Neal Sako, an option for Valencia?
June 8, 2024
Valencia in pole position to sign Neal Sako
EuroLeague - While ASVEL is going through a major financial crisis, French center Neal Sako, who just completed his first EuroLeague season, could join Spanish club Valencia according to BasketNews. The latter is preparing to return to Europe's premier competition.
Photo Credit : Sébastien Grasset
Neal Sako (2.10m, 25 years old), center for ASVEL, could pack his bags this summer to join Valencia. According to BasketNews, the Spanish club is in pole position to sign the French player, who just completed his first EuroLeague season. This potential departure comes at a difficult time for ASVEL, which is facing a critical financial situation and likely salary cap restrictions from the LNB’s DNCCG.
Neal Sako, a strong start in EuroLeague
After coming through Paris-Levallois’ youth academy, Neal Sako established himself as ASVEL’s starting center this season. In his first campaign in the competition, he averaged 9.0 points on 68.1% two-point shooting, 6.2 rebounds (including 2.7 offensive), 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 22 minutes per game. His impact was immediate in the top European league. The former Champagne Basket player averaged 13.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and a 23 performance index rating after five games. Once scouted, his impact decreased, particularly due to a lack of toughness at this level.
Throughout the season, he still recorded five double-doubles, finished as the 7th best rebounder in EuroLeague and 2nd in offensive rebounds. He also shined behind the scenes with very impressive advanced statistics: 4th in the league in screen assists, and a positive NET rating for ASVEL when he was on the court (+5.8 points per 100 possessions) according to BasketNews.
Stats 2024-2025 / Betclic ELITE
PTS
7.4
#118
REB
6.1
#9
AST
0.8
#159
A departure that’s part of a talent exodus
This potential transfer of Neal Sako to Valencia, who will return to EuroLeague next season, comes amid ASVEL’s economic fragility. Facing an estimated deficit of several million euros, Tony Parker’s club could – at best – see the DNCCG strictly limit its salary cap, making it difficult to retain its best players.
On the domestic scene, Sako has also been solid with averages of 7.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in Betclic ELITE. However, his free throw shooting weaknesses (40% in the league) and lack of toughness in certain sequences also limited his impact late in the season, particularly in the playoff semifinals against AS Monaco (0 points and 5 rebounds in Game 4).
Nevertheless, his overall performance – with an encouraging end to the season (10.6 points on 80% shooting, 6.2 rebounds in the last nine EuroLeague games) – makes him an attractive signing for Valencia, who had already tried to recruit him in 2024.
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