Article and interview by Isa Simon, Los Angeles
French basketball entrepreneur, NBA-licensed agent Nassim Baziz and owner of BAZ’N GROUP dunks his American Dream: a new international camp location is coming to emblematic L.A. Westside this summer!
Photos: ©Maxime Sebti, Kevin Niang
Team Baz’n Camp: A Global Impact and International Interest
Daring and dynamic founder Nassim Baziz can take pride in the global impact and attention generated since the opening of Baz’n Camp in 2018: seasoned professionals and personalities from the field are coming from the US, Serbia, Spain, Greece, nearly 20 different countries, to share their knowledge and expertise with young athletes. Coaches and staff, many with NBA experience, get to train hundreds of students in the excellence of basketball practice, ranging from middle schoolers to young adults in their early twenties.
One of the largest summer basketball camps in France and Europe, Baz’n Camp features a unique opportunity to earn scholarships in the US: players spend a week abroad, immersing themselves in the American lifestyle, with a choice of on-site trainings in iconic cities loved by the French community: Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida. A third destination is being inaugurated in Northern California, Spring of 2025 (April 19-25): the team will play against local high schools and academies in the San Francisco/Sacramento area.
These abroad training camps are popular among students who aspire to play professionally, attracting local schools and colleges scouting for European talents. US coaches come to watch the Baz’n Camp players compete against seasoned local teams, with the goal to make scholarship offers to play in local high schools, colleges or private academic institutions.
While in the US, the team meets up close and personal with NBA players to gain unique advice and participate in unforgettable game times. In L.A. some training sessions are held at the prestigious Crypto Arena, home of the Lakers-downtown LA, or the recently inaugurated Intuit Dome-Inglewood, home of the Clippers.
The mecca of basketball, Los Angeles, will soon welcome the new summer basketball training Baz’n Camp. This time US players will have the opportunity to train in France and experience European basketball during their week abroad. The students will be immersed in French culture and discover the famous Calanques of Marseille. American players will experience local traditions while testing their skills against their French counterparts.
The quality of the game increased in the past decade in France. The high numbers of French players recently drafted in the NBA is witness to the new playing field. With the Paris Olympics and Silver medal won by the French national basketball team, and the upcoming LA28 games, the crossover from US to European basketball is more electrifying than ever. In addition to Los Angeles (June 22-28), the summer sessions are also expanding to Paris in 2025 (August 3-16). The Camp headquarters sessions will take place in Marseille July 6-2.
A childhood shaped by strong family values and a passion for basketball
“My family values, driven by passion and hard work helped shape my career and business choices. The cultural heritage my grandparents left me with gave me the keys to my professional development and personal growth. I learned not to take anything for granted, that life is a correlation of different challenges, a chess game. Facing what life throws at you is the only way to become successful at our crafts, our passions “
Nassim’s grandparents and parents arrived in France shortly after the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962). As a member of the Harki community, his grandfather fought alongside the French against Algerian nationalists. Following Algeria's independence, Harkis were increasingly unwelcomed in their own country, and France brought many of them back to settle in different cities across the hexagon.
Nassim's family relocated to the outskirts of Rouen in the North, in the heart of Normandy in a predominantly immigrant neighborhood. Rouen, a tranquil medieval town, lies nestled between lush green valleys along the banks of the Seine River. It’s here that Nassim was born and raised alongside his sister, in a close-knit family.
Nassim believed he would follow the typical path of young people growing up in French city suburbs: working a traditional job before enjoying retirement, in the same neighborhood. Then, on a hot Friday evening, gazing out the window of his family apartment, he saw a group of kids playing hoops next to his building. Nassim joined them and had too much fun. That marked a turning point in his life, towards a better life, and he would never look back from there.
Growing up in a precarious environment, Nassim quickly realized sports could transform his world. Becoming successful in basketball became a goal, his salvation. Basketball was his passion, and his way out of the poverty that surrounded him.
“Nothing is ever given to you, nor it is permanent “
guides his philosophy, a strong drive to attain the goals he projected for himself:
He was 13 years old when he started playing basketball.
At 16 years old, he became assistant coach.
At 18 years old, he was coaching and playing in semipro French basketball (N3)
At 19 years old, he decided to get his college degree in Sports Management while still coaching and playing professionally
Nassim has always been a natural at working with people, guiding and coaching players. He is also a skilled negotiator, hence his choice towards a degree in sport management and marketing. He credits his success to the strong work ethic and values his family instilled in him. The cultural influences and life lessons his parents provided shaped his sense of self-respect and confidence, ultimately paving the way for his future. Challenges are intermingled with the road to success. Without difficulties to conquer, there are no results.
“Professional success is forged through the challenges life places in your path”
This was my norm. My motto. The mindset I was raised with.
“Success is created in the face of adversity.”
“I knew no other way. This was natural to me. The only way!”
Professional beginnings & partnership with NBA Alum star Mickael Pietrus
Nassim’s personality flows with contagious energy and charisma. His business vision and positive outlook contribute to the many different projects and organizations he leads. At just 23, he founded his own agency, managing and representing professional basketball players in France. Expanding his reach on the American market, he decided to pursue the highly sought-after NBA agent license. Today, he is part of a small group of French agents to hold this big credential. It took lots of studying, several trips to New York City and much perseverance. But it paid off. He was now able to represent French players in the US basketball market; another step towards his dream.
“As I was growing my basketball agency, I crossed path with French NBA alum Mickael Pietrus- also known as “Air France” on the court, for his superb athletic skills. Mickael played with the [San Francisco] Warriors and the Orlando Magic. We instantly clicked and started working on various projects together. Our journeys have been intertwined ever since.”
With the Camps, the goal is to expand the young players’ horizons, opening their minds by being immersed in the American culture, so they understand better the game of basketball. Their views become richer, and this makes playing basketball in the US more accessible to French athletes.
“Looking back, I never imagined my future would span outside my hometown, Rouen” Nassim says. Like many of the young issued from immigrant families, he expected to settle into a traditional job. But thanks to his family beliefs in the values of hard work, persistence and determination, it allowed him to break free from the limitations of his environment and grow into the person he is today.
“I would never have believed in the American Dream. I thought I’d stay my entire life in Rouen. But life throws opportunities your way, and people you meet change your entire direction.”
Baz’n Camp Alum Diamant Blazi
Baz’n Camp: Bigger than our Dreams
Building the camp was a serious bet. Where would we start? What format would work? How to promote? Ultimately, we chose Marseille as our host city. Marseille vibrates. It is full of youth energy, stunning natural surroundings, and the financial management would be more flexible than in Paris. Paris offered too little space and super high business costs.
Our vision was to attract passionate basketball talents from all walks of life to a summer camp that provides intense training sessions, led by seasoned professionals. With world-class coaches and staff, we needed space, flexibility and attractive costs.
Baz’n Camp launched in 2018 with a concept that was unique for France: bringing in experienced professionals from around the world to teach. And it worked, it was crazy! The response was overwhelming. In less than three years, the Camp generated a buzz that went beyond our expectations, drawing international attention, especially from countries where basketball is deeply popular. It quickly grew into something bigger than we imagined.
An Alumni from the Camp shares:
“Meeting Americans who are open to others, playing on American soil, on floors worthy of NBA games, allows you to live this experience like no other. […] The most striking: all the meetings (with NBA players...), each richer than the last, as well as the feasibility of the activities in one week. A rich experience at all levels, which allows you to dream big and all this in just one week."
The future camp in Los Angeles meets the demands among American basketball players to look beyond the Atlantic for new opportunities and better their skills to become more competitive. Training in Europe offers invaluable lessons and experiences. US players can practice the fundamentals while embracing diverse playing styles, helping players develop a more well-rounded game. Basketball becomes increasingly globalized, the lessons learned from training in Europe with Baz’n Camp will have a lasting impact on these players’ careers.
Meet us at the new BAZ’N Camp Los Angeles this summer!
Merci Beaucoup, Nassim, for sharing Baz’n Camp’ unique story and your inspiring journey!
Article and Interview by Isa Simon, Los Angeles
Insta @IsaSimon
More about Baz’N Camp:
Website https://bazncamp.com/en/
Insta @bazncamp
LinkedIn: Nassim Baziz