Paris Basketball is celebrating its 8th anniversary

Published on July 12, 2026

On 12 July 2018, David Kahn and Eric Schwartz founded Paris Basketball. Eight years on, the capital’s club has lifted all three of France’s major trophies, won a European cup and now competes in the EuroLeague.

We look back at this unique rise in the history of French basketball, highlighting one key date per season.

4 November 2018 : Paris Basketball’s home debut

At the Halle Georges-Carpentier in the heart of the 13th arrondissement, our Parisians hosted SLUC Nancy for Matchday 4 of Pro B. A historic first, a special occasion attended by over 800 supporters. Among the spectators were some notable figures, such as former League president Alain Béral, rapper Oxmo Puccino and former athlete Ladji Doucouré. Although the team ultimately lost (87–93), those 40 minutes will forever be remembered as the opening chapter of our history.

26 January 2020 : Off to the AccorHotels Arena

You’d have to go back to 11 January 2008 to find any trace of a Parisian club at the prestigious Bercy. As they hosted Aix-Maurienne on matchday 16 of the Pro B season, Paris Basketball brought the French league back to the court at the AccorHotels Arena. In front of 5,500 spectators, our team went down with honour (83–102). Despite the final result, the electric atmosphere spurred the club to revive matches at this venue. Once again this season, Paris will play not one, nor two, but three matches at the Accor Arena !

11 June 2021 : Promotion to the top flight of French basketball confirmed

Our Parisians have come a long way. Stuck in mid-table in Pro B at the start of May, Jean-Christophe Prat’s men have pulled off a spectacular final sprint to give themselves a chance of promotion to the Betclic ÉLITE. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing second in the league would mean direct promotion to the top flight. In a neck-and-neck battle with Saint-Quentin, Paris Basketball could not afford any slip-ups in Lille during the final match of the regular season. On the back of six consecutive wins, our team secured promotion, thanks in particular to six players scoring more than 10 points (92–70). Three seasons on, here we are in the top flight !

17 May 2022 : Survival secured in the Betclic ÉLITE

Right up to the very end, Paris Basketball fought hard during its first season in the top flight. As we reached the final match of the season, the possibility of relegation still loomed large. It was a crucial do-or-die fixture, all the more so as it was the Île-de-France derby against Boulogne-Levallois. Spurred on by 18 points from NBA champion Axel Toupane (81–65), our Parisians secured 15th place, ensuring they stay up. On top of this superb achievement, they have also been invited to take part in the 2022–2023 EuroCup.

16 October 2022 : A first-of-its-kind match at Roland Garros

Driven by a desire to break the mould, Paris Basketball managed to take on AS Monaco at Roland-Garros. For one evening, the Mecca of international tennis hosted the cream of French basketball. A unique event in the history of French sport, it drew a crowd of nearly 10,500 spectators. The match once again highlighted our desire to offer our fans unique experiences.

12 April 2024 : Paris joins the big boys in the EuroCup

Just a few months after their triumph in the Leaders Cup, Tuomas Iisalo’s team are 40 minutes away from a European title. Having won the first leg at the adidas arena, Game 2 of the EuroCup Finals did not get off to the best start for Paris Basketball. Under pressure from Bourg-en-Bresse for an entire half, the teammates of TJ Shorts – who scored 22 points – relied on a rock-solid defence to fuel their attacks as effectively as possible. Unfazed when it came to crunch time (89–81), our Parisians lifted the trophy and, in doing so, secured a place in the 2024–2025 EuroLeague.

24 June 2025 : At the top of the French league

We’ve done it ! Following an exceptional European campaign that culminated in this EuroLeague quarter-final, Paris head into Game 5 of the Betclic ÉLITE Finals with history on the line. Having beaten Dijon and then Bourg in quick succession, Tiago Splitter’s side won the first two games of the series before being pegged back on the Rock. In the heart of the adidas arena, our Parisians began the fourth quarter trailing by 12 points (69–81). Nadir set the court alight with his three-pointers, TJ Short kept a cool head on the ball, and Paris achieved the impossible : clinching the French championship !

9 June 2026 : Third consecutive Betclic ÉLITE Final

At La Meilleraie, Paris Basketball have match point in this fourth leg of the semi-finals. On the back of two consecutive wins, Julius Thomas’s side face a formidable Choletais side. The match proves to be extremely evenly matched. Neither team manages to pull away until the closing stages, when the Parisians build a three-possession lead. The series seems all but over. But with their backs against the wall, the home side claw their way back onto the scoreboard. Worse still, they take the lead (90–91)! Paris’s last hope hinged on one man: Nadir. The Prince of Paris locked eyes with Mohamed Diarra, took a step back and sank the winning basket (94–91). This third qualification for the Finals in three years illustrates the central role the capital’s club now plays in the French sporting landscape.

Happy birthday to Paris Basketball !

Thank you once again to everyone who has been involved, in any way, in this wonderful adventure.

The story has only just begun…

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