New setback for Boulazac: key player seriously injured and likely out for the season
Sept 9, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
In pursuit of a medal at EuroBasket, Finnish international 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 in the EuroBasket bronze medal game against Greece.
Photo Credit : Lilian Bordron
EuroBasket 2025 has given ideas to Boulazac’s staff: searching for a wing player, the Perigord staff has chosen Finnish international Jacob Grandison (1.98 m, 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. But the latter seriously injured his knee during preseason, requiring surgery. The promoted team has therefore turned to a Californian of Finnish origin.
From California to Finland: Grandison’s family story
Jacob Grandison grew up in Oakland, California, where his parents met when his Finnish mother was a foreign exchange student. He played youth basketball there before joining Holy Cross’s basketball program in Worcester, Massachusetts. Performing well in his sophomore year in 2018-2019 (13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in almost 35 minutes), he then played at Illinois from 2020 to 2022 before finishing his NCAA career at Duke in 2022-2023. Coming off the bench, this 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 due to financial problems. Grandison then joined Minorca’s club 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, at 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 never have caught the eye of a Betclic ELITE team, Finland’s EuroBasket run has helped him gain recognition. Part of the Finnish program since 2021, Grandison is in Lassi Tuovi’s starting five in Riga.
Stats 2025-2026 / EuroBasket Qualifiers
PTS
4.5
#355
REB
2
#356
AST
1.5
#239
Without really 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 if they beat Greece in the third-place game. 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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