Les Bleues door opens again for Ayayi

MONTPELLIER (2016 Rio Olympics) - Opportunity is knocking once again for French winger Valeriane Ayayi as she looks to turn the disappointment of the last two years into an Olympic dream.

A youth star for her country, Ayayi exploded onto the senior stage at EuroBasket Women 2013 when still a teenager as she helped France reach the Final.

It seemed that she would continue on an upward curve, but a change of coach has seen a change of direction with Ayayi having to endure the disappointment of being cut from the roster prior to the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship. She was heavily touted to return to the fold at last year's EuroBasket Women but was once again overlooked.

That bitter pill though was sweetened considerably when she was thrown a WNBA debut with the San Antonio Silver Stars which poured more scrutiny on the decision by Valerie Garnier not to utilise the 21-year-old again.

Now, following a serious injury to France's starting wing Diandra Tchatchouang, the door has been flung open for Ayayi to finally regain a peg in the senior team locker room.

It's a hard time for Diandra and I wish her a quick recovery. The goal is to firstly qualify France for the Olympics, so each player must give the best for the team to achieve it and I will do my best to be in the team. - Ayayi

 

"The first year, for the FIBA Women's World Championship, was the hardest to take for me, because I was there the year before with coach Pierre Vincent at EuroBasket Women 2013," mused the Bordeaux native. "The national team is a priority for me, so it was a big disappointment.

"For EuroBasket Women 2015, the national team was still a priority, but I had lower expectations than the previous year. When I was told that I would not make the team, it was of course a disappointment - but another opportunity came to me with the WNBA and I took it!

Playing at the Olympics would be huge for me and awesome since during a part of London 2012, I was in Romania for the U18 European Championship Women and I had never imagined being in this amazing [senior] team just one year afterwards and to now have the possibility to play in Rio four years later. - Ayayi

Ayayi has been impressing domestically and shooting over 50 percent for French League leaders Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration, something which could further strengthen her case for inclusion.

"We have kept almost the same team and didn't need lot of time to work on the tactics and to try to find some chemistry with each other," she revealed. "We are playing good basketball and everyone brings something for the team and something different - this is what makes us strong.

"Personally I did well during the first part of the season, but I am not satisfied with it and I still have some plays that I have to keep working on. I am looking to improve my game and make it more complete."

Ayayi is also proving to be a role model for her 15-year-old brother Joel, who is in France's Federal Basketball Centre (CFBB) and now looking to follow in some family footsteps.

"I am really happy for him with how he is doing," smiled the 21-year-old. "He is still young and has much to learn, so must continue to work hard. I wish him great success and of course I am very proud of him."

FIBA