With Elian Benitez – Alexandre Bouzidi duo, 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 the next battle. According to BasketEurope, the Vichy club is set to sign Élian Benitez (1.83m, 22 years old) and Alexandre Bouzidi (1.97m, 21 years old). The two young Frenchmen will join the Auvergne roster for next season.

Coming from Nantes, the first already knows the second tier of Betclic Elite. 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 with 21.8 points per game 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 Benitez sibling won’t complete his term with Nantes and will settle on the banks of the Allier this fall.

At his side, 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. Quiet in Betclic Elite (5 minutes playing time in 11 games), the Lyon native was released from his contract by CSP to seek responsibilities in German 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 Pôle France and Roanne, this tall point guard, who has excellent pick and roll reading ability, 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 gems and sending them to Betclic Elite (Mamadou Guissé, Ilias Kamardine, Noah Penda and more recently Lucas Dufeal, Assemian Moulare) doesn’t deviate from its golden rule and continues its policy of training and promoting young talent.

The new Vichy recruits 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.