Chalon and Le Mans qualify for the BCL Top 16: very prestigious opponents ahead!
Jan 8, 2026
Alexandre Lacoste
Mathéo Leray breaks his assist record and qualifies Élan Chalon for the Top 16
BCL - With 12 assists, his professional career record, Mathéo Leray was one of the key architects of Élan Chalon's qualification for the Basketball Champions League (BCL) Top 16, this Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Patras.
Photo Credit : FIBA
Mathéo Leray (1.90 m, 22 years old) reached a milestone this Thursday, January 8, 2026. During the Basketball Champions League (BCL) play-in return match, won by Élan Chalon against the Greeks of Patras (92-82), the Chalon point guard recorded the best assist performance of his young professional career. With 12 assists, he erased his previous record, established twice at 11 assists, and emerged as one of the standout performers of the evening.
A personal record and European qualification
Already the author of two games with 11 assists in the past – on November 26, 2024 in the French Cup against Roanne, then on February 8, 2025 during a Stade Rochelais victory against ESSM Le Portel (96-73) in Betclic ELITE – Mathéo Leray this time took an additional step. By recording a double-double with 12 points and 12 assists, combined with an impressive +26 plus-minus, the point guard guided Chalon to a prestigious qualification for the BCL Top 16.
12
PTS
3
REB
12
AST
Arriving in the 2025 off-season from La Rochelle, the 2023 U20 European champion, trained in the Mauges region notably at the Cholet training center, confirms his adaptation to the highest level. Temporarily slowed by an injury, he has been back in competition since early December and is gradually gaining momentum under Elric Delord.
Leray takes care of everything
The Journal de Saône-et-Loire perfectly summarized the Chalon point guard’s influence on the game. « Elric Delord understood it: this Thursday evening, he can rely on Mathéo Leray. Must, even. Result: the guy plays almost the entire third quarter. An obvious choice. The point guard continues his recital. Chains together caviar passes alley-oop style for Gaudoux then Justyn Mutts, » wrote the local daily, which also highlights his ability to take control of the game.
Between game reading, vision and occasional aggressiveness toward the basket, Leray embodied Chalon’s tempo, especially in the third quarter, a key moment when Élan made the difference before resisting the Greek comeback.
Matheo Leray’s casual dishes worth a Michelin star 🌟#BasketballCL | @ELANCHALON pic.twitter.com/juP8mhOGGk
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) January 8, 2026
A confirmation in a key role
At 22 years old, Mathéo Leray continues to carve his path in Betclic ELITE and on the European stage. In the championship, he averages 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 8 games. In BCL, his statistics rise to 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 6 games. Numbers that reflect his growing impact in the Chalon rotation.
Stats 2025-2026 / Betclic ELITE
PTS
4.6
#169
REB
2.6
#113
AST
4.5
#17
This signature performance against Patras could well mark a turning point in his season. For Élan Chalon, it also symbolizes the rise of a point guard capable of directing play and making his teammates shine at the best moment.
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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