ESPN's Holly Rowe speaks French and English in WNBA Draft interview; Twitter reacts

Tom Gatto

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ESPN's Holly Rowe speaks French and English in WNBA Draft interview; Twitter reacts image

ESPN reporter Holly Rowe received many a "tres bien" from her confrères in media for conducting a bilingual interview with WNBA Draft pick Iliana Rupert, a France international, on Thursday night.

Rupert was chosen 12th overall by the Las Vegas Aces. With the draft being a virtual event for the second year in a row because of COVID-19, Rowe conducted the post-selection interview in an ESPN studio while Rupert was on camera remotely.

MORE: Why Paige Bueckers was ineligible for '21 WNBA Draft

Rowe began the interview with "Bonsoir," or "Good evening," and asked Rupert in French whether she spoke English. Rupert responded in the affirmative and the interview proceeded in English.

"It's always been one of my dreams and it's amazing being recognized," Rupert said. "I'm really happy to [represent] my country and I'm just excited to finally start this journey."

After two more questions and responses in English, Rowe switched back to French for the interview's conclusion, telling Rupert "Bienvenue," or "Welcome," to the WNBA. She also gave her regards to Rupert's family.

Rowe's media colleagues were quick with the compliments.

Tom Gatto

Tom Gatto Photo

Tom Gatto joined The Sporting News as a senior editor in 2000 after 12 years at The Herald-News in Passaic, N.J., where he served in a variety of roles including sports editor, and a brief spell at APBNews.com in New York, where he worked as a syndication editor. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina.