The last few months have been eventful fir Dionne Madjo. The 18 year old player plays on a professional basketball team in France, made her Euroleague debut and received regular playing time this season with Flammes Carolo on the highest European club level. Furthermore, she was a main player in Luxembourg’s FIBA games over the last days. On average, Madjo played 32 minutes for the team of coach Patrick Unger. She averaged 10.7 points and 9.3 rebounds while adding 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals, spectacular numbers at her young age combined with a strong defensive presence on the court.
In an interview on our website a year ago, you said that you hope that going to France will allow you to take the next step. That obviously worked out. How would you describe your development over the last months?
Going to France in 2024 was definitely the right choice, the coaching staff has helped me a lot to become a better player which is exactly what I hoped for. I can say that I made some good development steps over the last year. In 2024/25, I was part of the U18 team and now I am part of the first team and I get regular minutes which is great to learn at a high level.
What could be the next steps in your personal development?
Flammes Carolo Basket has been the perfect situation for me over the last year. While the focus is on the season in France, I could see myself taking a different direction next year and continue to study and play basketball in the United States.
You made strong appearances in the Euroleague competition. Can you describe the experience of playing at this level?
It is a totally different experience than playing in the national championship. I am grateful for every opportunity that I get and when the coach calls my number it is my job to be ready. It has simply been an amazing experience so far.
What conclusions do you draw after the 3 games with the Senior Women’s national team?
We see and feel that we can compete at this level as a team and we have set high goals as a team for the future. Personally, it has been an amazing experience to represent Luxembourg as a country. The game against Bosnia-Herzegovina was my first national team game at the Coque, singing the national anthem during the warmup was a special situation. I hope that we will continue this path as a team and I am looking forward to the upcoming challenges.
You wear number 32 in the club and for the national team, is there a reason you wear that number?
Yes that is the age my mother had when she gave birth to me so it has a special meaning.
Picture: Ant Deister
Tageblatt.lu –> Dionne Madjo: Das große Talent im Nationalteam
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