"I study Hakeem Olajuwon a lot": Yves Missi on studying an NBA legend, development at Baylor and his future in  NOLA (Exclusive)

As the New Orleans Pelicans navigate a challenging start to their season, rookie Yves Missi has emerged as a promising player. Selected 21st overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the 7-foot center has impressed with his defensive instincts, rebounding prowess, and adaptability. His standout production has offered the Pelicans hope for the future, even as the team struggles to find its footing at 4-14.

Missi’s career-best performance in a 114-110 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday highlighted his immense potential. Returning from a one-game absence due to shoulder soreness, the rookie delivered 16 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in a season-high 31 minutes off the bench. He shot 7-of-11 from the field and showed his versatility, protecting the rim and guarding in space.

Reflecting on his early success, Missi credited his time at Baylor with preparing him for the rigors of the NBA. He was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team during his only collegiate season (2023-24) before declaring for the NBA Draft.

"I think Baylor helped me a lot," Missi explained to Sportskeeda. "Being around a lot of good guys, practicing with them, and competing every day made the transition much easier when I got here."

Standing Out in a Rookie Class

Through 17 games, Missi has emerged as one of the top performers in his draft class. He is averaging 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 53.7% from the field. He currently leads all rookies in rebounding and double-doubles (three) and ranks second in field-goal percentage and third in blocks (19).

Missi’s defensive instincts have been apparent. His ability to protect the paint while staying disciplined has drawn praise from teammates and coaches.

"The NBA is more about trusting my instincts," Missi explained to Sportskeeda. "Whenever I feel like I can go for a block, I trust my teammates to have my back and just go for it. It’s about trusting the system while relying on my instincts."

Part of that trust stems from his time at Baylor, where head coach Scott Drew emphasized communication and leadership on defense.

"Coach Drew always asked me to be the loudest person in the gym," Missi said to Sportskeeda. "I’ve tried to carry that into the NBA by being more vocal and louder on the court."

A Quick Recovery and Career Night

Missi’s standout game against the Pacers came after he missed the Pelicans’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday due to shoulder soreness.

Despite limited practice time, Missi returned in style, providing a crucial spark for New Orleans off the bench. He attributed his ability to perform under such circumstances to staying focused and learning from the team’s veteran players.

"Staying coachable and humble is the main thing," Missi shared with Sportskeeda. "I try to be like a sponge and absorb everything the vets teach me. Taking it day by day helps me stay consistent."

While Missi has adapted quickly, he acknowledges room for improvement, including his shooting and post-touch as long-term focuses.

"I’m focused on improving my shooting and post touch," Missi said to Sportskeeda. "I feel like I can have better touch around the basket, and my shooting is something I’m working on."

Learning the NBA Game

The transition to the NBA has also introduced Missi to the league's physical demands. There are far more games against the best athletes in the world, requiring a daily process to stay sharp and fresh.

"There’s a lot of pressure on your body," Missi noted to Sportskeeda. Recovery is huge. You have to have a routine before and after games to take care of your body. That was something I didn’t expect, but the vets have shown me how to handle it."

Missi has also worked closely with shooting coach Joey Burton to refine his game. Consistent film work focusing on his approach has given Missi a lot of value.

"Joey is great," Missi explained to Sportskeeda. "He notices details others might miss and sends me film after every game. He points out what I did well and what I can improve on, which has been really helpful."

Embracing the Role of a Big Man

Missi’s role in the Pelicans’ system has maximized his strengths. Offensively, he excels as a finisher in pick-and-roll situations and on cuts to the basket, benefiting from the attention defenses give to his teammates.

"We have a lot of good scorers, and the opposing team focuses on them, which opens the floor for me," Missi said to Sportskeeda. "Cutting and putting pressure on the rim helps the team and creates opportunities for me."

Given the talent of the Pelicans, Missi emphasizes being an unselfish teammate who does the dirty work to make his teammates' jobs easier. A simple way to do so is to be attentive when setting a high-quality screen.

"A good screen helps your teammates and opens up opportunities for yourself," Missi explained to Sportskeeda. "If the defender helps on the ball, it can leave me open. It’s a win-win."

Defensively, Missi’s ability to avoid foul trouble has been a pleasant surprise for the Pelicans. It tends to be a challenge for rookie centers, but he feels he's managed to avoid that concern after working through it in preseason.

"During preseason, I had one game with four fouls because I was figuring out what the refs call," he explained to Sportskeeda. "But since the season started, fouls haven’t been an issue for me."

Inspired by Greatness

Missi’s basketball journey began relatively late, but he was inspired by his family’s deep connection to the sport. His parents competed for Cameroon's national basketball teams, while his brother was an All-Ivey League player at Harvard.

"My brother played at Harvard, and my parents played for the national team," Missi shared with Sportskeeda. "Seeing them play when I was younger made me want to play basketball."

As a young center, Missi has looked to legends for inspiration, including Hakeem Olajuwon. He often watches film of the Hall of Famer to try and add to his game.

"I study Hakeem Olajuwon a lot," Missi said to Sportskeeda. "His footwork and his ability to pass and be a playmaker are things I admire and try to incorporate into my game."

A Promising Future

Missi’s emergence has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for New Orleans. His ability to impact games on both ends of the floor is a testament to his work ethic. With continued development, he has the potential to be a cornerstone for the Pelicans—an organization that needs a long-term answer at center.

"The sky is the limit for Yves," head coach Willie Green said earlier this season. "He’s a really good, young player, and we just hope he keeps doing what he’s doing because it’s really helping us."

As Missi develops, the Pelicans may have found a foundational piece to build around. He's proven to be ahead of schedule throughout his NBA career and is already exceeding expectations once again as one of the better players in his draft class.