Benjamin Moubèche
–
Journalist, correspondent in San Antonio (USA)
Passionate about basketball, he moved to San Antonio to follow Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs after graduating from IEJ, his gaze constantly fixed on the NBA, both on the court and in statistics and contracts.
After a turbulent start to his NBA career, Théo Maledon returns to France to relaunch his career with Asvel. At 23, the point guard hopes to find his best level within the Lyon club, where he was trained. This signing is also excellent news for the team, in search of renewal in the French Championship.
After four years in the United States, Théo Maledon returns to France. While he has experienced ups and downs in the NBA, he is looking to relaunch his career with theAsvelThe Lyon-Villeurbanne club announced this Wednesday the signing of the 23-year-old leader, who thus returns to his training club.
Théo Maledon’s shot in the NBA
Selected in 34th position of the 2020 draft by the Thunder d’Oklahoma City, Théo Maledon was a very promising point guard when he arrived in the NBA. In his first season, he averaged 10.2 points (36.8% shooting) and 3.5 assists in 27 minutes per game, suggesting that he had a place in the North American championship.
However, Maledon has never managed to establish himself in a team for a long time. After Oklahoma Cityhe went through the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns without finding a stable role. In 2023-24, he played only 17 games in the NBA, averaging 3.5 points in 12.5 minutes per game, marking a sharp decline from his rookie season. He ultimately spent the majority of his time in the G League, the NBA’s developmental league, where he clung to the idea of making a career in the United States.
Victor Wembanyama vs. LeBron James: The first matches of the NBA season pic.twitter.com/YBAsMVnZ5S
— le10sport (@le10sport) August 14, 2024
With Asvel, a return to the sources
At 23 years old, Théo Maledon now wants to relaunch his career in France and at European level. It’s a return to his roots for him, who played between 2017 and 2020 at Lyon-Villeurbanne, before leaving for the NBA. For theAsvellosing ground in the French Championship since the rise of Monaco, this is an excellent reinforcement.
“I am very happy and proud of Théo’s return”rejoiced the president of theAsvel, Gaëtan Mulleron the club website. “Combined with the profiles of Neal Sako, Melvin Ajinca et Mbaye Ndiayehis return marks the heart of our project for the club and demonstrates our confidence in a balanced team, combining experience and youth!
