By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Just days after finishing a historic season in Greece with Olympiacos, international superstar Evan Fournier returned home to a hero’s welcome.
On Saturday, his childhood club, Saint Charles, hosted a celebratory gathering that culminated in a surprise civic tribute.
Initially, the organizers intended to unveil a ‘Saint Charles Hall of Fame’ banner inside the gymnasium to express gratitude for Fournier’s career-long role as an official ambassador. However, the ceremony reached an unexpected scale when the local mayor took the stage. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of over 400 attendees, including former coaches and key figures from two decades ago, the municipality announced that the Palais des Sports de Charenton-le-Pont will officially be renamed in honor of the French EuroLeague champion starting next season.
The 33-year-old guard-forward, who signed his first basketball license at this very site in 2000, shared his profound appreciation on social media. Reflecting on his seven developmental years at the facility before entering the national training system at INSEP, Fournier recalled spending countless hours practicing and operating the scoreboards. He expressed immense gratitude to the municipality and his early supporters for what he described as a deeply moving gesture.
Hier, la ville de Charenton m’a annoncé que le gymnase dans lequel j’ai grandi, où j’ai passé des heures à rêver, a faire la table de marque le dimanche, a trash-talker les N2 le samedi soir, portera désormais mon nom.
C’est difficile de mettre des mots sur une telle émotion.…
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) June 21, 2026
This hometown recognition caps a phenomenal 2025–26 journey for the veteran guard. After a prominent 12-year stint in the NBA with 723 appearances between the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks, Fournier guided his Piraeus-based squad to EuroLeague and Stoiximan GBL titles, capturing Most Valuable Player trophies in both final tournaments.
Make