New Zealand Breakers standout Hugo Besson has shot the lights out on the opening day of the NBA Draft Combine.
As 76 draft prospects descend on Chicago for testing, skill challenges and scrimmages ahead of next month’s draft, Besson was sure to increase his stock on the first day of activities.
NBL fans are aware of the Frenchman’s insane shooting ability and the 21-year-old showcased it in spades during a drill where he hit 22 of 27 three-point attempts.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Hugo Besson shooting it well in the spot-up 3-point shooting drill. Not going to need much of an adjustment from the international line it looks. <a href="https://t.co/oNvJ6pOexd">pic.twitter.com/oNvJ6pOexd</a></p>— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527034197415714816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Besson’s deep range was also on display, as he hit two consecutive shots in a four-point shooting challenge.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Hugo Besson loves the 4-point drill at the NBA Combine. Only guy to hit two in a row so far. <a href="https://t.co/4mAULcHwU6">pic.twitter.com/4mAULcHwU6</a></p>— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527026172881686529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The former Breakers’ star topped the shooting numbers on day one at 80 percent, a trait which is in high demand amongst NBA teams.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Updated spot up shooting numbers. Hugo Besson (<a href="https://twitter.com/HugoBesson8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HugoBesson8</a> ) tops the list... <a href="https://t.co/1F9z9WqX7c">pic.twitter.com/1F9z9WqX7c</a></p>— Rafael Barlowe (@Barlowe500) <a href="https://twitter.com/Barlowe500/status/1527066424690282497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">From everything I could grab, these are the Combine Day 1 stock risers?<br><br>- Christian Koloko: crazy impressive shooting (attempted 3 threes all year)<br>- Hugo Besson - shot the lights out<br>- Moussa Diabate - best athletic testing C<br>- Orlando Robinson - great shooting - modern big</p>— Ryan Hammer (@ryanhammer09) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanhammer09/status/1527075580214235137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Besson also showed his full arsenal of offensive weapons, as he was able to attack the basket efficiently in scrimmages.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Nice session so far for 6-6 French guard Hugo Besson of the New Zealand Breakers. Showed he’s more than just a shooter, attacked off the catch, made a couple nice reads, knocked down open shots and beat Drew Timme on this PnR switch. <a href="https://t.co/EWbHPU1AZ5">pic.twitter.com/EWbHPU1AZ5</a></p>— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/1527032053895684098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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New Zealand point guard, and Besson’s former teammate, Peyton Siva, had a close eye on the combine and believes he could rise up the draft boards.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">If they let Hugo Besson get in on those 5 on 5s at the NBA combine he might have the biggest jump in the draft.</p>— Peyton Siva Jr (@PeypeySiva3) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeypeySiva3/status/1527039310372954112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The NBA Draft Combine continues tomorrow.
