Magic swingman Evan Fournier
is excited to play in the NBA Africa exhibition Saturday in Pretoria, South Africa.
Orlando Magic swingman Evan Fournier said he’s not exactly sure what to expect when the NBA Africa Game tips off Saturday in Pretoria, South Africa.
But he predicts the event will be a lot of fun.
“When you put 20 guys together, that’s probably what’s going to happen: a lot of jokes and a lot of cool stuff,” Fournier said from South Africa in a phone interview. “I’m really, really excited. Since the first game three years ago, I really wanted to play here. So since it’s going to happen, I’m just really, really happy.”
Fournier grew up in France and proudly plays for the French national team during NBA offseasons. On Saturday, though, he’ll play for Team Africa because his mom is from Algeria.
The exhibition will take place after the conclusion of the 16th Basketball Without Borders Africa, a camp for young basketball prospects.
“The camp, I think it’s amazing for the kids. Growing up, I would have loved to have that opportunity to meet NBA players and to be able to compete against guys from my continent,” Fournier said. “It’s amazing what the NBA is doing here in Africa and, basically, all over the world. So I’m just really happy to be a part of it.
“[The kids] pay attention and you can say anything and they will do it,” Fournier added. “I feel like there are aware of the opportunity they have. … It makes you want to give them even more.”
Others with Magic ties are in South Africa as part of the event.
The group includes Becky Bonner, the Magic’s director of player development and quality control, and Prosper Karangwa, the Magic’s director of college scouting.
On Team Africa, Fournier has been reunited with former Orlando teammate Bismack Biyombo, whom the Magic traded last month in a three-team deal for point guard Jerian Grant and center Timofey Mozgov.
The Biyombo trade was one of many offseason moves in Orlando. Those moves included the hiring of coach Steve Clifford and a new staff of assistant coaches, the drafting of center Mo Bamba and swingman Melvin Frazier Jr. and the re-signing of forward Aaron Gordon.
Fournier led the Magic in scoring last season, averaging 17.8 points per game, and he’s expected to be a major contributor again.
“Honestly, I thought we [have] had a really good offseason, just by the draft itself,” Fournier said. “I didn’t think Bamba was going to fall to six, and so I feel like we really got lucky and we have a really good piece with him.
“And, of course, the signing of Aaron was going to happen. I don’t think there was any doubt, and overall I think we’ve definitely gotten better. … We have another two months and a half to start the season so I’m definitely excited.”
Fournier said he’s pleased with what he has seen so far from the new coaching staff. Fournier already has spoken with Clifford, and Fournier said he looks forward to spending more time getting to know Clifford and the new assistant coaches.
“It was really just about breaking bread, just talking about life, how you doing, getting to know other,” Fournier said. “We didn’t get into basketball, really. A little bit, but it was nothing really deep and I have a really good feeling about coach Clifford.
“My friend [Nicolas] Batum told me a lot of good things about him. He played for him for three years, I think. … I only hear great stuff.”
Fournier also looks forward to working with new Magic assistant coach Mike Batiste, who played professionally in Europe and led the Greek team Panathinaikos to EuroLeague championships in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
“He was a EuroLeague legend,” Fournier said. “I was watching him growing up, so it’s definitely going to be fun.”