Game Analysis: Yohann Sissoko and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada vs. China | 2025 FIBA U-19 World Cup
Evaluating the French prospects in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup against China.
FLOOR and CEILING contributor Harry Zhang watched China vs. France from July 4, 2025.
This game was part of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Here are in-game impressions of two French prospects:
🇫🇷 Yohann Sissoko (France)
BIRTHDAY: Jan. 22, 2007
BOX SCORE: 17 PTS (4/6 FG, 4/5 2P, 0/1 3P, 9/10 FT), 5 REB (3o), 1 AST to 2 TOV, 4 STL, 0 BLK in 20 MINS
HEIGHT: 6-foot-5
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Multi-year college player with NBA upside
Yohann Sissoko is one of my favorite players on this France U-19 team. He is a strong, energetic combo guard with real two-way potential.
The first thing one will notice watching Sissoko is his strong frame. The French prospect has a true grown man’s body and can play low to the ground, which reminds me of Stephon Castle. He can get to the rim and draw fouls using his strength, explosiveness, and some shiftyness. I also liked Sissoko’s gathers driving toward the rim.
The French guard is an active off-ball mover, whether it’s going for offensive rebounds or as a cutter, which was on full display in this game. The real concern offensively is the three-point shot. The French prospect shot 18.6% (2/11) from downtown in this tournament, which is a crucial improvement area for him.
Defensively, Sissoko doesn’t have many holes. I thought he was good both on-ball and off-ball. Although he’s not a monster disruptor, he holds his own and makes timely rotations most of the time. In this game, France mostly used him on wings and forwards, and I am curious to see if he has the footspeed to hold up against quicker guards.
Overall, I think the archetype of strong guards who can defend and play both on- and off-ball has a chance of finding NBA success.
🇫🇷 Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada (France)
BIRTHDAY: Nov. 11, 2006
BOX SCORE: 21 PTS (7/12 FG, 4/7 2P, 3/5 3P, 4/8 FT), 4 REB (2o), 3 AST to 2 TOV, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 2 PF in 23 MINS
HEIGHT: 6-foot-3
TEAM: Nancy (France, mostly Espoirs until now)
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Long-time Euroleague player
Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada was one of France’s sole standout performers in U-19 World Cup. He led the team in points per game (12.4 points) and was fairly efficient throughout the event (56.4 TS%, per RealGM).
The French prospect is a real three-level scorer who can get to his spots with ease. He is very shifty with the ball in his hands and is the best self-creator on the team. Despite not being lightning quick, Dada has some underrated athleticism, especially vertically. However, he did get rejected a few times at the rim by Chinese centers. I think adding a reliable floater is going to be important — and it’s possible given his general touch level.
Dada’s shots looked very pure, and I thought he had some real touch with his jumpers. He made one off-the-dribble pull-up that was really impressive. The Nancy prospect is a score-first point guard, though he can also playmake for others. He has active hands and pickpocketed some Chinese guards (3 STLs), leading to some transition points.
Dada’s defense is worse than his highlight tapes, though, which is really worth mentioning. Although the 18-year-old led France in steals (2.1 per game), he tends to gamble too much and give up his position. Also, I feel like Dada is thin and doesn’t have a strong impact as an on-ball defender. Off the ball, he is a little ball-watchy and can get lost from time-to-time.
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