Penn State’s roster has plenty of moving parts this season, and French forward François Wibaut fits right into that mix. He’s one of the international additions in a group that leans on returners, transfers and a fair amount of uncertainty - a roster built more as an experiment than a proven Big Ten contender.
Wibaut doesn’t arrive as a conventional recruit. He spent four years in the French Pro B league, which is enough on its own to mark him as an experienced player, and he also built a strong international resume with France. On the youth level, he won three national championships.
The numbers from his time in France give a clearer picture of what he brings. Over those four seasons, Wibaut averaged about 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
His best scoring average came during his second season in Pro B. Against youth international competition, he shot 49.1 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from 3-point range.
For Penn State, the most realistic path to minutes appears to be as a bench option up front. Wibaut projects as someone who can give the Nittany Lions length and athleticism, while also offering enough versatility to guard multiple spots and help move the ball. He can even bring it up the floor, which gives him a chance to function as a point creator in certain lineups.
He’s only 21, but he already comes with professional experience overseas, having played against different levels of competition. And for anyone wondering about the off-court details: Wibaut’s favorite musical artist is Drake.
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