VITORIA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Shooting guard Fabien Causeur played in three games and a total of 18 minutes at the Olympics this summer for France.

The 25-year-old's game-high 22-points and three-steals in Caja Laboral's come-from-behind win at Valencia Basket on Sunday night suggests he is going to have a more prominent role with the national team in the years to come.

Causeur had 12 of his points in the third quarter as Dusko Ivanovic's team hit back from an 18-point deficit to take the lead.

He capped a magnificent effort with a go-ahead three-ball just 11 seconds from the end, a shot that proved to be the game-winner in the 79-75 Liga Endesa triumph.

What was perhaps most impressive on the night, though, was the former Cholet man's defense.

In the third quarter, he had a couple of momentum-changing steals that led to fast-break baskets for his team.

With the win Caja Laboral improved to 5-2 in Spain.

They will be hoping the team's latest success sparks them in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague since the club is just 1-4.

After his breakout performance against Valencia, the 1.93m Causeur gave this interview to FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: Where did this performance from you come from tonight?
Causeur: I think it's confidence when I make two, three baskets in a row. Sometimes earlier in the year if I made two mistakes in a row, I'd go out. Tonight, I lost one ball or missed a shot but Dusko left me on the court because I was aggressive. I'm very happy.

FIBA.com: The coach talked about how pleased he was with the Caja Laboral defense in the press conference. Is that the key for you to get playing time, showing you can play 'D'?
Causeur: Yes, for sure. We came out in the second half with more pressure. We denied the ball and I think Valencia played a little bit against us like we did against Efes in the second half. We were up by 18 in that game and we relaxed a little bit (and Anadolu Efes won 76-64 in Istanbul on 1 November). We came back into the game (against Valencia) and with confidence, anything can happen.

FIBA.com: You had a solid career in France but now you have come to Spain which is probably a step up, and you are playing for Coach Ivanovic. What made you take this decision?
Causeur: I knew I was going to suffer when I came here, but I need this because I am a guy who needs to work a lot. I'm a little bit late when compared to Nando (fellow French international De Colo and former Valencia star). We are the same age and I'm a little bit late so I wanted someone to push me hard in practices and in games, and that is what Dusko does.

FIBA.com: Can you tell that Ivanovic is going to be the most demanding coach you have ever played for, the strongest disciplinarian?
Causeur: For sure. I had Erman Kunter (at Cholet) last year and he was the hardest in France. Here, I think he (Ivanovic) is the hardest in Europe. But I think I like this. I need this to step up every year.

FIBA.com: Talk about the importance of competing in the Liga Endesa in terms of how it impacts your opportunities with France's national side. Does it enhance your chances of playing for France next year and possibly at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain?
Causeur: For sure. If you play well in Spain, for me it's the best competition in Europe. Every game is a war. I have learned a lot already this season with (Caja Laboral guard) Brad Oleson. He's a great help for me, teaching me a lot, and with Dusko and this team, we play big games twice a week, Euroleague and Spanish league, so this is great for me.

FIBA.com: You aren't the only international player to leave the comfort zone of your own country. Germany's Tibor Pleiss is now with Caja Laboral and he was immense with his put-backs. It looked like as a team, Caja Laboral sort of grew up before our own eyes in this one game.
Causeur: Yes, I think when we play like we did in the second half, we can beat any team but we have to play at least 40 minutes to win something, to win a trophy. I think we have seen that we can do great job and do this every game.

FIBA.com: Back to France, you were at the Olympics but didn't get many minutes.
Causeur: For me, it's always a disappointment when I don't play but it was understandable because I wasn't at that level yet. I've come to Spain to hopefully learn a lot and next year, I'll try to earn a place in the France team to play some minutes.

FIBA.com: The overall experience of the Olympics, was it incredible?
Causeur: It's the best thing you can have, and it's even better if you play (smiles). I hope to in four years.

FIBA