TBILISI (Georgia) - Aaron Towo-Nansi's Instagram page features the phrase #thinkdifferent. And that shouldn't be a surprise since the young France point guard doesn't look like a typical star.
Towo-Nansi stands just 1.76 meters but he sees no problem in that and has a strong belief in himself that he can accomplish greatness.
"It's related to my profile, which can be different from what we usually see. I use this phrase because I want to prove that I am different. I can win - even being the type of player I am," Towo-Nansi said when asked about his social media account.
The Cholet player has more and more players who look like him to look up to - players with whom he can even see eye to eye too. When asked whose games he studies and is inspired by, the list is an ever-growing group of small quick guards taking over the continent.
Players such as French compatriots Matthew Strazel, Sylvain Francisco and Nadir Hifi as well as TJ Shorts and Shane Larkin.
Towo-Nansi may not stand tall but he has a big game. He is the only returning player back from the French team that won the U16 EuroBasket title last summer; averaging 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.7 steals. He tied for the tournament high in steals and ranked second in assists.
"My biggest memory is just winning the tournament with that team. It was crazy," said Towo-Nansi, who registered a tournament high 16 points as well as 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in France's 82-70 victory over Spain in the title game.
"I'm proud for my country and for my teammates. And I am proud to try and continue it this year."
France have become a real powerhouse in the Youth EuroBasket tournament - taking third place in 2022 and 2023 after winning the crown in 2017, whilst reaching the Semi-Finals in 2018 and grabbing second place in 2019.
Their four U16 EuroBasket titles rank tied for third behind Yugoslavia's nine and six by Spain. The French are even with Croatia, whom Towo-Nansi and co. are actually chasing in Georgia.
If France can hoist the trophy, they would become the first country since Croatia to win the U16 EuroBasket in back-to-back editions since 2010 and 2011.
"I want to make it back-to-back with my friends too, but I know it's a tough competition. But we have prepared a lot to perform and win it a second time," said Towo-Nansi.
The guard doesn't just draw intrigue with his mature playmaking, scoring and game understanding but also with his ethnic background. One of Towo-Nansi's paternal grandparents hails from Cameroon while his mother's parents are from Cambodia. Basketball is also well represented in Aaron's family.
His father Alban Towo-Nansi played last season in the NM3 fifth division, while his older and younger brothers and sister all play the game.
Aaron and France are going to Tbilisi with a minimum goal and that is to qualify for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026. To accomplish that, France must finish in the top five - though sixth place could also suffice if U17 World Cup hosts Türkiye place in the top five.
That would mean a lot to Towo-Nansi.
"It would be great to play against different countries from around the world and face big nations like USA, Australia and others and be seen by scouts and people in basketball all over the world," he said.
Then more people from around the world will see why Aaron Towo-Nansi believes in thinking different.
Towo-Nansi opened the tournament with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in their dominant victory over Switzerland.
FIBA