Boris Diaw, an iconic basketball player of his generation, made his mark in the NBA before retiring in 2018 at the age of 36. Today, he is the manager of the French team. After leaving the courts, he fully devoted himself to his passions: oenology, sailing, photography, and most importantly, scuba diving. On board his catamaran, Babak, he is currently undertaking a round-the-world trip that is expected to last 13 years, leading him to explore the world’s most isolated diving sites.
photo credit: Laura Kiechle
His journey in basketball
Boris grew up near Bordeaux, already immersed in the world of basketball thanks to his mother, a former professional player. He quickly joined several sports-study centers: Mont-de-Marsan, Toulouse, and INSEP in Paris. After starting his career in Pau-Orthez, he left for the United States where he was drafted into the NBA, playing for 14 years in various clubs. In 2018, he retired and accepted the position of manager of the French men’s basketball team, managing his new responsibilities alongside his world travels.
The discovery of diving
Passionate about the aquatic environment since his childhood spent on the Arcachon basin, Boris tried diving for the first time in 2008. He began his dives in the Biscarosse Lake and quickly became hooked. His skills improved over the years, and he advanced through several diving levels, notably in the waters of the Bahamas.
Finding time to dive
Despite a busy schedule, Boris finds moments to dive, especially during the summer. He earned his level 2 in the Bahamas before venturing into rebreather diving. While still active in the NBA, he began contemplating a world tour project that matured over 5 to 6 years, leading him to obtain his dive master certification to welcome his loved ones during his adventures.
Did you enjoy this excerpt?
Read the full article.
READING TIME ≈ 8 min
Dive into the heart of PLONGEZ! Magazine
To enjoy this article and its exclusive content, a modest contribution is required.