Panathinaikos grows bigger by signing Sylvain Francisco from Zalgiris

Sylvain Francisco has closed one of the most surprising transactions in the European basketball market. The French point guard, born on October 10, 1997, in Créteil, has left Zalgiris Kaunas to join the Athenian team in an operation that was swiftly executed. ASVEL, his previous team, didn't even have time to formally bid farewell to the player before Panathinaikos announced his signing.

Standing at 1.85 meters, Francisco embodies the versatile point guard profile sought after by top European clubs. His recent trajectory in the EuroLeague positions him as one of the continent's premier playmakers. During the 2025-26 season with Zalgiris Kaunas, he played 42 games, averaging 16.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 27 minutes and 47 seconds per game. These figures earned him a spot on the EuroLeague Ideal Five, emphasizing his performance level.

A Trajectory Marked by European Success

Francisco's résumé is extensive and diverse. His professional basketball career in France began in 2017 when he signed his first contract with Levallois Metropolitans. A year later, he moved to Paris Basketball, where he consolidated himself as a high-level player over two seasons. In 2020, he joined Chorale Roanne in the French top division before making an international leap in the summer of 2021 to Spain's BAXI Manresa.

His stint in Spanish basketball was brief but significant. After a year in Manresa, he joined Greek side Peristeri in 2022, where he excelled in both national and European competitions. In the Greek league, he averaged 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, while in the Basketball Champions League, he recorded 16.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. These performances in Greece opened doors to larger European clubs.

The Leap to the EuroLeague and Titles with Zalgiris

In the summer of 2023, Francisco made his jump to European elite signing with Bayern Munich. In his first EuroLeague season, he played 33 games, averaging 10.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 19 minutes and 17 seconds on average. Despite his solid numbers, he also achieved a significant milestone: he helped Bayern win the German Cup in 2024 and was named MVP of the competition's Final Four.

However, a turning point in his career came in 2024 when he signed with Zalgiris Kaunas. During the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, the Frenchman significantly raised his game, playing 34 games with averages of 14.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 25 minutes and 29 seconds per game. But statistics don't tell the whole story: Francisco was instrumental in Zalgiris' title conquests. He led his team to win the Lithuanian League and Cup in 2025, securing the MVP title in the league final for the second consecutive year.

International Presence and Performance in Playoffs

Beyond club basketball, Francisco also represents the French National Team. In the European qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, the point guard has shown offensive consistency. He averaged 13.7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 53.8% from two-point range, 50% from beyond the arc, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. These stats highlight him as an efficient and versatile offensive player.

The Origins of a European Talent

Francisco's story didn't start in France. Although born in Créteil, his development as a player occurred in various contexts. He began his journey in the youth teams of Paris Basket Racing, Villemomble Sports, and AL Roche-la-Molière. In 2014, at just 17 years old, he moved to Florida, USA, to continue his training. There, he attended the Elev8 Sports Institute, Liberty Christian Preparatory School, and West Oaks Academy, honing his skills before returning to France to kickstart his professional career.

This formative path in the United States is common among many European talents looking to enhance their technical abilities. Francisco utilized his time in American academies to solidify his fundamental skills, enabling him to later become a standout point guard in Europe.

His arrival at Panathinaikos signifies the Greek club's clear commitment to strengthen their point guard position with a player proven in the EuroLeague. Francisco arrives in Athens with elite credentials: he has won national titles, been recognized in the EuroLeague Ideal Five, and showcased his ability to perform at the highest levels. The signing is swiftly concluded, catching ASVEL off guard, underscoring Panathinaikos' determination in finalizing this deal.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Panathinaikos se hace más grande fichando a Sylvain Francisco de Zalgiris