Tony Parker: We will build the next team around Risacher, Louvergne and De Colo

Hot off his Hall Of Fame induction, Tony Parker spoke with Le Progress (via BeBasket) about his plans for the future of ASVEL,confirming his commitment and anticipating a major sponsorship deal after the departure of partner Serge Bueno.

“I will keep the majority, we will raise funds among the current shareholders, we will all increase our stake, and although I cannot say the name of the new partner now, I have signed the biggest contract – a 3-year deal- since I became president.” Next season there will be no more Smart Good Things. This new partner will replace it and will be the main sponsor for both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Will the budget be increased next season? Yes. A few weeks ago we were far from this goal, but I have a lot of resources! I scoured the market, made many appointments, met with Marc Lasry, who contacted me and who just sold his shares in the Milwaukee Bucks, in New York, other funds, and I chose the option of this new partner.”

As for the team, the idea is to start again with the talented NBA prospect Zaccharie Risacher and the De Colo-Louvergne duo.

“Next season the growth of Zaccharie Risacher will be crucial for us; we will put him at the center of our program. We will build the team around him, Nando and Joffrey. Zaccharie has to explode. He is projected to be a Top 3 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Why shouldn’t he be No. 1? He has all the talent in the world and we will push him in every way. That’s why we accepted the G League’s offer to do a U.S. tour next summer, to showcase him as much as possible. We are going to the United States for two weeks. We will start with a training camp in San Antonio and then play two games in Las Vegas, on September 7 and 9.”