Melvin Ajinca (2.01m, 17) will sign his first professional contract this summer. It remains to know the destination. During this period, the young people of the Pôle France will be able to visit up to 15 LNB clubs. The young winger went to Quimper on May 8 and 9 informs Ouest-France, in order to visit the facilities of the Breton club. For his fourth season at INSEP, this shooting winger completed his last exercise with 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists on average. He was one of the leaders, with Rayan Rupert and Noah Penda, of this squad which won many more matches than usual in National 1 men.
UJAP, a good destination for development?
Ajinca therefore went to Brittany. Quimper, who has just offered himself a stay in Pro B after their 81-76 victory over Tours, does not want to drag his feet to build his professional squad for 2022-2023. After a very long season, the time has come for a change of cycle for Aries. The construction site had started well before Melvin Ajinca’s visit: the club announced the departure of Ryan Reid and that of Johan Randriamananjara should soon follow. The calculation is simple: Théo Léon and Paul-Lou Duwiquet are currently the only players under contract in Quimper for next season. Digué Diawara and Bastien Vautier would try their luck in Betclic ELITE. In summary, there would be room for the young Ajinca to express himself, he who will celebrate his 18th birthday next June.
“I feel ready to evolve at the professional level”
Melvin Ajinca, who has many other visits planned, does not seem to be in a hurry to make his decision:
“For the moment, I don’t know. I am looking at the proposals and I will make my decision based on what is best for me, in terms of structure, coach, squad. What is certain, it’s that I’m going to stay in France. It’s for me the best route to reach the top level and, even if I still have a lot to learn, I feel ready to evolve at the professional level”, he said. he explained in an interview with Quotidien du Sport.
Although he intends to stay two or three years in France, his goal is the NBA. And more particularly, to do better than his cousin, Alexis: “If I were to have a better career than Alexis Ajinça, my first name will be remembered.” The young winger is not afraid of his career plan, although he can count on his cousin Alexis to advise him:
“I call him often. I ask him how his career has been. He gives me advice. It’s always appreciated coming from a former NBA player. It helps me to move forward. I feel like he’s proud of me and that he thinks I can do even better than him. He helps me to take the steps, to go where he has been and even further.”
But for now, basketball will have to wait a bit. Melvin is currently taking a STMG baccalaureate, the tests for which began this Wednesday, May 11.
