Jean-Aimé Toupane : « J’ai toujours observé le basket féminin »

This Wednesday, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced that Jean-Aimé Toupane was appointed coach of the French women’s team. This choice surprised because the federal technician has never coached a high-level female team. Asked about this Thursday morning during a videoconference, the former player wants to be reassuring:

« I have always observed women’s basketball, he says . And in terms of high performance I think the levers are the same. It will necessarily require an adaptation. Women’s basketball wants to be inspired by men’s basketball. The Americans who are the first nation in the world have this tendency and it will be our desire to get closer to this basketball. We have players with an athletic and physical profile and I intend to build on these strengths. aspires to bring groups, boys or girls, to the highest level. « 

If the France team goes into a new cycle, with a new staff, the group should still remain in continuity. Indeed, the veterans (Endy Miyem, Sandrine Gruda) were again productive this summer and many players are in the prime of their lives.

« I’m not starting with a blank sheet. Valérie Garnier has done an excellent job for eight years. She set the bar very high and I am almost obliged to continue on this road. »

Among the reactions to this announcement, we noted in L’Equipe that of Sandrine Gruda, enthusiastic about working with Jean-Aimé Toupane, whom she worked with during a Blue internship at INSEP this summer. , and that critical of the former coach Pierre Vincent.