The NBA game in Paris this Thursday between the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls is the sporting event of the week. For the second time in its history, the North American league is organizing a regular season meeting on French soil. An opportunity for part of the French public to attend a poster of the best basketball championship in the world and for Killian Hayes, the leader of the Pistons, to shine in front of his public.
Two and a half years after being drafted in 7th position by the Michigan franchise, the former Cholet Basket is back in France, to his greatest pleasure. “I don’t have much chance to come back. I look forward to seeing my family and friends again. It will be a great event”rejoices the 20-year-old player, aware of the arrival of the Pistons in Paris since the “beginning of last season”.
A spectacular encounter
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The tricolor leader, engaged in his 3rd season across the Atlantic, will necessarily have at heart to shine in front of his public, aware of the rare opportunity for a non-American to play such a meeting in his country. “It will probably only happen once in my career to play an NBA game in France”admits Hayes.
On a personal level, the one who has averaged 16 points since the start of 2023 (with a peak of 26 units on January 8 against the Philadelphia 76ers) hopes “a good match and highlights”but above all “victory” pour “to be satisfied”. Failing that, it promises entertainment to the public at the Accor Arena thanks to the “quick play” of his team, “nice to watch” and which sticks to his style made of “assists, creation and transition”.
“Find free time to visit”
If the arrival of the Pistons and the Bulls in Paris is above all sporting, Killian Hayes intends to find time to introduce his teammates to the French capital. “They ask me lots of questions about shopping and restaurants. It’s up to me to take care of them when we’re there.”he tells us. “I plan things, but they are tourists. They will go to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, all that.”
Between all the activations planned by the NBA for the two teams, the schedule may be tight to stroll around Paname. Despite everything, the Frenchman appears confident: “We have a lot of things to do, but we will find free time to visit.”
