Perth to sign French Next Star Kouakou-Heugue

• Noa Kouakou-Heugue joins the NBL Next Stars program with the Perth Wildcats
• He was recently named MVP of the Adias NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade
• Kouakou-Heugue joins a Perth roster still looking to replace Bryce Cotton's output

The Perth Wildcats are returning to the well of the NBL's Next Stars program once again with the signing French youngster Noa Kouakou-Heugue, reports ESPN.

A year ago, the Widcats gave Alex Sarr the platform to become a second overall pick in the NBA, while this past season Spanish sensation Izan Almansa joined their roster as the back-up centre.

Standing at 6’10”, Kouakou-Heugue is a versatile forward that will add much needed rim protection and lob opportunities to a Perth roster that is yet to lock in a major interior presence.

Originally reported by BE Basket in late April, Kouakou-Heugue claimed the MVP of the Adidas NextGen Tournament in Belgrade this March.

Averaging 15.5 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists and one block per game. He followed up that performance with an impressive outing at the Finals in Dubai, completing his three games with 9.9 points, 6,7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks a night.

Kouakou-Heugue will join current Next Stars’ Karim Lopez (NZ Breakers) and Dash Daniels (Melbourne United) in the NBL next season. He is currently ranked as a late-first to early-second rounder in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he could make the same leap as fellow Frenchman Sarr in the red and black.

Kouakou-Heugue this week represented France at the Under-19 FIBA World Cup, where Australia was able to overcome the French side, 71-63, in the group considered the 'group of death'.

The talented INSEP teen will join a Wildcats roster fronted by returning imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler, with new additions Sunday Dech and Lat Mayen providing a strong local core.

Perth still has three main roster spots to fill with one of them to be an import

‍