By Cesare Milanti / [email protected]
LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – When, a couple of years ago, it was announced that Lausanne would host the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, most people were expecting Switzerland to be the comfortable opponent to face, getting easy victories against the organizers.
Instead, not only did the red-and-white national team pick up their first-ever men’s win since 1948 in an International tournament, but they even reached the Quarter-Finals with a shocking win over France.
Behind a new renaissance for Swiss basketball, there’s also the emergence of a peculiar talent, born in the country with Cameroonian roots and shaped by Barcelona’s youth academy before heading to the NCAA. When Dayan Nessah saw the news about this year’s World Cup, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t imagine that one day we would have had a World Cup in Switzerland, at the same time, while I was playing,” he told Eurohoops in Lausanne.
“It felt good to know, because I’ve been working in the shadows for years to be ready for that moment. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. But I’m still grateful for what happened to me and to the team,” he also continued, underlining their feat but still mentioning disappointment.
“We reached the Quarter-Finals, and it was a great experience for us. Now everybody has to learn from here and be the best version of ourselves,” Nessah added.
Proving to be one of the most intriguing players to watch on the global stage among U19 competitors, the 2006-born forward has averaged 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, placing Switzerland in the 8th position after an extraordinary run.
With a miraculous 18-0 run produced between the fourth quarter and overtime, they beat France in the Eight-Finals, producing one of the greatest feats in youth basketball’s history.
“At half time, we said we had to be tough and strong, and that’s what we started to do in the second half. That’s what got us in the game. At the end, we just had to finish the job, get the comeback, and make our shots while playing good defense,” he recalled about that game, where he had 22 points and 15 boards.
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However, they couldn’t extend their journey as they lost to New Zealand in the Quarter-Finals. After the game, Dayan passed by the mixed zone in complete tears. “It was an important game for us. We competed, but they played better than us, and they were more physical,” he recalled.
“I had plenty of people texting me and telling me how great we did, that we made history. It feels great to feel that way, and to feel the people’s support. At the same time, you want more: you reach the Quarter-Finals, you want to go to the Semi-Finals; if you want to go to the Semi-Finals, you want the Final.”
“It was hard for me. It was hard for the team. We saw that against Canada: we didn’t play together, with a lack of communication, defense, and energy. But it’s part of the game: we got to bounce back,” he said.
Even though they got beaten by Canada as well after their loss to the Tall Blacks, the audience still responded well, rocking the atmosphere in the Lausanne Arena.
“I believed that the crowd would be like this: it’s the first time in Switzerland, and there are a lot of people who like basketball. They didn’t disappoint. They were here for us all the games, even against Canada, cheering until the end. It felt great,” Nessah praised the support.
“Obviously, we wanted to make history in the U19 World Cup. Who would have believed that the Swiss would make it to the Quarter-Finals? So, it feels good. We just got to learn from this,” he added.
Among the spectators in Lausanne, there was also Ilias Papatheodorou, in charge of Switzerland’s senior national team’s bench since 2021, hoping to bring the country to the highest stage as they are currently competing in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers.
“I was on a few lists to go with the seniors a few years ago, but I couldn’t go because of my injuries. It happens, but it feels good to be watched and supported by the Swiss national team. Why not in the future? I’m always open to playing for the national team,” Dayan Nessah shared his availability.
At the moment, the 19-year-old is embracing the opportunity of representing his country, while at the same time not forgetting where his family comes from.
“My dream is the NBA, and at the same time, I always want to represent my country wherever I go. I make sure that people know that I’m from Switzerland, and I’m also from Cameroon. But I decided to play for Switzerland, and I’m going to try to represent my country as much as I can,” he said.
“It’s important to know your identity; there are a lot of people who don’t accept that they come from two countries. I embrace my origins. I’m from Switzerland, I’m from Cameroon. I was born and raised in Switzerland, and the decision for me was to play for Switzerland.”
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Moving from George Washington to Cleveland State from his first to second year in the NCAA, Dayan Nessah’s story couldn’t be told without mentioning his time in Barcelona, which lasted for five years.
“I learned a lot in Barcelona. I came in there when I was around 13. I grew up there, but I got injured pretty badly, and I was out for around one and a half years. But that builds a lot,” Nessah opened.
“When you’re at the bottom of everything, everybody stops looking at you, everybody stops talking about you: it hurts. I think that’s what today helps me. I try to be the best version of myself, going hard and trying to remember those days when I was down to never give up,” he shared.
Among his teammates back in the Masia, there were Miami Heat‘s Kasparas Jakucionis and Dame Sarr, who has now decided to move to Duke University after spending some time in the EuroLeague.
“Kasparas has always been a hard worker. He doesn’t even surprise me. I’m really happy for him. Dame chose to stay one more year in Barcelona before going to the NCAA. I think it’s a good decision; he’s a great player. I think wherever he goes, he’s going to be able to shine. I’m not even worried about him.”
“I could have stayed in Europe, but I wanted to look for a different path. I wanted to explore something else. It wasn’t the best for me, but I don’t regret my decision: everything shapes me as a person,” he said.
Whether we will see him come back to the Old Continent or stay around the NBA or G-League in the future, it’s impossible to predict. What we do know is that he always has a smile on his face.
“I’ve always been the type of person who’s happy, respectful, well-educated; I’m a guy who talks to people, always smiles. I have the tendency to play better if I’m smiling, when I have a smile on my face. I love good vibes on my team”, the 19-year-old forward added.
The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup demonstrated that Swiss basketball is on the rise, with a new and fearless generation of talented players. Dayan Nessah’s ready to lead it into the future.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA