Charité is counting on the interior Kevin Keliki, winner of the Eurocup with Monaco and “at the service of the team”
On the bench, but not yet available, during the victory against Furdenheim (78-70), then in the group during the defeat at Tremblay (76-69), Kevin Keliki will play his first match at the Georges-Picq gymnasium, this evening (8 p.m.), against Metz, for the fourth day of Men’s National 2. The 22-year-old interior (2.08 m), who has come to complete the puzzle of Guy Arnaud, Charitois coach, must bring verticality to a racket charitoise that needed to be densified.
How did they make their first contact with La Charité?
I was in Brussels, where I was doing a freelance job with Circus Brussels, a Belgian first division club. I had three days left when La Charité contacted me. I was already thinking about the after, the call came at the right time. I wanted a project where I could have an important role and take on certain responsibilities. This is also why I left Berck (on a climb in NM1), even if I kept very good relations.
Physically ready
What form are you in?
I am well. I have just finished five preparation matches, with Circus Brussels, but also with Le Havre (NM1), where I was able to train at the start of the season. With the Belgian team, I played in particular against Nancy (first division), for 6 points, 8 rebounds, in 16 minutes.
Figures that fit your contribution into the racket…
My goal is for the team to win, not to shine individually. In NM2, not all stats are renamed (points, only). But taking rebounds, it earns points (smile). I serve the team. And the La Charité team has the same values as me. I discovered a group of fighters, of workers. A club that wants to fight to stay in NM2, to disturb the best teams in the pool. I am in a good project to develop myself individually.
I quickly saw that the people here were passionate. It marked me. They talk to me about a little cauldron, I saw that against Furdenheim. I am told that it will be even better afterwards.
How did you experience your first at Tremblay?
I felt good, we could even have taken this match without the injury (from the Charitois interior Mikic, hit in the hip, evacuated after an interruption of more than thirty minutes). Guy (Arnaud) has a plan for me, I work hard. I feel like I can have a crucial role in the racket by bringing my wingspan. In NM2, clubs are embarrassed by zone defenses, have trouble scoring in the racket.
All our items on the La Charité basket
What do you keep from your experience in Monaco, where you were trained?
Three great seasons with the Espoirs (63 games in total). On the last, I’m almost a double-double (9.1 points and 11.2 rebounds on average per game). I also played in Pro A (3 matches, 33 minutes and 4 points in total). And I won the Eurocup, being in the group of twelve players in the semi-finals and in the final. I got my medal. After having tasted that, I do everything to be able to return to the elite. But not being JFL (Locally Trained Player), I struggled to find a Pro A and Pro B project after Monaco.
After having attended, without being able to play, the match against Furdenheim, how did you find Georges-Picq?
I quickly saw that the people here were passionate. It marked me. They talk to me about a little cauldron, I saw that against Furdenheim. I am told that it will be even better afterwards. I can’t wait to see that, starting with the match against Metz. We will need our fans. The team must show the city that it can do better than last season and maintain itself.
Diminished Charity In addition to the absence of inside Dejan Mikic, there are those of Dimitre Dimitrov and Andre Jackson in the outside sector. First appearance in the league with La Charité for leader Gwénaël Bonomini. Winger Enzo Dos Santos also joins the group.
LA CHARITÉ-SUR-LOIRE (Georges-Picq gymnasium). La Charite-Metz. Referees: Charles Tournier and Didier Claude. The charity : Salaneuve (1.80 m, cap.), Pouye (1.83 m), Bonomini (1.84 m), Genty (1.87 m), Poncet-le-Berre (1.89 m), Palcy (1 .94 m), Dos Santos (1.97 m), Hangoué (2.02 m), Béa (2.03 m), Keliki (2.08 m). Trainer: Guy Arnaud.
Owen Cudgel
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