By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Paris Basketball will host a home game in Stade Roland Garros, the team announced Friday.
Labeled as the “Made in Paris Basketball”, the event will resurface basketball in the historic venue and home of tennis’ French Open. More than 10,000 fans are expected to be in attendance on October 16. The fixture will be part of Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Regular Season Round 5. The opponent will be known upon the release of the 2021-22 regular-season schedule by LNB.
Roland Garros has actually hosted multiple basketball games, including the 1947 championship contest, but the sport gradually moved signature events elsewhere over the years. With basketball finally back, the plan is to shape the Court Philippe Chatrier accordingly, in a similar fashion to recent boxing events being held in the same field.
“We have accomplished a lot of “firsts” in our young history, but the opportunity to play a match under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier next season will perhaps be our greatest pride,” noted former front-office member of the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and current president of Paris, David Kahn, “Stade Roland Garros is the flagship of Parisian, French and international sport. We will work tirelessly to organize a match and a show that lives up to its reputation.”
The 2021-22 season was the first for Paris in LNB Pro A, three years after the club was founded. In 2022-23, the team will expand its schedule from the top-flight division of France to the 7DAYS EuroCup, the second-tier club continental competition of Euroleague Basketball.
Photo Credit: SL RASCH