By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
While most former NBA players returning to Europe are struggling to adjust, it looks like Theo Maledon never left ASVEL in the first place.
The 23-year-old guard is indeed starting the 2024-25 season with the French side in the best of ways and proved it once again in Pierre Poupet’s team’s home victory against Baskonia.
Putting up a career-high night with 25 points, 5 three-pointers, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and a PIR of 36, while also adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 7 fouls drawn, he was named MVP of the EuroLeague Round 4. He was also clutch down the line banking in huge three-pointers.
“It was amazing. That’s what you dream of when you are a kid: having big-time plays in a big-time game. I’m just grateful and thankful to have this game”, he joyfully commented after the game.
To start the season, he has been averaging 17.5 points – shooting 50.0% from two and 90.0% at the line -, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. During this four-game span, ASVEL is on a 2-2 record, having beaten both of last year’s Play-Ins finalists Virtus Bologna and Baskonia at home.
2024-25 EuroLeague Round MVPs:
- R1: Tamir Blatt (Maccabi Tel Aviv) vs ASVEL, 36 PIR
- R2: Neal Sako (ASVEL) vs Virtus, 30 PIR – Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos) vs Zalgiris, 30 PIR
- R3: Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos) vs Milan, 31 PIR
- R4: Theo Maledon (ASVEL) vs Baskonia, 36 PIR
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague