Rayan Rupert: From G-League to NBA Rookie to potential French National Team player

A pat of encouragement from his NBA champion coach Chauncey Billups, and here is Rayan Rupert who resumes his impossible mission against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. At the beginning of March, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers sent a huge sign of confidence to his 19-year-old French rookie by entrusting him with the responsibility of defending the candidate for the MVP title of the Oklahoma City Thunder. And since then, the guard has only seemed to gain momentum in Oregon.

“He’s our hardest worker, no player works as hard as Rups,” Chauncey Billups congratulated him. “No one works more than him, no one shoots more than him.” And even if he had made a few gross mistakes that evening, everything already seems forgiven. This Wednesday evening, the Frenchman started his third consecutive match with the Oregon franchise against the Atlanta Hawks (106-120). With 7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a big block on De’Andre Hunter as a bonus, he had a complete game in the spotlight.

An unexpected change of status for the 43rd choice of the 2023 draft. Until now, Rayan Rupert had rather experienced the G-League, the NBA development league, and the ends of the match already folded at the start of the fourth quarter . But since then, the Trail Blazers have been eliminated from the playoff race. Backline leaders Malcolm Brogdon, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle and Scoot Henderson are or have been injured. And Chauncey Billups decided to give the rookies a chance.

Razan Rupert against the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Portland Trail Blazers

Credit: Getty Images

In the Rupert case, the former Pistons leader wants to reward his rearguard’s progress: “He has really improved everywhere since this summer, in his understanding of the game, in his shooting, in his dribbling…” Result: The rear left to train in New Zealand at the age of 18 and became a 3&D player that the NBA loves. Capable of defending against the best opposing attacker every night, he is also averaging nearly 42% three-point success this season.

And even when he makes a mistake, Rayan Rupert pleases his coach: “Every mistake he makes, he does it with aggression,” he declared at the beginning of March. “That’s what I love about him, and I I told him. He’s not afraid of anything.” A Stakhanovism that his personal coach Jimmy Vérove also appreciates: “He works seven days a week, can take up to 5,000 shots per week, he confided for L’Equipe. He’s not the kid who has the most assets at the base but through hard work, he makes up for everything.”

Direction Paris 2024 ?

A mentality that could be his lifeline in the best league in the world. The latest champion teams prove it: this NBA knows how to make room for needy players, complementing tired superstars in defense. “I just have to be patient, that I continue to show the coaching staff that I am progressing. And when the right time comes, I will have to be ready” he predicted at the start of the year for BeBasket. This summer, the former INSEP signed up for two years, plus an optional one in Oregon.

And beyond finding a place in the NBA, Rayan Rupert is also becoming a candidate for the French team: “I met the staff of the French team a month ago,” said he said this week in NBA Extra. I was able to speak with Vincent Collet and Boris Diaw. They wanted to be sure that I was interested in the France team.” His trigger and his defensive qualities coming off the bench could do good for a French team equipped with creative players this summer.

“I am very attached to the French selection, it is something very important for me. I told them that I was at their disposal for anything,” he rejoiced. But before being the pleasant surprise of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Rayan Rupert has a season to finish. And if the Blazers have nothing left to play for, he has everything to gain.

2024-03-29 00:53:16
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