Ante Brzovic has already left Challans and found a new team elsewhere
Sept. 26, 2025
Alexandre Lacoste
Challans recruits a 2011 French champion
ELITE 2 - Vendée Challans Basket has officially announced the arrival of Seychellois center Abdel Kader Sylla as a medical replacement for Grégory Bengaber. Meanwhile, Ante Brzovic, who arrived this summer, is already leaving the club after just one game to join Stal Ostrów in the Polish first division.
Photo Credit : Sébastien Grasset
Vendée Challans Basket is experiencing a turbulent start to the season in ELITE 2. After two losses in two games, the Vendée club quickly decided to modify its frontcourt. Before hosting Denain this Friday evening, news broke of Croatian center Ante Brzovic’s departure. Subsequently, the club announced the arrival of Abdel Sylla, former French champion with Nancy in 2011, as a medical replacement for Grégory Bengaber.
Abdel Sylla, an experienced center with a solid resume
Born in Seychelles on April 10, 1990, Abdel Kader Sylla (2.05 m, 35 years) has had an extensive career in France. Having played for Nancy, Pau, Orléans, Monaco, Bourg, and most recently Nantes and Tours in NM1 last season, he has over 300 games in French professional divisions. French champion in 2011 with SLUC Nancy, he also competed in EuroLeague that same year. In 2019-2020, he added a Leaders Cup title with Monaco to his achievements.
Friday evening, in his first game wearing the Challans jersey, Sylla recorded 6 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes against Denain. In recent weeks, he had been staying in shape by training with the Chorale de Roanne.
« This experienced center will bring his power, defensive presence, and team-oriented mindset to the squad, » stated the club in its press release.
Stats 2025-2026 / ELITE 2
PTS
6
#139
REB
3
#99
AST
0
#184
Ante Brzovic, a brief stay in Vendée
Arriving this summer from NCAA (Charleston), Ante Brzovic (2.08 m, 25 years) only played one official game with Challans. Scoring 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block in 17 minutes last week in Pau, he failed to convince the staff, who had already noted his lack of toughness during preseason in late August.
The Croatian big man quickly bounced back by signing with Stal Ostrów, a regular top-tier team in the Polish first division and 2021 champions. This is a promotion for the 22-year-old player, who participated in the NBA Summer League with Memphis in July.
Challans still seeking stability
With two losses in two games, VCB is still finding its bearings. The addition of Abdel Sylla, who has JFL status, should help stabilize the frontcourt while waiting for Grégory Bengaber’s return. The Vendée club hopes to quickly get its season on track and avoid settling at the bottom of the standings.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
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