Ismael Bako, a Belgian national team player and the new addition to Paris, spoke to Basketball Sphere about the upcoming EuroBasket, his team’s chances in the tournament, the biggest contenders, as well as his return to the EuroLeague, where he will once again have the opportunity to face Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, along with his former teammates Chima Moneke and Codi Miller-McIntyre.
Ismael Bako has had an interesting journey in his career so far. He started in his native Belgium with Leuven Bears, then played for Antwerp, Asvel, and Manresa, followed by a stint with Virtus, after which he joined UNICS.
The Russian team helped him mature significantly, as he admits in one part of the interview for Basketball Sphere, and develop to the point where he became an appealing option for last season’s biggest EuroLeague sensation.
Claim Now This summer, he signed with Paris and opened a new chapter in his career, but before that, he will aim to cause a surprise at EuroBasket with a weakened roster led by Dario Gjergja. Ajay Mitchell and Toumani Camara from the NBA decided to focus on their individual development and skip the tournament, while Pierre-Antoine Gillet has ended his career with the national team.
“My feelings are mixed—there’s a lot going on that we didn’t expect. We were hoping for a different roster, but many players couldn’t join us, whether due to injuries or club commitments, etc. We have to prepare with a different group, but at the same time, it’s an opportunity for younger players. I remember being in a similar position before. As a young player, I had a strong showing for the national team, and after that, my career started going upward,” Ismael Bako began his interview with Basketball Sphere.
What has marked Belgium’s preparations so far won’t be remembered fondly. Lauri Markkanen dropped 48 points in their first matchup against Finland, leaving everyone speechless. In the second game, played after this interview, he added another 31. The new Paris player witnessed it all firsthand on the court.
“Of course, you have to give him credit. That’s why he has the status he does in the NBA—he can do everything. He shoots, dribbles, rebounds, dunks. He’s shown that so far, and he does it with ease. Okay, the first game was just a friendly, so I can’t say I should’ve been more serious, but it’s clear I didn’t apply enough pressure on the ball. He was confident, full of energy, and by the time I realized that, it was too late.”
One condition must be met for Germany to beat Serbia
Belgium will play in Group D at EuroBasket, alongside France, Slovenia, Israel, Poland, and Iceland.
“Every group is tough in its own way. We’re still very motivated. We may not be the best team in terms of individual talent, but we don’t want to give up—we intend to show everyone what we’re capable of. I believe we can win games and advance to the next stage.”
He also had an interesting prediction regarding the tournament winner.
“Serbia will of course make the final, but Germany also has the quality. It’s very important for a team to have depth, and I tend to believe more in teams that function well together than in those with a bunch of stars. Germany and Serbia are both well-balanced. Even when someone has an off night, there’s always someone else ready to step up. I see them fighting for the gold. If Germany manages to control Nikola Jokic, they’ll win. Either way, it’s going to be fun.”
Learned from the Virtus Experience
EuroBasket first, then new challenges in the EuroLeague. Paris suits him well, and the agreement came easily. Ismael Bako will try to leave a better impression than he did at Virtus, where, by his own admission, he wasn’t yet ready to meet all the demands of elite competition.
“When I watched them last season, I really liked their style. They played fast basketball, and I know that fits me better—I enjoy that. It reminded me of my time in Manresa, playing with Chima Moneke and Sylvain Francisco. I saw something similar in Paris. It’s the team that suits me best out of all the EuroLeague clubs and where I can give 100 percent. I know I have some weaknesses, and if I had signed with a different team, it might not have been as productive. It seems like I can help Paris, and Paris can also help me improve and further develop the strengths I already have. Rebounding, running, defense—those are the things I can bring to the team.”
He played for Virtus from 2022 to 2023 and, despite performances that didn’t satisfy him, he looks back on it as a valuable experience.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t play the way I wanted to. It was mentally tough, especially after a very successful season in Manresa. Still, I’m very happy I decided to go to Virtus—it was a reality check. I played alongside stars, but I wasn’t ready for that step. I learned that I can’t just rely on running and catching alley-oops—I had to focus more on defense, dribbling, post-up play, shooting… It was a year that made me realize I have to work harder if I want to become the player I believe I can be. That said, it was a beautiful period, with great people around me.”
After Virtus, his focus shifted to development in Russia—far from the EuroLeague, but close enough to the level needed to prepare him for top-tier competition.
“I went to UNICS to improve. I gained confidence, worked on my weaknesses, and it was a great opportunity. I know I still have a lot to work on when it comes to dribbling and post-up play, but especially in terms of defense—learning the right angle to set screens, how to play with point guards… I matured a lot during that time.”
Throughout his career, he shared the locker room with Chima Moneke and Codi Miller-McIntyre. He’s followed their rise—Moneke’s from their time in Manresa, and Miller-McIntyre’s from Leuven.
“I’m really happy I got to play with those two guys. Even early in their rise, you could already see how far they would go. Codi’s work ethic and confidence were way beyond the level of Belgian basketball. Now, seeing how much he’s stayed the same and hasn’t changed as a person—it’s really nice, and it’ll be interesting to face him again. Chima is always the same. From the moment I met him, I wondered where he got all that energy. From the moment I started playing with him, he influenced me, raised my level, made me more energetic and aggressive. Even if you’re having a bad day, just being around him kind of forces you to be positive. It’s amazing to see how both of them have grown into EuroLeague stars.”
Back on the court with Moneke and Miller-McIntyre
Starting this fall, Bako will get the chance to go head-to-head with both Moneke and Miller-McIntyre, as they are now part of Crvena Zvezda and his direct rivals. He also compared the atmosphere surrounding Serbia’s two biggest clubs and pointed out their unique characteristics.
“Crvena Zvezda is known for its incredible energy—they’re a very aggressive team. I played against Partizan, and in terms of atmosphere, it felt even more intense than against Crvena Zvezda. Maybe because it was my first time playing in front of Partizan’s crowd. I remember when I was younger, I used to watch videos of fans from both clubs and think, ‘What’s going on here? These are football fans—this isn’t basketball anymore.’ Now, these teams are evolving, improving, and bringing in better and better players.
The fans deserve it because they’re on the same level as Panathinaikos and Olympiacos when it comes to their love for basketball. Every game is packed, and they cheer from start to finish. Fans make the basketball team—maybe that’s not the case everywhere, and when you watch games on TV, they’re just not as exciting without that kind of atmosphere. But when you watch a Partizan or Crvena Zvezda game, it’s different. I like how both teams are evolving and getting stronger. And I’m really curious to see how it will all come together with the new signings,” Ismael Bako concluded.
