75 years of Villeneuve Basket Club with Osman Dieng as guest of honor

Basketball, in the Bastide district and in its sport, is a major sport. It has been going on for 75 years. Plus, a kid from the orange ball of Villeneuvois just joined the biggest basketball league in the world: Ousmane Dieng, drafted 11th in 2022, was recruited by the New York Knicks, and joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in a big move.
“A real phenomenon that has taken shape here at the Villeneuve Basket Club” specifies Michel Laville, sports assistant at the Town Hall. “This is proof, if necessary, of the quality of training in the sports that have been developed here. And the great thing for everyone is that Osman will be present here at the big basketball event organized by the VBC and the municipality on July 20.”

“A real family relationship with Othman and his parents”

It was the turn of Thomas Rips and Michel Baldas, co-chairs of the club, who explained the course of the day, but before that, they wanted to talk about Osman and the relationship that binds him to the club. Osman Dieng was born in 2003 and in 2007 he joined the basketball school. He was already bigger and stronger than the others. He will stay with us until 2013. Then he leaves for Bordeaux, which is developing in National 2. Then he joins the New Zealand club New Zealand Breakers. Then it’s the draft and the signing in the NBA. His family still lives here, in Villeneuve, and every Saturday night they come to support the club. With Osman and his family, it’s more than just friendship, it’s a real relationship that he has with us, with the club. Last year, it was in Villeneuve. We asked if he could come and see the club’s youth in training, above all “without disturbing anyone”. He wanted to be present at the club’s anniversary. He will stop here between two planes. The decision was quick and we had to adjust to his very busy schedule. It is important for him, his family, us and all the youth of the club to be present. Especially since we have some surprises waiting for him.”

A fresco in his honor is on the wall of Descartes’ room

The main painting will be a mural created by the Origraphic and Huntitan brothers. “We are Villeneuve and we used to play basketball here. We decided to come back here to work in the region. When David Despin asked us to create a mural to highlight the youth of the region, it was initially in Myre-Mory. But while scouting, we went to the Salle Descartes, which We know him well. We immediately saw what wall we could work on. Since Osman Dieng will be present at the inauguration ceremony… We met his parents to get their approval and showed them the preliminary drawings. They said yes on the spot, as did the VBC committee. They immediately liked our whole project. Through two different and complementary patterns. It is a completely coherent work that we have presented, and we are in the process of finishing the mural. It measures 10 meters by 3. For many young people, the imagination about the NBA is taking over. We strive to make that happen for them.”
A day that coincides with the start of the basketball club’s 75th anniversary celebrations, and the two presidents guarantee, “You will have surprises throughout the season.”