By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a breakout campaign with Zalgiris, French point guard Sylvain Francisco is keeping his focus firmly on a future in the NBA.
Despite having a lucrative deal in place with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, as reported by Eurohoops last week, the 28-year-old standout playmaker has made his career ambitions clear. “Rumors are everywhere, but right now I’m thinking about the NBA.”
He acknowledged the competing interests but added, “Yes, despite everything, the main goal is the NBA. Things can change, but that is the place I want to go. Like I said, rumors are everywhere. Right now, I’m focused on the Finals.”
The update arrives during the best-of-five championship series of Lithuania’s Betsson LKL Playoffs, where Francisco helped his side defeat Juventus in Zalgirio Arena and jump to a 1–0 lead on Sunday. Earlier in the 2025-26 journey, his stellar performances earned him a place on the All-EuroLeague First Team, establishing him as one of the most coveted guards on the European market. He is now positioned to sign a contract worth €4 million per season, marking the most lucrative deal of his career and the largest contract in the history of French basketball.
Having climbed the ranks from French clubs like Metropolitans 92 and Paris to stints in Spain and Germany, Francisco debuted in the EuroLeague with FC Bayern Munich during the 2023-24 season before taking his talents to Kaunas in 2024.
As for his ultimate goal, the guard went undrafted in 2019 but feels complete control over his path forward. “Kaunas, any other team that wants me. I’m not paying attention to that right now. The cards are in my hands, so I have to take my time,” he said when discussing future suitors.
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