When they are not playing in their Olympic tournament, the stars of the North American basketball league are killing time as much as they can. And do not hesitate to stay for hours in the expert hands of the barbers of Ile-de-France.
Published on 08/08/2024 06:06
Updated on 08/08/2024 07:20
Reading time: 5 min
Oliver and David, two barbers from the Paris region, pose with Team USA star LeBron James during the Paris Olympics on July 30, 2024. (DAVID REPU)
What was LeBron James thinking while shaving? Oliver and David have no answer, but can boast of being the closest to the American standard bearer. If the NBA basketball stars cannot play in the semi-final of the Olympic tournament, as happened on Thursday August 8 against Nikola Jokic’s Serbia, they will not train, not outing from the train between Lille and Paris, or not being chased by fans from around the world, the members of Team USA spend a good portion of their time in their Parisian hotel. It is impossible for the public to enter, the Americans privatize the area. However Olivier and David succeeded. The secret of these two residents of Ile-de-France? Grooming the beards of LeBron James and Anthony Davis during their stay in Paris.
David was able to approach these global stars through one of his friends, who was responsible for the logistics and travel of the American flag bearer during his stay in France. “He told me he was looking for barbers during the Olympics”, David explained. This big NBA fan, who has attended the All-Star Games in the United States, admitted that despite the desire to remain professional in all situations and his preference for another star of Team USA, Stephen Curry, there is “a ‘wow’ effect” in the style of the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, “The Michael Jordan of our time”. To help him, he called his friend Oliver, 24 years old. “David opened many doors for me, assures the latter. So when he calls me for service, even outside of hairdressing, I’ll be the first to say yes. And because he has a big heart, he will return the favor if he can.”
A few days before the Olympics, David contacted Oliver to offer to shave the members of Team USA. “He surprised me by hiding the identity of the players I was going to take care of”, Oliver smiled. Meet at 10 am in front of the players’ Parisian hotel. But before you can reach the stars, you have to go through security. “We were searched, we went through the gates, they checked our equipment… There were many steps before arriving at the salon to take care of LeBron James’ hair”following the barber.
When he arrived in the living room where the walls were covered with American and French rap vinyl covers, he discovered the barber’s chair, which had been installed especially for the occasion.
“I’m not a big fan of basketball, but I have admiration for their career and their situation.”
Oliver, barbieat franceinfo
Oliver and David visited the hotel located near the Opéra Garnier, in the center of the capital, twice. During the first meeting, Oliver took care of Anthony Davis, a teammate of LeBron James in the Lakers and another big star in the NBA: “My English is not very good, but he made me feel comfortable. We stayed there for four or five hours.” A few days later, David called him back to offer this opportunity to take care of the best scorer in the history of the most prestigious basketball championship in the world.
In addition to the two stars, Oliver takes care of the management members of the American team. Each performance lasted approximately 45 minutes. “I take care of the fades of LeBron James and Anthony Davis: I shave at the level of the ears, and the higher you go up the scalp, the more hair you leave The better the fade , more people will call you back”, he explained. The requests are simple and not as crazy as that of Paul Pogba, a big fan of eccentric hairstyles.
But what are we talking about with international champions of this size? Basketball and the Olympic Games are obvious, but not only that. “Anthony Davis is very funny and LeBron James is more reserved”, said David. Oliver remembers discussions about his favorite American rappers. “He likes rappers with a nice pen, like Jay-Z, J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar. I told him I prefer Gunna, Lil Baby or Quavorembobine Oliver. We started joking about it.” The barber took the opportunity to introduce him to French rapper Tiakola: “It’s a real moment of relaxation, like a real barbershop.”
With seven years of experience, Olivier is used to shaving American and French speaking artists, or international football players and basketball players. This time he discovered the world of NBA. “I was touched by their professionalism, they are there for the Olympics, so they must remain serious, but they are on time, very and polite”reported Francilien.
“I was very surprised, it wasn’t just ‘shave me and shut up’.”
Oliver, barbieat franceinfo
His services are well paid, “until [son] job”, Olivier knew that he had succeeded in his mission. He did not know, however, if he would be called again. The young man knew the privilege of experiencing a tête-à-tête with one of the biggest stars on the planet. But he wants to keep a cool head: “I’m proud when I talk about it to those close to me, but I don’t want to be limited to celebrity hairstyles. That’s why I’m restrained: above all, I want my work to be recognized.” And when we ask what head he wishes to take care of, he never has a name to give. “I’m more proud of taking care of my father than taking care of Drakehe concluded. She didn’t like it at first, because she had her hairdresser for many years. But over time, I was able to convince him.”