What a revenge! Still unknown – and underestimated – at the start of the season, Nadir Hifi from Paris Basketball has since become a sure value of French … and European basketball. An evolution that has not escaped the Euroligue coaches. The back of the pocket (1.84 m) and sniper from the capital’s club was indeed crowned, this Tuesday, April 15, “rising star” (rising star) of the prestigious competition of basketball clubs of the old continent.
“Elected by the Euroligue coaches, the Rising Star trophy rewards each season the best player under 22 years on July 1 of the previous summer. Hifi was eligible with only a few days in advance, since he was born on July 16, 2002, two weeks before the deadline, “said the Euroligue press release.
The 23 -year -old marks baskets and history since he becomes the first French player to win this award. Hifi succeeded in his first season in the competition. He joined a prestigious list of laureates where Ricky Rubio (Barcelona in 2010), Nikola Mirotic (Real Madrid in 2011 and 2012) or Luka Dononic (Real Madrid in 2017).
-The Parisian has largely dominated the vote this season. He is ahead of another Frenchman, the Monegasque Matthew Strazel. The podium is 100 % tricolor, proof of the good health of French basketball, since Melvin Ajinca (Asvel Villeurbanne) finishes third, Hugo Gonzalez from Real Madrid is fourth, while Juan Nunez of FC Barcelona and Matteo Spagnolo de l’Alba Berlin are fifth ex-aequo.
Almost 15 points on average per game
Hifi was one of the major craftsmen of the beautiful Paris basketball season, which ended in 8th place in the regular phase. In 34 games, he compiled 14.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assist and 3 faults caused on average. He was one of the 41 players to have participated in the 34 games of the regular season and one of the only two players to have come into play in all these games.
Parisians will again be able to count on “the prince of Paname” (nickname Nadir Hifi) to thwart the forecasts and create a new feeling this Tuesday evening during the first barrage of the Euroligue Playoffs on the Real Madrid prosecution. Paris Basketball could receive other distinctions since its leader TJ Shorts is in the running for the title of best player of the season.
