After the surprise victory of Germany against Greece and the miracle qualification of the Blues against Italy, it was indeed Poland who closed the ball by validating their ticket for the semi-finals. Unleashed, the Poles showed great things against Slovenia, especially through a Mateusz Ponitka in triple-double. However, as we know, to reach this stage of the competition, we must not rely on a single player, but on an entire group. And speaking of the group, there is still a player who should bring back some memories to fans of Gaulish basketball. Her name ? Aaron Cel, the half-French, half-Polish interior.
What if we told you that in fact, there will not be twelve, but thirteen French people present on the field on the sidelines of Friday’s semi-final (5:15 p.m.) against Poland? So no, Vincent Collet did not call Tony Parker last night to ask him to put on the sneakers, it’s actually much simpler. Aaron Cel, interior holder of Poland was born in Orléans. Yes, this gentleman is also a proud Gaul and lived in France until he was 24 years old. Born to a Polish mother and a Franco-Polish father, Aaron has always had a special bond with France. Already, and some will perhaps remember it, this boy scoured our good old championship for a long time, passing through Nantes, Brest or Le Mans to name but a few. Even stronger, the interior is even selected for the French team in almost all the junior categories, proof of a basketball player with certain talent. His talent precisely, Aaron will quickly decide to exploit it far from France, at home in Poland.
Despite a title of champion of France acquired with Le Mans in 2006, Cel plays only too little and gets bogged down in the French championship. The interior then takes a radical decision, leaving the country of its debut to continue its progression in the Polish championship. The move is good, very good even since Aaron changes dimension by signing at PGE Turow Zgorzelec. Excellent with this club which we will not inflict on ourselves the ordeal of rewriting the name, the Franco-Polish clashes to the point of attracting the greed of the biggest team in the country, Zielona Gora. From young hope still uncertain to strong winger holder in a EuroLeague five, this is the kind of progression we are talking about. The progress is obvious, so much so that the Polish federation decides to look into this boy who has passed under the radar, but we will come back to it. After driving in the Polish championship, Aaron Cel decides to return to France for the 2015-2016 season, in order to erase a previous passage that was far too discreet. Under the colors of Monaco first, then those of Gravelines-Dunkerque thereafter. Unfortunately, the experiment is not what we call a frank success, and Cel decides to turn, surely definitively, the page of tricolor basketball. Finally, it’s back to Poland for the strong winger, who once again returns home. Since 2017, Aaron has been playing for Twarde Pierniki Toruń. Once again, the bet is successful since even at 35, Mr. continues to do the job (12 points and 5 rebounds at 51% shooting in 2021-22).
And tick, three. 3⃣ We need as many throws as possible. ???? Bravo Aaron Cel. ???????????????? #koszkadra #DawPolska pic.twitter.com/9FRSL9Z4HC
— TVP SPORT (@sport_tvppl) February 23, 2020
If the course in the club could sometimes be a little winding, the adventure with the Polish selection is just magnificent. Aaron made his debut there in 2014, in the midst of what would prove to be one of the finest generations in Polish basketball. Despite his presence with the Blues in the junior teams, the interior knew that his future in the France A team was uncertain, the fault of a few fairly serious players: Boris Diaw, Flo Piétrus or Adrien Moerman to name a few. No matter, to each problem its solution and Cel explodes under the colors of the Eagles. The Franco-Polish is present in all the major competitions played by his selection, and quickly established himself as a fundamental player in the system of Mike Taylor, former coach of Poland. Today a lot has happened and Cel now has over 100 caps with the red and white jersey. A nice accomplishment for a boy with a path full of pitfalls, but who never gave up. Moreover, the most beautiful of rewards could very well arrive in the days that follow, since Poland is only two games (or even one) away from winning a medal in this EuroBasket version 2022. No small feat for this team which had not reached the last four of a Euro since 1971 (they had then nabbed a bronze medal). Be careful though because if Aaron and his friends were great to get Slovenia out, we will have to be even bigger to get rid of a French team that seems indestructible in this tournament. The opportunity for Aaron Cel to end his career in the best possible way? In any case, that’s what the interior had promised if the French and the Poles were to meet during the semis.
“If I face the French team in the semi-finals of EuroBasket, I will stop my career there! —Aaron Cel for BeBasket
Aaron Cel is one of those players with a little publicized but nevertheless unique history. Already emblematic in his country, the Franco-Polish has the opportunity to write a new page in his career, undoubtedly the most beautiful. For that, we will have to get rid of the Blues, so see you Friday at 5:15 p.m.
Sources texte : Proballers / BeBasket