Earvin N’Gapeth is the key, once again, to France’s gold medal aspirations at Paris 2024
An elite athlete with a complete attacking arsenal, palpable court awareness and unmatched creativity, Earvin N’Gapeth is one of the most renowned volleyball players in the world. The 33-year-old possesses a special combination of power, finesse and intelligence that was pivotal to France winning its first gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
The six-foot-four outside hitter will be making his third Olympics appearance at Paris 2024, aiming to help France defend its home soil and become the first nation to win consecutive gold medals since the United States at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.
Earvin N'Gapeth, Semifinal match between France and Canada at the FIVB World League 2017
Earvin N’Gapeth’s volleyball beginnings
Earvin N’Gapeth, born in Saint-Raphaël, France, was named after basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson by his father, Eric, who represented France at Seoul 1988. He played both volleyball and football throughout his youth, eventually turning pro in volleyball in 2008 at the age of 17.
Spending the first three professional seasons of his career at Tours VB in France, N’Gapeth helped lead the club to three consecutive French Cup titles and a French Championship in 2010. He moved to Piemonte Volley in Italy from 2011 through 2013, helping the team reach the finals of the CEV Europe League before a brief stint with Russia’s Kuzbass Kemerovo for the 2013 season.
Returning to Italy from 2014 to 2018, N’Gapeth played for Modena Volley and made an immediate impact. In 2015, he was named the Italian Cup’s Most Valuable Player, FIVB World League Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Spiker as well as the CEV European Championship’s Best Outside Spiker.
His club won two Italian Cups, two Italian SuperCups and an Italian Championship during this period. N’Gapeth would then head back to Russia, playing for Zenit Kazan until 2021.
While having club successes, he also gained valuable international experience playing for France. N’Gapeth won bronze at the 2007 U19 World Championships, gold at both the 2007 and 2009 U19 European Championships and gold at the 2008 U21 European Championships. He was a crucial part of the French national team’s 2015 European title and was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIVB World League in 2017, winning a gold medal in Brazil.
He also played for France at Rio 2016 where the country finished ninth.
Earvin N’Gapeth at Tokyo 2020
These collective experiences, playing across the globe, helped prepare him for Tokyo 2020 where France shined. The nation won its first ever gold medal in Japan, beating Poland and Argentina in the knockout stages on the way to the championship game. N’gapeth starred in France’s five-set win over the Russian Olympic Committee’s team in the final, tallying 21 attacks, two blocks and three aces in the matchup.
Over the course of the Games, N’Gapeth was surgical in his dominance. He racked up a total of 124 attacks, six blocks and six aces, finishing second in the top scorers list for the tournament. Based on this performance, N’Gapeth earned Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Spiker honors.
“I prepared well mentally for this match. I had to keep smiling and provide that calm feeling to my teammates. I felt good today but the ROC almost put doubt on my mind but we managed to remain calm and nobody was shut out. We didn’t give up and that made the difference,” he said after the final against ROC.
Earvin N'Gapeth, Men's Gold Medal Match on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Describing Earvin N’Gapeth’s style of play
Since Tokyo 2020, N’Gapeth has added two more accolades to his portfolio, earning the titles of Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Spiker of the 2022 FIVB Nations League. He has accumulated many individual awards in his professional career because of his tantalizing style of play.
N’Gapeth is known for his explosive vertical leaping ability, but he has a complete, versatile game. He has the ability to connect on almost any ball set his way, either with powerful spikes or a well-placed tip to keep the opposing team off balance. N’Gapeth also consistently displays the ability to contort his body in mid-air, finding the most efficient way to attack, even if that means pulling out a few no-look hits. This is not to mention his sizzling serves, showing the ability to string together aces.
While his attacking prowess understandably garners great attention, N’Gapeth is not only a willing blocker but a good one. He uses his 6-foot-4 frame and long arms to alter and deny attacks at the net, but will get on the floor to dig out a spike if need be.
N’Gapeth plays with a joy and passion that his teammates rally around, and he is expected to put on yet another magical show at Paris 2024. Men’s volleyball at the Games will begin on 27 July and run through 10 August.