Chris Beard welcomes 'big part' to the Ole Miss basketball team in Ilias Kamardine

The final piece of the 2025-2026 Ole Miss basketball team, French guard Ilias Kamardine has arrived in Oxford after being cleared to play by the NCAA and receiving his visa.

Kamardine gave his first press conference as a Rebel alongside head coach Chris Beard on Tuesday.

It is clear that Beard is incredibly excited for what the international player can bring to college level, "A lot of respect for Ilias, experienced player, high expectations for him, but no higher than the expectation that he has for himself. So excited about this. I think he will be a big part of our team and our season."

Kamardine’s decision to join Ole Miss was influenced heavily by Coach Chris Beard, whose basketball philosophy and vision resonated with the young athlete. “For me, it was a simple choice,” Kamardine explained, citing his admiration for Beard’s approach to player development and strategic game management. This alignment built confidence even before Kamardine set foot in Oxford, as he emphasized that he and Coach Beard “are on the same page.”

Despite missing most of the summer with the team, Kamardine has wasted little time playing catch-up, closely watching practices and engaging with teammates virtually before arriving on campus. “It’s cool,” he remarked about finally meeting his teammates in person, noting that his familiarity with their abilities—gained from observing practices remotely—has made the transition smoother. Kamardine praised the group’s chemistry and hinted at big aspirations: “We are a special group, and we can do something special this year.”

Kamardine is quickly acclimating to American campus life. From attending his first football game—where he was amazed by the energy and spirit of the crowd—to discovering local restaurants like Chick-fil-A, which he stated he has eaten at least 10 times since arriving in Oxford.

Having started basketball at age three, inspired and mentored by his father, Kamardine’s passion for the game is evident. He models his style after NBA point guards, especially Tyrese Haliburton, striving to be a leader who empowers teammates. He’s looking forward to the NCAA postseason, expressing excitement about March Madness and the prospect of helping Ole Miss make a deep tournament run.