From finance to basketball, the Guadeloupean Fabrice Néjin has changed universes m

It’s Eddy’s fault. Eddy Néjin, the eldest of the siblings. Basketball bewitched him the first. In 1985, his little brother Fabrice was not yet ten years old. The two go on vacation to the United States for a few days. At that time, Fabrice was playing tennis at Le Gosier. This is his thing. But everything will change. Radically. And because of one man. “During this American trip, I had the opportunity to follow three games of the NBA Finals on television, says Fabrice. Probably an idea from my brother. The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Boston Celtics. Mythical poster. I had never seen such a thing. I then discovered the Magic Johnson phenomenon. He becomes my hero. And overnight, basketball transforms my life. “

Like his idol Magic, Fabrice will be the leader. The beginnings are promising. Enchanters. In his AS Vatable club, the leaders are rubbing their hands. “I was averaging 25 points per game. I was only a cadet and I was already playing in the senior team. I felt like I was on cloud nine.” Until that terrible day in 1994. Game over or almost. “On an action as I go to the dunk, I feel the cartilage in my left knee loose.” End of the story. The dream passes. Fabrice Néjin, 18, will never be Magic Johnson. But the Guadeloupe does not yet suspect that his basketball adventure is just a little break.

The financier will come home

As he was not advised to play basketball, Fabrice turned to other challenges. Holder of a Master in finance, he is essential in the investment and financing banking. “I made my ranges at Zebank, the ancestor of online banking before joining Fininfo, which disseminated financial information. After that, I changed companies every two or three years.” Because the profile of Guadeloupe attracts headhunters. Societe Generale, BNP Paribas… Fabrice Néjin is becoming a benchmark in the middle office, this verification service so crucial behind the famous traders. “I had always been fascinated by this world. My journey allowed me to analyze it from the inside. I have very good memories of it. Until 2008.”

Because in 2008, two events collide in Fabrice’s life: the birth of his first child and the financial crisis. “I found myself daddy of a little boy. Professionally, I was entering a phase of uncertainty which was likely to last a good year. In times of crisis in the world of finance, your activity becomes non-existent.” So what to do? Wisely wait for the storm to end or move on? “As I had not completely cut with the basketball, I plunged again. Even if it is true that Rodrigue Beaubois insisted a lot…”

Birth of Fly High Communication

Fabrice Néjin grew up at Les Lauriers in Pointe-à-Pitre. Like the Beaubois. Also when Rodrigue, the son, discovers the NBA and that his agent seems to absent subscribers, Maman Beaubois begs Fabrice to take matters in hand. “Without even realizing it, I started going back and forth to Dallas every two months. I took care of Rodrigue’s finances. I advised him. And I ended up setting up my company. Word of mouth did the rest. Alexis Ajinça, Mickaël Gelabale, Stéphane Gombauld… The list of my clients quickly grew. “

However, do not think that Fabrice Néjin is a players’ agent. “I never dreamed of becoming an agent. Even though my company can provide this specific service since I work with a sports attorney lawyer.” In reality, Fly High Communication offers something else. A service package. A la carte. From asset analysis to personalized follow-up in the field of nutrition. Through a whole range of physical and technical preparations. “There are still some pro players who don’t know how to eat properly. It can make you smile and yet, the difference is in details like these. Ditto for the money. If you win a lot but that you spend twice your salary every month, bankruptcy is guaranteed. “

With Rodrigue Beaubois as the spearhead, Fabrice Néjin’s company quickly found success. There were, however, also a few air holes. The sport business isn’t all about nice care bears. “At the beginning, I was very small. My structure was nascent. And some vultures were prowling. One year, I had to lose 80% of my players under contract. But it was also the proof that I had worked well. .. And what warmed my heart was that not all the players who left were not better afterwards. However, loyalty still touches me. Working for so long with Rodrigue Beaubois or Jessie Begarin is something extraordinary thing. “

From the biggest to the smallest. From left to right: Alexis Ajinça, Fabrice Néjin and Admiral T.

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©FN.

Continue to transmit the flame

In addition to his activity as a consultant-facilitator for professional basketball players, Fabrice Néjin regularly organizes camps. The famous Skills and Challenge. The first took place in Guadeloupe in 2010. See you in 2022 for the eleventh edition. Pros will come to supervise young people delighted to experience such moments. “I want to show Guadeloupe people that they have the right to dream. Players like Kenny Baptiste, Krisley Castard or Anthony Andrémont have gone through these camps. Here they are now professionals in France. The supreme objective of young people should no longer be the holder of the Ban-e-lot. “

While the new season seems to want to unfold normally, Fabrice has his head full of ideas. Cravings. “I intend to recruit new collaborators. History of expanding my team.” An expanded team to help new players in Pro-A, Pro-B, in Europe and why not… in the NBA? “Come back to the NBA like yesterday with Rodrigue and Alexis? Imagine that I think about it very seriously. But this time, I will be better armed. I can not reveal anything yet. Except that I place large hopes in two beautiful nuggets. Both were born in France, from Guadeloupe fathers. Two great and beautiful potential. “

Skills and Challenge 17 #GWADA # BALLIN pic.twitter.com/MdnXHs8nO7

– Fab Nejin – Flyhigh (@FabFlyhigh) October 8, 2017