It’s not often, if ever that a baller from 8th grade gets his game compared to that of future NBA Hall of Famer and 5 time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant. After all, the “Black Mamba” is only known as arguably the 2nd best shooting guard in league history behind Michael Jordan.
But that’s precisely the case of Class of 2016‘s Ben Coupet Jr, who not only has a similar style of Kobe Bryant, but at first glance, even looks like a young Bryant from his playing days at Lower Merion HS in Northeast Philly.
Coupet Jr is already 6’6 and hails from the Windy City, Chicago. It’s probably a safe bet that he’s far from finished growing as his father was a skilled 7 foot baller in his own right, starring at Bradley University in the early 90’s.
Ben Jr just recently finished up his 8th grade season at Beasley Academic Center in Chicago, which is coincidentally the same grammar school of NBA supertar Derrick Rose. Coupet will also follow Rose to play for the famed Simeon Career Academy as a freshman next season. Of course, Simeon is also the current home of Jabari Parker, arguably the best HS hoops player since Lebron.
Despite being a bit lanky as a 6‘6 14 year old, Coupet has a tremendous all around skill set with great handles, surprisingly advanced low post moves, and throws down thunderous dunks like a HS senior. He recently showed out at the 2012 John Lucas Middle School Combine where numerous scouts took notice, immediately ranking Ben as a Top 10 player in the 2016 Class. No doubt, Ben Coupet Jr should be on everyone’s radar as a potential top rated prospect over the next 4 years.
Check out Ben Coupet Jr’s 8th Grade Mixtape:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
