Frank Ntilikina hasn’t played this much in five years: « Returning to Europe was the right choice! » – BeBasket
Editorial
Olympiakos looking for a guard, interested in Frank Ntilikina
EuroLeague - Olympiakos is interested in Frank Ntilikina's profile to strengthen their backcourt. The international
Photo Credit : Guillaume Poumarede
Olympiakos is intensifying its search to recruit a guard before the start of the 2025-2026 season. According to Eurohoops, the Greek club is considering 27-year-old French international Frank Ntilikina, who played last season at Partizan Belgrade for his return to Europe.
When contacted about this matter, Frank Ntilikina’s agent, Olivier Mazet, confirms Olympiakos’ interest in his client. However, he reminds that the Alsatian player is under contract with Partizan Belgrade for the 2025-2026 season and that at this stage, only Piraeus club’s interest is factual.
👀🚨 Olympiacos is looking for a late roster boost via Frank Ntilikina, according to Eurohoops sources. pic.twitter.com/Z5u78FRILl
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 22, 2025
Urgent need at point guard
Olympiakos coach Giorgos Bartzokas confirmed his team’s needs this Sunday during the 2025 Crete International Tournament in Heraklion. « We need a point guard immediately, » emphasized the 60-year-old coach. « It’s a difficult period. Obviously, the staff is working in this direction, and we’re considering the options available in the market. »
The situation is becoming pressing with a demanding schedule starting with the Greek Super Cup, before the first EuroLeague games against Baskonia on September 30 and Real Madrid on October 2. Currently, Olympiakos can rely on Evan Fournier, Ntilikina’s national team teammate, as well as Thomas Walkup, Saben Lee, Tyler Dorsey and Giannoulis Larentzakis, while Keenan Evans is injured. Recently,
A strong defensive profile for Olympiakos
Frank Ntilikina would match the criteria sought by Olympiakos. After seven years in the United States, having made the big leap from Strasbourg to New York in 2017, the « French Prince » returned to Europe in Belgrade last summer to « get back to competition and the game, » as he told us at the start of the French team’s EuroBasket preparation. While he draws « an interesting assessment » of his first season there, the point guard/shooting guard had ups and downs in 2024-2025, notably due to injuries that haven’t spared him (13 regular season games missed). Still strong defensively, Ntilikina eventually averaged 7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2 assists in his 21 games played, including 7 as a starter.
Sometimes criticized for his shooting efficiency, the Strasbourg native maintains decent accuracy with an overall percentage of 45.8%, including 37.7% from 3-point range under Zeljko Obradovic at Partizan. This recent European experience adds to his NBA career of 336 games split between the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets, and his international career (bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup, silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics). To acquire Ntilikina, Olympiakos will need to reach an agreement with Partizan Belgrade. This might be an opportunity for the Serbian capital’s club, as their French international’s name has consistently appeared in departure rumors throughout the offseason.
Arthur Puybertier est le journaliste rookie de BeBasket. Il suit de près l’actualité du basket, de la Nationale 1 jusqu'à la NCAA, NBA et WNBA ! Il analyse le jeu et les transferts avec une solide culture sportive et un regard éclairé sur les enjeux du sport. Cette saison, il couvrira également l'Euroleague et la Betclic ELITE depuis l'Adidas Arena et le Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez, pour vous faire vivre l'actualité au plus près.
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