Leïla Lacan’s gradual return with Basket Landes
The Mont-de-Marsan crowd had been waiting for weeks. Leila Lacan (1.80 m, 21 years old) is back on the court after a month’s break. For her EuroLeague debut against Saragossa (70-73), the Aveyron native received an ovation worthy of her talent. Scoring 10 points in 10 minutes, the young Basket Landes guard immediately reminded everyone why her return was so valuable for the club, which is seeking another upset this Thursday against Mersin.
A controlled return
At 21, the French international has already had an incredible year: French championship title, EuroBasket with Team France, then WNBA season with Connecticut Sun. This justified the rest period imposed by her club at the restart. « I needed to regain muscular endurance to be able to sustain efforts over longer periods, » she tells Sud Ouest.
Patient, Lacan chose to stay in Mont-de-Marsan during her recovery, surrounded by staff and team. « I felt good here, I could get appropriate care. I preferred to keep an eye on the team, it was interesting to see things differently. »
After a convincing first appearance against Saragossa, she confirmed against Charnay (7 points, 2 assists and 3 steals). A good sign before the trip to Turkey.
The WNBA chapter, a foundational experience
Her WNBA discovery was a highlight. « If I close my eyes, I can still see the arenas and the atmosphere. It wasn’t intimidating, but impactful. It’s very different from France, another basketball culture, » explains the Rodez native, who started her professional career in Angers after her years at Pôle France.
Under Rachid Meziane’s guidance, she could count on a familiar environment. « Having a French-speaking coach who clearly explains what he expects helps, » she adds. Tiring but educational: « Basketball is faster, more physical, but I learned to better use my speed and work on my outside shooting. »
A key role for Basket Landes
With Lacan at 100%, Basket Landes regains its offensive dynamism. Her impact goes beyond statistics: confidence, aggressiveness, and composure in crucial moments. In Mersin, she could already be decisive against an ambitious Turkish team.
The Landes crowd is already savoring this return. And while the guard promises to « keep learning and improving, » one thing is certain: Basket Landes performs better with Leïla Lacan in its ranks.
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