Winner of the Skills Challenge and MVP of the All-Star Game won by Team France, the “Prince of Paris” Nadir Hifi (1.85 m, 23 years old) enjoyed a royal evening at Bercy.
Author of 27 points for the French All-Stars, the leader of Paris Basketball returned to this breathing in a more difficult season than the previous one, however not hindering his ” evolution “.
Quite an evening for you Nadir, with finally a victory for Team France!
Yes ! The main thing is that it wasn’t just me who enjoyed the moment. The public also appreciated the moment, making the most of it. It’s very rare to have a game with two overtimes. Being able to add individual titles is a bonus. I leave with my hands full, but the main thing remains collective victory.
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What was the approach to the evening, was the victory really important?
We said to ourselves that we had to leave with the victory and the price money which is important (smile). We kept repeating it to ourselves during downtime, to avoid having a complicated evening. Clearly, we were very frustrated with the last two seasons, where we were unable to achieve a victory. This year, we leave with victory! As long as I’m in France and I can play it to the fullest, I won’t deprive myself of it.
“Playing without pressure and making people enjoy it is pure joy! »
Did you expect to be named MVP after your 27 points?
Honestly, Matthew [Strazel, ndlr.] took his phone to check the stats, and we saw that it was Mathis [Dossou-Yovo, ndlr.] who had the best rating. We thought it would be him. As soon as I knew I was the MVP, I was obviously happy; then I went to him to apologize, telling him that he deserved it. This is what I would have liked to have done for me, so I did it.
Tell us about the atmosphere, which seems to carry you every time, as was the case this summer at Pier 54…
Yes it’s true, people come to the All-Star Game for a bit the same thing as at the Quai. They want spectacle, something I like. Playing without pressure and making people enjoy it is pure joy!
One of the highlights of the match was Matthew Strazel’s 3-point shot to save you and go to double overtime.
I was so happy! Besides, I thought we were leading by one point but in fact there was a tie! I didn’t say it because I’m supposed to know the score as leader (laugh). His shot is incredible, without it we wouldn’t have won.
“You shouldn’t expect a career to be all rosy”
Mike James didn’t make his decisive free throw either, the one that could have dried you up even before the regulation time buzzer…
When we started playing overtime, I went up to him to ask him if he had done it on purpose. He answered me: “no, not even”. This makes it even more beautiful, he had the seum (smile). He didn’t do it on purpose at all, where last year he did it on purpose.
It’s a great way to end 2025 for you…
The year was very busy, very successful. I have won collective and individual titles, I feel that my career is evolving. Afterwards, this season is more complicated for the team but we should not expect a career to be all rosy. I’m still young, I’m glad it’s happening now. I continue to gain experience with different seasons, different coaches too.
