Gravelines-Dunkerque finally recruits: former best G-League passer arrives at BCM

Faced with Vafessa Fofana’s injury, BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque quickly reacted in the market. The northern club announced this Wednesday the signing of American point guard Jacob Gilyard (1.75 m, 27 years old), a strong defender who has played in the NBA, G-League and is already well established in Europe this season. A targeted recruit to guide the maritime squad and provide control during a crucial period of the season.

PLAYER PROFILE

Jacob GILYARD

Position(s): Point Guard

Height: 175 cm

Age: 27 years (07/14/1998)

Nationality:

Stats 2025-2026 / Lega Basket Serie A

PTS

10.3

#68

REB

2.6

#110

AST

5.9

#7

A rich journey through NCAA, NBA and Europe

Deprived of their captain for the rest of the season, BCM chose to rebalance their roster with an outside profile capable of managing tempo and relieving offensive creation. At 27, Jacob Gilyard arrives with solid professional experience and a real reputation as a floor general.

The point guard comes off a convincing start to the season with Pallacanestro Cantù, where he averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists in Lega Basket Serie A. An agreement was reached with the Italian club to allow his immediate arrival in the North.

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗢𝗕 🧡

After Vafessa Fofana’s injury, the @BCMBasket will strengthen its roster with the arrival of Jacob Gilyard, a 27-year-old American point guard 🇺🇸

👉🔗 https://t.co/tqBjAlwyYZ#MoreThanTheNorth pic.twitter.com/WCPTVmbVg9

— BCM Basketball (@BCMBasket) January 14, 2026

The best interceptor in NCAA history, ahead of a French champion

Turning professional in 2022, Jacob Gilyard first made his mark in the G-League by becoming the developmental league’s best passer in his rookie season. During the following year, in 2023-2024, he experienced the NBA wearing the Memphis Grizzlies jersey, notably benefiting from Ja Morant’s suspension. In 37 NBA games, he compiled 4.7 points and 3.5 assists on average, before a stint in Brooklyn.

In the NCAA, the point guard trained at Richmond built an exceptional defensive reputation (four times in the Atlantic 10’s best defensive five). He is simply the best interceptor in Division I history, with 466 career steals, a record that speaks volumes about his activity and basketball IQ. He far surpasses a former French championship star, John Linehan (1.78 m, 47 years old), with his 385 steals. The latter ranks second, not far ahead of another former BCM (and Levallois) player, Briante Weber (374).

For his first complete European experience, in Germany at Chemnitz, he finished as the Bundesliga’s second-best passer (7.0 assists average), confirming his ability to adapt outside the United States.

A former teammate of Neal Quinn

At BCM, Jacob Gilyard will be able to rely on the presence of Neal Quinn, who like him attended the University of Richmond, to facilitate his integration. His arrival should provide more control, reading ability and consistency in the maritime game, in a context of strong sporting pressure.

In parallel, the club has also decided to give more responsibilities to Louka Letailleur, repositioned at the 4 position to compensate for Fofana’s absence. At just 17 years old, the young Gravelines player is coming off two promising performances against Cholet and Monaco.

With this signing, BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque sends a clear message: everything is being done to fight until the end in an increasingly competitive Betclic ELITE. Jean-Christophe Prat’s team is currently 14th out of 16, with 3 wins at the end of the first phase. This is simply the last non-relegation position.