Kouakou-Heugue has spent one season with the NBL Next Stars program, where he helped the Perth Wildcats reach the 2025-26 Playoffs.

Kouakou-Heugue, one of France’s brightest young talents, played 17 games in NBL26 as the Wildcats reached the post-season, with season-highs of 8 points and 4 rebounds in Round 6.

“I think the NBL Next Stars program can help me to reach my ultimate goal, which is the NBA. The NBL is recognised as being a really hard and physical league, and that will help me a lot,” Kouakou-Heugue said on why he chose the Next Stars program.

Prior to Australia, Kouakou-Heugue was a product of France’s renowned Centre Fédéral de Basketball, known as INSEP. The young forward has spent the past two years developing at the same academy that has produced global basketball icons, including Tony Parker and Rudy Gobert, as well as former Next Stars Dieng and Rupert.

The now 19-year old has represented his country at both the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2025 U19 World Cup, as well as impressing scouts at the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp, held during the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.