Interview with Jean Jacques Boissy

Jean Jacques Boissy had a season to remember last year, and in the build-up to the 2024 Sahara Conference he says that he looks forward to doing even better.

Named to the 2023 All-BAL First Team and All-Defensive Team, Boissy played a huge role in helping AS Douanes reach the BAL Finals against eventual winners Al Ahly SC.

Can Boissy and AS Douanes do it again? That’s the focal point of this bal.nba.com Q&A interview with 24-year-old Boissy.

Looking at what AS Douanes and yourself were able to achieve last season, do you feel, as a group of players, that you can replicate that successful campaign?

BOISSY - AS Douanes can do it again and do more. We know where we failed last year, and our coaching staff, this time around, made sure to build a team that is capable of winning the league. We try to learn from each other and try to get better from each other. I think we have a great team to win this championship.

The atmosphere at Dakar Arena last season was something out of this world, especially when AS Douanes played US Monastir, a team that you are going to play against one more time. Do you guys feel any type of pressure at all?

BOISSY - I don’t think we are feeling any pressure right now. Because we like that type of energy from our fans, I believe this is going to be positive pressure for us as a team. We are going to be ready for the challenge. I am sure that energy is going to boost us instead to stressing us out.
The Monastir series is going to be a great battle because they have [Chris] Crawford. These [two] games against Monastir are going to be the like a final.

Last year you and Crawford shared the locker room; you two had a good time in leading the team to the Final; You two made it to the All-BAL Team. Now, it’s a Boissy versus Crawford. How are you going to approach that duel?

BOISSY - I have learnt a lot from Crawford. He helped me grow my game. Outside of basketball he is a great person and we have been talking ever since. He is like a brother to me, but on the basketball court, we are going to compete, that’s for sure.

What’s your view on the four teams that AS Douanes are going to face here in the Sahara Conference?

BOISSY - I know the APR team as I played in the Rwandan league before, and I am very familiar with some of their local players although I don’t have a scouting report on their import players yet. Rivers Hoopers have signed some good players, but I will try to get an in-dept scouting report with our coaching staff.

What AS Douanes achieved last year was incredible, and you are saying that you can do better than that. Is that feasible?

BOISSY - I really believe we can do better than last year because we didn’t finish the work we were supposed to do. AS Douanes made it to the quarter-finals in their first BAL appearance [2021]; Last year we made it to the Final, it’s the third time now, and we are going to try to win the BAL title; We are here for that. We are going to be ready for the Championship Game. We are going to start winning as early as Saturday and take one game at a time to make it to the Final.

Many players would love to be in your shoes when one thinks about the atmosphere at Dakar Arena filled with an electrifying home crowd. What message, if any, do you have for fans trying to find a reason to come out and watch the BAL games?

BOISSY - Fans shouldn’t miss any games. The Sahara Conference are like the Finals games. There won’t be any easy games. All those teams are going to come out to try and win games. Monastir is going to try to give us a hard time. AS Douanes and Monastir game is going to be like a final. You don’t want to miss me guarding Crawford and Crawford guarding me. You better show up.

Some of these teams like APR are bringing quality players. I have played with one of them in the G League. I have played with the Egyptian player [Mohamed Nasser] in Toronto.

AS Douanes brought in Chris Obekpa, Mike Fofana, Abdoulaye Harouna and John Madut. For those who know little or nothing about them, what’s your take on those players?

BOISSY – Everyone knows Harouna is a great shooter. We have made great signings. Obekpa is going to be there, blocking shots, catching lobs. Those guys have the experience, the talent and they have the leadership skills to help us to become a better team.