One week before the Christmas holidays, the Touraine basketball players are 7th in the Pro B championship, after their home defeat against Quimper, this Friday evening, 72 to 74. A mixed start to the season for Tours Métropole Basket, but marked by the good performance of pivot Vincent Pourchot.
– Jean Rinaud
From the height of his 2m22, the 29-year-old basketball player is considered tallest man in France, and with experience, he has made it a real asset. For his first season in Pro B, his defensive activity and his shooting skills remain a real added value for the team. Portrait of a non-category player.
Vincent Pourchot, TMB control tower
Vincent Pourchot is first and foremost a unique template. 2m22 for 135 kilos. Originally from Metz, this sports lover had no choice but to do with his large size from an early age, he who was already 1m80 at eight years old. Supervised very early on by doctors, he never suffered from his growth. He even heads for basketball without thinking that his size could become an asset. However, it is good for its 2m22 that the Tours club is recruiting him in 2019.
– Jean Rinaud
A profile particularly sought after for its impact and its presence in the racket, as explained by Gaëtan Douet, specific trainer of the TMB. “Due to its size, it brings defensiveness by hampering shots more easily. Players approaching the basket will be forced to change their shot. He can also play with his back to the basket and attack smaller players. It will go a little slower but we will play with its advantages and disadvantages “.
A skilful player in the shoot
Vincent Pourchot also worked to develop his attacking game and thus do not remain confined to the place of the giant pivot that we only bring in for the defensive phases. Today it is one of the most skilled shooters in his team. It is also a way of breaking down prejudices for the player. “In basketball, it is often said that tall players do not know how to shoot, are not good passers. I don’t dribble, but I worked from a very young age to be a good passer and skilful at shooting and that’s also why they keep me in Tours “.
A social media star
His large size, so he wears it as an asset, even if outside the basketball courts, it is a little more complicated for Vincent Pourchot. From the top of its 2.22m it is forced to sleep diagonally in bed, do the dishes while seated, and above all limit his trips by car. “When we make long trips, the club adapts a mini-bus so that I can have enough room for my legs. When I travel personally, I prefer to use the train than my car, it’s never easy “.
However, Vincent Pourchot preferred to take the opposite view of the difficulties encountered related to his size by filming himself on the social network TikTok, via short humorous videos. A real success, he who is today followed by more than 1 million people.