By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Nicolas Batum joined the Los Angeles Clippers, the club announced. The veteran French forward is back with the team after a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers from November 2023 to the end of the previous season.
Per Clippers:
The LA Clippers have signed forward Nicolas Batum, it was announced by President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank.
“It’s hard to find a better connector with a higher IQ than Nico,” said Frank. “We didn’t want to lose him last year and we felt his absence. He plays the game the right way, which our fans appreciate, and so do we. We’re thrilled to welcome back the battalion.”
Batum, 35, appeared in 60 games for the Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers last season, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 1,053 career games with averages of 10.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 16 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, 76ers and Clippers. Batum is one of seven active NBA players with 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 1,500 three-pointers made.
From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012, 2016 and 2021 Olympics, 2010, 2014, 2019 and 2023 FIBA World Cup, and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, silver medals in the 2011 European Championship and the 2021 Olympics, and bronze medals in the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cup, as well as the 2015 European Championship.