Rayan Rupert has already played more games than last season (41 against 39) with the Blazers, but his playing time is Bern. Of his 41 games, he was only entitled to seven minutes of play on average and since 2025, he often sees the prosecution only during the “Garbage Time”.
“Not being in rotation should never change your approach and preparation. You must always be ready because when your name is called, you must answer present. If this is not the case, I lose self -confidence ” Chauncy Billups said to us on the sidelines of his team's match at the Chase Center. “But I am proud of Rups, he works hard despite the circumstances. His time will come. »»
Before the defeat of the Blazers to Golden State, DNA of Sports spoke with the young Frenchman to ask him how he lived this second frustrating season on an individual but encouraging collective level, as well as the arrival of his sister, the French International Iliana Rupertin the WNBA team of Golden State.
Rayan, you started the season in rotation but since December this has not been. How do you approach this situation?
I try to stay patient, to stay focused on my work, on what I have to do. Even if I do not play, I try to pay attention to the details when I watch the matches and to do everything I can to be able to progress and evolve as a player, even if I do not have the opportunity to be on the field to show it.
“During trips, so we always try to find a room in the evening to stay in rhythm and continue working”
Is your daily life different when you don't play? Do you have additional training?
Yes, our daily life is a little different. On match days, players who are out of the rotation warm up early before the match. And then, I, I have my individual coach from France (Jimmy Vérove) who is with me and who follows me during the trips, so we always try to find a room in the evening to stay in rhythm and continue to work.
Unlike last season, you only played one handful of the G-League match this season. Are you going to go back before the end of the season?
I had to do six G League games, but it must have been a month since I did not play but there is a way that I will go back this month to keep the pace of the competition. But whatever happens, I always try to work hard.
When you are with the Blazers but you don't play, would you “prefer” you to be in G-League to be able to play?
Honestly, I like to have both because it is true that it is quite frustrating when I am with the Blazers long without playing because, necessarily, I want to play. But it's always good to have work -study. In addition our G-League team is in the same place. So it's important to stay with the NBA group or nearby to continue learning but also to have the G-League to have playing time.
What kind of coach is Chauncey Billups?
He is a coach who is quite close to his players. He understands us well since he has had a long NBA career, of course. He says things openly.
“We all know each other pretty well because we have almost the same team as last year, so automatisms had time to settle down”
Since the beginning of 2025, you have had the fifth best defense of the League and the results have followed. Was there a click? Is this the fruit of all the work has been done since last season? How do you explain this turnaround?
It's a bit of everything. I think it's a bit of all that. After as a team, I really have the impression that we are in our bubble. We do not hesitate to tell ourselves things when we are on the ground. We all know each other pretty well because we have almost the same team as last year, so automatisms had time to settle. And since the new year, it has been gaining strength. I think it is also the result of everyone's individual progress. Everyone has passed a course, and the results follow.
You are still mathematically in the Play-In race. I imagine that at the start of the season, it may not have the main objective, has it become now?
Before the start of the season, I think we were more waiting to see where we were going to be. But it is true that in recent weeks, after the “run” we have done, we can see that the play-in is playable. We are not very far in the standings, and even if we do not talk about it every day between us, it has clearly become objective.
Sidy Cissokho joined you in Portland a few weeks ago. It must be nice to have another Frenchman in the team, who is more someone you know well?
Yes, especially that we have known each other for a long time, from the French French Teams. We have always heard. He had called me the day before his signature to the Blazers. I was happy for him and then it's always cool to have another French -speaking in the team.
The Blazers have an option on your third year of contract which will become guaranteed in early July. In these circumstances, can you think of the euro and the French team or does the priority remain the NBA?
The French Team will always be an important objective for my career. For the moment, I am focused on the end of the season and on the job I will have to do after the season, but if I have the opportunity to go, I would gladly go.
Have you had the opportunity to chat with Boris Diaw and/or Fred Faudhoux since taking office?
Boris yes, I got it a few times, I had it last week and normally I will see him before the end of the season. I have not yet had the opportunity to chat with the coach.
“It is especially my mother who was happy because it is really next to it”
Finally, your sister, Iliana, was selected during the expansion Draft WNBA by the Golden State Valkyries. On a American scale, Portland and San Francisco are next to it, I imagine that this news must have delighted the Rupert clan?
I was super happy, it's heavy! She called me in the morning before it became official. It is especially my mother who was happy because it is really next to it. And then I'm happy for Iliana because it's a new team, she is doing a big season this year and she hadn't had too much playing time in her previous WNBA teams so I hope she will be able to win here.
Suddenly, we will see you in the stands of the Chase Center regularly to support the Valkyries and your sister?
Yes of course ! I think she will go to the French team before but as soon as she will play … I would be in Portland to work so I will go back and forth to come and see her. By plane, it's an hour so it's practical.
Does it make this trip to San Francisco Particular for you, because you can see the marketing posters for the Valkyries?
No, not really, and then I had already come last year and even this summer to redo my passport to the consulate. So in real life no, but I think it's going to be special when I'm going to come back to see it. But afterwards, it's true that it's a beautiful city so it's really great for her.
Interview in San Francisco.
