16/07/2024

Astou Ndour: "I haven't come to be Lyttle, I am Ndour"

Viernes 12 de Junio del 2015

Astou Ndour:

Astou Ndour arrived in Gran Canaria at the age of 14. In 2011, she obtained Spanish nationality and since then she has won one gold, two silver, and one bronze in youth categories.

Astou Ndour arrived in Gran Canaria at the age of 14. In 2011, she obtained Spanish nationality and since then she has won one gold, two silver, and one bronze in youth categories.

Ante Lituania she signed the best debut of a Spanish player in 37 years.

- I was really looking forward to starting the championship. Before the games, I usually get nervous, but as soon as they start, the nerves go away.

- How did you find out that you were going to play in the Eurobasket?

- Lucas called me and said, "Stay calm, but you are coming with us to the Eurobasket." I was so shocked... I couldn't believe it, so he asked me if I wasn't happy. I replied, "Of course I am," and then he said, "Well, I want you to smile." It was all a bit of a joke because he is always joking around. I love how he is.

- And how is he?

- If he has to tell you something, he tells you straight. He always helps you a lot. And he told me that I have to have fun, to play as I know and not to think too much about what I have to do, just do it.

- Does it put a lot of pressure on you to be Sancho Lyttle's replacement?

- I didn't come here to say that I am the new Sancho Lyttle. We are two different players, with a different way of playing too. I am Astou and she is Sancho. I don't have the responsibility to say that I came to this Eurobasket to take her place.

- How does Ndour play?

- People say that I run a lot, that I jump a lot and that, since I have such long arms, I can catch the ball very high. I have fun playing like that and I love to shoot, but I don't have the body to hold my ground in the paint against a player who is much heavier than me.

- How is the National Team?

- The people encourage you a lot, they advise you. What I like the most is that there are no veterans, here we are all equal.

- The other young member of the group is Leticia Romero, does it help to have her close?

- Leti is my sister forever. I would love for us to have that connection we had in Granca now here too.

- How has your life changed since they discovered you in Dakar (Senegal)?

- You go from spending all day with your family to seeing them very little. I went for over two years without seeing my parents, but they came to visit me a few weeks ago. That's what changes you the most, but I'm happy because here I have my white parents, Domingo and Begoña. They were the ones who spoke to a friend of mine, who asked me if I would like to go to Spain to play. I didn't hesitate. I was 14 years old and it was my dream.

- You are a bit like the female Mirotic. Trained in Spain and have made your debut with the National Team due to the absence of Sancho Lyttle.

- (Laughs) The important thing is that I am here and whenever I can, I will be here.

- What are you satisfied with?

- With qualifying for the Olympics. That's the goal.

- If you achieve it, would you be upset if Lyttle goes to Rio?

- I'm not like that. If they take her, great, because I just want the best for the team. Last year I was in the training camp, then she went and they were runners-up in the world. I was really happy.

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