Orlando Magic player Evan Mehdi Fournier was just 17 years old when he began his basketball career. In the decade since then, the French-Algerian player has opportunities all around the globe, playing for the French national team and the Denver Nuggets before heading to Orlando. But Fournier has also recently sought opportunities to reconnect with his Algerian roots.
In 2017, the young NBA star took a chance to run basketball camps in Algeria, where his mother was born. Fournier also got the chance to represent Algeria on a global basketball stage, playing in the NBA Africa charity event last year.
Of course, all of this personal exploration of his North African heritage happens in Fournier’s spare time from his starring role with Magic, including setting a personal record of 32 points in a close game earlier this month against Golden State.
Evan Mehdi Fournier’s Basketball Outreach
Fournier first traveled to Algeria in 2017 to establish Basketball Without Borders, a community outreach program based around basketball. While there, Fournier also joined other charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, giving back to his mother’s homeland.
Fournier’s program has already given him much to be proud of. The MVP award winner of his first Basketball Without Borders camp, Meriem Saadaoui went on to earn a scholarship to Arizona University. “Algeria will be a great basketball nation, and I want to contribute,” remarks Fournier.
“As the son of an immigrant, I’m very proud of my origins,” Fournier says. His French father trains teachers, while his Algerian mother is a decorated Judo trainer and former competitor. Fournier’s own impressive basketball stats likely owe something to his athletic genes.
Fournier considers these roots an important aspect of his identity, referring to his upbringing as one of a “double culture”. “My grandparents spoke Arabic until I was 13,” he recalls. “There is a part of me that’s very different than the one that could live in Paris.”
A Rising Star in Basketball
Born in France, Fournier began his basketball career on French teams. He eventually transferred to the Denver Nuggets in 2012. The NBA soon took notice of the up-and-coming phenom. A year after scoring a season-best 24 points in 2013, Fournier was traded to Orlando Magic and went on to score 28 points against the New York Knicks.
Fournier also helped his team – the French national basketball team – at the FIBA World Cup. His 22-point score was a key in France’s victory over the USA in the 2019 competition, ending America’s 58 game long winning streak. His leadership helped France take home the bronze.
The 6-foot-7-inch baller alternates between shooting guard and small forward. He is having an outstanding season this year, with some sports pundits calling his performance All-Star worthy. As one remarked: “Fournier has quickly put the entire league on notice, putting up All-Star-level numbers and helping keep the Magic in the early playoff race.”
Evan Mehdi Fournier Connects to Algerian Roots
In addition to playing for his home French team, Fournier also got the opportunity to honor his mother’s Algerian roots by representing Team Africa at the NBA Africa game. The charity exhibition raised funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
“I chose to play for the Algerian team because I think my place is there, simply put,” Fournier explained. “After a match, a supporter in the stands held up an Algerian flag. That meant that more than 7000 km away, there was an Algerian who has just moved for me. I have never felt so loved.”
Fournier hopes to continue to spend summers in Algeria. In the meantime, during the NBA season, he can be found crisscrossing North America with the Orlando Magic, hoping to lead his team to a playoff birth – and just maybe an NBA championship.
