On November 1 at 19:00, at Arena Riga, Prometey will host Bascetball club Paris in the fifth EuroCup round.
We spoke with Ronald March, who spent three years in Pro A and was maned the second best scorer of the French championship, about our next rival, French championship in general and basketball there.

- Ronald, you scored 20 points in the previous EuroCup match against Cedevita Olimpija. Are you happy with your performance?

- I would not say I am satisfied with that. I believe it was a positive step forward and I was able to help the team. I did not worry too much of scoring points, I think, my defence gave a lot, so I played the way I played as my defence lead to my successful offence. I think, it was a positive step forward.

- Have you found the “chemistry”, mutual understanding with the team, with partners?

- Definitely. I feel we are still growing as a team. Guys are still getting used to each other. I believe we move the right way. As for “chemistry”, everything is quite well.

- You have played in France for four years. What can you tell about our next opponent – Paris?

- Paris has changed considerably since the time I played against them. A lot of new players, a new coach. They are a tough team; they have many good players in the back line, fast big men. Paris is a really tough team, but I convinced, we have to compete with them on an equal footing, to do our job and we can cope with them.

- You were the first one who Prometey signed before this season. Please, tell us what you felt when Prometey had invited you so early, one of the first. Were you thinking long before accepting the offer?

- Oh, my agent’s call with this offer was very exciting for me. Since I watch a lot of basketball, of course I watched many Prometey’s matches last season, where Prometey played very well, I saw guys competing in the EuroCup. When I got the offer from Prometey, we thought we would wait a bit longer. But, on the other hand, I understood that this is a great opportunity for me. And my agent felt the same. Since Prometey plays fast basketball with a lot of fast breaks and throws, I felt I would fit this game style. So I simply accepted the offer.

- You say, you were following the EuroCup in general and Prometey’s performance in particular last season. What else can you say about the game style of Prometey? Why did it please you?

- Yeah, I watched about 20 EuroCup games last season, I also watched the Champions league. I watch basketball all year long. As I already said, Prometey always played with high pace; there was a lot of athletic guys in the team, such as DJ Stephens, DJ Kennedy, Caleb Agada, Gian Clavell who performed many dunks and three-pointers. All these players perfectly fit Prometey’s game style. They were very close to win the EuroCup. I liked that energy that each Prometey player had. That the winners’ culture. Everyone here was concentrated on winninf every match. These guys were used to win 10-15 straight matches as if it is nothing for them, just usual thing. So, I just want to take part in it, to play my role in the team in a best way and be a part of this winning path.

- In Europe, you have played only in Luxembourg, Switzerland  and France. What are your impressions of Latvia?

- I have great time here. Indeed, this is the first big city where I play. You can just go out and simply socialise with people. I like the vibe of this city. As I said, I had never played in such a big city with such huge population. For the last three years, I have played in France in the town of Roanne with a population of less than 40 thousands. So, such a big city like Riga is something new for me.

- How did you feel at French basketball courts?

- It was great. I have made an incredible way there. I can say, I have built myself there, built my career. I improved with each year. And finally, the last season was the best I have ever played in my life. I have a great love for France. I have gained a huge experience, had wonderful teammates, solid coaches. I have grown there as a player. And now, when I have grown up, I can widen my horizons and try something else. And win. I have had a good statistics and great experience in France, but there were no wins. I feel, I know and I believe that playing here, in Prometey I finally have a chance to win.

- You mentioned good stats. Last season, you were named the second best scorer of the French championship. Great result. Do you think, you are able to do the same in Prometey?

- To be honest, I no longer concentrate on my stats and scored points. Just because I feel, I have proved everything in these regards. The most desirable thing for me, so far, is to win. To learn how to win, to soak up the winning culture here, in Prometey. Before I joined Prometey, I had played for a month for Gigantes De Carolina, with whom I won the championship of Puerto-Rico. There, I also learnt how to win. That was a process, it does not come all of a sudden, and it does not come straight away. I had to learn how to fit some certain situations to be able to win. I would like to play in the same way here – to win, not for statistics. I do not want to focus on having 25 points or 10 assists tonight. No, I want to focus on winning.

- In France, you played against Victor Wembanyama, who was selected this summer under the first pick at the NBA draft. Your team won in both games, and you were one of the most productive players in these games. But how is it to play against such a talent like Wembanyama. Is he really an unordinary one?

- Victor is a long-prospective player; he has a promising future. We have not seen too many players like him. Like Kevin Durant. However, Kevin is not that tall. Wembanyama is very special, with great potential. He should dominate in the NBA very soon. Especially, since he got to San-Antonio, to such a great coach as Gregg Popovich, who will teach Victor everything he needs.

As for our games in French championship, we defeated Wembanyama’s team at home by 25 points and on the road by 18 points. We were better in these matches.

- What is your main goal for this season with Prometey?

- To win the EuroCup. I mean, everyone who has joined Prometey this season, both new players and those who are back, everyone have come here with a goal to win the EuroCup. I am firmly convinced, this is the goal of each our player. As last season, a chain of unfortunate injuries interfered the guys to do that. For sure, we have everything to win this Cup and try to drive our team to the Euroeague.