Nathan De Sousa extends his journey with Cholet Basket

Highly sought after following a successful season, Nathan De Sousa (1.87m, 22 years old) ultimately made a heartfelt choice. The Picardy point guard, a defensive pillar for Cholet Basket, didn’t activate his exit clause according to Ouest-France. He will therefore honor his final contract year in Les Mauges, much to the delight of Fabrice Lefrançois and the entire club counting on him for the 2025-2026 season.

A key piece in Cholet’s roster

A product of Cholet’s youth academy and deeply attached to his club, Nathan De Sousa made his decision in the final hours before the May 31 midnight deadline. Despite interest from several Betclic ÉLITE teams, no offer convinced him to leave his training ground. « What he did is great. […] He stepped up in game organization, defensive impact, and the energy he brings, » recently emphasized his coach Fabrice Lefrançois, quoted by Ouest-France.

In his first full season as point guard in Betclic ÉLITE, De Sousa delivered solid numbers: 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 19 minutes on average. Beyond statistics, he established himself as a defensive leader, an intensity driver, and an effective playmaker. His role should expand further next season, partnering with veteran T.J. Campbell.

A first building block for 2025-2026

His retention is the first good news for the Cholet club in building next season’s team. After a season marked by an impressive playoff series against Bourg-en-Bresse, CB aims to build on continuity. Nathan De Sousa’s choice, symbolizing local development and intense basketball, perfectly aligns with this strategy. The Picardy native should team up with Campbell, Aaron Towo-Nansi, Shannon Bogues, Gerald Ayayi, Digué Diawara, and Jamuni McNeace. A solid foundation.