With duo Elian Benitez – Alexandre Bouzidi, JA Vichy hands over the reins to its young guard

Tomorrow is already today in Bourbonnais. Less than 24 hours after finishing the 2024-2025 season as Pro B playoff semifinalists against Alliance Sport Alsace, JA Vichy is already gearing up for battle. According to BasketEurope, the Vichy club is preparing to sign Elian Benitez (1.83m, 22) and Alexandre Bouzidi (1.97m, 21). The two young Frenchmen will join the Auvergne team for next season.

Coming from Nantes, Benitez already knows the second tier of French basketball. Averaging 5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for a 5.7 evaluation in 15 minutes during his Pro B debut, the former USA Toulouges and JL Bourg player (top scorer in the Espoirs Elite championship averaging 21.8 points in 2022-2023) got a taste of the division with Nantes who finished 16th (14 wins, 24 losses). Previously seen at Rueil in Nationale 1, this young point guard, capable of both scoring and making his teammates better, had showcased his talent with 15.1 points, 7.7 assists (NM1’s best passer) and 16.8 evaluation. After signing a two-year contract with NBH in July 2024, the third of the Benitez siblings won’t complete his term with Nantes and will settle on the banks of the Allier next season.

Alongside him, a new face will wear the blue and white jersey. Seen this season between France and Germany, Alexandre Bouzidi started the year at Limoges before heading to Koblenz mid-season. After limited playing time in Betclic Elite (5 minutes in 11 games), the Lyon native was released from his CSP contract to seek opportunities in Germany’s second division. Averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists for a 7.1 evaluation in 18 minutes, the U20 European champion with France helped his club secure survival. Previously at Pole France and Roanne, this tall point guard with excellent pick-and-roll vision will discover Pro B next season under Dounia Issa.

Known for giving young talents a chance to fully express themselves, Vichy, a club accustomed to developing prospects and sending them to Betclic Elite (Mamadou Guisse, Ilias Kamardine, Noah Penda and more recently Lucas Dufeal, Assemian Moulare) stays true to its golden rule and continues its policy of training and promoting young talents.

The new Vichy players join forwards Damien Nseke Ebele (JFL) and Pape Diop (Cotonou), power forward Brice Eyaga (Cotonou) and center Serge Mourtala (Cotonou) in the 2025-2026 roster.