Gravelines-Dunkerque finally recruits: former G-League assists leader 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), an experienced player who has been through the NBA, G-League and is already well established in Europe this season. A targeted recruit to guide the maritime roster and bring control during a key period of the season.

PLAYER PROFILE

Jacob GILYARD

Position(s): Point Guard

Height: 175 cm

Age: 27 years old (07/14/1998)

Nationality:

Stats 2025-2026 / Lega Basket Serie A

PTS

10.3

#68

REB

2.6

#110

AST

5.9

#7

A direct response to Vafessa Fofana’s injury

Without 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 years old, Jacob Gilyard arrives with solid professional experience and a true 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, @BCMBasket will strengthen its roster with the arrival of Jacob Gilyard, American point guard aged 27 🇺🇸

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

— BCM Basketball (@BCMBasket) January 14, 2026

A rich journey between NCAA, NBA and Europe

Turning professional in 2022, Jacob Gilyard first made his mark in the G-League by becoming the league’s assists leader in his rookie season. During the following season, in 2023-2024, he played in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, notably taking advantage of Ja Morant’s suspension. In 37 NBA games, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 assists, before a stint with Brooklyn.

In NCAA, the point guard developed at Richmond built himself an exceptional defensive reputation (four times in the Atlantic 10’s best defensive five). He is simply the best steal artist in Division I history, with 466 career steals, a record that speaks volumes about his activity and basketball IQ.

For his first complete European experience, in Germany with Chemnitz, he finished as the second-best assist leader in the Bundesliga (7.0 assists per game), 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 went through the University of Richmond, to facilitate his integration. His arrival should bring more control, reading and consistency to 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 only 17 years old, the young Gravelines native is coming off two promising performances against Cholet and Monaco.

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