During the last three seasons, the Pelicans center position was reserved for Jonas Valanciunas. But the leaders let him go to Washington during the offseason and if Daniel Theis is now the starter, the New Orleans franchise perhaps found during the Draft its pivot of the future in the person ofYves Missi.
Passed by Baylor University, the interior (2m11, 20 years old) averages 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 22 minutes of playing time during the first four games. He was even decisive in his first NBA match against Chicago and he has already won over his coach.
“His progression from the Draft to today is fascinating. He's a sponge, we give him a lot of information and he has the ability to put everything into practice once on the ground.” explained Willie Green. “He's a hard worker, he studies the game and he manages to move from theory to practice easily. He understands his role and he does what is asked of him, nothing more, nothing less. »
“When you're at Prolific, you play against the best teams in the United States. It's the best competition, it's the best high school players, all the guys who are in the Top 10 and Top 5 on ESPN.”
Unknown to the general public, DNA of Sports went to meet him before the Pelicans match at the Chase Center. The opportunity for Yves Missi to look back on his career, on what he expects from his rookie season, and on his past as a footballer.
Yves, for the French public who don't necessarily know you, can you describe your journey to us from your arrival in the United States until your Draft last June?
I arrived in the United States in 2021 and went to West Nothingham Academy which is a prep school in the state of Maryland. I spent a year and a half there before leaving for Napa, California. I had a season in Napa and then I signed with Baylor University. I did a year there and last summer I was drafted by the Pelicans.
You're talking about Napa, a wine region 45 minutes north of San Francisco, where you played for Prolific Prep, a renowned prep school in the United States. Is it special to find yourself on the floor of the Chase Center a few kilometers from where you finished high school?
Yes, it’s special! I went to see them yesterday. I took an Uber and drove an hour to see them. It was nice to see all the coaches again, to be back on campus, and there are two players that I played with who are still there. So, I had a great time and then tonight they're coming to see me play so that's great.
Why did you decide to join Prolific Prep after your time in Maryland?
Quite simply because the level of play was higher. When you're at Prolific, you play against the best teams in the United States. It's the best competition, it's the best high school players, all the guys that are in the Top 10 and Top 5 on ESPN. For me, it was a way to challenge myself, to benchmark myself against the best, and to prove that I was one of the best players in the country and the best players at my position.
“Every night it’s really a challenge because you’re playing against the best players in the world. It’s hard but it’s super interesting”
You are now in New Orleans, a city and a region, Louisiana, which have a strong French-speaking heritage. Did it make your acclimatization easier in this new city?
Yes… and no because I haven’t really seen this French heritage yet. I visit from time to time but have yet to really see the culture of New Orleans the way I would like. So to answer your question, not yet, but it will come.
You arrive at a franchise with opportunities to seize in your position. Can you describe to our readers the type of gamer you are?
I would say that I am a pivot who can defend almost all positions, from 1 to 5. I am quite “elite” in defense. I'm a good blocker too. Offensively, I think I have good hands. I am able to finish near the circle, notably by going for alley-oops. And then, I can also read the game and use my passing quality to find my teammates.
What was or still is the biggest adjustment for you between the college game and the NBA game that you are discovering?
The biggest adjustment, indeed, is the size of the court or at least the difference with the distance from the 3-point line. There is a lot more space than at university. The physical impact is also harder and then the talent. Everyone is very talented. So, every night, it's really a challenge because you're playing against the best players in the world. It's hard but it's super interesting!
You talk about your opponents, are there certain players you are looking forward to facing?
I would say… I would say all the Cameroonian players, in fact. Joël (Embiid), Pascal (Siakam), Christian (Koloko), Ulrich (Chomche), because they are guys that I know, that I have already met so it will be special to be able to face them on an NBA court.
After three games, your coach and your teammates have showered you with praise, what are your goals for your rookie season?
Win as many games as possible, above all, and try to qualify for the playoffs. And then once we are in the playoffs, the goal obviously is to win the championship.
“PSG is my favorite team… even if we are losing a lot at the moment, but I remain loyal”
And do you have any personal goals or ambitions for this season?
Yes yes, like everyone, I have personal goals. Whether it's from a mental point of view, I would say, or from a basketball point of view. But it's not something I necessarily want to share with everyone. I prefer to keep them for myself.
Before you started playing basketball, your favorite sport was football. What was your position?
Then I was much smaller than now, so I played a lot in midfield and then in defense. I have always appreciated defense so my preferred position was in between, more like defensive midfielder.
And what is your favorite team?
PSG is my favorite team… even if we are losing a lot at the moment, but I remain loyal. It remains my team, even with the departure of Mbappé. It's tough but I'm confident we'll get back on track quickly.
Finally, since you were listening to music when we arrived, what's on your pre-match playlist?
My playlist is everything and anything! There's French, there's African music, American music, it's really a mix of everything and it allows me to calm down before matches. I'm not the type to listen to crazy music before matches, I'm more in “chill” mode.
Comments collected in San Francisco.
