He took the plunge. By becoming a professional basketball player, American rapper Sheck Wes added a new cap to his busy wardrobe. Since May 7, after having been in contact since November 2020, the young musician of 22 years simply wanted to follow his dream. “I have always dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player,” he explains in the stands of the Halle Carpentier on this summer and stifling June day. This is why I presented myself for the draft in the NBA in November 2020. Even if I was not taken, I intend to try my luck again in a next draft this year or the next. "
For Sheck Wes, basketball is his whole life like rap where he is one of the most followed in the United States in the Cactus Jack label alongside Travis Scott or Kanye West. It is with this in mind that he accepted the proposal made by Paris Basketball, the Pro B club, bought in 2018 by the American investor and former NBA franchise manager, David Kahn. “The Paris proposal was a great opportunity for me. It allowed me to play in a city that trusted me. As I am used to following my desires, I did not hesitate for a second. I want to bring my talent to the world, to the team and to France. "
For two months, Sheck Wes was able to put himself in the shoes of a professional basketball player in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. “The days are shorter here than in the United States. It gets dark faster. It surprised me a lot. Despite everything, I took the opportunity to go to a restaurant, discover French culture and taste your cheeses such as Camembert. And I learned a few words in French. For example, I can count to 508 Peugeot! "
Sheck Wes maintains privileged relations with France.
Normal, with his Senegalese origins, he spoke the language of Molière when he was young.
“It's true, but in America it was of no use to me so I stopped talking about it.
Since coming to Paris, I remember certain words in French.
It's starting to come back.
I know I will come back here someday.
And I will see myself living there.
Before going to the United States, my mother lived in Bordeaux for a while.
"
The rapper wants to focus on humanitarianism
Happy and relaxed in his new environment, the author of “Mo Bamba”, his biggest hit, which serves as an anthem for Paris Basketball, feels good in his life as a basketball player. “My experience in Paris has shown me that I can become a professional player. Obviously I was thinking of playing a little more and I'm a little frustrated about that. But I received a lot of support and love. I only retain the positive. "
Arrived on May 9, Sheck Wes played three games out of the 9 his team played for a playing time of 17 minutes (4 against Rouen on May 30, 6 against Vichy-Clermont on June 1 and 11 against Poitiers on the 8th. June).
The meeting against Poitiers will be remembered by Sheck Wes since he scored his first points on a free throw and a three-point shot.
"I would have liked to help the team even more," says the rapper.
I will remember the raving crowd when I scored.
"
Welcome @sheckwes 🖤❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/8fueQY5MfY
- Paris Basketball (@Paris_Basket) May 9, 2021
With its rapper, who has more than 1 million followers on Instagram, Paris Basketball has chained the victories to the point of climbing to second place before the last meeting of the Parisians this Friday in Lille. “He deserves his playing time, admits Jean-Christophe Piat, the Parisian coach after Tuesday's victory against Poitiers (107-80). He is invested, he has good attitudes on and off the pitch. We are happy to have it. "
If he is known in France, the rapper hopes he will be even more in the future.
“I have a lot of respect for French rap.
I am very good friends with Freeze Corleone or Kalash Criminel.
I've known them for a long time.
"Sports fanatic, the singer will enjoy following the Euro football.
"Soccer
(Ed football in French)
is my second favorite sport after basketball.
You have a great team from France.
I make it my favorite for the Euro.
In any case, I will support my friends Benjamin Mendy and Paul Pogba.
"
Car fan (he owns six), Sheck Wes hoped to attend the Monaco Grand Prix.
“But it happened one day when we had a match,” he says.
True jack of all trades, Khadimou Rassoul Cheikh Fall of his real name, dreams of making a film "with my friend Omar Sy" but hopes that his book, which will be released soon, will be studied in schools and will show the path to be followed at most. youth. “I also want to focus on humanitarian aid. I want to open clinics or maternity hospitals in Africa. Help women give birth there. My goal is to be the best person I can be. "