At an impasse in Paris, Ismaël Bako returns to Russia
Arriving with a solid European pedigree, Ismaël Bako (6’10 », 30 years old) is already leaving Paris Basketball. The Belgian international, who previously played for Leuven, Antwerp, ASVEL, Manresa, Virtus Bologna and UNICS Kazan, failed to establish himself in the rotation this season. To the point of leaving mid-season, having not played in competition for over a month.
Merci pour tout, Izzy ! 🤝⚡️
Une étape s’achève, mais l’empreinte reste. Un immense merci à Ismaël Bako pour son professionnalisme, ses dunks électrisants et son état d’esprit exemplaire sous les couleurs de Paris. 🏀🗼 pic.twitter.com/SY04Hw03q1
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) January 23, 2026
It’s with Zenit St. Petersburg that the former ASVEL player will continue his career. In the VTB League, the Russian league (and allied countries), he will see increased responsibilities behind Andrey Martyuk. In a championship he knows well (from his time in Kazan), he arrives as reinforcement in St. Petersburg, which currently has a record of 14 wins and 8 losses (4th in VTB League) but just parted ways with its coach. Belarusian Rostislav Vergun is serving as interim after the dismissal of Slovenia’s head coach, Aleksander Sekulic. Roster-wise, Bako replaces Noah Vonleh.
Ismael Bako joins Zenit! Welcome to St. Petersburg 🪵 pic.twitter.com/sr5Rm5QLQl
— Zenit Basketball Club (@zenitbasket) January 23, 2026
Limited role in the Paris rotation
Statistically, Ismaël Bako’s contribution to Paris’s season was very limited. In EuroLeague, he averaged 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 9 minutes per game, over nine games played. In Betclic ELITE, his playing time was barely more substantial, with 12 minutes per game for 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in ten games.
Yet the Belgian center showed in stretches that he could contribute. On October 19 against Dijon, he delivered a solid performance with 9 points and 9 rebounds in just 13 minutes during the 97-92 victory. In EuroLeague as well, he stood out against Virtus Bologna on October 9 (6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 14 minutes), in a 90-79 Paris win. Flashes of brilliance that led nowhere.
Paris struggling on the European stage
Collectively, Paris Basketball is going through a difficult period in EuroLeague. The capital club sits in 17th place with a record of 7 wins and 16 losses, tied with Partizan Belgrade in last place. A complicated situation despite individual performances from Nadir Hifi (19.3 points, 3.7 assists), Justin Robinson (14.6 points, 4.4 assists) and Jared Rhoden (12.1 points), all guards.
Conversely, on the domestic scene, Paris continues to compete at the top of the table. Third in Betclic ELITE with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, the Parisians are tied with Nanterre 92 in second place. A striking contrast between the two competitions.
Discussions with PAOK fell through
In this context, the possibility of Ismaël Bako’s departure has been discussed for several weeks. PAOK Thessaloniki talked with the French club but nothing materialized. However, it was concluded with the Gazprom-owned club.
Interior responsibilities in Paris will then rest almost exclusively on Mouhamed Faye and Allan Dokossi, with forced adjustments requiring Enzo Shahrvin, Daulton Hommes, Léopold Cavalière or Derek Willis to occasionally slide to the 5 position.
A makeshift solution rather than a real structural choice, which illustrates the current limitations of the Paris roster inside.
A turning point ahead for Paris Basketball
As the season enters a decisive phase, Ismaël Bako’s situation symbolizes Paris Basketball’s questions: how to remain competitive on two fronts with such a constrained interior rotation? The Belgian center’s case could well be one of the first major moves of the Parisian winter.
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