Overview

A native of the West African nation of Gabon, Lasme (pronounced LAZZ-me) is fluent in several languages including French, English and his native dialect. In this day and age of seeing the NBA Draft littered with young underclassman, Lasme is the 2007 draft's "elder statesman," as he will reach his 25th birthday during the upcoming season.

Built like a small forward, Lasme has seen action at all three frontcourt positions, and his stellar defense was his calling card. Lasme is regarded as the premier shot blocker in the collegiate ranks, joining Ohio State's Greg Oden as one of two players to rank in the Top 25 in the nation in three major statistical categories. Lasme finished second in blocked shots (168), 13th in field-goal percentage (.611) tied for 20th in rebounding (9.5 rpg).

"Stephane, I'd say, is one of the best defenders in the nation, bar none," Massachusetts head coach Travis Ford said. "He can really change a game with his defense, he is a difference-maker. He is one of the best shot blockers I have ever coached. The general consensus around the Atlantic 10 Conference is that Stephane may be the best pro prospect in the league. Look at what he can do and how much he has gotten better this year. He was the No. 1 returning shot blocker in Division I this year and his offensive game is coming along. Stephane comes to the gym every day ready to work, listen and learn and his best days are ahead of him. I think once he realizes how good he could be, the sky is the limit for him."

Lasme attended Leon MBA High School from 1998-2002, where he played for coach Ebolo Firmin in the African High School Federation against other secondary schools. He also competed for Gabon in the All-Africa Games, spending three seasons (2000-2003) playing for the Gabon National Team and coach Arimbi Nkolo. He also turned in an outstanding performance in the Eastern Invitational (N.J.) All-Star Game in July of 2003.

As a freshman at Massachusetts in 2003-04, Lasme was the team's top backup at the low-post positions, receiving the team's Jack Leaman Defensive Award. He played in all 29 games, starting twice, and averaged 3.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He ranked second in the A-10 Conference in blocked shots (51) and hit 54.2 percent (39 of 72) of his field-goal attempts.

Lasme started all 28 games in the frontcourt in 2004-05, the only UMass player to start every game. The shot-blocking machine led the team with 72 swats (2.57 per game), ranking second in the A-10. His blocks total of 72 was the sixth-best single-season in UMass history. He ranked second on the team in rebounding with a 5.3 average and also ranked second in scoring with 6.3 points per game. He tied the school single-game record for free throws made in a game without a miss (14) vs. Duquesne, breaking the mark set by Donta Bright in 1996 and finished that contest with 16 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double.

In 2005-06, Lasme became the second player in school history to block more than 100 shots (108) in a season, joining Marcus Camby (128 in 1996). His nine blocks vs. Davidson tied the school game-record that was first set by Harper Williams in 1991 and equaled twice by Camby in 1996. The team tri-captain was named the A-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player at UMass player to earn that honor since Kitwana Rhymer (2000-01).

Lasme's 108 blocked shots ranked third in the nation that year, as he also finished third on the team with 10.5 points per game, second with seven rebounds (ninth in the A-10), and shot 60.9 percent from the floor. He had 15 games in double-figures in points after just five total between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Over the last seven games of the season, he scored 14.7 points and grabbed 8.3 rebounds per game and was in double-figures in six of those seven contests.

As a senior in 2006-07, Lasme was selected the A-10's Player of the Year, the first UMass player to receive that honor since Marcus Camby in 1996. He was also named the league's Defensive Player of the Year, adding All-A-10 and NABC All-District first-team honors. He became the third player in NCAA history to have four triple-doubles in a same season (vs. St. Francis (19 points, 10 rebounds, 11 blocks); George Washington (23 points, 15 rebounds, 11 blocks); Rhode Island (18 points, 12 rebounds, 11 blocks) and La Salle (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 blocks), joining Jason Kidd (California in 1994) and Michael Anderson (Drexel in 1986).

The nation's leading shot blocker with 399, his 168 blocks in 2006-07 ranked second nationally and were more than 13 of the 14 teams in the conference and set a school season-record. He led the league with an average of 9.5 rebounds per game, ranking 20th in the nation in that category. He also finished second on the team in scoring (13.5 points) and field-goal percentage (61.1 percent) while leading the conference with an average of 5.81 defensive boards per game.

In 118 games at Massachusetts, Lasme established a new school career-record with 399 blocked shots, topping the old mark of 336 by Marcus Camby (1993-96). That total tied Jim McIlvaine of Marquetee for 18th on the NCAA's all-time record list and made him college basketball's active all-time leader. During his four seasons at Massachusetts, only 21 of 315 NCAA Division I teams had more blocked shots during that span than Lasme.

With 378 of 635 field goals made, Lasme finished second on the school's career field-goal percentage chart at 59.5. He averaged 8.6 points per game, hitting 62.2 percent from the charity stripe while totaling 1,011 points. He hauled in 758 rebounds, including 335 off the offensive glass (6.4 rpg) and had 88 steals with 103 assists. He fouled out of 17 of 118 games, drawing 368

Personal

fouls while also having 217 turnovers.

Scouting Report

Positives: Has outstanding leaping ability, good elevation and length, a lean, muscular frame with impressive overall strength and the quickness to stay with guards on the fast break...Times his jumps well, using his long reach to block and alter shots consistently and holds the school record with 399 blocks...His offensive game is starting to develop, but he is known more for his pressure defense and solid rebounding skills...Has the lateral agility and speed to get up and down the court with ease...Has developed an efficient scoop shot in half-court action (prefers to use his left hand)...Has good confidence in using his length to disrupt the passing lanes and apply pressure along the weak-side of the basket...Can get good reach from a standing position to block shots when stationed in the post...Has a very high release point, following through with his elbow high...Demonstrates decent footwork pulling up and setting to fire his jumper, especially when left in isolation...Uses his long arms and leaping ability well under the basket to execute putbacks off the offensive glass or dunk over the taller centers...Shows the stamina to log high minutes... Because of his lanky frame, opponents often try to challenge him by attacking him in half-court sets inside the paint, only to see their shots swatted...Twists and contorts to get above the rim in recovery...When drawn out of the paint to defend on the perimeter, he closes on his man in a hurry, staying in their face to prevent the shooter from slashing to the basket and has the quick "hops" to time and elevate on his leaps to alter the shot consistently...Operates well without the ball in his hands and shows enough quickness to log good minutes defending against guards, as he knows how to use his arm extension to alter their shots without using his body to make contact...His long reach has also resulted in great success in securing the offensive rebounds...Lacks great leg strength, but has the speed to glide to the basket, post up and execute a drop-step move...Flexible enough to deliver good pump fakes and utilize a jab-step in the high post to get his opponent off-balance on his drive to the rim...Has a nice, effortless release when firing his mid-range jumper and can also fool his man by pulling up to deliver a fade-away move from short range...Not effective when keeping the ball on the floor for long, but can take the one-bounce pass and convert from the baseline.

Negatives: Lacks the size and bulk to be a classic NBA power forward, but compensates with a long reach, great elevation and solid strength...Lacks the outside range to play small forward at the next level...Plays too aggressive in his attempts to steal or block shots and must keep his hands closer to his frame to prevent becoming foul-prone (fouled out of 17 of 118 college games)...Lacks great basketball IQ, as he can be fooled by hesitation moves and forced to commit on the play before gaining position...His age (will be 25 during the upcoming season) is a concern, as his mental approach has yet to catch up to his physical play and his frame...Needs to add more bulk, but might be at or very near maximum growth potential and more weight will impact his quickness...Does not show the natural hands you need at the small forward position (struggles to secure the ball, especially on entry passes, leading to 217 turnovers in 118 games)...Has good elevation to the basket, but is prone to taking extra steps, resulting in traveling calls...Has good upper-body strength, but can be pushed out of the paint by the more physical frontcourt defenders...Lower body is skinny and he lacks strength to anchor...Needs to play in control, as his feet will go out from under him at times when exploding down the court for the big lay up (will out-run the basket)...Has an improved offensive game, but needs to develop a dependable move.

Compares To: ANDREI KIRILENKO, Utah: Both Lasme and Fresno State's Dominic McGuire have the shot-blocking mentality that Kirilenko possesses, but Lasme shows much better defensive ability than McGuire and can rival the Kirilenko in his quest to get to the offensive rebound. Lasme needs to add bulk to his frame in order to remain at power forward, but with his athletic ability and quickness, he can certainly cover small forwards and "two" guards. His body is better suited for the small forward position, but he is still a work in progress in developing a decent perimeter game that is needed to play that position in the NBA.

Orlando Pre-Draft Camp Measurements:

7-2 Wingspan...8-11 Standing Reach...4.9 percent Body Fat...36-inch Vertical Leap...185-pound bench press: 17 reps...11.73 Lane Agility...3.22 Court Sprint (3/4).

High School:

Attended Leon MBA (Gabon) High School from 1998-2002, where he played for coach Ebolo Firmin in the African High School Federation against other secondary schools... Also competed for Gabon in the All-Africa Games, spending three seasons (2000-2003) playing for the Gabon National Team and coach Arimbi Nkolo...Turned in an outstanding performance in the Eastern Invitational (N.J.) All-Star Game in July of 2003.

Personal

Biology major...Switched to jersey #13 as a junior because it was his number in Gabon... Shoe size is 14...Son of Onanga Liliane and Retouano Romain...Born Yann Stephane Lasme (pronounced stef-ON LAZZ-me) on 12/17/82 in Port-Gentil, Gabon...Resides in Libreville, Gabon.

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