Frank Ntilikina Returns to French Basketball, Signing with Paris Basketball

French international Frank Ntilikina has officially returned to French basketball, signing a contract with Paris Basketball for the 2026-2027 season. After nine years playing abroad, including seven seasons in the NBA with teams like the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets, Ntilikina joins Paris Basketball following a recent Euroligue title win with Olympiakos. At 28 years old, he brings valuable experience and talent back to the French league, where he started his career with Strasbourg before being drafted 8th overall in the 2017 NBA draft, a record for a French player at the time.

Ntilikina's signing strengthens Paris Basketball’s backcourt alongside rising star Nadir Hifi and other key players such as Tyson Etienne and Seba Herrera. The club regards Ntilikina as a key local player (JFL) to boost the roster as it aims to compete with greater ambition both nationally and in European tournaments, having confirmed participation in the Euroligue this season.

Paris Basketball is entering a new cycle with new coach Maxime Lefèvre, formerly an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has added other notable signings like TJ Warren from the Indiana Pacers and Terry Tarpey from Monaco, while veteran Yakuba Ouattara has departed. Paris Basketball will open its season on September 19th with a Supercoupe semifinal match against local rivals Nanterre.

Ntilikina has been a consistent presence on the French national basketball team, earning 40 caps and contributing to silver medal finishes at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games, as well as helping France to a third-place finish at the 2019 World Cup. His return is seen as a significant boost for Paris Basketball's competitiveness and for the visibility of French players in the domestic league.

The club enthusiastically welcomed him in a video call with Nadir Hifi, affectionately dubbing Ntilikina the “French Prince” of Paris. His arrival marks a homecoming that Paris hopes will invigorate the team's performance and fan engagement throughout the upcoming season.