By John DentonNov. 14, 2015
WASHINGTON D.C. – In many therapeutic ways, the basketball court has been something of a sanctuary the past two nights for Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier.
Fournier, a native of suburban Paris, was horrified to hear about the widespread terrorist attacks on Friday night that resulted in the deaths of 129 people in France.
Fournier got word of the attacks about 90 minutes prior to the Magic’s Friday game against Utah and he initially had difficulty in reaching family members and friends to check on their safety. On Saturday night, Fournier hesitated in saying that his family members and his hometown of Paris are ``safe’’ because of the continuous threats of danger that French people having been living with much of the last year.
``Just before the (Friday) game I tried to reach them and no answer,’’ said Fournier, who stopped his thoughts to clear his throat and fight back the emotion welling inside of him. ``I mean, they are fine, but obviously you don’t know what can happen. You think you are safe, but you’re really not.’’
Fournier, a 23-year-old guard who is in the midst of a career year in the NBA, was somehow able to focus on basketball the past two nights despite the international tragedy gripping the world. On Friday, he led the Magic to a win over Utah by scoring 21 points, grabbing five rebounds and hitting two 3-pointers. On Saturday, Fournier struggled to shoot the ball (7 of 17 overall and 1 of 6 from 3-point range), but he still managed to give the Magic 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Basketball, and the love of the sport, helped distract his mind from the horrors back in his home country.
``I’ve got to stay professional and keep playing hard for this team,’’ said Fournier, who is averaging a career-best 18.8 points per game. ``I love the game. When you step on the court, you obviously think about basketball. When your mind is not right you’re obviously not going to play good. So I’ve just tried to have a positive mind. Of course the fact that my family is safe for now feels better. But the whole situation, it’s just hard to be away from home.’’
A rising young star player throughout his childhood while growing up in France, Fournier is immensely proud of his home country. The past two seasons, he’s helped the French National Team take third in both the 2014 World Cup and the ’15 EuroBasket Championships. It is Fournier’s dream to help France qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He feels strongly that France has the second-best team in the world behind only the Americans.
On Saturday, the Wizards held a moment of silence before the game for the tragic events in France. With the French flag at midcourt and lights coloring the court in blue, white and red colors, France’s national anthem was played prior to the U.S. anthem.
Understandably, it was an emotional moment for Fournier. Fournier had his head down during the anthem – quite possibly in prayer – thinking about all the fear and chaos his countrymen had endured in the past 24 hours.
``It’s tough, man, but I appreciate the NBA for having our national anthem. It’s very (appreciative),’’ Fournier said. ``It’s just hard. Sure, (it was emotional for him hearing the anthem). Of course, it’s hard not to think about (the tragic events in France).’’