In Orleans, Xavier Johnson’s performance already raises questions
Dec 27, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Despite co-leadership, Orleans to change point guard: Xavier Johnson on his way out
ELITE 2 - Even though Orleans Loiret Basket has returned to tie with Blois at the top of the ELITE 2 standings, the club has decided to make a change at point guard. According to La République du Centre, Xavier Johnson's adventure at OLB is coming to an end.
Photo Credit : Cécile Thomas
Orleans Loiret Basket ended the year 2025 on a positive note in the standings. After defeating Alliance Sport Alsace (75-67) on Saturday, December 27, while Blois suffered a heavy loss against Roanne (66-80), the Loiret club returned to first place in the ELITE 2 standings. A favorable sporting context that nonetheless doesn’t prevent a strong internal decision.
Xavier Johnson sidelined, contract about to be terminated
According to La République du Centre, Xavier Johnson (6’3″, 26 years old) was not in the lineup for this last game of the year at CO’Met because his contract is reportedly about to be terminated. The American point guard was allegedly informed of the decision on Christmas Day, a sign that the decision was already well advanced on OLB’s side.
Arriving last summer from the Spanish second division, the former player from the universities of Pittsburgh and Indiana never really found his place in the Orleans collective. As the only American on the roster, he posted modest statistics this season: 7 points, just under 4 assists per game and an efficiency rating around 6.8. Numbers deemed insufficient for a player expected to set the tempo and guide the team toward the title.
An announced end after the Aix-Maurienne debacle
The heavy defeat suffered on Tuesday, December 23 in Aix-Maurienne (84-68) marked a turning point. For his last appearance in the Orleans jersey, Xavier Johnson compiled 6 points and 4 assists, without really impacting the game.
After this performance, frustration was clearly apparent from Lamine Kébé. « I’m really starting to get tired of this recurring pattern: it’s going to have to change very quickly », the coach stated, pointing to a collective inability to meet the demands of the top of the table.
Xavier JOHNSON
Position(s): Point Guard
Height: 191 cm
Age: 26 years (10/14/1999)
Nationality:
Stats 2025-2026 / French Cup
PTS
2
#571
REB
0
#623
AST
5
#66
A bold decision despite first place
Traditionally not inclined to make multiple adjustments during the season, Orleans Loiret Basket this time seems to have determined that the point guard’s performance was no longer compatible with its ambitions. Even after returning to the top of ELITE 2 at the winter break, the club has chosen to act proactively, with the clear objective of positioning itself to compete for the title.
The question now remains what profile will be targeted to take over the keys to the Orleans offense when the championship resumes, in a context where the slightest mistake could prove costly in a promotion battle that promises to be more competitive than ever. Especially considering that the next game is against the other co-leader, Blois, on Sunday, January 11.
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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