EuroLeague GMs Honor Alpha Diallo, Sylvain Francisco and Nadir Hifi

EuroLeague - As every season, EuroLeague GMs delivered their mid-season votes. In these polls, French players and their teammates from Betclic ELITE clubs stood out, earning several notable individual distinctions.

By@Léo Daulon-Nicolas

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EuroLeague GMs Honor Alpha Diallo, Sylvain Francisco and Nadir Hifi

Photo Credit : Sébastien Grasset

The results of the traditional anonymous EuroLeague GM polls are in. Each mid-season, the sporting directors of the 20 clubs competing in the tournament answer a series of questions about individual and collective performances. This edition particularly highlights French players, who are numerous in EuroLeague and distinguished themselves in several key categories.

Three Betclic ELITE Clubs Still Present in EuroLeague

Once again this season, three clubs also competing in Betclic ELITE are among the 20 EuroLeague contenders: ASVEL, competing for a seventh consecutive season (since 2019-2020), AS Monaco Basket, present for five seasons (since 2021-2022), and Paris Basketball, playing its second campaign (since 2024-2025).

In the standings, Monaco, last year’s finalist, holds second place with a record of 14 wins and 7 losses. Paris appears in 15th position with 7 wins and 13 losses, while ASVEL brings up the rear with a 6-15 record.

A Massive and High-Performing French Presence

Across EuroLeague, 38 French players are competing this season. Among them, several stand out for their performances: Sylvain Francisco, Nadir Hifi, Evan Fournier, Elie Okobo, Matthew Strazel, Isaïa Cordinier, Vincent Poirier, Jalen Hoard, Théo Maledon, Mathias Lessort and Youssoupha Fall.
A record density that confirms the growing weight of French basketball on the European stage.

The Big Winners of the GM Votes

In the race for Season MVP, Elijah Bryant (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) leads the votes with 30%. For best coach, Pedro Martinez (Valencia) dominates largely with 45% of the votes.

The player judged most clutch is Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos) with 40%, ahead of Mike James (Monaco) at 25%. The title of best leader goes to Kostas Sloukas (Panathinaikos), credited with 40% of the votes.

Clutch gene? 🧬

It’s that guy again, the reigning MVP pic.twitter.com/niq3Dt9AdD

— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) January 13, 2026

A Monaco Player Rewarded on Defense, French Players Shine

On pure shooting accuracy, Andreas Obst (Bayern Munich) is acclaimed as best shooter with 50%. But the defensive distinction honors the Roca Team: Alpha Diallo (Monaco) is elected best defender by 30% of GMs, ahead of Walter Tavares (Real Madrid) at 15%.

Season Best Defender?

Alpha Diallo is THAT guy ✋ 🛑 pic.twitter.com/NSfdeswiLE

— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) January 13, 2026

In the most spectacular player category, Kendrick Nunn leads (25%), followed by two French internationals: Nadir Hifi (15%) and Sylvain Francisco (15%), confirming the visual and offensive impact of French players.

Francisco Again Cited Among Breakout Players

For the breakout season trophy, McKinley Wright (Dubai) leads with 20%, ahead of Sylvain Francisco (15%) again and Jordan Nwora (10%).

At point guard, the title of best passer is shared between Facundo Campazzo and Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos), both at 25%.

Finally, when asked which player each GM would like to recruit, Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos) leads at 20%, followed by Alpha Diallo at 10%, Talen Horton-Tucker (Fenerbahce) at 10%, and Walter Tavares (Real Madrid) at 10%.

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French Players Well Established in the European Landscape

These polls confirm the growing recognition of French players and Betclic ELITE among EuroLeague decision-makers. Whether it’s defensive impact, spectacle or leadership, French players now occupy a central place in the European hierarchy, well beyond their mere numerical presence.