PORTRAIT
MEDHI HALOUM
Like a revelation…
Integrating the AKdémie Grand Est is not only reserved for the little prodigies born with an orange ball in the cradle. The proof with Medhi, hardly one year of basketball in the backpack and already a baggage of AKdémicien very applied…
A short year of basketball and already an AKdemic! This is the fastbreak story that Medhi is living. In his neighborhood of Vandœuvre, nothing predestined this tall teenager to play basketball. He has a sister, Sarah, who loves this sport, but in the family, we are not too interested in the big orange ball. Except for Jawaid, the cousin, who trains Medhi on a playground. Until then, Medhi was more into soccer. A complicated story as he likes to recall: “I played goalkeeper, striker, defender and then goalkeeper again. I was bored in goal. When I discovered basketball with my cousin, I immediately enjoyed it and liked the sensations. So I joined the Vandœuvre club. A year marked by the Covid crisis, but a learning season for this 15-year-old boy who measures 1.91 m. It must be said that in the “family”, we water well the big plants. “All the family of my father Mostafa is tall, except him, who is 1.75 m,” he says with amusement. “On my mother’s side, Aïcha, it’s the same, the girls are taller than 1.70 m”.
When he started his school year in the Lycée Pierre de Coubertin in the heart of Nancy, Medhi naturally enrolled in the school’s sports section, with a basketball option. It didn’t take him more than two trainings to be spotted by Ahmadou Keita who was in charge of the sessions. He quickly suggested that he come and test himself with the AKdémiciens and join the structure. The young interior lends himself to the game despite his inexperience and some technical deficiencies, but his desire and determination will make the difference. “I have progressed enormously in a few months, he admits. At the level of the fundamentals of course, but also at the physical level where I start to strengthen a little to become harder on the ground. It is here that I also discovered the first systems of play.
“Medhi fits exactly into the philosophy that I advocate for the AKdémie: to climb the steps one by one” Ahmadou Keita
The time to assimilate all this new information on a daily basis and Medhi to find himself in the starting five of the Punch in U17 Region. This fan of Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) officiates for the moment on the inside where he doesn’t necessarily always like to rub shoulders with someone more “stronger” than him. Later on, maybe he will play in the 3-4 position, like his NBA idols between small and power forward. For now, he is learning to read the game well and enjoy every moment. “The team is performing well as well as the staff. The atmosphere is great, we all know each other, most of us study in the same high school”, he enjoys, the elegant head carriage, the sure gait.
The first to follow instructions, Medhi is thirsty to learn, hungry to succeed. “I am impressed by Medhi’s application and his learning progression,” says Coach Keita. “I’m happy to have discovered him because he fits exactly into the philosophy that I advocate for the AKdémie: climbing the steps one by one. With hard work and willpower, Medhi is ideally suited to climb the ladder.” The mountains don’t seem to scare him. The boy has ambition pegged to his new passion: “Yes, when I look at Nancy’s U20, I tell myself that I would like to join a training center and become a professional afterwards. And if that doesn’t work out, I’ll continue my studies to become a sports teacher. Like a revelation, an access to a mode of expression where everything is finally possible.
INTERVIEW
ISMAEL SYLLA
AN INDIAN IN THE… VILLA
“Isma” is the youngest AKdémicien of the first promotion. At thirteen years old and with a double upgrade, the little guy (1.65 m) is a sure bet among the big men. He has character, a beautiful smile, a too big jersey, but he also and especially knows how to impose himself on the field. His story is not simple, he tells it to you in ten questions…
Isma, how did you start playing basketball?
At first, I played soccer. But it was too cold! My older brother, Isaac, was playing basketball, so I followed him. Today, he plays in the regional league at Metz BC and I joined the AKdémie Grand Est in Nancy where I play in both U15 and U17.
How did you find yourself in this AKdémie ?
I come from Behren-lès-Forbach, in Moselle. There, it is the city, our reputation is not good. With my team, we were nevertheless strong. I passed the tests to integrate the Pole and there, they announced to me that they did not take me because I had supposedly no left hand!
How did you find out this bad news?
I was outside and my mother (Cathia) told me.
So you went back to the AKdémie Grand Est?
It’s not exactly that. In fact, my mother told me: “A basketball academy in Nancy has just been created. But I do not know if they make more than two trainings per week… “. We let a little time pass. I register at the AK Training Camp of Ahmadou, in July, where I meet Elie who was going to join the AKdémie. He reassured me that there were five training sessions per week. And then, at the end of the training course, Ahmadou takes me aside, tells me that he must talk to me and offers me a place in Nancy. I wanted to play basketball as much as I could, and I was delighted.
Wasn’t your mother too worried about letting you go at thirteen?
First of all, I have her on the phone every night and my father also calls from Mali where he works. In fact, my mother was already prepared for me to leave home. It’s going well, we’re in constant contact and I see the family during the school vacations.
How does it feel to be the youngest in the AKdémie?
I’m fine with it, I like it. I feel protected!
And at school, do you manage to balance everything, classes, trainings, matches?
Yes, everything is well scheduled and balanced. I’m in the 4th grade at Saint Léon IX College, I am in the right range of grades in the class.
“Here, we play real basketball, more structured.
How has your basketball evolved since you’ve been playing at AKdémie?
Here, we play real basketball, more structured. We did a lot of fundamentals at the beginning, then collective work. It’s a change from playing with bigger players, especially in U17 where I’m a bit light, but at the same time it makes me tougher.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Passing, dribbling, speed, vision of the game, for the strong points. Otherwise, I need to work on my shooting. I should start a specific work phase very soon.
How do you see your future career?
I would like to stay in the AKdémie next year. After that, my ambition is to go to the highest level.
NEWS
Elie NTOWOA NDENGA
Very first time
First cap for the AKdémicien Elie NTOWOA NDENGA, selected with the team of Lorraine to participate in the detections of the Grand Est selection team during the February vacations. Elie is 1.97 m tall and comes from the ONYX academy in Cameroon, which is managed by his father Louis Tsongui, a former professional player in France (Sceaux). The AKdémie Grand Est is proud to be represented by its very young 14 years old inside.
