Paris, France – April 21, 2026 – French-Algerian basketball star Nadir Hifi has made his intentions unmistakably clear: his sole focus for the future lies in securing a place in the NBA. The 23-year-old Paris Basketball guard, who has emerged as one of the EuroLeague’s most dynamic scorers, declared his commitment to pursuing an opportunity in North America’s premier basketball league in recent interviews, emphasizing that despite interest from European clubs, the NBA remains his only viable path forward.
Hifi’s statement comes after a standout 2025-26 season with Paris Basketball, during which he averaged 18.9 points, 3.8 assists, and posted a 17.6 efficiency rating per game in EuroLeague play. Those numbers ranked him third in league scoring and seventh in overall valuation, cementing his status as the team’s undisputed leader following the departure of TJ Shorts. His individual excellence contrasted sharply with Paris Basketball’s disappointing 15-23 record, which left them in 16th place – eight losses worse than the previous season.
Despite the team’s struggles, Hifi’s personal growth has been undeniable. He arrived in Paris in 2023 after three seasons with Le Portel in France’s LNB Élite, where he had already begun to show flashes of his scoring prowess. Since joining the Parisian club, he has evolved into a cornerstone of their backcourt, earning recognition as the 2024-25 EuroLeague Rising Star – an award given to the league’s most promising young talent. That honor followed a strong 2023-24 campaign in which he was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team and helped Paris Basketball win the EuroCup championship.
Hifi’s NBA aspirations are not new. He declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but went undrafted, a setback that did not deter his long-term ambitions. Since then, he has used each season in Europe as a stepping stone, consistently improving his production against elite competition. His performances have drawn attention from NBA scouts, particularly given his experience representing France at the international level, including appearances at EuroBasket 2025.
In his most recent comments, Hifi acknowledged the reality of his current contractual situation while reiterating his singular focus. “It’s no secret, I feel like I’m ready. I hope I’ll get a chance already this summer. I can no longer enter the draft, but I’m hoping for a contract as a free agent. Not everything is up to me. I can only retain proving my value on the court. I know there is a strong interest in Europe as well, but I am still under contract with Paris. In any case, right now my only option is the NBA,” he said.
The quote reflects a mature understanding of the business side of professional basketball. While Hifi cannot re-enter the NBA Draft after declaring in 2023, the free agent route remains open. NBA teams can sign undrafted players to contracts at any time, though such deals are often non-guaranteed and may include two-way or exhibit 10 contracts that provide a path to a standard NBA deal through strong performances in training camp or the G League.
Hifi’s case is particularly intriguing given the NBA’s growing interest in expanding its global footprint, especially in Europe. The league has held regular-season games in Paris for several years, most recently at the Accor Arena, and has identified France as a key market for talent development and fan engagement. The presence of NBA-affiliated initiatives like the Basketball Without Borders camp and the increasing number of French players in the league – including Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, and Evan Fournier – have strengthened the pipeline.
Still, breaking into the NBA as an undrafted free agent remains a steep challenge. Only a compact percentage of undrafted players who attend NBA Summer League or training camps ultimately earn standard contracts. Success typically depends on a combination of skill, fit with a team’s system, and the ability to contribute immediately in specific roles – such as three-point shooting, perimeter defense, or playmaking off the bench.
For Hifi, his scoring ability and versatility as a combo guard who can play both shooting guard and point guard are his strongest assets. At 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters), he lacks elite size for his position, but his quickness, shot creation, and improved decision-making have made him a demanding matchup in EuroLeague play. His 38.1% three-point shooting percentage during the 2025-26 season – while not elite by NBA standards – shows a willingness and ability to stretch the floor, a trait highly valued in today’s league.
His playmaking has also evolved. Averaging 3.8 assists per game indicates a growing willingness to involve teammates, though his assist-to-turnover ratio will demand improvement to meet NBA standards for guards seeking regular rotation minutes. Defensively, his quick hands and anticipation allow him to generate steals, but his size may limit his effectiveness against larger, stronger NBA backcourts unless he continues to refine his positioning and leverage.
Paris Basketball, meanwhile, faces its own crossroads. The club is reportedly involved in discussions about becoming one of the new “franchise” entities in the EuroLeague – a proposed shift from the current licensing model to a permanent franchise structure intended to increase stability and competitiveness. Hifi, as the team’s leading player and most marketable asset, would be central to any such vision. Yet his stated desire to abandon for the NBA complicates long-term planning for the club.
The timing of Hifi’s declaration is notable. With the NBA Draft having concluded in June 2025 and free agency ongoing, the summer months represent a critical window for undrafted players seeking opportunities. NBA teams often use this period to evaluate prospects through Summer League performances, training camp invites, and non-guaranteed contracts. Hifi’s hope to secure a chance “already this summer” aligns with this traditional evaluation period.
Should he not receive an NBA offer immediately, Hifi would likely return to Paris Basketball for the 2026-27 season, where he would remain under contract. His continued development in EuroLeague play would keep him on the radar of NBA scouts, many of whom monitor European leagues closely for talent that may not translate instantly but shows long-term upside.
His journey thus far reflects the increasingly global nature of basketball development. From his youth days at SIG Strasbourg’s academy to his breakout season with Le Portel, and now his leadership role at Paris Basketball, Hifi has climbed through European systems without the benefit of U.S. College basketball or high-profile international youth tournaments. His path underscores that NBA-caliber talent can emerge from diverse pipelines, even if the route to recognition is less direct.
As of now, no NBA team has publicly announced interest in signing Hifi, and no contract discussions have been verified through official team or league sources. His representatives have not commented on specific talks, and Paris Basketball has not indicated whether they would entertain a buyout or release to facilitate an NBA move. For the time being, Hifi remains under contract with the French club, obligated to fulfill his duties unless a transfer agreement is reached.
The next confirmed checkpoint in Hifi’s career will be his participation in Paris Basketball’s offseason training regimen, expected to begin in late July 2026 in preparation for the 2026-27 EuroLeague campaign, which traditionally starts in October. Unless an NBA opportunity materializes before then, he will report to the team as scheduled.
For now, his message is clear and unambiguous. Amid contract uncertainty, team struggles, and the inherent unpredictability of professional basketball markets, Nadir Hifi has fixed his gaze on one goal: earning a place in the NBA. Whether that comes this summer, next year, or further down the line, his commitment to pursuing that dream remains his only stated option for the future.
If you have thoughts on Nadir Hifi’s NBA prospects or the challenges faced by international players seeking to break into the league, share them in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow basketball fans who appreciate the global journey of the sport’s rising stars.
