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A lucky set of circumstances had me be in Riga, Latvia early May to cover the EYBL U13 Superfinals, the very same time Belgium’s rising star, FIBA Europe U18 champion and 2017-2018 Belgium vice-champion Marie Vervaet was in town herself with her Antwerp High School team to compete in the EYBL’s U19 category, alongside the Massey sisters Billie and Becky. Marie unfortunately didn’t take part in the games as she was rehabing a finger injury but her team nevertheless walked away with the title, surfing on what seems to be a recent trend for Belgium basketball to make waves on the European courts. She might not have taken part in the action in Riga but Marie has been busy this season and has met success both at club and at individual level (not least being her first senior NT call ahead of september’s World Cup just a few days ago). In Riga we agreed on the opportunity of an interview that would help us all learn more about her, one of Europe’s upcoming prospect.

Meet Marie Vervaet!

(2000, 6’1, SF – Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium 1st Division)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXSQsudg0Qj/?taken-by=marievervaet9

  • Can you tell us a bit about your basketball trajectory until now?

I started playing basketball at age 4. My brother was playing and I would go with him to practice. When I was 6 I started playing for Bavi Vilvoorde where until the age of 14 I played with the boys team. After 14 it wasn’t allowed anymore. That’s when I went to Sint-Katelijne-Wawer (SKW) where I still play.

  • Who played a big part in your basketball career until now ?

Mostly my parents ! They have always supported me. There’s also my coach Arvid Diels who made me come to SKW and with whom I’ve worked everyday which allowed to be the player I am today.

  • When was the first time you saw a professional women’s game ?

It was in 2012 I think and it was a SKW  Eurocup Women game. I was very impressed.

  • Do you have a model-player ?

I really like Lebron James ! I like the physicality of his game and how he plays « isolation » situations.

  • Who are your favorite BEL, EUR and US players ?

BEL : Hind Ben Abdelkader (Hatay, Turkey + Indiana Fever)
EUR : Alba Torrens (UMMC Ekaterinburg)
US : Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics)

  • What would be your favorite Starting Five if you could chose one?

Tolliver – Abdelkader- Torrens – Meesseman – Griner

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWGJwoygYCl/?taken-by=marievervaet9

  • What are the upsides and downsides of your game ?

I think my physical development is an upside and I think i shoot the ball better. I need to work on my defense and I need to learn to be more present on the boards.

  • Which aspect of your game do you want to improve the most ?

I want to work on my defense. A player who scores 30pts but who cannot defend is not a good player in my opinion. I want to work on that aspect !

  • Do you follow the WNBA ? Euroleague Women ? International Competitions ?

I follow the WNBA and ELW yes.

  • What are your hobbies ? What do you like to do in your free time ?

I don’t have so much time outside of basketball. I try to hang out with my friends as much as I can when I do !

  • What sport other than basketball would you have like to do ?

I would have liked to do cycling. It’s a sport where on the one hand you have to leave it all and on the other hand it’s very tactical. When I have time on weekends I really like to watch races.

  • Can you tell us a few words about your current club ?

I play for Sint-Katelijne-Waver (SKW). It’s a small club who likes to play with you young players. We are a very young team and we play in Belgium’s 1st division. We’re a group of players who really like to be very intense and agressive in defense and who like to work. We practice four times a week together and on the side each one of us has specific fitness activities. I have been playing there since the 2014/2015 season.

  • How did the season go ? How do you see your own individual effort ?

It was a good season for us ! At the beginning nobody thought or expected we would finish #2 given our team’s age average that is just 18yrs old ! But we did ! On an individual level my season went fine. I improved a lot over the season and the coach gave me my chances. I was injured when the season started for the first 6 weeks. When I came back I slowly started getting more and more court-time. To the point where at the end of the season I was averaging 23mpg and 10ppg. (She finished SKW’s top scorer in BEL finals series against ELW’s side and champion-to-be Castors Braine, averaging 14,5ppg, coming off the bench for BEL Player of the Year: 1998 SF Laure Resimont)

  • This summer you are returning to the U18 European Championship as reigning champions. Is it added-motivation to defend your title ?

It would be great to win the title again of course, but it really isn’t easy. Last year we were complete underdogs but this time around everybody knows us and we’re among the favorites. The extra motivation this year is that there are five U19 World Cup sports at stake ! That’s our goal : finish among the five best teams. Then if we can claim a podium spot, we will go for the best result possible for sure !

  • You just got your first Senior NT call ahead of the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Congratulations ! How did that feel ?

Thank you ! I was really happy. It comes as a reward for all the hard work I’ve put but I wasn’t expecting it at all. I hope to do well during the camps and to  learn a lot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUd6bUvgsdo/?taken-by=marievervaet9

  • Did you follow your Senior NT’s run to the Bronze medal last summer in Prague during EuroBasketWomen ? Did you infuse extra motivation for your own U18 campaign ? Was it a factor in your believing you could win ?

Yes ! We had a camp in Prague last June at that time so we got to follow it. The overall results of Belgium last summer were great : bronze medal for our senior NT, gold medal for us U18, silver medal for our U16 ! What a great summer for Belgium basketball !

  • A word on your teammates the Massey sisters, Billie and Becky ?

I have known them for 3 years now. We go to school together, we play together at club and school level, and we are also on the same national team. We live together most of the time. I believe we give each other strength. Every day we have individual practices just the 3 of us so we know our games very well. I’m really proud of how they evolved as players over the past years. I hope we will have a strong U18 campaign together and that in the future we will play together a long time.

  • Are you about to turn pro ?

For the moment, as long as I study I will stay with SKW where I am being given trust and a lot of chances which is good for me

  • What are your goals in your playing career ? Do you think about Euroleague Women ? WNBA ?

I hope to play abroad yes but not yet. The WNBA would be great but it’s still a long way !

Further coverage of Marie Vervaet here : www.bluestarmedia.org/europes-2000-born-watch-list-season-round-up-part-1/

 

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Born to Polish PE teachers/coaches parents, involvement with sport and basketball was never a question. Eastern attention to fundamentals, athleticism, discipline and hard work eventually met Western standards through his development in the French system. Now a former player with a passion for the women’s game going back for more than 25 years, he uses his knowledge to bring insights and perspective on women's basketball internationally - with a strong emphasis on Europe and player development.

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