In a Draft vintage which starts relatively slowly, Yves Missi is one of the best students. The Cameroonian, born in Brussels, Belgium, made a place for himself in the interior sector of the New Orleans Pelicans. Long live the French-speaking world!
Yves Missi arrived in a good spot in the NBA. The almost empty racket of the New Orleans Pelicans could allow him to get minutes and an important role from the start of his career, but he still had to take advantage of it.
The former Baylor physical monster directly showed that he is the type to seize opportunities. For his first game in the NBA, he compiled 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in 23 minutes on the floor. A message sent straight away to his coaching staff: “I’m ready.”
However, at the time of his Draft, there were questions. Yves Missi was often described as a player with potential, but who still needed to be polished a lot, not necessarily having the ability to be impactful from the start.
But when Daniel Theis is the only competition, a young player's flaws are easier to overlook. Especially when you're dealing with one of the best rebounders of his vintage and a player capable of physically dominating many of his counterparts is barely 20 years old.
Against the Indiana Pacers last night, the Cameroonian did what he does best by grabbing 10 rebounds in around twenty minutes and putting Myles Turner, one of the best NBA blockers, on quite a poster.
YVES MISSI UPSTAIRS FOR THE POSTER ????
Pacers-Pelicans | NBA League Pass
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— NBA (@NBA) https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1852524539273445542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yves Missi seems well integrated into his new locker room and given his playing time, his talent and his competitors within the 2024 vintage, the Brussels native can aim for a place in the NBA All-Rookies Teams at the end of the season. A great goal going hand in hand with a great start. He who, in twenty minutes of playing time, averaged more than 6 points and 6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in his first six games.
The pivot alongside Zion Williamson for the next few years of his career is undoubtedly Yves Missi!
