Charles Kahudi leaves ASVEL after ten years: a legend turns the page
July 1, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Charles Kahudi wants to continue his career after leaving ASVEL
Betclic ELITE - After ten seasons at ASVEL, Charles Kahudi will not extend his stay with the Rhône club. At 39, the former French international still wants to play and is open to a new project, including away from Lyon.
Photo Credit : Guillaume Poumarede
Charles Kahudi (1.99 m, 39 years old) hasn’t hung up his sneakers yet. After ten seasons at ASVEL, the emblematic forward with multiple titles is leaving the Rhône institution without an immediate transition to an internal position, contrary to what he had initially imagined. At 39, the one nicknamed « The Man » wants to continue playing and is looking for one last challenge, after a frustrating season on the sporting front.
Position(s):Small Forward/Power Forward
Height:199 cm
Age:39 years (07/19/1986)
Nationality:
Stats 2024-2025 / Betclic ELITE
PTS
4.5
#178
REB
0.8
#218
AST
0.7
#179
A quiet exit, an intact desire
Arriving at ASVEL in 2015, Charles Kahudi spent a decade marked by national titles, the club’s return to EuroLeague, and the move to LDLC Arena. Ten years of total commitment ending without the dreamed scenario: « This ending is clearly not what I had imagined. We all want to finish on the court with teammates, wearing the jersey and winning a title, » he told Le Progrès on June 20.
The 2024-2025 season was difficult for the former international, slowed down by a groin injury. In total, Kahudi only played 20 games out of 79. « Obviously, this isn’t the season I would have hoped for, » he admits. « I did everything possible to be ready. And even today I continue going to the gym to work. »
No position at ASVEL, open to relocation
In a context of budget cuts at ASVEL, Charles Kahudi wasn’t offered a position in the organization. The sporting director role he hoped for seems to remain in Michel Veyronnet’s hands. A choice the historic captain respects, but which pushes him to explore other options: « It’s not in the cards, » he summarizes about his future within the club.
Settled with his family in Lyon, where he found balance, the player doesn’t close the door to a departure for his final professional season: « If I have opportunities elsewhere, of course I’ll consider them. (…) Today, I have no doubts, I feel physically good, I still have the desire to give and especially to pass on knowledge. »
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A rare longevity, a special place
At a time when long careers are becoming rare, Charles Kahudi embodied stability and loyalty at ASVEL. « Spending ten years at one club is very rare nowadays, » he emphasizes. His attachment to Tony Parker’s project, with which he experienced the club’s renaissance, is undeniable: « I was fortunate to experience a long and beautiful period at ASVEL, with many titles, the return to EuroLeague, entering LDLC Arena. »
But as he turns the page, he does so with lucidity, without excessive bitterness, and with the fierce determination not to retire without one last dance. In a saturated JFL market, Charles Kahudi represents a rare opportunity: the experience, rigor, and leadership of a champion.
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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