Back in France this season after his NBA flop, Théo Maledon opens up about his situation

Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif

Having failed to make a career for himself in the USA, Théo Maledon made a brilliant comeback in the colors of ASVEL in 2024-25. Interviewed by First Team recently, the former Thunder member spoke very honestly about his return home.

Victor Wembanyama, Bilal Coulibaly and Zaccharie Risacher are good examples of French success stories in the NBA in recent seasons, but make no mistake about it: not everyone can make it in the big American league. Many players from France have failed to make the grade.

Recent examples include point guards Killian Hayes, Frank Ntilikina and Théo Maledon. And while the former is still trying to get back into the NBA, now playing in the G League, the other two have returned to Europe. The latter has even returned to France and is donning the colors of ASVEL, and in truth, this may well be the best decision he’s made since the start of his career.

Théo Maledon talks about his return to France after a failed NBA career

Second in the Jeep Elite with Lyon-Villeurbanne this season, Maledon was particularly impressive in the Euroleague, averaging 17 points and over 4 assists per game. Not bad for a player who never found his place within the Thunder, Hornets and Suns in 177 NBA games. Interviewed by First Team, Maledon spoke of his return from overseas:

When I arrived, there were a lot of things to sort out. Just switching from the American to the European game. But at the same time, it was a real challenge and something I took to heart because I knew it would help me.

The guard also talked about his relationship with his coach, Pierrick Poupet:

My first call with Pierrick was really clear. He told me how it was going to work, what he saw for me. That’s something I really got into. I think with the role he’s given me throughout the season, I think it was really important for me to create that bond too, to show him that the choice he makes, he’s right to make it and to trust me. So, from that moment on, it was really constructive.

Maledon is now one of the most courted players on the European market, to say the least. The chances of him staying at ASVEL this summer seem slim, given that Real Madrid have been monitoring his case for months and have already approached the Lyon club to acquire his services. Quite an honor.