Ayayi Crowned 2025 French Player of the Year After Stellar EuroLeague Run
Paris, France – the electrifying performances of Valériane Ayayi on the European hardwood have earned her the prestigious 2025 French Player of the Year award. The USK Prague star, whose clutch play was instrumental in her team’s EuroLeague triumph, edged out a talented field of French basketball luminaries to claim the coveted honor.
Ayayi’s dominance was particularly evident during the EuroLeague Final Six in Zaragoza, where she averaged a remarkable 16.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. This championship victory was a long-sought-after prize for Ayayi,solidifying her status as one of France’s premier talents.
The voting process, designed to capture the breadth of player impact, involved each jury member submitting their top three choices. A 10-point system was employed, with first place receiving 10 points, second place 7 points, and third place 5 points. Performances throughout the 2024/25 club season and the 2025 international competitions were meticulously considered.
Ayayi’s Dominance on the Scorecard:
The final tally saw Valériane Ayayi amass an notable 162 points, securing a commanding 11 first-place votes. This decisive victory underscores the widespread recognition of her exceptional contributions.
Here’s a breakdown of the top finishers:
* Valériane Ayayi – 162 POINTS (11 first-place votes)
* Nadir Hifi – 112 points (5 first-place votes)
* Guerschon Yabusele – 88 points (4 first-place votes)
* Gabby Williams – 54 points (3 first-place votes)
* Janelle Salaün – 39 points (1 first-place vote)
* Sylvain Francisco – 30 points (1 first-place vote)
* Leila Lacan – 22 points (1 first-place vote)
* Zaccharie Risacher – 22 points
* Evan Fournier – 22 points
* Dominique Malonga – 14 points
* Iliana Rupert – 7 points
A Deep Dive into the Jury’s Expertise:
The esteemed 2025 jury comprised a diverse group of basketball influencers, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the sport’s landscape. This panel included prominent figures from various media outlets, national basketball federations, and respected personalities within the basketball community.
the jury members were:
* Erwan Abautret (First Team)
* Philippe Ausseur (LNB)
* Nicolas Batum (personality)
* Yann Casseville (Maxi Basket)
* jacques Commères (DTN)
* Isabelle Fijalkowski (Club des Internationaux)
* Nolan Fraval (Goatoguy)
* Julien Guérineau (Basketball Magazine)
* Théophile Haumesser (Reverse)
* Dimitri Kucharczyk (Basket USA)
* Alexandre Lacoste (BeBasket)
* Pascal Legendre (www.basketeurope.com)
* Eric Michel (Le Parisien)
* David Malarme (France TV)
* Shayan Mazaheri (Overtime)
* Fred Mazeas (Skweek)
* Xavier Monferran (Radio France)
* Lukas Nicot (Sport en France)
* Sami Sadik (L’Équipe)
* Christophe Discount (Le Figaro)
* Rémi Reverchon (BeIN Sports)
* Thierry Dudit (FFBB)
* yannick Souvre (LFB)
* Arnaud Valadon (RMC)
* Chloé Westelynck (DAZN)
* The public
A Look Back at French basketball Royalty:
Ayayi’s victory adds her name to an impressive list of past recipients, showcasing the rich history of French basketball talent. The “palmarès” highlights some of the nation’s most impactful players over the years:
* 2025 – Valériane Ayayi (USK Prague)
* 2024 – Gabby Williams (Lyon ASVEL Women)
* 2023 – Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) – While not explicitly stated, the context strongly suggests Wembanyama for 2023 given his meteoric rise.
* **2022 – Laëtitia Guapo
