During Saturday’s match against Le Portel, Mehdy Ngouama shared his pride at officially joining Paris Basketball. On his style of play and his aspirations, the 28-year-old point guard confides in us ahead of the first Coupe de France match for which he has qualified.
Can you tell us about your summer with the club? How were you approached by the staff?
“The club contacted me to be a training partner in the absence of TJ Shorts, who was with his national team (Macedonia). Initially, it was to help the club and myself, as Coach Tuomas already knew me. I’d already played against his team in the past”.
We can imagine that this return to France, and Paris to boot, makes you very happy…
“Yes, it’s always special to be back on home soil. I wore the Paris jersey when I was young, and I’m proud of that. I have that energy, that Parisian culture. It’s in my DNA”.
Your experience will start with a big week, with three games in five days. How does it feel to be starting out like this?
“The staff prepared me well. I had to be ready in case the phone rang. The schedule is dense, there are games every 3 days like in the Euroleague. Coach needs a long rotation given the intensity on the pitch. I’ll be ready and I’m going to be there from Monday against Lille in the Coupe de France”.
What aspect of this squad has impressed you the most?
“Without a doubt, it’s the team spirit! The fact that we throw ourselves at every ball from the first to the last second, and the cohesion is really what makes the team so strong”.
Mehdy Ngouama est Parisien ‼️
Le club est heureux d’annoncer l’arrivée de @NGMdy5 en tant que renfort pour faire face au calendrier qui nous attend
Parisien depuis toujours, Mehdy avait notamment fait toute la préparation avec l’équipe depuis l’arrivée de Tuomas Iisalo 👀 pic.twitter.com/TU8J0HHRQX
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) October 13, 2023
