Selected in 52nd position in the last Draft, Toumani Camara (2m01, 23 years old) is however one of the good surprises for the Blazers, who are heading straight towards a third season in a row without playoffs.
The Belgian winger of Haitian and Malian origin has indeed made a good place for himself in Chauncey Billups’ rotation, and even in the major five, while Portland is already starting to accumulate defeats (3 victories for 10 defeats) in this start of the season. And still seems condemned to a season in the depths of the West…
A hard worker on both sides of the field
“My style of play? It’s about being a hard worker, on both ends of the pitch.”says Toumani Camara during the second episode of The Trail, the series that follows the Blazers each season. “I want to bring a lot of energy to every minute I play and defend at a high level. Honestly, I just want to be a player who helps my team win games! »
It is precisely his qualities as a fierce defender and versatility that caught the eye of his coaching staff. Having passed through Georgia, where he rubbed shoulders with Anthony Edwards, before taking off for Dayton for a university career in two years, Toumani Camara arrives in the NBA with an already significant physical baggage.
“Tou is my guy, he is next to me in the locker room. We joke together all the time”adds Shaedon Sharpe. “He brings a lot of energy. He is clearly a plus for the team, he will help us a lot. »
An attacking game to refine
In the Blazers’ baby bottle class, Toumani Camara is certainly part of the last crop of rookies, forced to carry fluorescent pink bags to each of his team’s matches this year, in addition to some coffee and donut chores. But the native of Brussels can even more envisage his long-term future in Portland. Alongside the two nuggets to be developed, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
“He is a player that I love to watch play because you always have the impression that he is having fun and having fun on the pitch“, whispers Scoot Henderson. “He always gives his all. Our relationship will be able to grow and flourish even more off the field. On the ground, we have an excellent relationship. He’s a guy who does a lot of things on the field, things that he wasn’t even necessarily asked to do originally. He’s showing who he is right now. »
Still struggling with his shooting, at 36% overall and 24% at 3-points, Toumani Camara still has work to do to become an impact offensive player, in the American League where the floor will always lean towards the attack. But it is above all through his desire and his energy that he will continue to make himself known on the NBA circuit.
“The first thing that jumps out at you is: who is this guy running around and fighting for every ball? »concludes Scott Brooks, Chauncey Billups’ first assistant. “He’s a good defender with very good instincts. He’s an offensive rebounder. His shooting mechanics are not broken, his shooting will continue to improve. He has all the assets to become a good winger in this League. »
| Toumani Camara | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | POR | 13 | 25 | 35.6 | 23.5 | 68.4 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 5.6 |
| Total | 13 | 25 | 35.6 | 23.5 | 68.4 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 5.6 | |
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.
