It is a tradition eagerly awaited at the end of each year. The stars of the national basketball league will come together again for the 36th edition of the LNB All Star Game. Scheduled for this Saturday, December 30 at the Accor Arena in Paris, it will see the France team and the World team compete – French players against foreign players in the championship -, based on the model of the NBA All Star Game. 15,843 spectators will attend the match, scheduled to be sold out.
With 27 points and 12 rebounds on the clock last year, the number 1 of the last NBA draft Victor Wembanyama had the spotlight on him. The former Mets 92 player even received the MVP award after the victory of the France team (136-128), a first since 2018.
If Victor Wembanyama will not be there, the followers are impatient to see their new nugget, Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg-en-Bresse), take to the floors. Voted best young player in the championship last October and November, the French winger is announced, according to specialists, in the top 3 of the next NBA draft.
But the match will not be the only attraction of the great French basketball event, which has many other activities and competitions in store.
The evening program
The All-Star Game will begin at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, December 30, at the Accor Arena in Paris. In the program ? The well-known dunk competition to gain a little height, the technical challenge for the playmakers, without forgetting the three-point shooting tournament, where the long-distance shooting specialists will challenge each other over two rounds. And, of course, the match, which kicks off at 8:45 p.m., just after the presentation of the two competing teams.
On which channel can you watch the gala evening?
The LNB All-Star Game will be broadcast from 7:30 p.m. on the official broadcaster of the French basketball championship, Skweek, as well as on the L’Equipe channel. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m.
Which players are expected?
The selections for the All Star Game were decided by a jury meeting on Wednesday in Paris.
The major five of the France team: Elie Okobo (AS Monaco Basket) – Nadir Hifi (Paris Basketball) – Joffrey Lauvergne (LDLC Asvel) – Milan Barbitch (ADA Blois) – Bastien Vautier (ESSM Le Portel).
Substitutes: Paul Lacombe (SIG Strasbourg, Captain) – Alexandre Chassang (Limoges CSP) – Nicolas Lang (Limoges CSP) – Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg-en-Bresse) – Yannis Morin (Chorale Roanne) – Mathis Dossou-Yovo (Saint- Quentin BB) – Matthew Strazel (AS Monaco Basket).
The major five of the World team: TJ Shorts (Paris Basketball, Captain) – Frank Masson III (SLUC Nancy Basket) – Alpha Diallo (AS Monaco Basket) – Shevon Thompson (SLUC Nancy Basket) – Mike James (AS Monaco Basket) .
Substitutes: DeVante Jones (Le Mans Sarthe Basket) – Tyson Ward (Paris Basketball) – DJ Cooper (Chorale Roanne) – Ibrahima Fall Faye (Nanterre 92) – Desi Rodriguez (Nanterre 92) – Isiaha Mike (JL Bourg-en-Bresse) – Aleksej Nikolic (Elan Chalon/Saône).
“Skill Challenge” (Leader competition): TJ Shorts (Paris Basketball) – Ilias Kamardine (JA Vichy Basket) – Lucas Boucaud (Saint-Quentin BB), TJ Campbell (Cholet Basket)
Three-point competition: Bryce Brown (JL Bourg-en-Bresse) – Johny Berhanemeskel (BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque), Edwin Jackson (LDLC Asvel) and Nicolas Lang (Limoges CSP).
Dunk competition: Killian Malwaya (ALM Evreux) – Mbaye Ndiaye (LDLC Asvel) – Isiaha Mike (JL Bourg-en-Bresse) – Allan Dokossi (JDA Dijon).