There was a sweet Pictavian scent floating around the French Basketball team during this international window week. And not only because the Blues, now coached by Frédéric Fauthoux, successor to Vincent Collet, whose Poitevin Ruddy Nelhomme was his assistant for fourteen years, came to play for the first time at the Arena Futuroscope this Sunday.
On the occasion of the double confrontation against Cyprus (victory Thursday in Nicosia 59-75 then Sunday in Chasseneuil 85-70), the new coach retained twelve players and three training partners. And, among the latter, two well-known names from Poitiers Basket 86: Jonathan Jeanne and Mohamed Diawara.
“Without the hand of God, I would not be here today”
The first begins his third season under the colors of the PB of which he has become one of the major elements. The second was loaned to Poitiers last December while he was vegetating on the Paris Basket bench in Betclic Elite. He has since found the Betclic Elite in Cholet, the leader.
While the list was revealed in October, both learned the good news in different ways. “No one warned me in advance, neither agent, nor coach… I was very surprised. It was a nice surprise”testifies Jonathan Jeanne. “I was leaving training when I received a call from Boris Diaw (General Manager of Team France Basket). I didn't expect it at all. I was extremely happy”confides Mohamed Diawara. Regulars of the French youth teams, Jeanne (27 years old) and Diawara (19 years old) are, this time, familiar with the big leagues.
For Jonathan Jeanne, the story is even more beautiful when we remember that the interior was banned from playing in France between 2017 and 2021 after the detection of Marfan syndrome. Until new medical examinations contradict the initial diagnosis. Since then, the player has continued to gain strength, to be, today, one of the best pivots in Pro B. “It is a recognition of my faith in God. Without the hand of God, I would not be here today. He was the one who helped me overcome these challenges. It is also a reward for the work carried out over many years. »
Mohamed Diawara was also retained as a training partner.
© (Photo Armand Lenoir/FFBB)
“We were an integral part of the French team”
Mohamed Diawara has resumed an upward trajectory slowed during his stay in Paris. “Being loaned to Poitiers to gain playing time and show my potential was a very good choice. Like signing for Cholet in the off-season. Having been called by the staff of the French team also underlines our good start to the season”indicates the winger, considered one of the great hopes of French basketball and aiming for the NBA in the more or less near future. Like Jonathan Jeanne in his time.
“Jo” and “Mo”, as they are nicknamed, met last Monday, in Nanterre, to participate in the start of the Blues rally. Before being released on Wednesday, when the France team flew to Nicosia. In total, they will have participated in four training sessions. Time to give the best of themselves, to learn. And to have fun, too. “We were simply asked to do the same things as at club, putting a lot of concentration and application in order to prepare the team as best as possible. We were not put under any pressure by asking us not to hesitate to ask questions”specifies Jonathan Jeanne. “We were very well received. We were an integral part of the French team”adds Mohamed Diawara.
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“It makes you want to come back”
The experience, as short and intense as it was, was inevitably enriching. Both humanly and sportingly. “It was a very nice discovery. This allowed me to compete against players at a higher level than Pro B. It's important for me because it's been a long time since that happened to me. It feels good. Physically, in reading the game and in terms of skill, he is very strong. It makes you want to come back”admits Jonathan Jeanne, under contract with the PB until 2026. An opinion shared by Mohamed Diawara.
Frédéric Fauthoux also seems to have been satisfied with their contribution. “I was able to talk with him. He congratulated me on my diligence and told me that it had reassured him in his choice to take me on. He told me to keep working and that I could go far”indicates Jeanne. Words that necessarily warm the heart, also motivating for the Poitiers Basket 86 player who is determined to continue his momentum with his club to relive such moments.
And, why not, follow in the footsteps of Evan Fournier or Moustapha Fall, other former Poitevins leading a very successful international career.
“It’s nice for them”
Andy Thornton-Jones (coach of Poitiers Basket 86): “Seeing Jonathan Jeanne and Mohamed Diawara in the French team is obviously a pleasure for them. For an athlete, playing for his country is one of the major objectives. For the club, it is also a source of pride to see a current or former player rub shoulders with the Blues. You have to remember that a year ago, Mohamed Diawara played very little in Betclic Élite. And that a year and a half ago, Jonathan Jeanne was playing in NM1. The PB had an important role in making them evolve. »
