Through Florian Gambin
Published on 3 Jul 21 at 8:02
It’s in 2001, at the age of 12 years, qu‘Issam Adraoui takes his first licence from basket-ball, in his neighborhood club, the SPN Vernon. Now 32 years old, this big fellow‘1,98 m is going to say goodbye “to his club of heart”, as he says, to fly away in Brittany at Hennebont basketball club, near Lorient, which evolves into National 3.
“I’m leaving for work, but physically I’m in the shape of my life. I didn’t want to stop, moreover after a blank season. “Of the seasons, Issam will have played twelve under the colors of SPN Vernon.
Admiring his big brother Hicham
This passion for basketball was passed on to him by his big brother Hicham: “He played at a good level, he was a model. I tried to follow in his footsteps. »A fraternal complicity, which is reinforced during the viewing of the prowess of Michael Jordan “We looked at the cassettes VHS together and then I tried to replicate what I saw in training. “
From a family from big size, the practice of basketball seemed obvious to Issam:
“Before 2001, I still tried football for a year, but I quickly realized that it was not a team sport for me. “
To his arrival at the club, the young Issam is directly positioned at the post of pivot by his trainer at the time. “I was not given much choice,” he recalls, smiling.
Loving the beautiful game, Issam does not want to be satisfied with being a classic pivot: “I have an adaptable game, I like the game. shoot and ball lifts. I do not confine myself only to the classic role of pivot. “
A click: Madison Square Garden
When he was 18, Issam left for the first time Vernon in order to continue his studies in Parisian region : “I always wanted to play, but I was focused on studying. Competition no longer attracted me. During these years, I continued to practice but more in leisure. “
The click to return to the floors, Issam will have it in june 2015, at a voyage in the land of world basketball, the United States.
“I went to New York and there I visited Madison Square Garden. We were in the middle of the NBA final (editor’s note Golden States – Cleveland). This visit gave me chills and when I got out of there, I told myself that it was time to go back to competition, because I wanted to relive sports sensations. “
A page that turns
To his return in Vernon in september 2015, Issam is not totally lost. Players of his time as coaches are still present and will facilitate his adaptation.
“I resumed at the departmental level, but it took two years to be able to find my level and that I was given my chance to join the first team which was playing in National 3.”
Rigorous, demanding and diligent, Issam finds values that are dear to him in his heart club. The evolution of the entity to a more professional level and structure, make it feel like a fish in water.
“I liked seeing the club become like this. It hurts my heart to leave him, but I’m just as excited to start my new adventure. Jean-Philippe Tailleman, Chris Neto, Yoann Craquelin, Beaunaud Preira and my brother Hicham, they all mattered. “
A sports page that Issam will write far from his land, but that he will not forget. Because it is here, within its walls of the Gamilly gymnasium and on the bitumen from Vernon, that the pivot of 1.98 m closes its history in Vernon, and intends to inject new blood, made in SPN Vernon, within its new formation.
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Le Démocrate Vernonnais in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.
