Belgian Cat Laure Resimont for the third time as Belgian Player of the Year: “A top season in all areas”

Laure Resimont had another really top season at Kangaroos Mechelen. The 26-year-old captain of the Maneblussers led her team to a third consecutive double and to the title and victory in the Belgian Cup. In the EuroCup Women, the Mechelen ladies just missed out on a place in the 1/8th finals of this European cup. In the women’s first division, she had a strong average of 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. She also performed strongly in Europe with an average of 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

“An individual prize is always nice. Yes, it’s my third, but the previous two were a while ago (2018, 2019). However, it is mainly because of the collective effort that I can win these prizes. We were impressive in that regard with Kangaroos Mechelen. It was a top season in all areas. We remained Belgian undefeated this season in the league and the Belgian Cup. We were in a strong European group but were still able to qualify for the next round. Unfortunately, just shy of the 1/8th final and continuing to grow in Europe is now our next ambition,” says Laure Resimont, who will start preparing for the Olympic Games with the Belgian Cats in a few weeks.

In February, Resimont, here in a duel with Kelsey Plum of Team USA, qualified for the Sportpaleis and with the Belgian Cats for the Olympic Games in Paris. — © Isosport

Last year she was firmly in the Cats’ selection. She was there last summer when the Belgian Cats won historic gold at the European Championships and was also part of the selection in February when the Belgian ladies qualified for Paris in a packed Sportpaleis. She now has 64 caps with the Belgian Cats.

Three years longer at Kangaroos Mechelen

She was active in France (Tarbes) and Spain (Cadi La Seu) between 2019 and 2021 but returned to Belgium. “I play for a top Belgian club that wins prizes and wants to establish itself in Europe. That’s why I signed for three seasons,” said Laure Resimont, who succeeds fellow Belgian Cat Nastja Claessens.

Arvid Diels Coach of the Year for the fourth time

Arvid Diels, the coach of Kangaroos Mechelen who led his club to a third consecutive double, was voted Coach of the Year for the fourth time. Diels won the trophy in 2015, 2022 and 2023. Like Laure Resimont, he also signed a new three-season contract with Kangaroos Mechelen. Diels succeeds himself on the honors list.

Arvid Diels succeeds himself as Coach of the Year. — © Geert De Rycke

Pauline Bayart Promise of the Year

Pauline Bayart from Waregem won the Promise of the Year trophy. The 17-year-old and 1m88 Young Cat from Waregem was good for an average of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the first division among the women. Bayart succeeds ex-teammate Nastja Claessens on the honors list. The Promise of the Year trophy therefore remains with Waregem. The club of coach Frederic Claessens (father of Belgian Cat Nastja Claessens, ed.) remains a breeding ground for talent in Belgian women’s basketball.