By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
One of the most respected athletes in Europe and the United States, Boris Diaw after 14 years in the NBA he is officially a member of Paris Levallois. Diaw trained on Tuesday morning for the first time with his new teammates and will make his official debut on Saturday against Limoges for the Pro A.
Le Parisien interviewed the 35-year old earlier today and asked him on why he decided to join Levallois. “Frederic Fauthoux (head coach) was one of the reasons. He’s a person I’ve known for a long time and he is a young coach with whom I want to work with. He trusts his teammates which is something really important and I wanted to be part of this new project, “ He stated. “Paris is also another reason I wanted to come and play for Levallois, as I was born in Val-d’Oise. It gives me great pleasure to discover a city like Paris in my adult years.”
Diaw also commented on his first training: “It was great. I met new people, in a new environment. It will require some time to adapt to the new team, the coaches, and the environment. However, I have a good feeling, because I had not played since our last game at the EuroBasket with France, “ Diaw added.
The former NBA champ also stated that he is ready to play on Saturday vs. Limoges and as of now he will play for Levallois: “I feel ready to play and I believe that in terms of papers everything is done. The European style of play is something I know from France’s national team and the EuroBasket. It is up to the coach to decide if I’m ready to play in the game.”
Diaw also mentioned that he does not have any other proposals to sign for an NBA team. “I was a little disappointed by the NBA teams, but from one point forward there is a decline in your career. I haven’t had contact with other European teams, some of them came to my agent. This was the choice I wanted to make to come to Levallois. It is not about the money, it is a man’s choice.”
The 35-year old will make his Pro A debut this Saturday against Limoges.