Paris Basketball Finds New Gear Under Julius Thomas in EuroLeague Surge

Paris Basketball is proving that its upward trajectory is not tied to a single name, but to a culture of winning. For the second time in just nine days, the club has secured its largest margin of victory in the EuroLeague, signaling a potent new chapter under the guidance of head coach Julius Thomas.

The recent string of dominant performances comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. As the team navigates the pressures of elite European competition, Thomas has managed to maintain the momentum established during the club’s historic rise, blending tactical discipline with an aggressive style of play that has caught opponents off guard.

A Coaching Evolution in Paris

To understand the current success, one must appear at the numbers defining Paris Basketball’s EuroLeague journey. Across 75 total matches in the competition, the team has been shaped by three distinct coaching tenures. Tiago Splitter managed the sidelines for 38 games, followed by Francesco Tabellini, who led the squad for 33. Now, the torch has passed to Julius Thomas, who has overseen the team’s last four outings.

While the coaching seat has seen changes, the results have remained remarkably consistent. The transition to Thomas has not resulted in a dip in quality; rather, it has seen the team reach new heights of efficiency, as evidenced by the two record-breaking wins achieved in a span of nine days.

For fans and analysts, the primary question has been whether the club could sustain its elite status after the departure of the architect of its most successful season. The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes.

The Legacy of Tiago Splitter

The foundation for this current run was laid during the 2024/2025 season under Tiago Splitter. The Brazilian coach orchestrated what remains one of the most exceptional campaigns in the history of French basketball. Under Splitter’s leadership, Paris Basketball didn’t just compete—they dominated.

The 2024/2025 season was defined by two landmark achievements: securing the LNB Élite championship title and achieving a groundbreaking qualification for the EuroLeague playoffs. The latter was a historic first for any French club, shattering a ceiling that had long limited the domestic game’s reach on the continental stage.

Splitter’s impact was so profound that his departure in June 2025 was met with immense gratitude from the organization. David Kahn, President of Paris Basketball, praised Splitter for accomplishing everything the club had asked of him before the coach moved to the United States to join Chauncey Billups’ staff as an assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers.

It is this standard of excellence—the expectation of winning championships and breaking records—that Julius Thomas has inherited. The current squad is not just playing to participate; they are playing to maintain the legacy of a championship-caliber program.

Analyzing the ‘Thomas Effect’

While Thomas has only coached four games in the EuroLeague, the impact has been immediate. Achieving the club’s largest victory twice in less than two weeks suggests a tactical shift or a surge in player confidence that is paying dividends.

In professional basketball, “largest victories” are rarely about the opponent’s failure and more about a team finding its peak synchronization. For Paris, this means an alignment of defensive pressure and offensive fluidity that allows them to pull away from opponents early and maintain control through the fourth quarter.

This surge is particularly impressive given the grueling nature of the EuroLeague schedule. With recent trips to Belgrade and high-stakes matchups at the adidas arena, the team has faced significant travel fatigue and psychological pressure. Yet, the ability to deliver blowout wins under these conditions indicates a level of mental toughness that bodes well for the remainder of the season.

What This Means for the Road Ahead

The current form of Paris Basketball suggests they are no longer the “newcomers” trying to find their footing in the EuroLeague. They are now a team that expects to win by double digits. The shift from the Splitter era to the Thomas era has been seamless, proving that the club’s infrastructure is built for long-term sustainability.

The focus now shifts to whether this momentum can be carried into the most critical phase of the competition. The ability to dominate games quickly saves energy and reduces injury risk—two factors that are invaluable during the stretch run of a European season.

As Paris Basketball continues its campaign, the basketball world will be watching to notice if Julius Thomas can translate these early, explosive wins into a deep postseason run. If the last nine days are any indication, the “Parisian project” is only getting started.

The team’s next major checkpoints will be critical as they look to solidify their seeding and maintain their home-court advantage at the adidas arena.

Do you think Paris Basketball can replicate Splitter’s playoff success under Julius Thomas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.