Hasahn French (born March 9, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who plays for Newcastle Eagles of the British Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens.

Hasahn French
No. 11 – Newcastle Eagles
PositionPower forward
LeagueBritish Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1998-03-09) March 9, 1998 (age 26)
Middletown, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeSaint Louis (2017–2021)
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022Krka
2022–2023Newcastle Eagles
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Atlantic 10 (2020)
  • Third-team All-Atlantic 10 (2019)
  • 2x Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team (2019, 2020)
  • Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team (2018)

High school career edit

French grew up in Middletown, New York and did not play organized basketball until eighth grade, instead playing running back on youth league football teams. After a five-inch growth spurt, he was noticed by Middletown High School coach Jim Kelly and joined the team in eighth grade, helping the team become the Class AA section 9 champions. French transferred to Springfield Commonwealth Academy following his freshman year. As a senior, he had 38 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists against Brewster Academy.[1] He led the team to winning the Hoophall Classic, defeating Cushing Academy 61–56. French finished with 10 points and 17 rebounds and was named MVP.[2] A four-star recruit, French committed to playing college basketball for Saint Louis over UMass and UNLV.[1]

College career edit

As a freshman, French averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and set a Saint Louis freshman record with 59 blocked shots.[3] French was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.[4] In the first round of the 2019 Atlantic 10 Tournament, French scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds in a win over Richmond.[5] As a sophomore, French averaged 9.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on a team that finished 23–13 and reached the NCAA Tournament. He was named to the Third Team All-Atlantic 10 as well as the Defensive Team.[6]

On November 23, 2019, French scored 21 points and pulled down an Atlantic 10 record-tying 24 rebounds in a 60–55 win against Belmont.[7] He was named to the midseason Karl Malone Award watchlist.[8] As a junior, French averaged 12.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.[9] He led the conference in rebounding and became Saint Louis's all-time leader in blocks.[10] French was named to the Second Team All-Atlantic 10 as well as the Defensive Team.[11] Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[12] On June 3, French withdrew from the draft and opted to return for his senior season.[13] He averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a senior.[14]

Professional career edit

On June 25, 2021, French reportedly signed his first professional contract with Lavrio of the Greek Basket League.[15] However, the transfer never fully materialized. On August 19, he signed with Krka of the Slovenian League.[16]

For the 2022–23 season, French joined the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League,[17] however he did not make the final roster. On 2 December 2022, French was announced as a new signing for the Newcastle Eagles of the British Basketball League.[18]

Career statistics edit

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Saint Louis 32 32 30.2 .535 .000 .364 7.1 1.5 .8 1.8 9.3
2018–19 Saint Louis 36 35 30.6 .492 .349 8.4 1.5 1.0 1.8 9.3
2019–20 Saint Louis 30 30 31.9 .521 .329 10.4 2.3 1.0 2.6 12.4
2020–21 Saint Louis 19 19 25.0 .533 .326 7.4 2.4 .7 1.4 9.2
Career 117 116 29.9 .517 .000 .343 8.4 1.9 .9 1.9 10.1

References edit

  1. ^ a b Durando, Stu (October 27, 2017). "Built like a tight end, French pursues basketball dream at SLU". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Chiarelli, Mark (January 16, 2017). "Hasahn French, Malik Pouncy lead Springfield Commonwealth Academy to comeback Hoophall Classic win (photos/video)". MassLive.com. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Durando, stu (October 18, 2018). "Three Billikens picked for A-10 preseason teams". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "Aldridge, Adams Named Atlantic 10 Co-Players of the Year, Rhode Island's Hurley Voted as Coach of the Year". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (October 28, 2019). "Hochman: With a new haircut and same defensive tenacity, SLU's shot-stuffing French is 'The Stifle Tower'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  6. ^ Stevens, Patrick (October 30, 2019). "#A10MBB PREVIEW: Billikens' Core, Freshman Provide Bright Future". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "French scores 21 to carry Saint Louis past Belmont 60–55". ESPN. Associated Press. November 23, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Miller, Corey (February 6, 2020). "SLU star Hasahn French named to 2020 Karl Malone Award watch list". KSDK. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "Billikens' French and Goodwin will enter NBA Draft but may return". Fox Sports. March 31, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Miller, Corey (March 10, 2020). "Four Billikens earn All-Conference honors for SLU". KSDK. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Toppin Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Grant Voted Coach of the Year". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Miller, Corey (March 31, 2020). "SLU forward Hasahn French declares for NBA Draft". KSDK. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  13. ^ Miller, Corey (June 3, 2020). "SLU forward Hasahn French joins teammate Goodwin in withdrawing from NBA Draft, returning for senior season". KSDK. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  14. ^ Borzello, Jeff (June 17, 2021). "NCAA Division I men's college basketball rosters, departures, newcomers for 2021-22". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Mammides, Chris (June 25, 2021). "French starts his pro career at Lavrio". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  16. ^ Markovic, Rado (August 19, 2021). "American Hasahn French joins Krka frontcourt". Eurobasket. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Raptors 905 select Daniels and French in G League Draft". NBA G League. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Eagles add French". newcastle-eagles.com. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

External links edit