“What does this trophy for best young person of the 2023-2024 Betclic Elite season represent?
It’s a source of encouragement, it shows that I’m working in the right way. And that I achieved my goals. I came to JL (Bourg-en-Bresse) to assert myself and have a role in a good team in the French Championship and Eurocup. We had a good run collectively (4th in the regular season, Eurocup final).
The fact of having had a role (22 minutes, 10.1 points) in a team that gave itself the means to achieve results is all I asked for. Being rewarded is a kind of outcome of daily work, even if it is not an end in itself.
You are expected among the first picks of the NBA draft on June 26 in New York. What will be your program between now and then?
My parents and my agent are working to organize this. I am focused on my play-offs (in the quarter-finals, Thursday, Bourg hosts Nanterre). I try to take things as usual, but deadlines will arrive quickly, which adds something mentally. I will leave for the USA as soon as my season is over to do work outs (individual sessions and tests) for the teams who show the most interest. But I won’t have time to do a lot of it.
“No matter the place (in the draft), I want to land in a team that wants to develop me”
How did you experience the pre-draft lottery which set the order of choices for the franchises on Sunday?
I watched this with my family, it was a nice moment. I didn’t expect anything from it and I don’t have any more information than that (on its future destination). This will happen in the coming weeks. But the lottery makes things a little more concrete, it allows us to move forward in this draft process. It’s powerful, these are emotions different from those of an average season.
Is being number 1 and succeeding Victor Wembanyama a goal?
It is very symbolic for everyone, in Europe and in the USA. But above all I want to land in a team that wants to develop me and has a project for me. It doesn’t matter where it is, whether it’s first team, second team, third team… as long as she has good intentions, that’s all I ask. I don’t care but my mind is more focused on the role and development intentions for me than being the number 1 choice.”
