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Timéo Pons, a 6-foot-8 guard from France, committed on Friday to play for new coach Eric Olen and the UNM Lobos this coming 2025-26 season.
He is the 14th player either committed or already signed to play for the Lobos this coming season and will join his teammates on campus after he is done trying out for the French U19 national team. If he makes the team, he will compete in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup at the end of June and early July in Switzerland.
The Journal reached out to Pons on social media and sent him some questions to try to give Lobo fans a better understanding of the new player coming to the Pit. Here are his answers:
JOURNAL: What about coach Eric Olen’s system made you want to play for the UNM Lobos?
PONS: “Coach Olen’s collective system fits well with my style of play. The ball moves well, looking for open shots. I’m a shooter, so having my teammates create open shots is a big advantage.”
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JOURNAL: Did you know anything about UNM, the Pit or Albuquerque before this process? And do you know what a Lobo is?
PONS: “I didn’t know about UNM, but like everybody I’ve already heard about Albuquerque thanks to the series Breaking Bad. I didn’t know about the Pit, but I’m really excited to discover it and to play in that great atmosphere.”
“I didn’t know (what a Lobo was) before I chose to come to UNM. Now I think I know it’s a Spanish word for a type of wolf.”
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JOURNAL: What type of player are fans going to see on the court?
PONS: “The fans will see me as a 6-8 shooting G/F. I give everything on the court so I know the fans will love that!”
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JOURNAL: Who is your favorite player? And is there a professional player you are similar to?
PONS: “My favorite player is Steph Curry. As a shooter, I realize that what he does is incredible. I also really like Jayson Tatum, I think I have similarities with him and I would like to be like him.”
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JOURNAL: What’s a non-basketball thing you really enjoy doing?
PONS: “I really enjoy spending time with my family, going on vacation with them, and chilling out. When I will be in New Mexico, for sure my new hobby will be calling them on FaceTime.”
