By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
French international Louis Labeyrie is the latest addtion in the VTB United League, after the one-year contract he signed with UNICS Kazan.
Per Eurohoops team: UNICS has signed a contract with the 30-year-old power forward of the French national team, Louis Labeyrie (208 cm, 100 kg), who has played for the Spanish Valencia for the past four seasons. The agreement with the champion of the EuroCup and the bronze medalist of the 2019 World Cup is designed for one year.
In 2014, Labeyrie was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers. Before joining Valencia in the summer of 2018, the newcomer of UNICS played in the French Championship for Toulon (2011-2012), Paris-Levallois (2012-2017) and Strasbourg (2017-2018). In 2017, he was recognized as the best “sixth player” of the French league, and the following season he led Strasbourg to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Champions League and was included in the All-BCL First team. In addition, Labeyrie won the French Cup twice – in 2013 with Paris-Levallois and in 2018 with Strasbourg.
From 2018 to 2022, the 30-year-old forward defended the colors of Valencia, for which he played a total of 239 matches. In his debut season, Labeyrie helped the Spanish club win the EuroCup. In the semifinals, the orange defeated the Russian UNICS (2-0), and in the final they were stronger than the German Alba (2-1).
Last season, Valencia and Labeyrie reached the semi-finals of the EuroCup, where they lost to the future winner of the trophy – Italian Virtus (73:83). According to the results of the regular season of Spain, the team from the city of the same name took 3rd place (23 wins-11 losses) after the grandees of European basketball Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, in the quarterfinal series of the playoffs, Valencia lost to Baskonia (1-2) and dropped out of the fight for medals.
In 19 matches of the EuroCup-2021/22, Labeyrie averaged 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 21.9 minutes of playing time. In the last draw of the Spanish championship, the Frenchman played 33 games for Valencia, in which his averages were 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.2 minutes on the floor.
The UNICS rookie has 19 matches as a member of the French national team. In 2019, Labeyrie helped les bleus win bronze medals at the World Championships in Beijing. In the semifinals, the French lost to the Argentines (66:80), and in the match for 3rd place they prevailed over the Australian team – 67:59.
It should be noted that Louis Labeyrie is the first native of France in the history of the Kazan club.
Velimir PERASOVIC, BC UNICS head coach:
«Labeyrie has a huge experience in European basketball. He is a very athletic player who always acts with great energy and dedication. I think this is an important signing, because the Frenchman will help us in two positions at once».
Louis Labeyrie, BC UNICS forward:
«I am happy to discover Russia and its championship, this is another great step in my career!»