It’s around 4,200 miles from Exmouth, Devon to Orlando, Florida. But Isaac Mourier’s journey is about far more than distance. One of the first ever players to pull on an Exmouth Basketball Club jersey, Isaac has gone on to build a remarkable career in elite sport, and he’s only just getting started.
Now based in the U.S. as part of the Orlando Magic, he’s helping some of the world’s top athletes perform at their peak. We caught up with Isaac to hear about his journey, life in the NBA, and his memories of basketball back where it all began.
Let’s start with the most important one, can you get us tickets for Orlando Magic games?
If you come to Orlando… I got you!!
The NBA London game next season is Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies. How excited are you for that?
I’m super excited! I was hoping we’d play at Copper Box for a real full circle moment… but nevertheless very exciting. It’s also nice to get a trip back home paid for – so that’s a bonus! The guys are pretty into the British slang and I’ve put them on to some of the music and culture so they’re excited too!
Soooooo, any chance of tickets for that game?
lol I think it’s going to be tough… I’m hoping to get my family tickets, but even that might be a pinch. The players get allocated tickets, staff get the scraps that are left.
Have you met Shaq? Would he play for the Jesters?
I have met shaq… my hand felt like a babies hand when he dapped me up. I’ll find the video.
At the Magic, what is your role and how long have you been in it?
I am the Head of Performance Nutrition. I oversee bloodwork, body composition, nutrition coaching, hydration, food, and supplement provision. Pretty much creating the strategies for testing, tracking, and interventions relating to readiness health, performance, and recovery. Honestly just assist in a bunch of stuff too both on and off the court… filling in the gaps.
This is my 3rd year.
Do you need any qualifications for a role like yours? What did you study?
Yeah, you need a masters degree and a British Dietetic Association credential alongside registration as a sport and exercise nutritionist.
I studied BSc Sport and Exercise Science and MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition
How does it feel going to work each day? What is something you enjoy most about your job?
Man, everyday I have to pinch myself. I love what I do, and I feel blessed to be in the position that I am. I think I enjoy the relationships I have with the players and coaches/staff the most… and just getting to be around the game at such a high level making an impact. I enjoy the travel too and of course gamedays being on the sidelines.
What Orlando attractions have you been to?
Honestly… not much. I went to universal once and that’s pretty much it for “attractions”. But it’s a cool city, so outside of the touristy stuff there’s loads of restaurants and places to check out. The neighbourhoods and natural beauty like the Crystal Springs are more my speed! We also have the shark bite capital of the world (New Smyrna) just down the road!
Do you still have time to play basketball?
I shoot everyday before I leave the facility, and will workout on court sometime… I do little bits in practice here and there. But not much time outside of work to play properly. Plus my body is a bit fooked now.
What level of basketball did you play to?
I was lucky enough to play AASE academy, SW England, US prep school, Uni and Pro (BBL and Germany).
During the season, what might a typical day, or week, look like for the Head of Performance Nutrition?
Breakfast, supplements, check ins with players, assist with lifts/activation in weights room, set up hydration for practice, assist in walk-through/shootaround, coordinate recovery shakes, assist with post-practice stretches, check lunch at facility, go home get a coffee and chill with the dog for a bit, set up at arena for game, pregame meal, pregame supplements, assist and intervene during game with nutrition/hydration strategies & supplements, half time refuel, 2nd half of game interventions, check postgame shakes and supplements, assist postgame lifts, coordinate postgame meal.
Who would win in a 1 on 1, Stuff the Magic Dragon or Benny the Bull?
Stuff
Is it trickier managing player nutrition on the road compared to at home in Orlando? How do you manage player nutrition on the road?
In some ways it’s easier to manage nutrition on the road because we can control the environment better and we have more of their time and attention. We have them in the hotel, then at the arena, on the plane etc. so pretty much every meal they consume is controlled by me.
At home we control what happens in the building, but they also have their personal lives and things going on. They have friends, they’ve got family, they’ve got spouses etc. where they may want to go out and do their own thing… so, actually being on the road means less distractions and more adherence to what we provide.
We stay at the top hotels in the world, so their culinary teams do an excellent job of bringing my menus to life. We then utilize the best restaurants and caterers in the area to cater to the arena pre and postgame as well as to the plane… so there are a lot of moving parts. Then you need to keep up supplement, sleep, immune health and hydration strategies woven into all of this!
What are your go to meals – for you or the players?
I try to push the boat out a bit and expand their horizons. So, we’ll do everything from Jamaican food to Middle Eastern and Italian. But I’m always mindful of keeping some recognisable things on the menu… because ultimately the goal is for them to eat and to meet their nutritional needs at the correct times vs teaching and broadening palette in that moment.
A steakhouse menu is always a hit Caesar salad, filet mignon, salmon, lobster mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, broccolini and asparagus. That’s a garunteed hitter!!
If the Magic were in Exmouth for a day, where would you have to take them or what food would you get them to try?
Ooooh tough one… Full English at the dockside. Walk to orcombe point. Coffee at hangtime. Ice cream at the spot on the beach. River taxi to the River Exe Cafe… scran down some mussels. Afternoon Cream tea somewhere. Krispies fish n chips for dinner. Back to hangtime for a sunset session. Few pints of Guinness at the York.
You get to travel America a lot. What are some of the best places you’ve visited?
I really like Philly, Boston, New York and Toronto. But honestly most of the cities have cool things to see and do! I always explore, find restaurants and coffee shops etc. to get the real feel. Atlanta is a cool spot for that too, excellent city to explore!
It’s a long time since you played club basketball in Exmouth. What are your memories of that time?
Amazing memories with the original Jesters guys. From Bridge Building Basketball Exmouth at the side gym at the comp, to the first ever game, first ever uniforms, team kung fu session in Plymouth, some kind of fundraiser!!??
Late NBA games at Chris’ spot, the odd guitar appearance at training. I was desperate for opportunities in Exmouth to hoop, and until Chris started the Jesters there was nothing nearby outside of school/county etc.
On reflection, it was so good for my development to compete against grown men at that age… just the physicality piece for a 14/15 year old were really beneficial. When I went to play junior national league I felt like a beast.
Do you think NBA team’s could handle the fierce battlegrounds of Exmouth like Carter Avenue or Phear Park?
Missing a shot at the OG Phear Park and having to hope the railing and run down the hill to get the ball… they don’t know pain like that. Couldn’t handle for sure! Plus the ball gets muddy… filthy hands. No chance. Oh and there’s a pond at the bottle of the hill – yeah that chase hits different.
Carter Park… no nets, double rim and the unwritten rule of get off/stay off the ground when the trains going past. Also couldn’t handle!
How old were you when you got into basketball?
13 (shout out to Dawkins).
What advice do you have for anyone looking to get involved in the game?
Work your ass off for one… reach out to and emulate those who have done what you want to do. Find environments where you are the worst in the gym and stay there until you elevate. Don’t take things personal. Find the best coaching available to you and be open to criticism. Say yes to opportunities and seek discomfort! Watch film from high level hoops and really study it, don’t pay attention to the highlights, or the lowlights… the real stuff is in the in between. Body language, self discipline, communication and resilience are arguably the skills that separate those who “make it” and those who don’t.
What are you top 5 nutrition tips for anyone looking to have a healthier lifestyle?
- Eat 30 different plant foods per week.
- Match carbohydrate intake with physical demands of the day (high demands = higher carbs, low demands = lower carbs).
- Eat fatty fish 2x per week.
- Eat 1.5+ x body weight (kg) in protein.
- Drink 2.5+ Litres water daily.
Do you have a message for the people of Exmouth Basketball Club?
Thank you for giving me my start and thank you for all the great people who provided opportunities and support in the early days. In particular: Chris Davy, Mike Beresford-Hines, Mark Crncich, Gavin Dawkins, and Chris Worcester to name a few. I know I would not be where I am today without these guys… lifts home, lifts to try outs, good conversations, late (maybe even missed 😬) training fees, and a regular practice session to look forward to. All will never be forgotten!… It’s come a long way and it’s amazing to see some of the same faces still involved. Keep up the great work! Basketball in Exmouth seems better than ever.
Also shoutout to the OG Jesters crew: Paddy, Ben, Ryan, Tapper, George, Big Chris, Grove, Rosvel, Pab, Billy, Matt Slater, Jules, Nick, Wingfield, Henry, Moosey, Matt Cuthbert… I’m sure there’s more). I hope everyone is doing well!!
From Exmouth to the NBA
Isaac’s story is a reminder of how far passion, discipline, and community support can take you. From late-night training sessions in Exmouth to the sidelines of the NBA, his journey shows what’s possible when hard work meets opportunity.
We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own flying the Exmouth flag on basketball’s biggest stage.