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BasketballPresentation: can BBC Nyon go higher?
Before the start of the new SB League season, we continue our overview of the seven French-speaking clubs with the BBC Nyon.
Jérémy Jaunin averaged 10 points and 5 assists last year. And this season?
Marusca Rezzonico / Freshfocus
Leaving with a bang at the start of last season, the BBC Nyon then returned to the ranks, once the effect of surprise had passed vis-à-vis the other SB League teams. Sixth in the regular season – the goal set by ex-president Xavier Paredes, now replaced by Jérôme Darbre -, Stefan Ivanovic’s team had not gone so far from a semi-final in the spring. , only defeated 3-1 in a series of suspense by Union Neuchâtel. What to revise the objectives of the coming season slightly upwards? “For me, it makes no sense to make any prognosis. We are going to do the best, ”expedites Stefan Ivanovic.
The player to watch:
Its longevity is impressive. At 42, Maleye N’Doye is no longer very young for a professional basketball player but remains a key cog in the Nyon squad. With 27 minutes on average per game last season, the Senegalese veteran had never been used so little since his arrival at Rocher (2018). Less dependent on him in attack since Stefan Ivanovic took his place on the bench, Nyon will however not be able to have a great season without N’Doye in top form. During the last exercise, the slender position 4 had taken many months to really get started. Will he be fit earlier this season? “The goal is not to make him play more but better,” notes Stefan Ivanovic.
The Swiss contingent:
It was a foregone conclusion that it was going to be complicated to keep him for the leaders. Revelation of last season, now a Swiss international, Laurent Zoccoletti gave in to the sirens of Massagno. Less essential, Hamish Warden set sail for Lugano. Among the rest, it’s classic: Jérémy Jaunin, Jeff Dufour, Joel Wolfisberg and William Van Rooij. With his atypical profile, Régis Bono is offered the opportunity to focus solely on basketball. Jannik Rothrock arrives from Morges, as does Titouan Vannay. Youth international Axel Ugurtas (18) will try to gain minutes in the rotation.
The foreigners:
Unhappy with the choice of their foreigners last season, the leaders enlisted Colin Dougherty, a rear a priori less flashy than Georges Beamon, Romario Roque or even Isiah Umipig. To support N’Doye and Van Rooij in the racket, the club bet on two Americans, Devante Brooks and Ian Kinard, not very tall in size but with an energetic and explosive profile. The first will live his first experience outside the United States. The second, who has already worked in Portugal and Slovakia, could acclimatize more quickly. “The three are real hard workers and it was really important for me”, concludes Stefan Ivanovic, who will for the first time count on four imported elements in his workforce.
Our prediction:
BBC Nyon will finish 5th in the regular season.