Destiny Slocum is enjoying playing Basket Landes again

“It's very easy with fate. You arrive every day with a smile. She is very happy to be here, working with us. It's really nice to have a player like her on the team. » Basketball Landes assistant coach Shawna Thorburn is full of praise for Destiny Slocum, who arrived at Landes in the offseason. “She is very cheerful, and brought us a good sense of humor when she arrived. “She is a very energetic person, always talking, both on and off the field,” adds her teammate Sixtine Maquet, who has worked with her in Landrno for two years (2021-2022).

Almost two months after her arrival in Mont-de-Marsan, the 27-year-old American leader has settled in well at the Landes Club. “It's very easy. There are only very nice people on the team. When that is the case, it is easier to integrate, especially when everyone has the same mentality, insists the Boise, Idaho, native. Everyone is generous and wants to progress. For example, today ( This Tuesday, editor's note, I asked Clarence (Jaldi Tabdi) if she wanted to come over an hour before training to practice shooting, and she didn't hesitate a moment.

“I never lost my love for the game in Hungary, but it's different here.”

“More than just a basketball player”

This Wednesday, with the blue-and-white club, Destiny Slocum returns to the EuroLeague and Miskolc (1), an opponent she is used to facing – “I've played with them a lot over the past three seasons,” she smiles. Specifically in the tournament last year, where she lost three matches to zero in the final to the Hungarians with her club Gyor, where she lived through difficult times.

After such a complicated year she spent in Hungary, which she does not want to dwell on, the former Landerno and Toulouse player found an environment in Basket Lands that allows her to express herself as she wants. “I'm happy to be in a situation where I feel safe and taken care of by my staff and teammates. I never lost my love for the game (in Hungary, editor's note), but it's different here. It's nice to be with people who really care about you and see you as more than just a basketball player.” The club realizes that we are people who live a life outside of basketball.

Different responsibilities

Arriving in a young group, the strong leader discovered a different role on Earth. “I don't have more responsibilities but it's different. In my career, I've spent a lot of time losing (laughs), but I've had good seasons, individually, in terms of statistics. Now I'm trying to be more efficient, to be more efficient,” Destiny Slocum said. “I can be a better leader and play more with my partners.” Assistant Julie Barin adds: “She is very happy to score but also to provide assists and create chances for her teammates.” Sometimes she dribbles a lot but that's normal: for years she has been asked to take charge of the game and score goals. “We are not asking him to do that here.”

In Mary Bardon's absence, the American immediately had significant playing time, co-creating the game with another recruit, Layla Lacan. “It's something I'm used to (smiles).” I play a lot but here, I don't feel like I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, we play united basketball. Everyone plays their part. So, even if you play for thirty-five minutes, you feel less tired. » This Wednesday, it should not reach this total, as Basket Lands marks the return of the French leader (read elsewhere) on this first day of the Euroleague.

(1) The match will be broadcast on the Euroleague Women YouTube channel.

Without Geiselsöder but with pardon

Basketlands' top scorer against Bourges (15 points), Louisa Jeselsuder, will miss Wednesday's match against Miskolc. Axis returned to Germany for personal reasons. However, the Landes Club will be able to rely on its leader, Mary Bardon. The 23-year-old player returns to the field more than a month after suffering an ankle injury at the beginning of preparations. “With limited playing time,” says assistant coach Shauna Thorburn.