The last loss of the ball will not spoil “his” evening. Somewhat frustrated by his absence in this All Star Game in 2022, Nadir Hifi shone this Saturday evening at the Accor Arena. With the France selection, the 21-year-old Parisian, at home, scored 44 points, equaled a record dating from 1995 and delighted the public. But the victory is good for the “World” selection (154-149, ap) and the MVP trophy for the Monegasque Mike James, author of 34 points. A title offered by the 15,000 spectators present at the Accor Arena for a great night of basketball and an all-star match which kept all its promises.
A duel of titans between Mike James and Nadir Hifi
As is often the case, these gala matches start to look like something in the last minutes of play, if the score is close. This was the case this Saturday evening between the best French players and the best foreigners from the French basketball elite. After three first quarters composed of three-point shots, spectacular (and sometimes crazy) actions and a total absence of defense, the sport returned to its due.
Notably thanks to the desire to win of Nadir Hifi (Paris) and Elie Okobo (Monaco) for the “Blues” and of Mike James (Monaco) for the yellow jerseys of the foreign selection. The first two combine 89 points. Insufficient compared to the 34 points of the American MVP of the evening. But Nadir Hifi can console itself with a record: 44 points alone, a mark achieved in 1995 by Yann Bonato.
A total achieved in front of “his” audience and under the eyes of Tony Parker. In front of the mascots of the Miami Heat or the Charlotte Hornets as well. Perhaps one of his future teams in the NBA.
A dunk with closed eyes for Ward, victory for Dokossi
New successful edition for the dunk competition. After the magnificent 2022 vintage won by Yves Pons (Asvel), the 2023 was (almost) just as much. On the program, a show provided by Tyson Ward (Paris) and three hypervisual dunks including one blindfolded (!) or another done American football style with his teammates Nadir Hifi and TJ Shorts. But it was Allan Dokossi from Dijon who left with the victory. Unlucky finalist in 2021, the strong winger totaled 196 points in the final (98 points for each dunk). Before paying tribute to his mother, invited to walk on the floor, dressed in a JDA jersey and the number 72 (her year of birth).
The 3-point competition “for Gravelines”
Christmas 2023 will have been synonymous with drama for the basketball players of BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque and their supporters. The Sportica sports complex, which hosts the BCM host venue, was ravaged on December 25 by a spectacular fire, destroying the parquet floor, the 3,000 seats and everything else. “We no longer have anything to play basketball with,” Hervé Beddeleem, executive director of the local club, told us. In his own way, this Saturday evening, Johnny Berhanemeskel was able to give (a little) smile to his fans by winning the three-point contest. With 17 points, the Canadian dominated the first round. With 21 points, he dominated the final against Frenchman Edwin Jackson (Asvel) and his 19 points. Berhanemeskel entered the court with a jersey printed with the number 59 and the name Sportica.
TJ Campbell does it again during the “Skill challenge”
First competition of the Parisian evening, the “Skill challenge” (leader competition), designed to determine the player with the most “skills”. Passing, dribbling, shooting in different positions… In this little game, the best is TJ Campbell for the second time in a row. The American, leader of Cholet, dominated his opponents as easily as last year. In the final, he faced another “TJ” Shorts, leader of Paris. A success two rounds to zero. “I’m just delighted to have won this competition and I hope to come back next year,” responded Campbell, big smile, from the floor of the Accor Arena. For a third success in a row?
