In a narrative that exemplifies the power of perseverance and hard effort, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, a Montreal local, accomplished a lifetime dream when he was taken 24th overall in the NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, only to be traded to the Dallas Mavericks shortly after. The 20-year-old forward, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds, has embarked on a remarkable journey driven by his love of basketball and unshakeable devotion to perfection. Prosper was born into a basketball family, with both his mother, Guylaine, and father, Gaetan, being college basketball all-stars, and his sister, Cassandre, on her way to the WNBA. Let’s take a look at his incredible journey to the NBA and his bright future.
Ascending Draft Boards and the NBA Academy:
Prosper’s rise through the draft ranks was a testament to his outstanding talent and unwavering work ethic. The six-foot-seven wing from Rosemere, Quebec, a Montreal suburb, drew the attention of scouts and analysts with his extraordinary abilities and versatility. His outstanding performance during his senior year of high school at the NBA Academy in Mexico City cemented his status as a rising prospect. Notably, Prosper had this experience with fellow Montrealer Bennedict Mathurin, who was drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers after winning NBA all-rookie honours before enrolling at Clemson University in 2020. Prosper’s basketball career was launched by the NBA Academy, which provided him with crucial training and exposure to elite competition.
Dominance at Marquette University
Prosper’s academic career took him to Marquette University, where he sharpened his skills and established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He shown his versatility and defensive brilliance when playing for the Marquette Golden Eagles, a top-tier American college basketball club, often assuming the burden of guarding the opponent’s best scorer, regardless of position. Prosper emerged as one of the top defenders in college basketball during his two seasons at Marquette, because of his discipline, basketball IQ, and devotion to shutting down opponents. Offensively, Prosper, on the other hand, genuinely matured in his last season, making great strides on the offensive end of the floor. Prosper demonstrated his ability to impact the game on numerous fronts by averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and 71% from the free-throw line.
NBA Draft: A Dream Realized
Prosper’s dedication and outstanding performance were not overlooked. As the NBA draft approached, anticipation grew, and Prosper’s name became a hot subject among basketball fans. His admission to the green room, a restricted location reserved for predicted first-round picks, demonstrated teams’ faith in his ability. Finally, on draft night, Prosper got the moment he’d been waiting for his entire life. He was selected with the 24th overall pick and initially assigned to the Sacramento Kings, but was quickly moved to the Dallas Mavericks. Prosper became the first Canadian player to be selected in the draft that year, cementing his position in basketball history and paving the way for an amazing professional career.
