Leaning against the climbing wall of the small training room, located in the basement of the Marcel-Cerdan sports hall in Levallois-Perret, the parents present film the scene with their mobile phones. Impossible not to immortalize the moment. In front of the hundred young players from the Levallois and Boulogne basketball clubs stands the double meter of Bruce Bowen, ex-star of the NBA, who came to give them precious advice.
"You have to believe in yourself, in your dreams, assures them the 48-year-old interested person and his 3 NBA titles obtained with the San Antonio Spurs alongside Tony Parker (2003, 2005 and 2007). It doesn't matter whether you play in Levallois, Boulogne or in the NBA, you must always give everything so as not to return home with your head down and with regrets. "
Stars full of eyes before Batum
Bowen's message was the end of a memorable afternoon for these young Ile-de-France residents aged 11 to 15. It all started with the training of Charlottes Hornets players at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan, the usual lair for Metropolitan players. "Usually, we only see them on TV screens or phones," says Kylian, 13, to Levallois for 7 years. Since I was told on Sunday that I would see them for real, I had only thought about that moment. I am not disappointed. It's amazing, they are so easy in everything they do. "They don't miss anything, whether it's dunks or 3-point shots, it's impressive," confirms Gaël, 14, with a big smile. They are bigger than I imagined, they give off an aura. "
After witnessing, in a religious silence, the start of Nicolas Batum's Hornets training, the budding basketball players let the stars prepare for the match that awaits them Friday in Paris against the Milwaukee Bucks. But the day was not over. The Ile-de-France minots were treated to a private lesson taught by an American coach. "It allowed me to improve," says Jenifer, 13, from Boulogne. The fact that the instructions are given in English changes from the ordinary. "
Enzo did not hide a touch of disappointment. "I wanted to play against the Hornets players and especially Terry Rozier," explains the young U15 player from Levallois. I know I will never be tall, but he proved that you could succeed even if you were no longer than two meters (Editor's note: Rozier is 1.85 m). This is an example to follow. To see them so close it only gives me one desire: to be in their place one day. This is also the American dream.