Laurent Legname: « This game 2 against Paris is in my top 5 at JDA Dijon »
Betclic ELITE - After a memorable season leading JDA Dijon, highlighted by a FIBA Europe Cup semi-final and an unforgettable playoff game against Paris, Laurent Legname takes stock. The Burgundian coach looks back on the year's highlights, his team's progress, the impact of the FIBA Europe Cup... and looks ahead to next season.
Photo Credit : Julie Dumélié
After a season as long as it was intense, Laurent Legname takes a moment to reflect. Between summer rebuilding, European ambitions and end-of-season clashes in Betclic ELITE, the JDA Dijon coach looks back on what his team went through.
FROM ZAGREB TO PARIS, A BREATHTAKING SEASON 💨
During this interview, the coach looked back on the 2024-2025 season… and is already looking ahead to the next one! 👀
Find the article at https://t.co/oBdRWUrYEP#MyJDA #JDAFamily pic.twitter.com/p6LX6Xv9SS
— JDA Dijon Basket (@jdadijonbasket) July 1, 2025
A season built through effort
The first memorable moment of the season? « The game in Zagreb, for the FIBA Europe Cup qualifications. A victory (84-94) but already an observation: the offensive potential was there, but we didn’t yet have JDA’s defensive DNA. » If Dijon managed to bounce back after a difficult start to the season, it was thanks to the commitment of the entire team: « Real quality in training, lots of work, adaptations and a progressive rise in power. »
One of the season’s turning points came in January: « The home game against Villeurbanne was a real breakthrough. We realized that day what we were capable of. »
The Paris game, an emotional peak
The end of the season offered its share of breathtaking scenarios. After losing to Chalon in the play-in, JDA eliminated Saint-Quentin before falling to Paris, the future champion. But above all, game 2 in Dijon will remain in memories: « It’s in my top 5 games I’ve experienced here in ten years. It had everything: content, atmosphere, strategy, scenario… This is why we do this job. »
💬 Axel Julien on his incredible refused 3+1 for @DAZN_FR
😃 « I was almost sure it was good. I got a bit distracted fooling around but I quickly got back into it to make the free throw! »
📸 FOXAEP pic.twitter.com/faFJGeVsKj
— BeBasket (@Be_BasketFr) May 29, 2025
Despite elimination in three games, this moment symbolizes the journey of a group that managed to build itself through adversity and transcend at home.
An exhausting but rewarding European campaign
In its first FIBA Europe Cup participation, Dijon reached the semi-finals. A performance praised by Laurent Legname, despite the disappointment of elimination: « We played 18 European games in very little time. Mentally, it wore us out. But beating teams like PAOK or Bilbao is a real source of pride. »
JDA will play the competition again next season, this time directly qualified for the group phase. A strong signal of its European consistency: « Eight consecutive seasons in European Cup competition is unique in France outside of EuroLeague. »
Players in full progress, staff continuity
Laurent Legname also emphasizes individual development: « Ilias (Kamardine) has grown in his role, Allan (Dokossi) has improved in game understanding, Axel (Julien) finished very well… And Gregor (Hrovat)’s arrival was decisive in the team’s balance. » A collective work rewarded by constantly improving play level.
On the staff side, stability remains the keyword: « We’re keeping the same structure, with Élise (Prod’homme) reinforcing individual work. » Recruitment has started, with the notable arrival of Justin Bibbins (1.73m, 29 years) as point guard and Quentin Losser (2.02m, 25 years) in the interior.
Intact ambition for next season
« Win as many games as possible, in all competitions »: this is Laurent Legname’s guideline for 2025-2026. Aware of the challenges awaiting his team, the Var-born coach maintains the same determination: « I will start the season with the same desire and the same demands as always. »
And a final word for the Dijon supporters, whom he doesn’t forget to salute: « This arena is something unique. The game against Cholet (Editor’s note: 67-93 loss on matchday 21), the apologies I made… But despite our ups and downs, they were always there. We want to give all that back to them. »
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