Former teammates in the juniors at Charenton, Tidjane Salaün and Pacôme Dadiet found themselves on the Treviso side before both launching themselves into the springboard towards the NBA in a few weeks.
Full-back/winger who chose to export to Ulm, Germany (like Killian Hayes before him), Pacôme Dadiet (2m03, 95kg) is eager to start his NBA workouts. Even if he cannot name them, professional secrecy requires them. Author of a season with 6 points and 2 rebounds, the former Paris Basketball player was satisfied with his career choice. This first experience abroad can only be beneficial to him when he repacks for the United States.
“The transition between France and Germany was not that easy. In France, it plays fast and hard, while in Germany, it's more shooting and technique. In defense, it is also very hard and rigorous. It's not just one-on-one, I had to get used to everything that also happens in the game without the ball.” he explains at the Treviso camp. “The NBA style of play should suit me more with lots of space, I can score in the rhythm of the match. I am able to create my own shot, I think that will allow me to express myself. »
Not helped by a contract affair which kept him away from the courts for a good five months, Pacôme Dadiet took the opportunity to work on his game and progress on his side. Always focused on its American objective.
Between the end of the first and the start of the second round?
“It was a difficult time because I couldn't control everything and I couldn't play [en matchs]. But I learned a lot about myself and the game too. It’s like that, it’s part of my journey,” he remembers. “Since I arrived in Germany, I have worked on my shooting a lot, especially during the period when I could not play. For about five months, I went to the gym very regularly to work on my shooting. »
Hoping to be able to face two of his youth idols next year, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the native of Aubagne knows in any case that he will make his family proud. “A family of basketball players [dans laquelle] The NBA is a dream and a goal for me. I'm going to make them dream in turn so it's definitely a pleasure! »
Before that, he will have to finish convincing certain scouts, while his name is circulating between 26th and 38th place in the current “Mock Draft”. His secret skill? His creativity with the ball in hand!
“The creative side with the ball is a part of my game that I haven’t shown a lot yet. This year, I didn't necessarily have the opportunities, but I think it's a part of my game that is really one of my biggest strengths,” he concludes. “I had contact with Olivier [Sarr], and above all he told me that the hardest part is not getting there, it's staying there. That's something I'm focusing on. But anyway, I don't plan to relax when I get there. I know there is a lot of work to do after this. »
[Propos recueillis par visioconférence depuis Trévise]
