LA Lakers star Ronny Turiaf wants to learn Hindi

BASKETBALL STAR: Ronny Turiaf is one of the most colourful figures in the NBA.

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New Delhi: Ronny Turiaf is one of the most colourful figures in the NBA. Known more for his dancing abilities, than shooting for LA Lakers, Turiaf knows five languages already, and asked CNN-IBN's Himanshu Singhal to teach him Hindi as well in this exclusive interview.

Himanshu Singhal: Ronny how was the experience of playing in the play-offs this year.

Ronny Turiaf: It was wonderful. We had a great run, we played some pretty good teams and we fell short. But we felt good to be part of the NBA finals.

Himanshu Singhal: You are known as one of the most aggressive players and also know for dancing and a lot of other things as well. How do you take all that?

Ronny Turiaf: It's just me. I am just natural. I feel for the game so it gives me energy to go out there and I like to be up front.

Himanshu Singhal: You are also referred to as the team’s cheerleader.

Ronny Turiaf: My impression is that I don't feel that Los Angeles Lakers drafted met at 37 to be a cheerleader. So I think I have basketball skills, I can score, I can block, I can play defence. So I like to be there. My spirits are high.

Himanshu Singhal: You can also speak five languages. Tell us about your interest in languages and five languages that you can speak.

Ronny Turiaf: You have to love different cultures. With my French national team I was fortunate to travel, so I went to Italy a couple of time, to Spain a couple of times. I was born speaking French, English and Creole. So I think next language is Indian. Can you teach me some?

Himanshu Singhal: Sure, sure. You seem to have a big interest in video games. Tell us about your interest in video games and the kind of games that you prefer playing.

Ronny Turiaf: Oh yes. Definitely I was born p0laying those NBA games and I love playing NBA Live and Madden and I am pretty good. So if you want to play after the interview, we can just go and play one on one.

Himanshu Singhal: One important advice that you would like to give to the Indian youngsters, kids here who are really interested in learning the nuances of the game from you guys.

Ronny Turiaf: I would tell them to believe in self and regardless of what happens in life keep on pushing.

Himanshu Singhal: Thank you for talking to CNN-IBN.

Ronny Turiaf: It's my pleasure.