Running it back with 2022 WBNL MVP Dr. Corinne Moussi
Dr. Corinne Aurelie Moussi, who hails from Yaounde, Cameroon, has asserted herself over the past two years as probably the best female basketball player currently practicing the sport in South Africa. After a stellar inaugural campaign in 2021 with the Western Cape Mountaineers in the Women’s Basketball National League (WBNL), Dr. Moussi levelled up in 2022 and led the Mountaineers to the championship over Egoli Magic and took home the WBNL Most Valuable Player trophy. In addition, Dr. Moussi finished as the league’s top scorer for the second straight year and concluded the season with the highest number steals. Despite earning this triple crown (MVP, league title and scoring champion), at the end of the 2022 season, Dr. Moussi who holds a PhD in Political Science from Stellenbosch University and an LLM in International Law from UCT announced that, she would not play during the 2023 season. However, a change of heart has seen her return to the Mountaineers and pick up where she left off in 2022. In the season opener, she registered a 22 point and 13 rebound effort, in just 23 minutes of play against the Eastern Cape Windbreakers. While in her second outing against the Mpumalanga Rhino’s, Dr. Moussi recorded 31 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in 27 minutes of play. In this interview we spoke to the reigning MVP on the challenges she has faced as a player, how she was able to overcome them and her goals for the 2023 WBNL season.
Full Court Press: What were the biggest challenges that you were confronted with during the 2022 WBNL season?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: Playing away from home for an extended period and considering that I am a perfectionist, I was afraid of not living up to people’s expectations.
Full Court Press: How were you able to overcome these obstacles?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: Firstly, I’ll attribute it to my resilience and ability to surmount difficult situations. I also had a great support system consisting of my family and a small circle of friends.
Full Court Press: Despite the accolades that you attained during the 2022 season, what prompted you to initially announce that you would no longer feature in the WBNL?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: I was unhappy with the lack of acknowledgement given to us by the club even though we had won the championship. When we returned to Cape Town, it was business as usual. The non-recognition plus the mental as well as physical of playing in the league made me apprehensive to return.
Full Court Press: Since you are back in the league and with the Mountaineers, what do you think are the strong points of your team?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: We have had the same core for three years, so there is great chemistry and team familiarity. Furthermore, we have a shared vision, and we are goal oriented.
Full Court Press: Despite these positive elements, what do you think could prevent the Mountaineers from defending their championship?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: Teams as well as players have gotten better and everyone is bringing their A game, so we don’t know what to expect.
Full Court Press: Is there any team or player that you’re looking forward to playing against?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: None.
Full Court Press: What is your overall objective for the 2023 WBNL season?
Dr. Corinne Moussi: To enjoy basketball.
Any concluding remarks?
Watch out for the WBNL, it’s going to be a fantastic season.
