ITW Michael Belle (Strasbourg):
"I consider myself lucky to be seen as a local player"
May 15, 2023
Arrived from London three years ago, Michael Belle (19 years old, 1m95) will obtain his status as a locally trained player at the end of the season. One of the strong men of the Espoirs de la SIG Strasbourg talks about his last adventure in France before flying to the United States.
After a season at the London Towers, you came directly to Strasbourg. What were the reasons for this arrival?
I arrived in Strasbourg when I was playing a tournament in Manchester. One of Comsport's agents was present to watch the tournament and the players. Many were there for Jérémy Sochan who was drafted this year in the NBA by the San Antonio Spurs. I was playing against him, I think I caught their attention. The agents saw Jeremy, they saw me too, my competitive side, I had a good game. They then got in touch with my coach in London. They said they had several of my matches. Afterwards, they met me, as well as my family and my coach.
“At home, there are great talents”
On the verge of obtaining JFL status, is the French championship the ideal place to become the player you want to be?
Honestly, I think with this JFL status, I would consider myself lucky to be seen as a local player. When I come back to play in France, or when I have to come back, I know it's an opportunity to improve and help the team. I consider this as an option, and I am sure that with this option in the future, I can explore others. For example, the opportunity to play in the United States. At the end of the season, I leave Strasbourg to go to an American university. It's an opportunity to compete against the best young people in the world, to play at another level. It's an opportunity to see it with my own eyes, and also to see what I'm capable of playing at such a high level.
Britain is not famous for being a basketball country. Do you think you can help change this image?
Yes 100%. Me and other young people in the country are trying to make this country even bigger when it comes to basketball. Having played in other countries, I think British basketball has nothing to be ashamed of. The opportunity has come to try to put this sport on par with another like football in Britain. With us, there are great talents, and we see it even more today. I am one of them but there are others too, who are my age, who have played in London. Some of us have played in other European countries, at university.
“The Pro B was an option”
We have seen a few entries into play in the first team. Were there certainties to have playing time with the pros or did you know it would be more difficult?
Obviously, this season it was difficult to have certainties, especially for me. In the third part of the season, I was not very present with the first team. I didn't really train with the GIS. When I came back to train, I was placed in the rotation. There were injuries, so it was an opportunity for me to gain playing time. I felt like in the end, I wouldn't keep that game time, that experience, or the extra time to improve my game if I stayed. I told myself that I would have more minutes in Pro B, in an American university or elsewhere.
Why didn't you choose the Pro B?
The Pro B was an option. We discussed it for a long time with my agent and my family. We thought that the opportunity to play in the United States, at another level, everyone would have seized it. I can always come back to France even if everything goes well or things go differently. I told myself that I had so many opportunities for the future that I didn't want to pass up my chance, and I didn't feel like I was missing out on making my choice.
On Twitter, CBB Europe, a page relaying information on young European players, suggested that a departure for the NCAA is possible. Has there always been a real desire to try the experience there?
During the year 2022, I was able to play against Bronny James. It was in August, last summer. During this game, I got a lot of attention. There are universities who already wanted to see me, who came on this occasion. I already had some opportunities, this was the exposure I needed. The third option was to go to Pro B. I had no exposure, no contact with American coaches at that time. After that game, that changed, and I felt like I was opening my eyes to this really becoming a possibility.
What goals have you set for yourself following this move to the United States?
Beyond the collective goals that the coach has set for us, I would like to become one of the best in the world. Being able to go to the NBA or the EuroLeague, I don't close any doors. I will follow the programs, the trainings, hoping that these people can help me improve my game, and reach the potential that I know I have. If I win the conference championship, or March Madness, that could get me drafted in the next three years.
(wink/nod).
