By: Émilie Leger
GoRhody.com staff

 
'Experience', a noun defined as 'the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation'.
 
'Experience', the word used by Ines Debroise to define the collegiate world of sport in the United States.
 
The Collegiate world of sport in the United States offers opportunities to play through multiple different governing associations. The most familiar, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Collegiate sport offers chances to compete against other colleges and universities while simultaneously obtaining a competitive degree… but this is not a worldwide concept. Collegiate sport is a billion-dollar industry. This concept could be unfamiliar to those who don't live in or have never traveled to the U.S.
 
As a country, there are certain defining factors that separate one from another, there are cultures that compile the country, but that also distinguish them. In the United States, there is a connection between U.S. culture and sport, it is woven into daily life, it's part of the identity, children grow up playing and learn that it's more than just games and having fun. The impact sport has on athletes, fans, cultures, countries, and the world in general is astounding.
 
But what about for other cultures? What are their defining factors? Do other cultures offer the same opportunities to become involved in sport?
 
Something that is a part of American culture and sometimes overlooked, to others and other countries, can be the solution, a dream, and a goal to strive towards.
 
"To leave France, come [to the U.S.], change cultures, change languages, learn new things, it's something I will remember for all of my life, and I learned a lot about myself… it's a real experience."
 
Her experience has just started.
 
After making a clear impact on the team as an individual her first year, she was welcomed back with a captaincy title to start her sophomore season.
 
"I wasn't surprised that she was a captain, she was voted by her teammates," said Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou, "Like we say in the U.S. 'lead by example', she inspires so much respect through her daily habits, her way of life, her way of being, whether it's the first- or second-year players, people have so much respect and confidence in her."
 
As a freshman, she played a total of 33 games. Debroise averaged 4.6 points and 3.0 assists per game.
 
Now a sophomore, she has already played in 58 intercollegiate games, and there are many more ahead of her.
 
The personalities that players bring to the world of sport mold teams and their cultures.
 
The flavor that Ines brings to Kingston is a blend of Tunisian, Togolese, and French origins. She is studying Kinesiology to become a physiotherapist back in France after school.
 
The opportunities that the American collegiate world of sport hold for international students are endless. The opportunity to be able to participate in sport and get a rigorous degree is something that is not offered in most countries.
 
"Coming to the U.S. was something I always wanted to do, it's a great experience, it's a place where basketball is super important, and I'm able to study at the same time."
 
Before joining the women's basketball team at the University of Rhode Island, she had never been to the United States. The opportunity to play sport brought the experience of a new community, language, and culture.
 
"It was a little complicated at first, I didn't speak much English, I didn't understand much, it wasn't easy. [But] since I got here, I've loved it so much… I don't like the food here very much but besides that, I like it here a lot."
 
The decision to come to Rhode Island was based off of relationships that were created prior, and one especially the one her and her family formed with Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou.
 
She didn't come here alone, none of them did, as there was a community of French players on the team that acts as a second family.
 
"It's less lonely for me, to have the French players, that reassured me at first because I didn't understand anything, so to have people around me that spoke the same language as me, it was less stressful and less complicated."
 
To have six players and an assistant coach from one native country is not common, and it certainly has been an experience.
 
"There's a feeling of pride to be able to represent your country. There are more and more Europeans who come to the U.S. but it's important to keep a good reputation because sometimes it's the first time that certain Americans see French, Germans, or Italians, it's important because it might be the reputation that stays with the country."
 
The French culture and language connect them to their home. Some of their teammates learn French words, and one even took a French course at URI.
 
"Our American teammates try to learn words little by little, it's always funny … when Sophie [Phillips] took her French class, she would ask a lot of questions and we would help her learn some words and explain the grammar, because in French it's very complicated, but it was really nice."
 
Debroise says she keeps France close by practicing her language and making traditional cuisine with her French teammates. One of her favorite French things to do in France is eat and share raclette, a cheese that is melted and draped over various foods. The act of bringing everyone together and eating specialty French food helps her stay with her culture.
 
She stays grounded by staying in touch with her family.
 
"Even though they are far, there's a lot of support, they're very much there for me."
 
French culture to her has a central focus diversity with a touch of fashion. She loves fashion and to express herself through clothes, her favorite brand is Bershka.
 
"We have a lot of diversity to showcase, I think it's important, it's something that's not in every country."
 
Ines shared some cultural stereotypes people often think of the French, she said she has heard that the French are always complaining, eat a lot of bread, and wear berets all the time in Paris. She personally relates to the assumption that French people eat a lot of bread but shuts down the assumption that anyone in France truly wears berets.
 
Her energetic personality and contagious laugh keep the team going. She leads with confidence and authenticity.
 
"With Ines you know exactly who she is and what to expect- she's going to be here every day, work hard every day, give everything she has. The way she is on the court is the way she is in school, and the same as when she is with her friends every day. She's someone who gives it her all every day, that's why she is as successful as she is," said Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou.
 
The style that Ines brings to Rhode Island is full of passion, both on and off the court. Her leadership role was not unfamiliar as she acts as a role model for her younger sister.
 
"The advice I would give her is that you don't have to give up when you go through a rough period, because it's life, it's what happens, there are highs there are lows, it's not going to go well every day, but you can't give up, always focus on your goal."
 
Coming from Taverny, just outside of Paris, she traveled from France to get a taste of American collegiate sports.
 
Changing cultures also means experiencing something different than one's host country's' culture of sport.
 
 

"Women's sports in general in France are growing as more and more people are interested. The federation is making more and more effort to subsidize and provide more resources to sport, women's sports, especially," added Adeniyi Amadou.
 
Before coming to URI, she played with Anaelle Dutat, Hawa Komara, Mayé Touré, Sophie Sene, and Tenin Magassa, many being national team appearances through FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) Europe.
 
At the end of Ines' rookie year, the University of Rhode Island won the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship title. Her hard work and drive give a hunger for more.
 
In the summer of 2023, she won gold representing France in the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship.
 
With each game and opportunity for leadership, she grows more as an individual and a player.
 
Ines planted her roots in Kingston, and with two more years ahead of her, the sky's the limit.
 
"There can be no success without hard work."
 

---

Read all of Leger's features on Rhode Island women's basketball's French Flavor by  clicking here.