Chalon-sur-Saône, France – At just 17 years old, Swiss basketball prospect Klark Riethauser is rapidly turning heads across Europe, bolstering his already impressive resume with standout performances in prestigious international competitions. From the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp to the NextGen EuroLeague, Riethauser’s trajectory points toward a promising future, and increasingly, toward the NBA.
Riethauser’s ascent began with Elan Chalon, a club with a strong track record of developing talent that has gone on to succeed in the NBA. Players like Thabo Sefolosha, Clint Capela, and Kyshawn George all honed their skills with Elan Chalon before making the jump to the United States. Riethauser officially joined the professional team for the pre-season, a significant step in his development.
The past several months have seen rapid progress for the young Swiss player. He’s seen limited minutes in France’s top basketball league, Jeep Elite, including appearances against strong opponents like Paris and Dijon. He’s also contributed in the Coupe de France, and has truly excelled in the *espoirs* league – a developmental league where he is now fully focused after leaving the U18 elite championship.
His statistics in the *espoirs* league are remarkable: averaging 17.6 points and nearly seven rebounds per game. Riethauser, a versatile wing player capable of handling the ball and initiating offense, has even surpassed 30 points in a single game and recorded multiple double-doubles. This consistent high-level play earned him an invitation to the Young Star Game, a showcase for the best young talent in French basketball.
Playing for Team Pietrus at the Young Star Game, Riethauser made a significant impact, contributing to his team’s success with an efficiency rating of 17 and a strong performance late in the game. He also reached the final of the three-point contest, demonstrating his shooting prowess.
Called Up by the EuroLeague
But perhaps the most significant recognition of Riethauser’s potential came with an invitation to participate in the NextGen EuroLeague, a competition for players under 18, organized by the EuroLeague – the premier club basketball competition in Europe. The NextGen EuroLeague serves a similar purpose to the UEFA Youth League in soccer, providing a platform for rising stars.
Although Chalon-sur-Saône isn’t directly participating in the NextGen EuroLeague, the tournament’s qualifying stages include a selection of promising young players from across Europe. Riethauser was selected to participate in a recent gathering in Belgrade, Serbia.
Klark Riethauser sous le maillot de la sélection NextGen.image: elan Chalon
In Belgrade, the over two-meter tall wing player delivered impressive performances against some of Europe’s top youth teams, including Efes Istanbul, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade (Red Star Belgrade), Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Partizan Belgrade. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists in just over 20 minutes per game, earning a nomination to the tournament’s All-Tournament Team.
Back from the United States
Riethauser’s recent success follows a trip to the United States last month, where he participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp, held in Los Angeles alongside the NBA All-Star Weekend. He had been scheduled to attend the European camp the previous summer, but a prior injury prevented his participation. This time, he was able to participate in training sessions, tests, and workshops led by NBA and FIBA-certified coaches, competing against some of the world’s most promising young players.
Klark Riethauser au Basketball Without Borders Camp.image: elan Chalon
His performance at the camp garnered attention, even earning a feature article in The Athletic, the sports section of The Modern York Times. Riethauser reportedly used the trip to the US to introduce himself to several universities, including Nebraska, Texas, and South Carolina.
The Swiss player is currently weighing his options. He’s unsure whether to join a US university next season or to continue his professional career with Elan Chalon, or potentially in Australia’s NBL, which has a program designed to develop young players for the NBA. One thing is certain: he won’t be returning to the French U21 championship, which he already dominates at just 17 years old. His development and ultimate goal – to be selected in the NBA draft – require a higher level of competition.
Riethauser, born in Geneva, Switzerland on March 29, 2008, initially excelled in tennis, even winning a Swiss championship at the U10 level. He began playing basketball with Veyrier Salève Basket Club in 2015 before joining Elan Chalon’s youth program in 2023. His mother is from Cameroon, and his father is a Swiss citizen from Geneva who played basketball in the Nationalliga B.
Currently averaging 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for Elan Chalon, Riethauser continues to refine his game and attract the attention of scouts from both college programs and NBA teams. His recent performances in Europe only solidify his position as one of the most exciting young prospects in international basketball.
Riethauser’s next confirmed action will be continuing his season with Elan Chalon. Fans can follow his progress and the team’s schedule on the official Elan Chalon website.
