Perth Wildcats NBL Next Star Noa Kouakou-Heugue grew up in France and was born in Lille in the north of the country, where family has always been central to who he is, no matter how far basketball takes him around the globe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re the people I can call every day, whether I feel good or bad,\u201d he says. \u201cThey\u2019re always there for me, supporting me and pushing me to be the best I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
That support has been especially important as Kouakou-Heugue navigates life overseas for the first time, having recently moved from France to Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to discover a lot of new things, the way people live here. It\u2019s pretty different, even the weather. It\u2019s hot here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Since arriving in Perth, he has embraced the change, settling into his new environment and building connections with his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m enjoying the beach and my new teammates,\u201d he says. \u201cSo it\u2019s been good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kouakou-Heugue’s basketball journey began when he was 11 years old at a small club in the south of France.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started playing basketball because my friends told me I was pretty tall for my age,\u201d he says. \u201cI just kept playing with them and year by year, step by step, I kept grinding and getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
That steady progression led to the opportunity to represent his country, an experience that remains one of the proudest moments of his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepresenting France means a lot,\u201d he says. \u201cI’ve had the chance to do it three times. It’s special knowing your family is supporting you and your country. You\u2019re also playing with really good players, so you can learn from everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
While basketball has opened doors internationally, Kouakou-Heugue admits there are parts of home he misses, particularly when it comes to food.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a big difference between food in France and Australia,\u201d he says. \u201cI really miss French food.\u201d<\/p>\n
One dish in particular holds special meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoeuf bourguignon is my favourite,\u201d he says. \u201cMy grandma used to cook it for special days. It\u2019s beef with a wine sauce and French fries. Shout out to my grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recreating it is something that’s still a work in progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how to make it,\u201d he laughs. \u201cI need my grandma for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Family values continue to guide Kouakou-Heugue as he adjusts to life in a new country, advice passed down from his mother staying with him every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum always told me to always be myself, have fun with everything I do in my life, and never change,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
As the Perth Wildcats celebrate the club’s first Multicultural Game, Noa Kouakou-Heugue\u2019s story reflects the importance of family values and staying connected to home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Perth Wildcats take on Melbourne United on Sunday, 25 January, for the Multicultural Game. <\/p>\n