New setback for Boulazac: key player seriously injured and likely out for the season
Sept 9, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Finnish international chasing Euro medal expected at Boulazac afterwards
Betclic ELITE - Looking for a wing player, Boulazac Basket Dordogne has set its sights on Finnish international Jacob Grandison, who will play Sunday's EuroBasket bronze medal game against Greece.
Photo Credit : Lilian Bordron
EuroBasket 2025 has given ideas to the Boulazac staff: in search of a wing player, the Perigord staff has chosen Finnish international Jacob Grandison (6’6″, 27 years old).
Jacob Grandison is the third foreign wing player to join. First, former ASVEL player Anthony Polite had signed, before changing his mind. Then, BBD signed Malik Fitts to replace him. However, the latter seriously injured his knee during preseason, requiring surgery. The promoted team has therefore turned to a California native with Finnish roots.
From California to Finland: Grandison’s family story
Jacob Grandison grew up in Oakland, California, where his parents met when his Finnish mother was an international exchange student. He played youth basketball there before joining Holy Cross’s basketball program in Worcester, Massachusetts. After an impressive sophomore season in 2018-2019 (13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in almost 35 minutes), he played at Illinois from 2020 to 2022 before finishing his NCAA career at Duke in 2022-2023. Coming off the bench, the good shooter contributed 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in less than 16 minutes.
The start of his professional career in Europe was eventful. Initially signed by KK Cibona, he didn’t play there due to financial issues. Grandison then joined Minorca in Spanish second division for three months (4.8 points at 32.2% shooting, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 18 minutes).
His performances improved once back in his maternal country with Salon Vilpas in Salo (14.4 points at 41.7%, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24 minutes). In 2024-2025, he first tried his luck at home with the Santa Cruz Warriors. But due to injury, they released him after three days. It wasn’t until February that he finally joined Massimo Cancellieri’s PAOK Thessaloniki, where he played nine games (5.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 minutes).
3.9 points per game at EuroBasket
While his modest club performances might not have caught the eye of a Betclic ELITE team, Finland’s EuroBasket run has helped him gain exposure. Part of the Finnish program since 2021, Grandison is in Lassi Tuovi’s starting lineup in Riga.
Jacob GRANDISON
Position(s):Guard
Height:198 cm
Age:27 years (04/02/1998)
Nationalities:
Without particularly shining (3.9 points at 33.3%, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in less than 15 minutes), he provides wing depth and could win a bronze medal on Sunday with a victory in the third-place game against Greece. It remains to be seen if he can make his mark at Boulazac. It looks challenging.
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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