Drafted in 21st position by the Pelicans, Yves Missi never ceases to positively surprise. A diligent interior player, uncompromising in defense and a good finisher near the circle, the Belgian-Cameroonian pivot has even just been named “Rookie of the Month” in the Western Conference. A performance all the more remarkable given that out of the 13 matches in December, New Orleans lost 12!
Yves Missi, for his part, recorded a double-double over the period (11.2 points and 10 rebounds on average), leading his class of rookies in terms of points (146), rebounds (130), offensive rebounds (63), baskets scored. (60) and counters (21). Better yet, with his 277 rebounds gleaned in his first 33 games, he shattered the franchise record for a rookie, previously held by Anthony Davis with 251 catches. Suffice to say that the performance deserved to be praised, which President David Griffin and the entire staff and his teammates did not fail to do from January 2, to the great surprise of the person concerned.
“First of all, I have to say that I didn't expect it. I was getting treatment, and I saw everyone gathering around, I was a little embarrassed. But it’s definitely a great feeling. I would like to thank my teammates, the management staff and the franchise. I am happy to find myself in this position,” he told Andscape.
From dream to reality
This successful first part of the season on a personal level was to be punctuated by a first duel against his “big brother” Joel Embiid on Friday evening during the trip from New Orleans to Philadelphia. The Sixers pivot's foot injury delayed this first clash, but the 2023 NBA MVP still had a few words for his fellow rookie, congratulating him… in his own way! “I’m really looking forward to kicking his ass, but I’m happy for him.”launched Joel Embiid.
For Yves Missi, it's still a learning curve as a prospect who had flown under the radar a bit until his season at Baylor last year finally brought him into the spotlight. Everything has happened so quickly since then, and the pivot still sometimes struggles to realize what is happening to him.
“Sometimes I imagine that it's all just a dream and that one day I wake up and I'm in Cameroon and nothing really happened. So far, so good. I try to gain a lot of experience. I'm the youngest here. So I listen to the guys' advice, and I make sure I improve every day.” he admitted.
>> To read : the Yves Missi interview
While waiting for the paths of the two players to cross again in the NBA, on the Louisiana side next March, Yves Missi left with the victory and also some advice from his elder, who sees him making his mark in the league, provided to continue to work well.
“He has a chance to become really good. Today he is doing what he is supposed to do. But I also hope that he continues to work on his game because I think he can bring a lot more in the future. He also has a good chance of winning that Rookie of the Year trophy. In any case, I’m behind him.”
While he had been relatively discreet on the subject until now, Joel Embiid also confirmed that he knew Yves Missi well before the latter took his first steps in the NBA, the Pelicans pivot being from a family of basketball players, between his parents, Jean Paul and Annette Missi, both Cameroonian internationals, but also his big brother, Steve Moundou-Missi.
“I actually went to school with his big sister in Montverde. So I already knew Yves before. I also gave tickets to my cousin who also played with him at Baylor last year (Yanis Ndjonga). So I've known him for quite some time, just through his family. His older brother also played at Harvard, but he went to Montverde. I already knew the whole family”said Joel Embiid.
From this first failed act, Yves Missi will therefore retain the ambitious advice of Joel Embiid: “Keep working. And if it doesn’t work, God will find something else to make it happen.”
Yves Missi | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2024-25 | NOP | 38 | 27 | 55.4 | 0.0 | 66.4 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 8.4 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 9.2 |
Total | 38 | 27 | 55.4 | 0.0 | 66.4 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 8.4 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 9.2 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.