Isaia Cordinier of Nanterre 92 has impressed all of Europe with his outstanding play and incredible highlights all season long. Before his team's pivotal clash with AS Monaco, Cordinier was interviewed by EuroCupBasketball.com.
Isaia Cordinier, Nanterre: 'We want to keep going'
Interviews
7 mins read
If you follow 7DAYS EuroCup highlights, you have seen Isaia Cordinier of Nanterre 92 quite often. Cordinier has been pleasing fans all around the world with his high-flying blocks, show-stopping dunks and a variety of energetic plays, night in and night out. Calling Cordinier a human highlight film, however, would be an understatement, as he has improved in every aspect of the game in his second EuroCup campaign. Cordinier, 24, was already great in his first EuroCup season with 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in eight games. He has boosted those numbers to 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 11 games this season, improving his shooting percentage to 55.9% inside the arc and 43.2% from downtown. Cordinier knows it is do-or-die time in the EuroCup Top 16 and is ready to stand out, as he told EuroCupBasketball.com in this interview. "We built our chemistry and worked to improve our team," Cordinier said. "I think it is going to be really interesting to see what we are capable of, to show the level that we are at right now."
Hello, Isaia. Congratulations on a great season. Are these two wins against Unicaja the turnaround you needed to compete for a playoff spot?
"Thank you. I think these were two must-win games because we lost our first two. I feel like we were not ready in the first game against Monaco and we bounced back against Joventut. We lost in Badalona, too, but I felt like we were close against Joventut and played well. The two wins against Unicaja Malaga show that we can compete at this level and we have all of our chances to go to the next round."
"My dad showed me basketball and I never stopped."
Like you said, you lost by 28 at home against Monaco. Is that game in your mind now that you will face them again?
"Yes because I think that comparing the level that we showed against Monaco in the first Top 16 game and the level we have now is completely different because we just kept improving and learned a lot. We built our chemistry and worked to improve our team. I think it is going to be really interesting to see what we are capable of, to show the level that we are at right now."
Your father Stephane played handball professionally. You played handball as a kid; what led you to choose basketball?
"It is really funny. I was not supposed to switch to basketball. My parents just wanted me to switch youth teams in handball, so we decided to switch clubs. And during this summer, my dad showed me basketball and we played basketball with the family, once. And then I said 'I want to do basketball next year', so that is how I went to basketball. My dad was a basketball fan, too, he showed me basketball and I never stopped. I never stopped!"
You lived in Martinique for three years, from 2006 to 2009. How was life there? Are they into basketball?
"The life there was great as a kid. I had the chance to know my family, who are from Martinique, and it was an unforgettable experience. Basketball-wise, the level is lower than in France, the basketball skills and everything, but I think there is a lot of potential because people are really big athletes. We can see that some of the best players come from Martinique, Guadeloupe... the French islands. There are a lot of great athletes over there."
"This is a historical club in France and we just have to give everything and compete."
Nanterre is truly a family club like no other in Europe. How would you explain that to someone who doesn't know its history?
"When we talk about Nanterre, you have to understand the history of the team. It came from the lowest level possible in French basketball to win the championship. You have to respect that. It is a good illustration that in sports, anything is possible. This is a historical club in France and we just have to give everything and compete."
The club is doing a great job developing young players like Ivan Fevrier, Samuel Eyango-Dingo and Victor Wembanyama. How great is it for the club?
"I think it is great. Young players need that confidence that the team and the club show them to have their chance. At the same time, they have the chance to practice every day and play some minutes, which is good for their development and their future careers. I think it is just good for French basketball."
Wembanyama is amazing. We've only seen him play here and there, but his upside is tremendous.
"The time he was practicing with us, at least once every day, you would see a crazy action, like, 'wow'. You see him and say 'wow, how did it do it?' This is unbelievable. He is a talent that comes out once every 20-30 years, once in a generation. They are doing a good job with him and the kid has a great mentality. His family, his parents and everyone around him take care of him the right way, which is very important. The kid is so special! He can do everything on the floor and wants to do everything on the floor! That's one of his strengths and also the confidence he plays with, no matter if he is with INSEP, U21 or with us. He just plays hard. This kid is the future."
"I play to compete and win games."
Speaking about highlights, you are an explosive player and big plays come to you naturally. How much do you miss the fans to celebrate with them?
"Well, the time I miss our fans the most is when we win! It is true that when I dunk or make a big play, I miss our fans, but first, I play to compete and win games. But yes, we miss the interaction with fans. As a player, as a competitor, everybody feels the same. We feel the energy from the fans, from the crowd. It is a strange situation, but at least we can play and that is something that we have to have in mind, but for sure, nothing compares to playing in front of a full arena. That is one of the strengths in sports."
You are shooting much better this season, up from 29% to 43% from three-point range. How did you improve so much?
"I felt like I had a really bad shooting year last season. I always kept my confidence and kept working. I just kept shooting. I don't think about it too much. I was not happy with my percentage last season, but I stayed confident, kept working and now I am shooting well. I know there are going to be a lot of ups and downs, but I want to be the most regular possible and this year is the first step."
How big would it be for Nanterre to reach the EuroCup playoffs?
"That is what we play for and it would be a great accomplishment. This is the first time that I've reached the Top 16 and we want to keep going. We don't want to stop. We know it is not going to be easy, but we play to win games, game after game. We are ready to compete and play hard."