“And just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career.”
Nicolas Batum is opening up about how having his kids at his basketball games went from being a “complete nightmare” to “the best moment.”
In an interview with People, published April 24, the 36-year-old NBA forward opened up about witnessing his father die during a basketball game at just two years old and how that impacted his own career.
Batum’s father, Richard, played professional basketball overseas until 1991 when he collapsed while shooting a free throw, according to the Charlotte Observer.
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Richard, who was 31 at the time, died from a ruptured aneurysm with his wife and son, Nicolas, watching from the stands.
"That's the only memory I have of him," Batum said in his interview with People.
Despite being so young, Batum still has flashbacks from that tragic day.
"They said, 'How do you remember that?' and I'm like, 'I don't know,’” Batum said. “I got flashes from that night at the hospital, with my mom crying, stuff like that. It's not an easy memory to have, but I have it."
It’s the type of memory that has made his own basketball career challenging — despite his success.
"I love the game, but I also know why I got this, as I said, challenge, for me. I think it was to finish something he couldn't do,” he said of his father’s career.
“I think when you're the son of someone you have that challenge, maybe, to surpass him. Like, he did that, so I have to do that,” he added.
Batum says he has made himself — and his father — proud
Batum began his professional career in France, where he was born, before being drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 28th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-8 forward was subsequently traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he made his debut.
Now 18 years into his career, Batum has played for the Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers — in addition to being named captain of France’s national team.
In his interview with People, Batum says he’s proud of what he’s accomplished — including his two Olympic silver medals with Team France.
“I wanted to do something like my dad was, but I didn't expect to end up captain of the national team and be in the NBA for 18 years," he said. "I did my part and I think I finished what he started."
"I don't think dad's mad about it," he adds, "I think he'd be proud of me for that."
Batum didn’t want his children at his games earlier in his career
Batum’s career hit a high point in 2016 when he signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets — the same year he and his wife, Lily Batum, welcomed their first child, a son named Ayden.
But things took an unexpected turn in 2020 when the team waived him.
“When my wife got pregnant, we were very happy. And then when he was born, a lot of stuff resurfaced and I didn't think about it or expect it,” he told People of his memory of his father.
“I didn't know it was that until I was scared sometimes just to be on the court," he explained. "Until he turned three years old, four years old, that was a very, very difficult time for me just to play basketball."
Batum goes on to add that he didn’t want his wife or son at his Hornets’ games in hopes of shielding Ayden from having a similar experience as he did decades ago.
Then, in 2020, Batum and his family were given a “new beginning” when he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and quickly became a fan-favorite in the city.
The following year, he and his wife welcomed their second child, a daughter named Nayeli — and he now enjoys having both of his kids at his game.
"I love it, To have them every night, I am looking for it every time, because since I moved, since 2020, really, I'm just happy they're at the game,” he told People.
Batum describes watching his daughter cheering for him as “funny,” but in a good way.
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"That's my favorite moment every time. I turned that from being a complete nightmare to the best moment,” he added.
