Let’s begin by discussing your national team selection. What motivated you, a Bondy native, to choose to represent Angola?
It was truly a decision from the heart. Both my parents are Angolan, and I still have a large family there. Initially, I wasn’t aware I could play for the Angolan national team, nor how the process worked. However, I’ve had my Angolan passport since childhood, so as soon as the federation reached out, I didn’t hesitate and accepted. This choice allowed me to reconnect with my roots, my family in Angola, and to represent them by wearing the jersey. Furthermore, Angola boasts a strong basketball team in Africa. I knew this would offer me the chance to compete in tournaments like AfroBasket, the World Cup, or even potentially the Olympic Games. At 21 or 22 years old at the time, it also presented a significant sporting opportunity for my personal development. Considering all these factors, the decision was straightforward, and I seized the chance.
So, you don’t have any regrets now that Frédéric Fauthoux is leading the French national team?
No, I have no regrets because there’s no telling how things would have unfolded had I not gained the invaluable experience from playing in the World Cup and participating in training camps with elite players. Those experiences undeniably helped me grow mentally, physically, and in terms of overall game experience. Perhaps without that, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. So, no regrets at all. Of course, it would have been a great story too [to play for France]. But I don’t regret my choice; I’ve followed my own path, and it suits me perfectly. And I believe the French team is doing quite well without me. [Laughs]
This summer, Frédéric Fauthoux chose to name you captain of JL Bourg. What did it mean to you to take on this new responsibility so early, at just 24 years old?
It brought immense pride, serving as a testament to the journey I’ve made. I was one of the few players remaining from the previous year, and this is now my third year at the club. I initially joined through the ‘back door’ as a third big man. Now, in my fourth season, I’m a starter and captain. This clearly shows that the club was right to place their trust in me. I’ve progressed, worked hard, delivered strong performances, and successfully demonstrated to the coach that I could be a leader both on and off the court. That’s why he entrusted me with this role. He didn’t do it out of mere liking, but because he has genuine confidence in me. That trust is something I deeply value. My goal is to always present the best possible image for the club by giving my absolute best every single time.
When you first arrived at Bourg as the third center, did you anticipate such a meteoric rise?
Not as quickly as it happened, no. However, during my pre-signing interviews, I was consistently told it was a long-term project and that, sooner or later, I would get my chance, and it would be up to me to seize it. As it turned out, my opportunity came as early as the very first championship game. I managed to grasp it, and things progressed much faster than I had envisioned. I knew I was capable of reaching this level, and the club provided excellent support. I hope to repay their faith maximally every day on the court.
You’re not particularly tall for a big man (2.04 m / 6’8″), so what has allowed you to establish yourself in one of France’s top clubs despite that?
I’ve been fortunate to play in an era where basketball is very modern and emphasizes outside play. Consequently, my primary strengths are speed and mobility. I consider myself a defender first and foremost. Being slightly shorter than many of my counterparts means I can switch more easily onto perimeter players late in possessions. I can be quicker with aggressive steps, a tactic we employ at Bourg. I’m also much more mobile on pick-and-rolls, full-court sprints, and alley-oops. Essentially, in anything requiring reactivity and mobility, I have an advantage. My profile is somewhat unique in the market, and I align well with the coach’s playing style, which is why I’ve been able to make my mark at Bourg.
There are many big men with a similar profile to mine, such as Mathias Lessort or Josh Nebo, who play in the EuroLeague. This demonstrates that ‘undersized’ centers can indeed compete with players like Edy Tavares, Nikola Milutinov, or Jonathan Jeanne in the French Championship. My ability to switch, react quickly, and sustain high-intensity runs is precisely why I’m here today.
“Which teammate surprised me the most? I’d say William McDowell-White.”
This summer, the club brought in nine new recruits. How was the adaptation process?
It was relatively straightforward, largely because almost everyone was new, with me being one of the only returnees alongside Adrian Nelson, who unfortunately is injured and hasn’t played this season yet. Everyone arrived with an excellent mindset, eager to learn and to build a cohesive group as quickly as possible. It took the necessary time, and we had a few minor hiccups, but now the group is solid. We are beginning to realize the potential we recognized amongst ourselves at the start of the season. Everyone has found their role, everyone is happy, and there’s a great atmosphere within the group, both on and off the court. This significantly aids in forging a strong collective and achieving great things. My role as captain was made very easy by my teammates, who have been exemplary.
Since you didn’t know any of them, which of your teammates pleasantly surprised you the most?
The one who surprised me most? I’d definitely say William McDowell-White, who, in my opinion, is a pivotal member of the team. He’s incredibly calm and composed, with a wealth of experience. Being on the court with him brings a sense of serenity that truly impressed me. You feel in control and don’t panic. Against Paris, he hit a crucial three-pointer that gave us a six-point lead, and he was also vital at the end of the game against Ljubljana.
Against Ljubljana, you didn’t start particularly well. How did you manage to turn things around and secure the win?
That speaks to the character and resilience of this team. We never give up, and we’re aware of our strengths. We know that by tightening our defense, preventing easy baskets, and securing rebounds, we possess enough offensive talent to compete with any team, whether in our league or across Europe. So, we maintained our self-belief. We focused intensely on our defensive assignments to regain momentum. Gradually, we chipped away at their lead, and once we leveled the score, we felt in control and knew the game was in our hands.
You’re currently on a four-game winning streak. Are you in the best form of your season?
I’m not sure if it’s our absolute best form, as we had a very strong run in December. However, we are certainly reaching the level we need for this crucial period. We’re very pleased because this is precisely when we need to be at our best – with critical knockout games approaching, like the semi-finals, and major matchups against direct playoff rivals. We’ve consistently delivered very high-level performances. This proves our team has made significant progress. We experienced a slight dip in January and February, but this resurgence demonstrates that it was merely temporary fatigue and that we’re ready to perform consistently until the end of the season. To achieve that, though, we must remain focused, continue to work hard, stay humble, and keep moving forward.
“This year, we are much more cohesive.”
Since your victory in Paris, you’ve had a full week without a game. How beneficial was that break before the significant challenge against Turk Telekom?
It’s true that we’ve had a period of rest, which is rare during the season. We were able to recover, but we also took the time to work diligently and prepare for this semi-final against an opponent we already know and have defeated twice. However, we understand that regular season games and playoff matchups are entirely different. So, we’ve worked extremely hard to be ready for the intense battles we’ll need to wage on Tuesday and Friday.
Regarding your opponent, Turk Telekom, you’re already familiar with them. They just eliminated one of the competition’s favorites, Hapoël Jerusalem, in an incredible finish. What do you expect from Turk Telekom?
Naturally, we approach them with caution. Their roster was assembled with the clear objective of winning the EuroCup; it’s been one of their goals since the start of the season. They are a team with exceptional players and considerable quality. Both games we’ve played against them were fiercely contested, coming down to the wire and decided by a few possessions. We managed to maintain the necessary composure and execute effectively for the outcomes to swing our way. However, with a little less fortune, the results could easily have gone the other way.
Therefore, we anticipate grueling matches where every possession, every defensive effort, and every rebound will be crucial. We are prepared for that intensity. I also believe they will likely have a strong sense of revenge, as losing twice to the same opponent must certainly linger in their minds. Conversely, our two victories against them must not lead to overconfidence. We’ve certainly reminded ourselves this week that we’ll be facing a completely different context and a team playing with renewed determination. So, we are ready for it.
The last time you reached this stage of the competition, the team received much more media attention, especially with Zaccharie Risacher on the roster. How would you compare that team to this year’s squad?
It’s funny, this very question came up during practice this morning while talking with teammates. I would say that there was a bit more individual talent two years ago. We had exceptional players like Zaccharie, who is now in the NBA and was a top draft pick after that season, or Isiaha Mike, who is in his second EuroLeague season. So, we certainly had significant individual talents back then.
Personally, I am more mature now, having gained two additional years of experience, so I am a better player than I was two years ago. This year, we possess a greater sense of calm and control over our games. We learned the hard way, suffering major underperformances and losing games we dominated right at the end. That’s part of the process when a team is young and new like ours was. Today, we’ve reached a level where such occurrences are less likely. So, yes, I’d say we are more collective, more compact, and defensively tougher than two years ago, and that could help us go even further.
This season, you’ve defeated ASVEL, Paris, and Monaco in Betclic Élite. Do you feel you’ve joined the top three to form a sort of ‘Big Four’?
I don’t believe so. We mustn’t overlook teams like Nanterre, who are having a fantastic season and currently sit second in the league, fully deserving their position. Or a team like Le Mans, who managed to beat us in the Leaders Cup, who have reached all finals, and are in another French Cup final this year. So, creating a ‘Big Four,’ I don’t think that’s appropriate; it would be disrespectful to the other two teams I mentioned, not to mention Cholet and Strasbourg. However, we are certainly contenders, and we know there’s strong competition pushing from behind. If we truly want to claim a spot in a ‘Big Four,’ we’ll need to prove it, and we haven’t achieved anything yet. If we reach the Betclic Élite semi-finals, then we can start talking about it.
In theory, the EuroCup winner is supposed to compete in the EuroLeague. Has that become a goal for you? Is it a topic that comes up in the locker room?
No, we don’t discuss it much. I try to keep the guys focused on the present. We can’t afford to project too far ahead. First, we have a semi-final to win, Game 1 and Game 2. And after that, there’s a final against potentially Besiktas or Bahçesehir, both tough opponents. Personally, I don’t like to look too far ahead because it can create illusions, a false sense of comfort, making things seem easier than they are. So no, that question hasn’t been on our minds. It’s not for us at the moment. But in due course, perhaps we’ll address it. I certainly hope so.
