Brilliant against Memphis, Elias Camardin impresses Penny Hardaway with his maturity
Among the contingent of young European players arriving in the NCAA via the NIL, Ilias Camardine (age 22, 1m93) continues to gain momentum at Ole Miss, where he teams up with leader Kezzo Giffe, son of French international Sacha Giffe.
For the first time this season, the two Frenchmen lined up in the top five this Tuesday, against Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers, and Elias Camardin had a near-perfect game, collecting 26 points on 11/14 shooting (3/4 on 3-pointers), 4 rebounds and 4 assists in Ole Miss 8vic 3-7.
His experience makes the difference
If Keca Gifa (15 points, 5 assists) was also valuable at the end of the match, especially thanks to his free throws, then it was Ilias Kamardin who sealed the fate of the match with a final dunk on the counter and a decisive defensive jump in the process.
“Really, it was a tough match for me. It was physical, they sent different players every time. I just tried to stay aggressive and take control of the pace of the match, step by step.” slipped native Marseillethe great architect of this third success in three games for the Rebels.
His performance was also commented on by the legend Penny Hardaway, who did not fail to highlight the experience of the French guard, already experienced in professional basketball after playing in Evreux and Vichy-Clermont in Pro B, then in JDA Dijon last season in Betclic Elite.
“He is experienced”, Penny Hardaway confirmed. “He is very talented and experienced. We can’t contain it. I remember Luka Doncic talking about moving here from abroad. He said that the NBA is much easier than European basketball. And Kamardin left the impression that college basketball is much easier than basketball abroad.”
Le Tirese Haliburton des Rebels
Elias Kamardin actually transcribed this maturity in his game, showing all his offensive qualities to punish almost every time the Tigers’ defense eventually gave way. The Frenchman is gradually taking the measure of this new basketball, at the same time bringing his own personality into it.
“I know all players like to run, but I tell them that sometimes it’s good to slow down the game to set up the attack and keep control of the game”he added.
Alongside him, Keca Giffa, who turns 23 today and is coming off two big seasons with the High Point Panthers, highlighted the speed with which her new teammate adjusted to NCAA basketball.
“He is a great leader”he confided. “He has an incredible basketball IQ. He played professionally for several years and is a true professional. He was also in the French team. In this environment, where there is not much time to create cohesion, he arrived and immediately integrated.”
Local commentators were quick to compare him to Tyrese Halliburton, both in physical resemblance and play. Confirmation is expected tomorrow night against Cal State for the Rebels, who will be aiming for a fourth straight win.
2025-11-13 11:34:00
