The 2024 Paris Olympics showcased African basketball's cultural and athletic significance, highlighted by Nigeria’s Women’s and South Sudan’s Men’s National Teams. Building on that momentum, Cameroon’s Yves Missi impressed in his NBA debut, recording 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal for New Orleans.
Last Updated on
October 24, 2024
Over the past ten months, African basketball has experienced numerous landmark moments that have raised the profile of the sport on the continent, its current stars, the many highly talented up-and-coming players and powerhouse clubs [shoutout to the Basketball Africa League].
However, none were more culturally and athletically significant than the performances of the Nigerian Women’s National Team and the South Sudan Men’s National Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While the 2024 Basketball Africa League season and its thrilling final were among the year’s key highlights, without a shadow of a doubt, the impact of these Olympic achievements stood out, elevating African basketball on the global stage.
Building on this momentum and the heels of these amazing feats, Cameroon’s rising basketball star, Yves Missi, had an impressive NBA debut for the New Orleans Pelicans against the (somewhat, because who actually knows, rebuilding) Chicago Bulls. The Baylor University standout selected 21st overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, helped his team secure a commanding 123-111 victory at the Smoothie King Center in front of a jubilant home crowd.
In short, what Missi was able to do during the (almost) 23 minutes he was given was nothing short of spectacular for an NBA debutant who is considered a “raw product” that will require a lot of development. Although Missi’s offence will require a lot of growth and eventual expansion to the 3-point line, he was drafted for his high-IQ defensive capabilities, which he showcased in abundance.
When he was subbed off with 4:20 remaining in the fourth quarter and replaced by German national team player Daniel Theis, the crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation [See Below]. The 20-year-old center finished the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. His debut was marked by several standout plays, including alley-oops and powerful blocks on Chicago Bulls guards Zach LaVine and Josh Giddey, moments that would have made the late Dikembe Mutombo proud.
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green gave Yves Missi—who averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks in his lone season at Baylor University—his debut at the 6:14 mark of the first quarter. Missi immediately made his presence felt, grabbing the first of his four defensive rebounds. Just over a minute later, he stole the ball from Lonzo Ball, who was playing his first NBA game in over 1,000 days.
Late in the first quarter, with just 1:25 left on the clock, Missi swatted away a shot from Chicago guard Josh Giddey. Moments later, he contributed offensively, sinking a hook shot off an assist from Jamal Murray to bring the score to 23-27 in favour of the Pelicans.
In the second quarter, Missi returned to the court with 6:17 remaining and wasted no time making an impact, grabbing a defensive rebound moment after being subbed in. Shortly after that, he dished his first career official NBA career assist [NBA Summer League doesn’t count] to CJ McCollum, whose three-pointer gave the Pelicans a 48-45 lead. Missi added to his tally with a smooth reverse layup at 3:32, cutting the Bulls’ lead to 52-50 and marking his sixth point of the game.
The third quarter saw Missi come alive with back-to-back highlight plays. Once again, he invited Josh Giddey to his block party and for some reason, Giddey accepted the invitation [It’s going to be a long season, Bulls fans, hold on tight]. The 20-year-old Cameroonian earned his second block after denying the Bulls’ guard before soaring for an electrifying alley-oop dunk off a pass from Herbert Jones just seconds later to push the Pelicans’ lead to 85-77.
Less than a minute later, Missi turned the temperature up in the Smoothie King building when he threw down another alley-oop dunk, this time assisted by Murray, extending the lead to 90-79 and reaching double figures with 10 points. He later closed out the quarter by grabbing his third defensive rebound.
Missi’s dominance continued in the fourth quarter, as he recorded his third Dikembe Mutombo impression [Read: Block] of the night by rejecting Zach LaVine. He capped off his debut showing with a layup, bringing his point total to 12 and further solidifying his presence on both ends of the floor.
Missi finished the game having shot an excellent 63% (5/8) from the floor [See Below], with a high volume of his attempts coming from within the restricted area. While it’s important not to overhype what he did in the game, the young center showed a level of poise and maturity that should help him stay level-headed throughout the season and hints at a very bright future. Though still considered a “raw product,” Missi’s debut showed glimpses of the potential that could make him a key player for the Pelicans for, at the very least, the early part of the season, especially during the Pel’s upcoming Emirates NBA Cup run.
During the Pelicans' post-game press conference Willie Green lauded over his young center:
"Yves has gotten better and better ... He made an adjustment in the second half, we said 'no more layups, every time you see a ball, go block it.'"
Yves Missi had a solid run in the 2024 Summer League for the New Orleans Pelicans, appearing in four games and averaging 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. He shot an efficient .462 from the floor and .667 from the free-throw line, while showcasing his potential on both ends of the court.
[Images Courtesy of The NBA/New Orleans Pelicans]
