Catching Up with Charles Abouo

Sophomore guard Charles Abouo, currently in Spain, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule with the Cote d’Ivoire National Team to answer a few questions about the experience and BYU basketball.

BYUCougars.com: What is one aspect of your game that you want to improve this offseason? How will playing for the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) National Team help you achieve those goals?

CA: I really want to improve in all aspects this summer. I would say conditioning, defense, ball handling and shooting off the top of my head. The objective, however, is to continue to become a balanced, well-rounded player.

BYUCougars.com: What have you done so far with the national team? What have you learned from the experience?

CA: We have practiced a lot and played in some exhibition games. It’s been very interesting, and a learning experience with new players and coaches. You learn some different things from everyone.

BYUCougars.com: What does it mean to you to represent your native country?

CA: It means a lot. It’s a great experience. We have a chance to really take the program as far as we want to go in the next couple years. It starts with the African Championships (Aug. 5-15 in Libya). If we can clinch a top spot, we’ll be at the world championships next year (Turkey 2010).

BYUCougars.com: What has been your role on the team?

CA: We're still in the process of getting to know each other and playing together but so far, I’ve been rebounding and I’ve been very actively defensively. Offensively, I have been playing well, but defense is the identity of our team.

BYUCougars.com: How is international basketball different than the college game?

CA: Patience. It is very technical. I feel like it really helps you understand the game of basketball a little better, by seeing something different.

BYUCougars.com: You are playing in the FIBA Africa Championships in August. What are the next steps in preparing for the tournament? What do you expect the experience to be like?

CA: Now that we have our full team for the first time. We have to get to know each other on the court by practicing hard and playing with a sense of urgency to become a collective unit in Libya on Aug. 5.

BYUCougars.com: What was the most difficult adjustment going from high school to college?

CA: I would have to say the athletes in college. The game is faster for the first couple weeks.

BYUCougars.com: Now that you have a year of experience, what are your goals heading into your sophomore season?

CA: Basketball is a blast when the team is successful. The main thing I want to do this summer is to progress as player and to contribute as much as I can to our team at BYU. I really believe we have a great team this year. If we work hard and believe in each other, everyone will be able to see that.