The french coach of the Geneva Devils – who face Nyon tomorrow – and of the Swiss basketball team is the one who discovered the Veveysan in the year 2000. He's not surprised by his succeeded beginnings in the NBA.
LAURENT GUIRAUD - ATTENTIVE: Manu Schmitt has followed by interposed press the beginnings of Thabo Sefolosha in the NBA. He's delighted that basketball appears on the headline of newspapers.
It was in the summer 2000 in Châlon-sur-Saône (France). A tournament for the young as many exist. Already this long-limbed figure. «And a natural talent. I noticed him immediately, remembers Manu Schmitt. In those days, Thabo Sefolosha was sixteen and played in the Vaudoise selection (a Swiss Vaud district selection of the best players, editor's note)»
The one who is today coach of the Geneva Devils and of the Swiss basketball team, managed at this time the formation center of the Châlon-sur-Saône team. «Ever since, I followed the progression of Thabo. And in 2002, when I was promoted coach of the Pro A team, I managed to let him come to Châlon. He went from a beautiful season with Vevey.»
The beginnings in France are delicate. «Do you imagine? He came from Switzerland where he was a leading player in spite of his young age. And in Châlon, he's nothing! He finds himself at the end of the bench or then he plays with the Under-21 team. But, he fights. He works. He arrives first at the training and leaves last. And in conclusion he becomes indispensable. Thabo has really a huge state of mind. When an obstacle comes in his way, he has this ability to question himself. He finds the solution to overcome, and not to bypass, this obstacle.
He has moreover the luck to get fabulous family surroundings.»
Manu
Schmitt isn't then surprised with the good results of the Veveysan in the NBA.
«He develops in an ideal team for him. I know that the managers
and the technical staff of the Bulls really rely on him and are going therefore to let him take his marks. On his first two games, he got favourable circumstances. More he had to be able to take the advantage of it. Always that state of mind…»
The adventure
Sefolosha is a blessing for all the Swiss basketball. «He shows to all the young of this country that one can be trained in Vevey and succeed
in climbing the degrees.» But it's a media impact especially. «Even the
german-speaking Swiss, who are usually not very interested by basketball,
call me to know more about. It's good to have basketball on the headline of newspapers», he is delighted.
With the Switzerland in 2007
Secretly, Manu Schmitt hopes that Thabo will be able to wear the Swiss basketball team jersey in September 2007 to reach to the european A Division. «He wants it. I have taken a first contact with the Bulls leaders and I will go in Chicago before Christmas.»
It will be in the summer 2007. A tournament for the young as many exist. And a long-limbed figure will draw all the glances…
Grégoire Surdez
Extract from the 24 Heures n°256 - Nov 3, 2006. All rights reserved.
