Biography of Frank Ntilikina
Much like a certain Tony Parker, Frank Ntilikina was born on 28 July 1998 in Belgium. However, it was in Alsace that the point guard discovered basketball, following in the footsteps of his older brothers. First at Saint-Joseph and then at the SIG academy, he worked his way up the ranks step by step until he reached the professional level. Launched in 2015 by his future national team coach Vincent Collet, the Frenchman bagged two titles as the league’s best young player in three years, alongside two unfortunate defeats in the finals.
These performances in France, coupled with his victories at the U16 and U18 European Championships, caused a stir on the other side of the Atlantic. At the 2017 Draft, Frank made history as the eighth overall pick. Never before had a French player been drafted so highly! Selected by the prestigious New York Knicks franchise, the point guard enjoyed an encouraging rookie season, highlighted by a six-steal performance against LeBron James’s Cavs.
His spell in the Big Apple finally came to an end after four seasons. Arriving in the summer of 2021, Frank decided to relaunch his career with the Dallas Mavericks. As Luka Doncic’s top-class backup, he has been racking up more playing time as well as taking on greater defensive responsibility. Devin Booker and Chris Paul’s Suns can certainly attest to this, given how much the Frenchman caused them problems during the 2022 conference semi-finals. That standout performance was followed by two further NBA seasons, culminating in a spell with the Charlotte Hornets.
Alongside his North American experience, Frank racked up medals with the French national team. Following that superb third-place finish at the 2019 World Cup, he took part in two epic Olympic campaigns: in 2021 in Tokyo and then in 2024 in Paris. Back in Europe, the double Olympic silver medallist joined Partizan Belgrade before signing for Olympiacos, where, amongst other achievements, he won the 2026 EuroLeague.
Ten years on, Frank returns to the French league, playing for Paris Basketball, with the ambition of lifting the holy grail this time round!
What role will Frank Ntilikina play for Paris Basketball in the 2026-2027 season
Ever since he first turned professional, Frank has stood out for his unique off-the-ball play. His unusual profile as a lanky point guard gives him a huge physical advantage in defence. With a wingspan of 2.10 metres, the point guard is a nightmare for opposing guards.
His arms – veritable tentacles – enable him to rack up steals and even blocks. Added to this is an elite basketball IQ, which perfectly complements his physical attributes. Far from being a natural scorer, Frank excels as a team facilitator when he has the ball. These are unique qualities in our backcourt.
The player’s playing style in 3 words
BASKETBALL IQ DEFENCE STEAL
