SEYCHELLES : Cyril Agrippine is a rocker

SWINGMAN Cyril Agrippine’s self-imposed exile is over and he is now a rocker.The player, who was absent from the court for the whole of last season as he decided not to play for his former club Premium Cobras for personal reasons, has signed with MBU Rockers.

Touted by Baya to beef up their already rich line-up after a buying spree and connected with a move back to Premium Cobras, Agrippine preferred to join mid-table side MBU Rockers who boast a number of young talents.

Speaking to Sports Nation yesterday afternoon, Agrippine said:
“I want to help MBU Rockers become a better team and at the same time, depending on my performance, get a call-up to the country’s pre-selection who are preparing for the forthcoming Indian Ocean Islands Games.”

The swingman, who is known for his commitment to the game and his never-say-die attitude, has played on two IOIG teams – in 1998 (in Reunion) and in 2003 (in Mauritius) – but has failed to win a medal each time.

Agrippine, who joined Premium Cobras in 1994 after playing for Mont Fleuri Neutrons for two seasons (1992 and 1993), was expected to join Mauritius side Real but the deal did not materialise.

He was considered to be one of the pillars behind Premium Cobras’ success over the years, winning almost all the local titles – League championship, Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup, President’s Cup and Curtain-raiser tournament.

The 33-year-old, who added that he was annoyed by a recent newspaper publication that he was on the verge of joining Baya although it is true there were talks between him and the club, played an important role in landing Premium Cobras the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) title in 1999 and in 2005.

The three-time basketballer of the year was also part of the team who won the East, Central and Southern African Club Championship in 1999 in Zambia, clinching the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the process as he played the final with a broken finger.

If all goes well, it is expected that swingman Agrippine will make his debut for his new team against SMB Razorbacks on Sunday May 20.

G. G.