Cameroonian Erwan Massouck, Team Captain of the Stallions Basketball Team, speaks on the Importance of Practice and Good Relationships in Teambuilding
The Stallions basketball team has been upholding basketball standards in AUN and thrilling students with their incredible performances on the court. This includes their victories in internal and external matches. In an interview, Chidiebube Onwuka, an intern with the Marketing & Communications Department speaks with Erwan Massouck, the captain of the team, on how he motivates his teammates to play together.
Mr. Erwan, a senior majoring in Accounting, is from Cameroon. He started playing basketball at the age of 17 in lower 6 (known as SS2 in the Nigerian school system). Before he fell in love with basketball, Erwan used to play football, the more popular sport in Cameroun and Nigeria.
"I played football from a very young age up until when I got into this team. When basketball came, I turned my back on football because I enjoy basketball more. I no longer find football as enjoyable." Erwan's debut basketball play was inspired by an anime series called "Kuroko No Basket", a Japanese animated series that focuses its plot on the sport and, of course, gives it a superhuman feel. Constant exposure to the energy contained in these animations slowly began to spark an untapped love for basketball in Erwan, and he proved to be up to the task. "I watched, and since I watched it, I fell in love with the sport. I used to play football a lot, but now I know that basketball is my calling. "
Speaking on his first basketball experience at AUN, he remarked that, in addition to traveling far from home, he was extremely eager to play basketball in an environment that resembled that of the United States. His expectations were not fully met at the first instance, but the quality of the players and their commitment was part of his reasons to look at the scene with a smile on his face. Erwan's confidence grew in leaps and bounds when he realized that his new position as the team captain was as a result of his consistency, hard work, and attention to detail on the basketball court.
Erwan enjoys the opportunity he has as a leader on the Stallions basketball team. He explained how, as the first child in his family, he had not had so many leadership opportunities, and being a leader of a specific group of people who believe in him and believe that he deserves to be their leader has put him in that position. Part of the things he takes seriously is building a good personal relationship with his teammates, as it helps to build a better connection. "Personal relationships with every team member are very important. It might not be easy to build, but it is necessary for the basketball team.” The pressure also builds up, and as the team captain, Erwan has to be on the court on time, he has to be able to call the other teammates to come to the court with him, and he also has the responsibility of not only leading but inspiring and motivating them while being the face of the team. These seem to be the new normal for the team captain.
On the challenges involved in being the team captain, Erwan hints at stubborn teammates who would want to prove a point or wouldn't want to listen but states that it is usually part of the game and everyone gets their differences settled at the end of the game. "There are many challenges. You have to lead by example. Anyone that comes before or after you is expected to be among the top two players in the basketball team."
Erwan believes in consistency on the court, as he repeatedly said during the interview, "Consistency is key". He credits consistency for helping him advance from a beginner to a veteran basketball player, and he offers this advice to others who are just getting started: "Keep putting in the work."
Outside of the basketball court, Erwan likes to spend time with his friends. They are a very important part of his life, and he also looks to maintain good personal relationships with all of them.
Speaking of his future goals, he says that he aspires to play in the best league in basketball history, and he will undoubtedly succeed. "My ultimate ambition is to make it to the big league. The (United States) NBA league is my main goal, and you know I have to take it step by step to be able to get there. I am working towards it".
Reported by Chidiebube Onwuka, Intern, Marketing & Communications