Appolinaire Loussavouvou, revelation at the ANGT Ulm: « I had nothing to lose and everything to prove »
With averages of 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists — good for a 22.2 efficiency rating — at ANGT Ulm, Appolinaire Loussavouvou (6 foot 7 inches, 17 ans) took another step forward. The young ASVEL prospect, already splitting time between the Espoirs squad and the U18 ELITE level, made his mark on the EuroLeague junior stage by earning all-tournament honors. A few days after his breakout showing in Germany, he took time to reflect on his development, his path so far, and what comes next.
From his beginnings at Grand Ouest Lyonnais to ASVEL
Appolinaire Loussavouvou came to basketball very early, and as a family affair:
« I started basketball thanks to my older brother Philibert. I started playing outside, he wanted to play in a club, I started at 5-6 years old at Grand Ouest Lyonnais, where I stayed until U13. Every second year I moved up a level, then I made the Rhône departmental selections then regional ones, which allowed me to join the Lyon Academy. I had offers from three clubs, LyonSO, ASVEL and Roanne. I chose ASVEL because it’s the club I was most aligned with. I made a U15 Elite final against Nanterre, the second year we were champions, then after that, U18, a few minutes with Espoirs and so on. »
A contrasting season between U18 and Espoirs
In U18 ELITE, ASVEL was relegated to the lower pool after the first phase. A particular context that the young point guard analyzes with clarity:
« In U18 it’s complicated because only the first-year players are 100% with the U18s. The older ones play in Espoirs, we’ve had games with one Espoirs player or none at all, so that creates an imbalance. We’re in the lower pool, but it’s not a disappointment per se, because we have something to play for. »
In Espoirs (11th, 6 wins 11 losses), the assessment is more mixed collectively. Individually, his season was slowed by a serious injury.
« Collectively, it’s a mixed season, we can show good as well as bad things, we can’t be consistent, there are defeats that put us in an uncomfortable position. Personally, my season started badly, I got injured in October – tibial plateau fracture -, I couldn’t play again until December. »
A setback that makes his performance in Ulm even more significant.
The revelation at the ANGT Ulm
Before the tournament, the Lyon native approached the event with a clear mindset:
« Going there, I told myself I had nothing to lose and everything to prove, because it’s my last ANGT. I’ve already done two, and I hadn’t been able to prove myself. The first because it was the discovery, the second my role wasn’t important enough. I had to show the results of the work I’ve done since I arrived at the center. »
With 14.8 points, 6.8 assists and a spot on the all-tournament team, he delivered in a big way. “Given my season, nobody expected it. For me, it was in the back of my mind. After the first game, when I had a good one, I told myself I had to keep going like that — and it came naturally.”
The breakout didn’t go unnoticed inside the club. “Adam (Atamna) congratulated me. And of course, my close ones and a lot of people at ASVEL reached out too.”
As for potential outside interest, he’s keeping things simple. “I haven’t really talked about it with my agents, because I prefer to focus on my season. But I think it will come.”
Appolinaire Loussavouvou best plays in Ulm Qualifier with U18 @LDLCASVEL 😤#NextGenEuroLeague pic.twitter.com/d2xw5XQqiD
— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) February 16, 2026
A playmaking profile aiming for the NBA
Asked to describe his game, Appolinaire Loussavouvou points first to his feel and versatility: “I’m a good driver. I can create for myself and for others. I have a good shot and I defend well.”
His biggest inspiration comes from the NBA. “The player I watch the most is SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). I love the way he controls the game, the tempo. Just watching him is an art. I try to understand how he plays — he’s impressive. He’s an atypical profile like me, so I need to draw inspiration from him for the rest of my career.”
When it comes to memories, he leans toward team success. “Winning the U15 championship, for sure. I wasn’t the star player, but I was surrounded by Nathan Kamta and good guys like that. We had a great season.”
And his favorite teammate? That one’s easy. “Philibert, my brother. He helps me a lot — in basketball, but mentally too. He teaches me that everyone has a role to move forward. He’s an important part of my life.”
Nationality:
Moreover, his other brother, Luflore Loussavouvou (born in 2010), who plays in U18 ELITE at ASVEL, made his ANGT debut this year in Ulm.
Between now and the end of the season, the goals are clearly defined. “With the U18 team, we want to go win the French Cup and take the lower pool championship. With the Espoirs, the objective is to reach seventh place and qualify for the Trophée du Futur.”
Long term, the ambition leaves little room for doubt. “My goal is the NBA. Whether everything lines up for me to get there, I don’t know. But that’s the goal.”
At just 17, Appolinaire Loussavouvou has already checked off a first milestone in Ulm. The next step is consistency — proving it over time with ASVEL and, eventually, on a bigger stage.
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