- What becomes of Axel Toupane? A bronze medalist last summer, the rear wing has been playing since the start of the season in Malaga, Spain. Where it goes well!
- The native of Mulhouse has just been recalled by Vincent Collet for the qualifications for Euro-2021. A great sign of confidence a few months before the Olympic Games…
- Is Axel Toupane dreaming of returning to the NBA, which he left in 2017? He answers.
On the bus to Andorra on Monday, Axel Toupane is now far from it all. These almost daily plane hours, these regular time differences or this series of matches that punctuate an NBA season.
No more Denver, New Orleans or Milwaukee, his daily life is now written in the south of Spain, in Malaga. He arrived there last summer, after the beautiful World Cup with the Blues and this historic bronze medal. "I don't regret my choice at all, it's going well," said the 27-year-old rear wingman, who had passed through Kaunas and Olympiakos in previous seasons. “We are irregular in the league but we remain within our objectives. "
"I am one of the elements with the most experience"
Current eighth in the Liga Endesa, his Unicaja should play the play-off at the end of the season, like those of the EuroCup. This last competition should serve as a springboard to find the Euroleague, the queen competition on the continent. "To go back there, we can also win the championship but I think we are more likely to go to the EuroCup final," said the native of Mulhouse, who found his place in the Andalusian team.
He has played almost every game, with an average playing time of around twenty minutes. "I am one of the elements with the most experience," he reacts, detailing his missions in the field. The one who made his success elsewhere and opens the door to the French team. “Defend, put rhythm into attack and try to bring skill. What a fairly complete role! "
Survivor of the Blues
Statistically, this gives about 8 points, 3 rebounds and an assist on average per match. With heatstrokes, like the one against Galatasaray in mid-October. Axel Toupane had then signed 22 points in 23 minutes, with a 5/8 with 3 points. "I'm much better at EuroCup," he laughs.
His performances did not escape the coach of the Blues. Last week, Vincent Collet summoned him for the first qualifying matches for Euro-2021 in late February. With Amath M'Baye and Paul Lacombe, he is one of the rare survivors of the last World Cup.
#TeamFranceBasket Vincent Collet has unveiled the list of 12 players who will participate in the qualifying matches for # EuroBasket2021 on 02/21 🇩🇪🆚🇫🇷 and 24/02 🇫🇷🆚🇲🇪
➕information 👉https: //t.co/y2qUBZUGAH pic.twitter.com/SeQOLnp6ZC
Any good news for the Olympic Games next summer? "Of course it gives you confidence and you tell yourself it will do it, but nothing is done yet. We will still have to work, nuance the athlete of 2.01 m. There, for the next international window, we must also remember that there are neither Euroleague nor NBA players. "
He is therefore no longer part of it. For the time being. Without the American dream having flown away. "As long as I play basketball, I will think about it but I am not obsessed with the NBA", he launched, without either closing to a return to Strasbourg, in the club of his first pro years. "In the future, why not. For now, it's time for the bus ride. Andorra is approaching.
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