“What was your first reaction to NBA boss Adam Silver calling your name? Hearing his name, reacting to the good news with his loved ones, his family is something I will never forget. It was a bit of an emotional lift. You see the cameras coming but you realize that they are everywhere and you don’t know if they are there for you, you try to ignore it, your heart is beating at 200 miles an hour, and when you hear your name and that you fall into the arms of your family, you don’t realize right away. You begin to realize when you get on the stage. As I shook Adam Silver’s hand, I told myself that this was it, that there was no going back and that I was truly an NBA player.
Did you expect to be picked first overall by Atlanta?
I had done some workouts (tests) for them and it went well. I was prepared, although I also tried to prepare myself for any eventuality because the beauty of the draft is that, until the last second, you don’t know where you’re going to end up and which team is going to give you a chance. It’s the only city I know in the US, I did a ten-day camp two years ago and again for a week this year. It’s a lifestyle I’m not used to but I enjoyed my stay at the Hawks, the facilities are fantastic. Bourg too (he smiles) but Atlanta is even better, I’ll be able to sleep there (smiles). I tried to understand the Hawks’ philosophy and organization. I’ll know more soon.
You are making a dream come true. What are next?
Win a ring. It’s also the end of a chapter, a new one opened this evening, with new objectives in my head. I will already try to do my best to integrate this team and help it win. »