotta put more work in than the people who want to get drafted.”
Kouakou-Heugue is an exciting prospect, ranked sixth in the 2026 PF NBA draft rankings (NBAdraftroom), off the back of some strong form on a global scale.

With Perth housing fellow Frenchman and the eventual #2 pick Alex Sarr, and Spanish pro Izan Almansa since NBL24, Kouakou-Heugue is optimistic of what heights he can reach, given their achievements thus far.
“I feel the program has fit really well for me, everything around me has created a really good environment, and placed me in a really good position - all the staff help me and have given me confidence,” Kouakou-Heugue said.
The forward/centre is aware of the opportunities that will come at Perth, with both personal and team-oriented aspirations in mind.
“I want to make it to the league. I always wake up thinking about getting drafted, it’s been my main goal that I’ve had my whole life,” he said.
“But first and foremost, I want to win the NBL with my team. We can be a good team, and we saw that at the Blitz – and this was without Jo [Lual Acuil Jr] or Sunday [Dech].”
Kouakou-Heugue’s first chance to impress will be against the Tasmanian JackJumpers on September 20, as the Wildcats look to improve on their agonising exit against Melbourne United in the NBL25 semi-finals.
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