At 15 years old and already standing 7-foot-5, Jeremy Gohier is generating significant buzz in the basketball world. A viral social media video showcasing his size and a distinctive haircut, inspired by Ronaldo Nazário's 2002 style, propelled him into the spotlight, with many now labeling him a potential "Wemby Stopper." However, Gohier and his team are focused on him carving out his own identity in the sport.
"He wants to be his own person and be the next Jeremy Gohier," said Daniel Mulumba, Gohier's youth coach at Nobel Elite. "He wants to create his own path like Wemby did." Gohier himself has expressed ambition to surpass Victor Wembanyama, stating he possesses a physicality advantage and aims to emulate, and ultimately better, the NBA star's game.
This aspiration is notable given Wembanyama's rapid ascent. The 22-year-old French player, who averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game last season, has become a premier talent in the league. Gohier, meanwhile, has dedicated significant effort to physical development, gaining 40 pounds of muscle this year. His agent, Jérémy Medjana, notes that Gohier weighs approximately 85 pounds more than Wembanyama did at the same age.
Born in Quebec, Gohier focused on agility and body control between the ages of 9 and 12, integrating more specialized basketball training in the subsequent three years. Boxing has played a crucial role in his development, according to Mulumba. "When he started doing boxing and working on his footwork, I feel like that’s when he really started to understand exactly how to control his body and spacing," Mulumba explained.
Gohier sees his footwork as a key differentiator, potentially allowing him to play a role beyond that of a traditional big man. While at the FIBA U17 World Cup, he averaged 11.7 minutes, 2.0 points on 27.3% shooting, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.66 blocks per game. He expresses a preference for playing power forward or small forward, and even has the versatility to play guard.
"He doesn’t want people to just see him as a 7-foot-5 big man," Mulumba said. "He wants to be able to shoot the ball, he wants to be able to dribble, he wants to be able to play the one to the five."
Further fueling comparisons, Gohier is set to join Nanterre 92, Wembanyama's former team, for the upcoming season. Mulumba views this move as a strategic fit, providing access to professional resources in nutrition, medicine, and physical conditioning. "When you look at Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, all of those guys are coming from Europe," Mulumba noted. "I feel like it was the most logical thing to do."
Despite numerous offers from U.S. prep schools, the opportunity at Nanterre was deemed most beneficial. Gohier does, however, intend to play college basketball in the United States to test himself against American talent. He will have the support of fellow towering prospect Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who lives nearby and trains with Gohier, offering mentorship. The Rioux family has also assisted Gohier's family in navigating the complexities of social media and the path to collegiate basketball.
Gohier remains grounded amidst the growing attention, with his mother managing his social media presence. Mulumba described Gohier as "down-to-earth," appreciating encouragement without letting the hype overwhelm him. The anticipation for Gohier's development continues to build as he embarks on the next stage of his basketball journey.