 He may still have a baby face, but one of Europe's singular talents of the last decade, Asvel Basket shooting star Laurent Foirest, has recently reached an age, 35, at which few players can still be protagonists. Foirest, however, is just such a protagonist, averaging 12 points a game so far in the French League as he and Asvel prepare to open the Eurocup season against Lietuvos Rytas in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday. What keeps him feeling young, Foirest says, is the combination of team play and camaraderie that he feels at Asvel this season. "There's no secret but enjoyment, and I really enjoy playing on a team, especially when it is a true team in its style," Foirest told Eurocupbasketball.com in an interview. "I have never liked the so-called 'playground' game, one pass and shoot; that doesn't interest me at all. But the style we have, I really like, so it keeps me young, I guess. I hope I can keep playing it beyond this season, too!"
Hello, Laurent. A new competition opens Monday. What are Asvel's goals in the Eurocup?
"Our objectives are to make it to the second round. We know it's a very difficult group, almost a Euroleague group in its quality. We'll see what happens, but we know it's going to be tough and we plan to be ready. We've got to get started by playing well in Vilnius."
Indeed, Asvel starts the season in a basketball hotbed against a powerhouse like Lietuvos Rytas. What are your thoughts on that game?
"It's a difficult place to start because they get a great crowd and the team always plays great basketball. I think everyone knows what basketball means in Lithuania and how well the sport is played there always. We are playing decently so far this season and will try to do something positive on Monday."
Last season, Asvel was one point away from reaching the ULEB Cup Final Eight. Does coming so close last year make you hungrier going into this Eurocup season?
"Yes, we lost by one to Galatasaray in a game that, obviously, we could have won. This year we are motivated to restart and get that close again, but winning this time. I think we are also aware of a big difference between this year and last in the competition system. With fewer games, just six in each group, there is little room for error, so we have to be fully concentrated on every game from start to finish."
You recently turned 35, but you are still going strong? What is the secret to still leading a team at your age?
"Well, there's no secret but enjoyment, and I really enjoy playing on a team, especially when it is a true team in its style. We have a coach now who likes the passing game, and that philosophy is what I like, too. I have never liked the so-called 'playground' game, one pass and shoot; that doesn't interest me at all. But the style we have, I really like, so it keeps me young, I guess. I hope I can keep playing it beyond this season, too!"
How do you approach your role as a veteran with several Asvel teammates who are eight, 10 and more years younger than you?
"We do have a lot of young guys, especially looking at them from my age! But the good thing here is that all of them are really open-minded and ready to listen. They know what I've done before and they want to learn. That makes it easy to talk to them, both the young French guys and the Americans on the team. I think we have a good mix of guys even if I am definitely the 'old man' here."
Which experiences from your years playing at the top level in Europe do you fall back on now?
"Of course, I really enjoyed playing in the Euroleague and the Spanish League for one of the top teams, which Tau was when I was there. I think we helped the club 'touch the roof' in Europe, which is something Tau had not really done before that. And now, of course, they are at that level all the time. I learned a lot playing for a team that tried to make sure that every season was better than the last. They did it playing a team game, which is still important to me, and they have made it where few clubs can stay as they have. I am happy to have been a part of that process."
How has your game changed in recent years, because of age, and how important was your great shot in prolonging your career?
"With the years, besides getting older, I have a lot more experience. I understand basketball a lot more. I run less than I used to, but now I can anticipate a lot better the actions on the court. For someone my age, that helps a lot. I still have strength in my legs, of course, but I can't outrun anyone. My shot has definitely helped me keep my career going. It's something I have been working on since I was a kid, but you know what? I work on it even more now that I'm older."
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