Passed from his training club of Cholet, where his talent had burst into the open, to the ambitious squad of Monaco, with which he nevertheless won the title of champion of France, as well as the Coupe de France in addition to an accessit to the Final Four Euroleague, Yoan Makoundou nevertheless experienced a difficult campaign on the Rock, stuck in the traffic jam of a full workforce on all positions.
Called last minute with the Blues, to make up for the prolonged absence of Mathias Lessort injured in the ankle, the native of Melun responded enthusiastically, too happy to be able to turn the Monegasque page and regain the confidence of a group that lives well together.
On his birthday, celebrated in unison with the entire public present in Orléans, Makoundou gave us his impressions of this fourth consecutive victory for the Blues, before revenge against Lithuaniatonight in Vilnius, in a completely different context…
“This season, there have been a lot of frustration and moments of doubt”
Yoan, tell us how it went for you on these two matches in Orléans, knowing that you joined the group late, the day before the match against Venezuela in this case?
” Everything went well. They all made me feel welcome. They all opened their doors to me and I was treated like one of them. And then, there, to be able to celebrate my birthday with everyone, with my relatives who are there too, it’s great for me. »
However, you have arrived in a group which includes quite a few of your Monaco team-mates, with Elie Okobo and Yakuba Ouattara, plus Terry Tarpey who is also joining the club. Did that make things any easier?
“It obviously helps for integration, it’s a little simpler. But afterwards, it’s also up to me to make my place and to get this role in the rotation. »
We imagine that this new experience in the French team should do you good at the head after a complicated season, with little playing time in the extended workforce of Monaco…
“It’s true that this season, there have been a lot of frustration and moments of doubt. Coming back to the France team and being so well received, having the confidence of the staff and the other players around me, that feels a lot of good. »
You arrived as a training partner, but with the current injury of Mathias Lessort who plays in the same position as you, what does the staff tell you about your place in the squad for the future (and why not for the Cup? of the world) ?
“Honestly, the staff just tell me to stay ready because you never know what can happen. I just have to be ready to take on the field if the situation demands it. Me, I just prepare for the best and I try to give the best of myself every time I’m called upon. Just do what I know how to do. »
“I don’t feel very far from him”
This “freelance” in Orléans in any case allows you to measure yourself against other internationals, such as Guerschon Yabusele, an almost indestructible starter at Real Madrid, where do you think you stand in relation to this kind of big Euroleague player?
“I don’t feel very far from him. Afterwards, it’s a question of confidence, of pleasure. I think I really need a coach I trust. Then you have to do the necessary work [pour justifier cette confiance] but I think I can reach the level of these players. See more. »
You celebrated your birthday with great fanfare in Orléans, in front of more than 10,000 people, and if we’re right next to the Zénith, tell us: was this little singing tour planned?
” At the beginning, [mes coéquipiers] wanted me to sing. But I didn’t think it was going to happen. Singing alone in front of the public… But, yes, in the end, they did it! It was fun even if I was not very comfortable. I pretended [de l’être] [rires]. »
Also tell us about that super spectacular windmill dunk at the end of the match, was that your present to yourself on your birthday?
“I wanted to please myself, please my loved ones, my family who is there. It was short, but here it is, I was able to have a full birthday, let’s say. It was great fun to be able to experience that with the whole audience here. If there was still a bit of a season where I was still frustrated, that allowed me to fully recharge the batteries. »
You got on the tricolor train along the way, but how do you see the team’s progress in relation to the World Cup deadline which is fast approaching?
“We build, we train, we create a solid group with a good collective game where the guys play for each other. To experience all of this so early in my career is fantastic for me. It’s a good preparation, it’s only positive. We are making good progress, but we are also keeping our feet on the ground. It’s good to be able to go away and play on such a winning streak. »
Interview in Orléans
Photo credit : Lenoir/TheAgency/FFBB
