The Nuggets selected Evan Fournier with the 20th pick in the 2012 NBA draft. As a rookie he appeared in 38 games (started four of them) for the team and averaged: 11.3 minutes, 5.3 points, and 1.2 assists. So far in his second season, Fournier has appeared in all 13 games and is averaging: 13.9 minutes, 5.8 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game.
That's Fournier the basketball player, now let's try to get to know him a little better away from the court in this Q&A style interview.
Nate Timmons: What's your favorite form of social media?
Evan Fournier: It used to be Facebook, but I signed onto Twitter two years ago. At first, I was lost, but now I’m addicted. Instagram sometimes is a little too much. You can use social media to be funny, you can use it for business … you can use it a lot of ways; I’m trying to be funny and to talk to fans.
Does your family make it over here for games?
Fournier: My family is coming here for Christmas: my parents and I have some cousins coming too. [My parents] came here last year, that was their first time in Denver. They loved it, they said it was nice weather – a little cold – it was Christmas time, but they said it was beautiful.
What did your parents do for work when you were growing up?
Fournier: My parents used to be Judo athletes. So now, my dad works at INSEP the famous school with all the athletes and my mom, she is a Judo teacher.
Did you do Judo growing up?
Fournier: I did, but I was playing basketball and Judo at the same time and growing up I had to make a choice. So, [I chose] basketball.
So, your teammates don't mess with you then because they know you could beat them up?
Fournier: Exactly, they know I have some skills. (laughs)
A look at Jimmy Pedro, Judo champion, from the 2004 Olympics.
Do you have any siblings?
Fournier: No, I'm an only child.
How about some close friends growing up?
Fournier: I have two or three very close friends. And I have a lot of cousins, I'm half Arabic I was almost born in Algeria, so my cousins from South of France are like brothers to me.
What's something about Colorado that you've enjoyed during your time here?
Fournier: The people. People are very friendly. In my neighborhood, everybody knows me and everybody talks to me. Like for my birthday, they gave me hats, T-shirts, and other things. I really like it. Where I'm from in Paris – you don't see those kind of people; it's busy, it's busy people, and they don't have the time to stop and talk to you. So, I really enjoy it here.
It's Friday night and you don't have a game. What could we find you doing?
Fournier: You could find me at my place watching a movie. I don't like to go out a lot, I don't drink alcohol … maybe now that I'm 21 [years-old] I could go downtown and have a beer or a glass of wine.
So, you like movies. What's a good one you've seen recently?
Fournier: The last one I saw … Flight with Denzel Washington, it was on Netflix and that was cool. My favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings [series]. I'm a geek though, I'm a big fan of The Matrix, Star Wars, and all of that.
You shall not pass!
The movie Flight also probably encourages you not to drink alcohol? That movie is depressing.
Fournier: It makes me kind of nervous when I fly now. (laughs)
Who is your favorite actor?
Fournier: Denzel Washington, number one no question. He had so many big time movies: Training Day, Man on Fire.
Do you have a favorite Denzel movie?
Fournier: My favorite growing up was Remember the Titans. Training Day, right now, might be the best Denzel movie I've ever watched.
How about a favorite actress?
Fournier: The one in Homeland, Carrie Mathison.
Claire Danes?
Fournier: Yes, she's amazing.
What's on your iPod?
Fournier: Like every player on the team: Drake, Rick Ross, hip-hop, and R&B. Some French rap obviously, and right now: Kendrick Lamar.
Do you cook?
Fournier: I used to cook. I used to because I had to live by myself when I was 16 [years old]. So, I had to live by myself, cook, do laundry, and all of that. At first, it was only rice and pasta … I got better, I bought some [cook] books. I had a chef last year, obviously I'm not cooking anymore! I used to be good though.
What's your favorite food?
Fournier: My favorite food is from Senegal. It's called Thiéboudienne: a mix between fish and rice, that's a typical plate over there. And my girlfriend is from Senegal, so as soon as I go to her crib in France – her dad makes me [Thiéboudienne] and I'm happy.
Does she live in France?
Fournier: No, she's here. I met her at INSEP, the same institute that I went to for basketball. She used to play basketball too, on the French national team.
Do you have a hidden talent? What's something you're good at that people may not know?
Fournier: Imitating people. My best ones are usually my friends because I have to watch them and hear what they say.
If you weren't playing basketball, did you ever think about what you might be doing?
Fournier: Growing up I was a big fan of dinosaurs. So, a Paleontologist.
Are you afraid of anything? Like I'm afraid of sharks and snakes.
Fournier: My biggest fear, I can't stand them, is wasps. Bees are okay, but wasps … no. When there is a wasp in the room, my girlfriend is trying to kill it; I don't touch them.
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