“ACB is a good opportunity to prove my level.”

the beginning of Endesa League It’s just around the corner girona basketball Complete setup ahead of Saturday’s premiere in Valencia (6pm). The team is full of new faces, with only four remaining from last year’s block (kino cologne, Eric Villa, Jaume Sorolla and Maxi Fellerp) and new technical staff save campA group chaired by marc gasol Seeking to establish itself in the state’s premier competition.before traveling to play against a team of power forwards. Yves Pons (1999, 1.98m) Competed in Sportish.

How did you come to France as a Haitian?

I was adopted at a young age. In reality, I only know my adoptive parents and have never been to Haiti. I want to go find my biological parents. At the moment, I’m trying to help the community as much as I can. I know deep down I am Haitian and I know I will help my community in any way I can.

You attended INSEP, a French high performance center for young people in Paris. Did you already know you wanted to play basketball?

Since I was 5 years old, my dream was to play in the NBA. At INSEP, you start to believe that you can become a professional. Because this is a center that players like Tony Parker, Celine Dumerc, Sandrine Gruda and Evan Fournier have passed through. I was there for him from age 13 until he went to college. University. There I met some of my best friends, like Olivier Sarr, who now plays at Oklahoma. It’s funny, when I was at INSEP, I thought my next step was to play for ACB, but I ended up going to the University of Tennessee.

How was your experience at the NCAA?

I was the first Frenchman to play at the University of Tennessee. It was easy in the end because I wanted to continue my career, but when you go pro in France, it’s very complicated to put everything together, so America made it easier for me to study. I graduated in Sports Management and Business.

2022 France Dunk Contest Winner

Yves Pons, Guarantee of Spectacle

In the last French League All-Star Dunk Contest held in December 2022, Yves Pons made four stratospheric dunks, one from the free-throw line and the other over Victor Wembaneyama to win the contest. . Although he is only 197 centimeters tall, his jumping ability is amazing (on a standing foot he is 112 centimeters), allowing him to perform flights that are impossible for other outdoor athletes. No wonder he was given the nickname “Air Pong” in France.

His rise to the NBA was quick, but it didn’t last long…

I only played one year (2021-22), but I loved the Memphis organization and the NBA. However, I believe that I can become a better player if I go to Europe, and I have a goal of returning there one day.

Last year, he played for Asbel Lyon, who also played in the Euroleague. How did the choice of Girona come about?

They wanted me to join last year, but I chose Lyon because they play the Euroleague and I wanted to compete at that level. It was a good experience, but now he wants more playing time to improve and grow. I believed that was the way to get where I wanted to go because Girona offered it to me.

Besides your obvious athleticism, which earned you the nickname “AirPons,” what do you hope to contribute to the team?

I think I’m a good defender. Beyond my jumping skills, I can protect anyone and I want to prove that. ACB is a good opportunity to prove your level. I also want to improve my outside shot. It’s getting much better. And I want to be able to always make the right decisions.

The team has new faces, including eight additional players, and the opening game on the calendar will be against Valencia Basket, followed by Gran Canaria. What does it look like?

What’s important is that we’re together. We’ve been there a month now and it’s been a mixed start to the season. I think the key is to focus on ourselves and strengthen our defense. No matter who we play, we have to focus on the game. It’s important to improve as a team and be consistent at this level.

This summer is the Paris Olympics…

Yes, I attended my first national team call-up a few weeks ago and it’s been great. I would love to participate in the Olympics.I think it will be complicated because France has a lot of good players, but I will do my best.