He now wants to move up a gear. With a first year shared between the Grand League and the G-League, Rayan Rupert (20 years old) wants to establish himself full-time in the Blazers rotation. Following in the footsteps of Nicolas Batum, the son of the late Thierry Rupert continues to prove himself in Oregon.
Questioned by DNA of Sports, his coach Chauncey Billups describes him as a “tireless worker who works harder than anyone else”capable of taking 5,000 shots per week. “And his work is bearing fruit at the start of the season: he continues to improve, he advances and he has a real impact when he comes into play.”
The little brother of international Iliana Rupert hopes to gain as much experience as possible to be a candidate for a place at the next European Championship (from August 27 to September 14, 2025 in Latvia, Cyprus, Finland and Poland). While waiting to convince Freddy Fauthoux, the former resident of Pôle France is progressing at his own pace, calmly, which pleases the 2004 NBA champion: “He is young but he is a competitor and when he plays, it will be for good reasons”.
Chosen in 42nd position in the 2023 Draft, “Rups” showed against the Thunder (14 points) and the Clippers (7 precious points in 30 seconds!) that he could influence matches. And after the defeat against Spurs this Thursday evening, he took a few minutes to return to the French press on his recent news.
Rayan, what aspects of your game have you worked on this summer?
I continued to develop my 3-point shot, while trying to be more skillful on catch and shoots. I had a pretty good success percentage behind the arc last year in the G-League and the NBA. I also need to improve my decision-making, knowing how to enter the racket at the right time. In defense, I have a big wingspan so I have to use it to hinder my opponents and especially the leaders.
Do you feel any difference from your first season in the NBA?
Yes, whether offensively or defensively, I have reached a milestone. Last year I had a little trouble with the speed of the game because the guys were a lot more athletic. And I couldn't be aggressive like I was in the Australian championship or when I was younger. There, I am in the process of becoming one again. I feel much more comfortable in defense. It varies depending on the match but as soon as I have opportunities in attack, I try to contribute as much as possible, especially in the game without the ball.
“Evolve towards a “two-way player” profile
After one season in the NBA, do you have an idea of the player you want to be?
I must first establish myself in the NBA before aspiring to a big role. [Ma montée en puissance] will really happen little by little, I first have to be a 3&D (a player capable of shooting 3-points and defending hard), be aggressive towards the rim and then, I hope to evolve towards a profile of ” two-way player”.
What are the Blazers' expectations?
I still entered the rotation at the start of the season but I don't think that [le staff] had planned it. The goal is to get more and more minutes but once again, I control what I can control. We had a few injuries so I was able to get a lot of minutes but as soon as I have an opportunity, I have to take it.
Today, I'm not the team's ball carrier, I'm more likely to play with two ball carriers. So I really try to bring what I can and do all the little things [qui ne se voient pas sur la feuille de stats] : the right spacing, the right cuts…
“Jimmy Vérove is like me, even crazier than me in terms of work: no matter the time, we train”
How did you experience your match with Nicolas Batum's Clippers, where you scored 7 points in 30 seconds in the fourth quarter?
I was ready, I had a very good training camp and good preseason matches. I was just waiting for an opportunity and it came: I just had to be ready. [Le staff et mes coéquipiers] were all happy, without being really surprised because I had shown good things before. They just congratulated me because in the NBA, there are so many games that you don't have time to think about whether you have a good or bad game.
You have been working with Jimmy Vérove (notably European champion with Limoges in 1993) as an individual coach since last year, what does he bring you?
He brings me a lot every day, we work hard. He's like me, even crazier than me in terms of work: no matter the time, we train. He's a hard worker so obviously we got along very well.
There is a “team option” to activate at the end of the year for your next season with the Blazers, do you see yourself staying in Portland in the long term?
That's the goal but we haven't talked about it with the franchise yet. I want to establish myself in this team and continue to grow with everyone else because we remain a young team.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
