“We can't kill dreams”: why more and more young French basketball hopefuls are being seduced by the American university sector

Are French basketball talents leaving for America too soon? The question arises as several of them prepare to compete in the university season, which begins Sunday, November 1 in the United States. Considered as the antechamber of the NBA, the NCAA has for several years attracted many French hopefuls, seduced by the opportunities it offers.

The NCAA: four letters that are the dream of young athletes around the world, attracted by the prestige of American universities. For five years now, it has also been a question of money. Students, even amateurs, can earn income thanks to their image rights.

A choice which is debated, but which the former French international Edwin Jackson understands. "I went to China. I would have been offered what was offered to me in the NCAA, I would have gone there for sure. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Sometimes, I find it very hypocritical to say to kids: 'you stay here, you will have a contract worth €600 per month when you can take between 500,000 and 1 million per year'. You have to understand them too", he explains.

“I don’t see any reason to leave.”

Several French players have decided to join the American university ranks. There were 68 last season, there are 79 this season. The phenomenon is growing. But others choose to stay in France, despite requests. This is the case of Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, 18 years old, winger from Nanterre, expected in the first round of the next NBA draft. "France trusted us and today, I owe a lot to this country. When you see players who came through France, who are in the NBA, and for whom things are now going well, I don't see any reason to leave. Me, I've never been attracted by money, I know how important it is, but it's not the first option for me," he says.

If some people resist, the reservoir inevitably dries up. The NCAA is now overshadowing French training clubs, who are seeing their efforts cut down in mid-air. Fierce competition, but not unfair for the president of the National Basketball League, Philippe Ausseur, who is in dialogue with the NCAA. "If we continue to pursue this aspect of aspiration for our young talents without this training being paid, everything will collapse, he believes. Let's not lie to ourselves: the biggest reservoir in Europe is in France. We have every interest in working with the NCAA. We cannot kill dreams."

“We have to support this dream so that at some point, everyone is a winner.”

Philippe Hausseur

at franceinfo

But the situation is changing very quickly. The American Congress is already looking into the subject. The Senate approved a text last month to regulate these image rights in particular. But opponents see it as a way to reinforce an exploitative system.