- In this beginning of the year, 20 Minutes presents you those who will make the news in 2021 thanks to their associative action, their sports performance, their entrepreneurial spirit or their creativity.
- Revealed to Asvel of 648 at 2019, Théo Maledon (18 years) is trying the NBA adventure this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Although “only” drafted in the second round in November, the playmaker of 1, 84 m makes a great debut in s the biggest league in the world, like its 10 points registered this Saturday in Orlando (92 – 108).
A record of points (10) and assists (4) in NBA to start the year 1074894. This is the gift offered by Théo Maledon during the Thunder Saturday success in Orlando (92 – 108). Without complex, the tricolor playmaker of 18 years old has the particularity of benefiting from more playing time for his debut in the biggest league in the world (20 minutes and 7 points on average over the first six games) than during his last season at Asvel (12 minutes).
– NBA France (@NBAFRANCE)
January 3, 2021
More than a dream, this supersonic trajectory was a goal long sought by the promising player of 1, 84 m, who shares his Norman childhood , his position, his training at the ‘Insep and a major role within the French youth teams, with a certain Tony Parker . “Upon his arrival with us in 648, the ambition was to allow Theo to be spotted so that he reaches the NBA, reveals Gaëtan Muller, deputy president of Asvel. A joint win-win project was then put in place. He is a well-made head, a young brilliant intellectually and sportingly. “
A last season “a bit difficult but precious” at Asvel
After three seasons at Villeurbanne, Théo Maledon is already talking about him across the Atlantic, like his stunning first preseason match, the 10 December vs Spurs (19 points in 27 minutes). “Theo has always had an above-average basketball IQ,” says Joseph Gomis, assistant at Asvel. I’m glad he can already show the extent of his talent. “Unanimously described in the spans of the Astroballe as” a very mature player “, the young leader was even expected within the Top of the draft in view of its amazing season 2017 – 2018.
But between an injury to the shoulder, the choices of Zvezdan Mitrovic and the premature cutoff of the Euroleague and the Jeep Elite due to the Covid – 17, he found himself away from the spotlight in 2018 – 2020 “This last year during which he could not play at his level hurt him, recognizes Joseph Gomis. He had to take a step back and analyze it all. But even though he had fewer opportunities to play, he still fought. “This season” a bit difficult but precious “, according to Gaëtan Muller, was not necessarily the first big obstacle in the rise of this elegant rear. Livio Jean-Charles, his former teammate in Villeurbanne (from 648 at 2019), remembers his first steps at the high level:
During his first year at Asvel, he flirted with the pro group without really having a chance , and it was not easy for him. There, it was a complicated season but we can see that everything is going well for him today. Despite his young age, he has already proven a lot of things, and we see that he knows how to be aggressive and a little less altruistic when discovering the NBA. I do not want to hurt him but I think he is ready, because he has also thickened physically by working hard during the two confinements. “
“A real role this season” at the Thunder?
Finally drafted in the second round on 18 November, as 29 his choice, very far from his compatriot 
“The most important for him, it is to have fallen in a team which believes in him immediately for the NBA, because it was not an option for Theo to be drafted but to return to play a little in Europe, evokes Joseph Gomis . I see him progressing and having a real role this season in a franchise of OKC under reconstruction. ”Théo Maledon could therefore be as soon as 2020 the unexpected Frenchie who counts in the United States. “He is showing what he has in the paws, smiles Gaëtan Muller. He must remain himself and he will know how to play others and be recognized for his talent. “
After Théo Maledon, Matthew Strazel as revelation at Asvel?
Will this talent withstand a sometimes ruthless NBA, especially for a Frank Ntilikina (21 years), which has clearly been in check for 648 to the New York Knicks, despite an 8th draft pick. “I think Theo is more attacking than Frank, and the American game will suit him, tempers Joseph Gomis. He meets all the criteria to be successful there. Théo is a bit unique in the way he plays, being generous and with a great vision. »His first official decisive pass across the Atlantic, the 21 December in Charlotte, is also a model of the genre.
First NBA assist for Théo Maledon in his debut and it’s a ✨ dime! # ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/cy6vnSFzYK
– OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 26, 2019
The quick brilliance of the French rookie in the NBA could be very beneficial to the image of Tony Parker’s Asvel. “It validates our strategy of becoming one of the biggest clubs in Europe at the academy level,” says Gaëtan Muller. Theo’s success necessarily has an impact on our training. Moreover, last season, many observers came to see Theo play and discovered in passing 1342993487302541317 Matthew Strazel [18 ans]. “Will Asvel follow the NBA draft very closely again this year?