HoopsHype.com Interviews
Malick
Badiane: "I don't know if I
will enter the draft in 2004 yet"
by Kris
Santiago / April 1, 2003
There
was an NBA scout in the game against Ulm and you had a great performance.
What are your plans for the future? Do you consider entering the NBA Draft
in 2004?
Malick Badiane: I don't know it yet. I'll talk to my agent and we will decide what's best.
I played in the States last year at the Global Games in Texas and at the
ABCD Camp and I might go to the States again once the season here [in
Germany] is over.
Where do you see
your strengths and weaknesses on the court?
MB: I really
like rebounding and blocking shots -- that's where I'm good at. But I
need to gain more experience in my game. Everything is still new to me,
as I came from Senegal just a year ago.
Who is you favorite
NBA player and which is your favorite NBA team?
MB: My favorite
player is Kevin
Garnett of the Minnesota
Timberwolves, but my favorite team is Dallas.
I liked the Lakers last year, but this year Dallas is my favorite team.
Why did you choose
to play in Germany instead of going to a high school or a college in the
States?
MB: I visited
some colleges in the U.S., but the [Frankfurt] Skyliners gave me the chance
to practice with big men like Mario Kasun [41st overall pick in
the 2002 NBA Draft] and Robert Maras, and I learn from them. And
the Skyliners really take care of me. They really help me to be a better
player.
What are your
plans regarding the Senegalese national team?
MB: We want
to go to the Olympics, so we have to qualify for the African Championships
in Egypt. That's why I will join the team in Senegal, where we will try
to win the qualifying tournament for Egypt and then for the Olympics.
Who do you think
is the best talent out of Senegal who could become a great player, but
is still in Senegal?
MB: I saw Souleymane
Camara last year playing at the African Championships and he's a great
player. He's playing for Kentucky and he will go to the NBA, I
heard. A good player in Senegal right now is Muhammadou Kadir Pene of US Goree. He's playing the two and the three spot and he's very talented
but still in Senegal.
Kris Santiago is a
staff writer for Africabasket and a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com
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