Basketball (French team): Camille Droguet “happy to find” Malonga, Leite and Foppossi for her first with the Blues

Called into action last Monday, in the French team, Camille Droguet and Jess-Mine Zodia honored their first selection on Thursday evening, in a qualifying match for Euro 2025 in Caen, against Israel.

The two Tarbes rookies got in tune with the team to participate in the clear victory of the Blues (94 to 52) with 6 points in 8.50 minutes of play for Jess-Mine Zodia and 3 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist decisive in 10.45 minutes for its captain.

Camille, how did you experience this first selection?

Super good. I returned fairly quickly (at the end of the first shift, editor's note) and I felt confident telling myself that if I was there, it was because there was a reason. In addition, with Jess-Mine, we were very well received by the girls and the staff, which allowed me to play with confidence. I knew what had to be done, so not too much stress.

I scored, Jess-Mine did too and as a result, everyone was so happy with the victory but, also, that we scored our first points as a French team (laughs). It was so good and it makes you want to wear the swimsuit again!

Did you expect to be called up to the French team?

Really not at all. There is Marine Johannès who was injured a few days before the start of the French team's training camp. So, I was called a bit at the last minute and it was a nice surprise even if I couldn't really believe it… Because this is the French 5×5 team.

You have a lot of experience with 3×3, is there a lot of difference with 5×5?

At the organizational level, in 3×3 Basketball the players are still well surrounded and well taken care of.

The difference lies more in the level of players we meet because those who are in the French 5×5 team are in the biggest clubs in France and Europe. I didn't think I would one day be alongside them and it's in this aspect that being in the French team feels strange.

Is your selection a consequence of your good form with the TGB?

I know that Jean-Aimé Toupane (coach of the French team) came to Tarbes quite often last season to supervise “Dom” (Dominique Malonga, Editor’s note), “MP” (Marie-Paule Foppossi, Editor’s note) and Carla (Leite, Editor’s note). So, obviously, on these occasions he saw the work that I was doing on the field and off with my captaincy. At the start of the season, I had some good matches which perhaps worked in my favor. We can say that it was the work that paid off.

Has your international experience in 3×3 been useful to you?

Frankly, yes and this allows you to adapt more quickly on the field but also outside when arriving in a new group. I have already worn the French team jersey in 3×3 and it takes away the pressure of having already been selected. It is certain that past experiences are useful in these moments.

You found old partners, does that help too?

It was super comfortable to arrive in the group and tell myself that I was going to find girls I played with like “MP” and “Dom”. They are friends and as we don't have time to see each other because of the championship and the European Cup, to be able to meet up with the French team is very pleasant.

Since your arrival at TGB at the start of last season, you have experienced a lot of good things.

What is certain is that I had a lot of playing time in Tarbes and that allowed me to assert myself, to progress and to show what I am capable of. And that’s what allows me to be here today.

Would it have been different elsewhere? I don't know but it's true that in Tarbes, I was put in good conditions.

What’s next?

I hope there will be one! Because, having played in the French team makes you want to wear the tricolor jersey even more.

It's a great experience and I hope there will be more. There, we will take the plane to Paris for Riga where we will train before facing Latvia on Sunday.