Strasbourg

Player to watch : Nelly Junior Joseph

The latest rookie signed by SIG Strasbourg this summer, Nelly Junior Joseph was one of the most intriguing NCAA centers of the previous season. Ranked fourth in the league in rebounding with averages of 14.2 points and 1.3 steals, this “small” 6-foot-8 center possesses exceptional athletic ability. Fresh off a strong NBA Summer League performance with the Atlanta Hawks, he already possesses the skills to make his mark in the French league.

A superb achievement, especially when you consider where he came from. Living alone at age 11 in the home of his deceased grandmother, Nelly Junior Joseph spent his time looking for odd jobs to feed himself. Fortunately, basketball came into his life, and today the Benin City native plays in the top tier of French basketball.

Playing Style

Seven-time Latvian champion Janis Gailitis arrives at SIG Strasbourg bringing his defensive discipline with him. Already recognized for their off-the-ball play last season under Laurent Vila, the Alsatians are shaping up to be one of the very best defenses in the league.

This is thanks to tactical flexibility, increased versatility, and a well-oiled team dynamic. All of this is complemented by Janis Gailitis’s rather unconventional style of play, in which efficiency takes precedence over an ultra-high pace, as is often the case today.

Club History

Founded in 1928, Sportive Illkirch-Graffenstaden established its basketball division the following year. In less than a decade, the club reached the top division before being relegated nine seasons later, only to be promoted again in the 1960s. Apart from an Alsace Cup, SIG won no trophies but continued to fluctuate between the first and second divisions. At least until 1994, when they were promoted to Pro A and reached the French Cup final. Now based at the Rhénus Sport arena, the Alsatians shifted into high gear.

Competing in the Korać Cup (C3), the dual national-continental schedule did not work out for SIG. So much so that following lackluster campaigns, Strasbourg was relegated in 1998. It was a short-lived relegation, capped by a 1999 Pro B title. In the wake of players like Jarod Stevenson and Ahmadou Keita, the Alsatians started the 2000s strong with the club’s first semifinal appearance in the top division. This was followed by a strong run to the quarterfinals of the Saporta Cup (C2) and, once again, a last-place finish in the league… which meant staying up thanks to the expansion from 16 to 18 teams.

After a few close calls, Éric Girard’s men caused a sensation. Finishing third in the regular season, Strasbourg knocked out defending champions Pau in the quarterfinals, ASVEL in the semifinals, and Nancy in the final. That 2005 French Championship marked the club’s first major title! But SIG failed to make a splash in the EuroLeague (C1) or the playoffs, despite some strong performances. This cycle culminated in a trio of quarterfinal appearances in 2007: the French Cup, the league, and the EuroCup (C2).

The poor start to the 2008 season proved to be Éric Girard’s undoing. The Alsatians would ultimately have to wait four years to find their new leader. His name? Vincent Collet—then head coach of the French national team and a two-time French champion. A new dynamic centered on youth took hold. Last year’s 10th-place finish gave way to a curse never before seen in France.

We’re not talking about 1, or 2, or 3, or even 4—but 5 consecutive Pro A finals lost! Aside from that major blemish, the Alsatian team’s record is more than impressive. From Antoine Diot’s LNB MVP title in 2014 to the 2017 EuroCup (C2) final, along with the Leaders Cup–Coupe de France double in 2015, the Collet era was a resounding success. Especially since Strasbourg added two national trophies to its trophy case before the Normandy-born coach’s departure in 2020.

It was a chapter that was taken in stride, as the very next season the SIG reached the Final Four of the 2021 Basketball Champions League (C3) and the semifinals of the Betclic ÉLITE. Aside from a 2022 Coupe de France final, this season marks Strasbourg’s most recent highlight. Out of the Top 10 for two years now, the Alsatians are rebuilding by once again banking on youth. This summer, the club even broke the all-time record for rookies signed.

Spotlight : Matt Pokora

Known for his record-breaking 16 NRJ Music Awards, Matt Pokora also plays a leading role at SIG Strasbourg. Having acquired a stake in the club in late 2023, this basketball enthusiast is now one of the majority shareholders of the Alsatian club.

Beyond his investment, Matt Pokora is an integral part of SIG’s executive body. Under the leadership of Christophe Schalk, the singer has, among other things, helped establish the major strategic directions for the next three seasons. This marks an unprecedented trajectory in the history of French basketball.

The Number : 5

That’s the number of consecutive championship finals lost by SIG Strasbourg (2013–2017)—a truly dismal record.