By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
ASVEL officially announced the return of Livio Jean-Charles, with the French forward being back in Lyon after finishing the NBA D-League season with the Austin Spurs, to help in defending the 2016 French League title. After all, he had played a big part in that epic comeback ASVEL did from a 0 – 2 deficit in the finals vs Strasbourg.
Following that triumph, Jean-Charles played in the Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs who offered him a contract in late July. However, before the beginning of the season, the Texans waived him and the 23-year-old player went to their D-league affiliate.
In an interview for the website of ASVEL, Jean-Charles admitted that not joining the Spurs was an obvious let-down. Yet the USA experience left him with positive experiences as well. “Inevitably, I was disappointed to be cut after being so close to the entrance door,” he said. “However the season as a whole wasn’t disappointing. I’d even say it was encouraging. I learned a lot about myself, about my game and about what I needed to do. As they say: When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade.”
As for his current goal with ASVEL? “It’s hard to be a champion. But to be able to defend the title… that’s really a challenge. When one finds the Grail, one wants to keep it in the family and try to pass it to the next generation.”
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