Towo-Nansi – Soliman, a star duo to lead defending champion France U16 at EuroBasket
Four days before the French U16 team’s EuroBasket opener, French coach Nicolas Absalon has announced the 12 players selected for the competition, cutting four names after preparation camps in Mulhouse and Lille. The young group’s objective is clear: defend their title, following the triumph of the team led by Cameron Houindo in 2024, and qualify for the 2026 U17 World Cup.
Prodigy Nathan Soliman, the U16 team’s figurehead
Already starting at point guard last summer, Cholet’s Aaron Towo-Nansi (5’10 », 16 years old) is the only returning player from the 2024 triumph. His competition experience, plus his club season with Cholet, could be valuable in achieving the back-to-back. The European champion will be supported on the wing by young Nathan Soliman (6’7″, 16 years old), a PFBB wing considered the biggest French basketball phenomenon since Victor Wembanyama. Coming from a basketball family, Soliman made headlines this summer by winning Rising Star at the Adidas Next Gen Tournament in Abu-Dhabi during the Euroleague Final Four, where his fluid game and precociousness amazed NBA scouts and observers alike.
To support this exciting duo, Nicolas Absalon builds his frontcourt with Theophilus Forduwo, Towo-Nansi’s teammate at Cholet; as well as Messi Yangala, at PFBB with Soliman, who stood out in a friendly against Belgium in Dreux with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The interior sector is completed by BCM Gravelines player César Thenawha Nougha, Antibes’ Paul Nnanga-Ahanda, and Parisian Melvyn Vounang. Brice Vounang’s son was important during last year’s U15 Friendship Tournament.
France has cut down their U16 pool to 12 players for what will likely be the team for U16 Eurobasket
Mathias Fabien
Theophilius Forduwo
Arthur Gruszka
Paul Nnanga
Yanis Pierrot
Lorenz Sanz
Nathan Soliman
Cesar Thenawa
Aaron Towo-Nansi
Alassane Traore
Melvyn Vounang
Messi Yangala pic.twitter.com/149m4ViICJ— nbadraftpoint (@nbadraftpoint) August 4, 2025
To support Towo-Nansi at point guard, the coach calls up Yanis Pierrot, also from PFBB, whose size can bring a different dimension to the French team. There will be only one « natural » shooting guard on the list, with Dijon’s Lorenz Sanz. As for the wing position, it will include Arthur Gruszka, who plays U18 at ASVEL where he’s already had several big performances (25 points and 13 rebounds against LyonSO; 32 points and 10 rebounds against Monaco). Le Mans’ Alassane Traoré, also playing up and teammate of European vice-champion Bastien Grasshoff, is also called up, along with young Nanterre player Mathias Fabien, 15 years old.
The U16s begin the competition in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, against Switzerland this Friday, August 8 at 11:30 AM, before facing Finland on Saturday, August 9 at 2 PM and Slovenia on Sunday, August 10 at 11:30 AM; before the playoffs begin next Tuesday.
French U16 men’s team for EuroBasket 2025:
- Yanis PIERROT, Position 1, 6’0″, born in 2009, plays for PFBB
- Lorenz SANZ, Position 2, 6’1″, born in 2009, plays for JDA Dijon
- Nathan SOLIMAN, Position 3, 6’8″, born in 2009, plays for PFBB
- Mathias FABIEN, Position 3, 6’4″, born in 2009, plays for Nanterre
- Arthur GRUSZKA, Position 3, 6’6″, born in 2009, plays for ASVEL
- Paul NNANGA AHANDA, Position 4, 6’4″, born in 2009, plays for Antibes
- Théophilus FORDUWO, Position 5,6’6″, born in 2009, plays for Cholet
- Cesar THENAWHA NOUGHA, Position 5, 6’6″, born in 2009, plays for Gravelines
- Melvyn VOUNANG NANFAH, Position 5, 6’4″, born in 2009, plays for Paris Basketball
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