Buducnost VOLI Podgorica ended a four-game losing streak by downing Dolomiti Energia Trento 98-96 in overtime at home in Round 8 and young forward Yoan Makoundou had to do a lot with it.
Yoan Makoundou, Buducnost: 'This is a good challenge for me'
Interviews
6 Mins read
Yoan Makoundou joined Buducnost at the start of the season from AS Monaco, where he played limited minutes on a very successful team. He is making the most out of his new role as one of Buducnost's leaders, averaging 13.4 points on 54.5% three-point shooting, 5.0 rebounds and a PIR of 15.4. Over his last three games, Makoundou boosted his numbers to 20.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 23.7. Against Trento, the 23-year-old Frenchman led Buducnost with a career-high PIR of 33. He also set personal bests in points (23), rebounds (8), assists (3) and blocks (3).
Makoundou said he thinks this season could allow him to get to the next level. "I think this is a good challenge for me, like I said, it is an opportunity. It is what I really needed, playing for a team and a coach and an organization that trusts me," Makoundou said. "So this is a great challenge, and I'll do everything to make it a good turning point in my career."
Congratulations on beating Trento. The team trailed most of the way but got the win in overtime. What allowed you to have that strong mentality?
"Thank you. It was more about the fight we showed, I would say. We kept our fighting spirit during the whole 40 minutes... I mean, 45 minutes! So I think Trento is a great team, but they they pretty much fell at the end."
This win snapped a four-game losing streak. What does the team need to make it a turning point?
"I think wins like this definitely help us come back to play the right way. It will be more about making all the efforts, the little efforts that we were not doing earlier. It is all about the team, I am unselfish and not really worried about how the next game will go. We will just fight and see at the end of the game."
"I'm not taking this for granted and I'm just making sure that I give everything on the court."
You have been playing better and better lately. How great is it to play a leading role on a strong team like Buducnost?
"Man, it is a great opportunity for me, coming from a team where I didn't really have the chance to contribute as I wanted to. I'm not taking this for granted, and I'm just making sure that I give everything on the court. It is what it is."
Now that you have played against almost all the opponents in Group B, how strong is the EuroCup this season and how much of a challenge is it for you?
"I think this is a good challenge for me, like I said, it is an opportunity. It is what I really needed, playing for a team and a coach and an organization that trusts me. So this is a great challenge and I'll do everything to make it a good turning point in my career."
Your next game is arguably the toughest one on paper, on the road against undefeated Gran Canaria. How much are you looking forward to it?
"We will just try to get a win, whatever it takes. That is the main thing and what matters to me. I watched a couple of their games. I know they play well and everything they do is organized. They play the right way and I think it is going to be a defensive game."
You have a new coach in Andrej Zakelj. I know he just arrived, but in what ways can he help the team?
"I think he will help the team with our spacing and focus on the things we didn't do well earlier in this season. These are the main things he is focusing on and probably the things that will help us the most for this second part of the EuroCup season."
There are many young French players doing well in the EuroCup this season: you, Nadir Hifi, Noa Essengur, Zaccharie Risacher, Hugo Benitez... Why is that?
"I would say that everything is in the way we learn how to play, the way we learn how to fight in young teams in the Espoirs [U21] categories. I think that's pretty much about it. France is a place that really cares about young people and makes sure they get involved somehow. If you can't really play pro early, you can work your way up, being responsible and accountable through the younger teams, the younger categories. So this is the main thing that France has been doing, at least for me. I can speak for me and not for the others."
"I'll do everything to make it a good turning point in my career."
Did any team or any player surprise you until now in the EuroCup?
"I cannot say I was surprised, because I had the chance to see a lot of great teams and great players, so I wouldn't say it shocked me. But I really think the EuroCup is a good championship, a good European competition. I can play it being 23 years old and get responsibilities and opportunities for me."
How was the experience of being inside the EuroLeague Final Four last season, even getting a chance to play one game?
"It was obviously great, playing the Final Four so early in my career. That was really a blessing and a big chance. It's been really interesting seeing how players talk to each other and stick together whether it's a loss or a win. And being a part of it on the inside was really interesting."
What would you consider a good season for Buducnost, and for you in particular?
"To be able to be in the [semifinals] or the [quarterfinals] and give everything in each game that we played in, do all the things that help us to get the most wins possible. That's the main thing for me. All other things will come if we play well. I'm confident in myself and the team. I just expect us to get some wins and show a good face of a good team that plays well, that's it."