“How does it feel to relive this last French season and the madness that accompanied your selection in first place in the draft on June 22?
It was an original experience, to be followed by cameras constantly, particularly in more private moments, and for my family too. It took a little time to adapt, but in the end I had an extraordinary year, and it would have been stupid not to be able to share it with the general public. I was involved especially at the beginning, to launch the foundations of the project. Then, with Marc (Sauvourel) and David (Tiago Ribeiro), it was fluid. They were discreet, everywhere and their presence did not affect my behavior in any way.
Your last season was crazy. How have the few months in San Antonio been since then?
It was the first time in my life that I felt tired in my head, because of all the events that happened one after the other. Nothing negative. But the vacation, after the Summer League, was a necessity to continue calmly on a mental level. I took the time to isolate myself. This is the first time I have appeared in the media in three months. It did me good.
“Beyond the difference in resources, there is real untapped potential in France. Here, if I go to shoot at 7 a.m., without warning, four coaches are there to give you the rebounds. The guys are sleeping in the gym »
The documentary allows you to discover your family more closely and your close relationships. How important are they in your life?
The entourage, for athletes, we see them especially when they do things wrong, and when everything is going well, they go unnoticed. This is the case with my family. I’m happy to see that they have a little light, it moved me to see their interviews. With me, my brother and my sister, they do an exemplary job. Every athlete would dream of a family like that. This is important for stability. I know that no matter what, if I fall, there is someone behind me to catch me. I can’t wait to live the rest of the adventure with them. We will be separated more often but I don’t worry. It’s like when my sister left home at 14. It united us even more.
We see you drawing in the film. You’re talking about comics. What synopsis do you imagine for your first season with San Antonio?
The ideal start would already be the play-offs. For the rest… the best thing is not knowing. I hope it will surprise me and it will be beautiful. It’s no secret that it’s hard to win a ring. But I’m patient, and I know it will happen. Not winning my first few years is no barrier to becoming a Hall of Famer or winning five later.
“I have a fire so strong inside me that I have no right to doubt. I know where I will go and I have no doubts about the future”
Many of your youth coaches are present in the documentary. What differences do you see with the NBA, which you discovered recently?
I loved spending these moments with my former coaches, especially for the doc. As for the differences with the USA, I already knew that, but I can only note that we are behind in France compared to what we could do. The closest thing to what I have here was Asvel, in terms of professionalism and staff, it was above. Here in training, you have fifteen coaches in the room. As soon as one guy falls, ten guys jump on the floor to wipe off the sweat. If I go to shoot at 7 a.m., without telling anyone, four coaches are there to give you the rebounds. The guys are sleeping in the gym. But beyond the difference in economic means, there is above all real untapped potential in France.
Did making the documentary put pressure on you during the year?
No way. I have a fire so strong inside me that I have no right to doubt. I know where I will go and I have no doubts about the future.
Victor Wembanyama (Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY SPORTS/PRESSE SPORTS/Presse Sports)
Concerning the French selection, did you follow the World Cup (elimination in the first round of the Blues, Wembanyama forfeited)? Are you thinking about the Olympics?
Succeeding in the Olympics would be a great story. And there will be no goal other than gold. I will of course be present at the Olympics. I watched the World Cup and the result was very disappointing. However, I am not worried. I have no judgment to make, I was not in the team and it is in the hands of top level players. I feel that this does not alter the opportunity to do something big in Paris next year. »
