A Swiss player in the NBA: Sefolosha with the big boys
Thabo Sefolosha who’s coming from the state of Vaud in Switzerland, is going to be introduce in the team of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, the most important league of basketball in USA. It's the first time for a swiss player to have the chance to play on it.
Far away to be strict in laughing and jocking, the young swiss player represents perfectly his first name. Indeed, Thabo means «joy» in sotho dialect. Born from a Swiss mother who was a painter and from a South Africain father who was a musician, the little boy who's nearly 2 meters tall and is 97 kilos, did his first step in basketball in Vevey.
After a try in soccer, he followed the way of his brother Kgomotso (2m height) and discovered basketball at the age of 10. The two brothers were training thereself until the end of the night.
The Blonay’s team, then Riviera’s one, will be twice swiss champions in the less 21 category. And where’s the study between all this? «I’ve been a trouble kid in lot of times», he says. «Then I went in Châlon-sur-Saône, in France, in an education center to pass my high-school diploma (Baccalauréat). It calmed myself.».
Thabo studied two busy years in the social and economic sciences. He had a preference for the history subject, specially the events that happened before the two World Wars and the past history of black people. «For that matter, I watch sometimes history channels» adds the basketball player, entertained.
Following the lead of Jordan
· His addiction is first of all, sports, which «could be a sort of art» when you’re name is Ronaldinho, Zidane, Ali and particulary Michael Jordan. «He put the rod so far, he exclaimed. And thinking that I’m gonna be in the same team where he played...», his eyes illuminated and sparkled. Three months ago, he came for the first time in USA and now he’s the number 2 of the Chicago Bulls for at least two years. «I just realised what’s happening, I’m so impatient!»
Thabo Sefolosha signs gladly signature in Switzerland. His brief fame doesn’t wonder him. «I'm still able to do shopping without bodyguards.», laughed Thabo. He doesn’t seem to wonder much more about how is going to be in USA. «I’m confident, I’ll do my best and the other players are going to help me. »
His calmness can surprise someone. The important point is that his girlfriend Bertille, is going to move on in Chicago too and study for a master in internationals relations! Inevitably, the Swiss player is going to be less alone with her but he’s going to miss all his close acquaintance. Thabo prizes a lot of importance to his sisters and brothers. Incidentally, it’s his other brother, Christophe, who gave him the recipe of the “Volouté” of cucumbers which he's preparing now in his mother home, Christine, in Montreux. «It’s a lightly soup, comments the player, blending mightily the ingredients. But my speciality is actually the crispy chicken with rice and vegetables.» He’s an addicted of lasagna too. The giant gourmand got the advantage when he played in Biella, Italy. «I really like the hearty side of Italy. Besides that, this country has an interesting history.»
In USA, his first preoccupation will be his weight. He must reach 102 kilos of muscle of course. «At this level, there are some specials assistants», he explained. «Nothing is forgotten». But in the kitchen...
A well-surrounded person
During the preparation of the meal, Manourou, coming from France, is taking some pictures to ortalize those moments where Thabo is cooking. «When I was in Chalon-sur-Saône, I was the cooker», added proudly Thabo Sefolosha who’s often asking some advises to his mother, captivated by what his son is cooking. Quite obviously, he’s well surrounded. Tenacious, he speaks as much the Shakespeare language than the Molière’s one. Tattooed on the left arm “The game chose me” and on the right one “God guides my steps”, Thabo Sefolosha is on the right way to have succeed in Basketball. It’s the turn of the Swiss people to support him!
Virginie Jobé
Extract from the Migros Magazine n° 35 - August 2006. All rights reserved.