Panathinaikos Bolsters Roster with All-EuroLeague Guard Sylvain Francisco
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens has made a significant addition to its squad, bringing in All-EuroLeague First Team guard Sylvain Francisco from LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on a multi-year agreement. This transfer marks one of the most impactful moves of the EuroLeague off-season, highlighting Panathinaikos's ambition to enhance its competitive edge.
The acquisition of Francisco comes shortly after he had initially committed to ASVEL with a three-year deal, intended to be a cornerstone of their reconstruction efforts. However, unforeseen financial constraints at ASVEL necessitated a change of plans, leading them to accept a buyout from the Greek powerhouse. This turn of events allowed Panathinaikos to secure a highly sought-after talent in European basketball.
Francisco joins Panathinaikos on the back of an exceptional 2025-26 season with Zalgiris Kaunas. The 28-year-old guard delivered a career-best performance, averaging 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.0 steal over 38 EuroLeague contests. His impressive shooting percentages, 45.2% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the arc, underscore his offensive prowess. He concluded the season ranked among the league's elite, placing seventh in scoring, second in assists, seventeenth in steals, and fourth in Performance Index Rating with an average of 19.2.
His outstanding contributions did not go unnoticed. Francisco was honored as the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for October 2025 and received MVP accolades for Rounds 7 and 29. He also finished as the runner-up in the overall league MVP voting, only behind Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov, and earned a prestigious spot on the All-EuroLeague First Team for the first time in his career.
Beyond individual achievements, Francisco was instrumental in guiding Zalgiris to the EuroLeague Playoffs, a feat not accomplished by the Lithuanian club in three seasons. Under his leadership, Zalgiris also celebrated a domestic double, clinching both the Lithuanian League (LKL) and Lithuanian Cup championships for the second consecutive year, further cementing his reputation as a transformative player.
Panathinaikos is integrating Francisco into a revamped roster designed for success. The team finished seventh in the regular-season standings with a 22-16 record last season, notably pushing Valencia Basket to five games in the playoff quarterfinals. This summer has seen significant changes for the club, including the return of legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic, and the addition of other formidable players such as Moustapha Fall, Guerschon Yabusele, Brancou Badio, and Isaac Bonga.
Francisco’s arrival is particularly crucial in compensating for the departures of key backcourt players like TJ Shorts and Vassilis Toliopoulos. He is expected to form a dynamic playmaking duo alongside veteran Kostas Sloukas and the reigning EuroLeague scoring leader Kendrick Nunn, who averaged 18.2 points last season. This influx of talent aims to provide Obradovic with a versatile and potent offensive lineup.
Throughout his EuroLeague career, Francisco has demonstrated consistent growth and improvement. After posting averages of 10.6 points and 3.2 assists with Bayern Munich in the 2023-24 season, he elevated his game further with Zalgiris, recording 14.6 points and 4.5 assists in 2024-25, before his breakout performance this past season established him as one of Europe's premier guards.
The French international is already acquainted with Greek basketball, having played for Peristeri during the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 assists and guided the team to the Greek Cup final. This prior experience is expected to facilitate his smooth transition back to Athens. Moreover, his signing reunites him with several French national teammates, including Mathias Lessort, Yabusele, and Fall, forming a robust French core within Panathinaikos as the team sets its sights on an eighth EuroLeague title.
In summary, Panathinaikos has made a bold statement in the EuroLeague market by securing Sylvain Francisco, an All-EuroLeague First Team guard. His impressive statistics and leadership from the past season with Zalgiris Kaunas highlight his value. This move, combined with other strategic recruitments and the return of coach Zeljko Obradovic, positions Panathinaikos as a strong contender in the upcoming EuroLeague season, aiming to leverage Francisco's talent and his familiarity with Greek basketball and teammates to pursue championship success.