French giant impresses at AFL’s American draft combine and could be the next Mason Cox

A FRENCH university student standing at 212.3cm hoping to become the next Mason Cox has wowed recruiters at the AFL’s US draft combine. And he’s not the only possible boom recruit impressing scouts.

A FRENCH university student standing 212.3cm has wowed recruiters from Richmond and North Melbourne at the AFL’s American draft combine.

Lindenwood University’s Stanislas Heili - the tallest player ever tested for AFL - was one of 18 players who hope to become the next Mason Cox at a two-day tryout in California’s Redondo Beach.

The Roos and Tigers lost out to Collingwood after five clubs chased international rookie Cox in 2014, but there could be more where he came from after records were sent tumbling at the Los Angeles facility.

Previous absolute running vertical jump records were smashed by 201cm Khalia Spicer from Kent State University and Shane Henry, a basketballer from Virginia Tech, who usurped the likes of star West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui’s absolute running vertical jump height by some 15cm.

The 18 players watched the Anzac Day clash as Cox was starring, convinced they were watching a replay of past glories.

Instead they were assured by AFL staffers that Cox’s story could become their own.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the league was committed to bringing out at least two players in July or August.

Business major Heili came to America to play basketball but has the skill set to convert his talent into another code.

French university student, 212cm-tall Stanislas Heili (right) watches Derrick Williams practice ruck work during the AFL US Combine. Picture: AFL Media

NBA star Matthew Dellavedova recently told the Herald Sun American colleges were an untapped resource for AFL clubs.

“These guys are predominantly basketballers who are very, very tall and they are not going to make the NBA and they are prepared to switch sports and go don under and try to find roles as full-time athletes,’’ Sheehan said.

“North Melbourne and Richmond are the two clubs here but (AFL staffer) Mick Ablett is here with me and we will bring at least two out for a tryout later in the year.

“Mason Cox is 211.3cm but Stanislas Heili is just a smidgen under seven foot. We keep raising the bar.”

Cox took only 18 months of coaching to make his AFL debut but as a junior soccer star who played NCAA basketball he had an incredible skillset.

Today those 18 players will move from athletic testing to football drills, which remains the great challenge for players trying to convert to AFL.

“These guys were watching Anzac Day after coming in on Sunday night and they couldn’t believe Mason Cox,’’ Sheehan said.

“They thought it was a replay. They were watching in disbelief. It took some explanation for them to believe it was a live game.”

RALPHY, MICK AND HUDDO ON ALL THE ACTION FROM ROUND 5:

Collingwood beat four rivals to the services of Cox after he was flown out to Australia in mid-2014.

Then after a year in the VFL he kicked the first goal of Anzac Day after displacing star Travis Cloke in the Pies side.

Dellavedova believes American athletes with no semi-pro leagues to move to after college could make the switch to AFL.

Mason Cox in action on Monday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

‘I think a lot more US people if they can get the game out here more, a lot more of them will come over and try to do what he has done,’’ Dellavedova said.

‘There are just not enough places for them to play basketball after they have finished their four years of college. What do they do? Get a regular job and finish their athletic career.

“This could be an exciting thing, to travel to Australia and do what most Americans would love — visit Australia and play a sport most of them have never heard of.”