Historic record: 38 French players in EuroLeague in 2025-2026

For the first time in history, the symbolic threshold of 35 French players has been exceeded. Veterans Thomas Heurtel and Amath M’Baye are making their return, while a wave of rookies is swelling the French ranks, which were already well-stocked in 2024-2025. As a result, the French contingent has grown from 32 players at the start of 2024-2025 to 38 French players at the start of 2025-2026.

🔥The wait is over

2025-26 EuroLeague season begins tonight🏀 pic.twitter.com/g3ACkHlwYW

— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) September 30, 2025

A record despite Fall and Jaiteh injuries

France will be more present than ever in Europe’s biggest club competition: 36 players in total. Among them, two major uncertainties: Moustapha Fall (Olympiakos) and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (Dubai), both seriously injured and likely to miss the entire season.

This record reflects the depth and diversity of French talent, from established veterans like Evan Fournier (Olympiakos), Nando De Colo (ASVEL), or Vincent Poirier (Anadolu Efes), to young talents seeking experience.

Rookies in numbers

ASVEL particularly stands out with no fewer than four rookies integrated into its roster: Adam Atamna, Armel Traoré, Bodian Massa, and Bastien Vautier. A deliberate choice in a limited budget context, surrounded by veterans including four players aged 36 or older. Note that prospect Marvyn Wade is also eligible for EuroLeague (but counted among the 38 by us, unlike Moungalla).

Paris is not far behind with Allan Dokossi, Ilian Moungalla – who is not yet qualified for EuroLeague – and Joel Ayayi, all newcomers at this level. Meanwhile, Anadolu Efes Istanbul welcomes Brice Dessert (22 years old), who makes the big leap from Strasbourg, while Clément Frisch (23 years old) joins Baskonia. Finally, David Michineau will taste EuroLeague for the first time at age 31 wearing Monaco’s colors.

The 10 French rookies 🇫🇷 who will discover EuroLeague next week:

– Clément Frisch (Baskonia)
– Brice Dessert (Efes)
– David Michineau (Monaco)
– Armel Traoré (Asvel)
– Bastien Vautier (Asvel)
– Bodian Massa (Asvel)
– Adam Atamna (Asvel)
– Joël Ayayi (Paris)
-… pic.twitter.com/7Tk6fKoh9W

— EuroLeague France 🇫🇷 (@EuroLeagueFr) September 24, 2025

Notable returns of Heurtel and M’Baye

Another highlight of this 2025-2026 crop: the return of Thomas Heurtel and Amath M’Baye, after three and two seasons spent in Russia respectively. Their experience will be valuable, particularly for ASVEL, which now features a mix of youth and seasoned players.

Distribution of French players by club

• Anadolu Efes Istanbul (4): Isaïa Cordinier, Brice Dessert, Vincent Poirier, Rodrigue Beaubois

• Monaco (6): Elie Okobo, Terry Tarpey, Juhann Begarin, Matthew Strazel, Yoan Makoundou, David Michineau

• Baskonia (2): Clément Frisch and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot

• Dubai (1): Mouhammadou Jaiteh (injured)

• Maccabi Tel-Aviv (1): Jaylen Hoard

• Paris (8): Nadir Hifi, Léopold Cavalière, Allan Dokossi, Ilian Moungalla, Joel Ayayi, Yakuba Ouattara, Amath M’Baye, Enzo Shahrvin

• Olympiakos (3): Evan Fournier, Frank Ntilikina, Moustapha Fall (injured)

• Zalgiris Kaunas (1): Sylvain Francisco

• Valencia (1): Neal Sako

• Real Madrid (1): Théo Maledon

• Panathinaikos (1): Mathias Lessort

• ASVEL (8): Adam Atamna, Nando De Colo, Thomas Heurtel, Armel Traoré, Bodian Massa, Bastien Vautier, Melvin Ajinça, Edwin Jackson

• FC Barcelona (1): Youssoupha Fall.

French players who left EuroLeague

While some French players will make their EuroLeague debuts and others return to this level, five French players have left the European big stage. Petr Cornelie and Bandja Sy, who went to Turkey and Romania respectively, won’t play in EuroLeague in 2025-2026. As for ASVEL players Charles Kahudi and Yohann Sissoko, the former is waiting for a club while the latter chose NCAA. The latter had made five appearances at this level last season.

Finally, Mathis Dossou-Yovo was the 33rd French player to join EuroLeague in 2024-2025. However, after his half-season in Paris, he won’t play in European Cup in 2025-2026 following his signing with Nanterre.