Djahi Binet has made an immediate impact in European professional basketball, recording 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Bakken Bears during an 83-64 victory over Horsens IC in the Basketligaen on Thursday, September 24. The 2.01-meter forward logged 24 minutes of floor time and posted an efficiency rating of 19, anchoring the defending Danish champions in his league debut.
A Rapid Transition From NCAA to European Play
The 25-year-old native of Nice, France, arrived in Aarhus over the summer following the completion of his collegiate career in the United States. Recruited in June by the Bakken Bears, Binet became the first French player in the history of the club. His professional debut followed a steady upward trajectory in American college basketball that concluded with a strong senior campaign at Southern Mississippi.
During the 2025-2026 NCAA season, Binet started 33 of his 35 appearances, averaging 11.3 points and 7.9 rebounds across 26.3 minutes per contest. He led the Golden Eagles’ regular rotation with a 62.7% field-goal percentage, utilizing his size and mobility around the basket. Bakken head coach Skyler Bowlin targeted those specific athletic traits during the recruitment process, intending to deploy the French forward across both interior positions.
Early Production in European Competition
Binet’s physical efficiency translated quickly to the European game during the preseason. He contributed 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting from two-point range alongside 9 rebounds in a victory against Borås. The competition level rose significantly during the Basketball Champions League qualifying rounds, where the Danish club faced Dutch champions Landstede Hammers Zwolle.
In that 89-78 opening qualification victory, Binet recorded 9 points and 11 rebounds. Two days later, despite a 90-72 elimination defeat against Finnish side Salon Vilpas, the forward paced the Bakken offense with 18 points, sharing team-high scoring honors with Sylvester Pedersen. Across both Champions League qualifiers, tournament statistics credited Binet with averages of 13.5 points, 7 rebounds, and a 14.5 efficiency rating.
Upcoming Schedule and FIBA Europe Cup Aspirations
Following their exit from the Basketball Champions League qualifiers, the Bakken Bears shift their focus to the continental stage. The club is scheduled to begin its FIBA Europe Cup campaign on October 7 against Portuguese powerhouse Benfica Lisbon. The upcoming European fixture gives Binet further opportunity to integrate into the domestic and international rotations of the Danish title holders.
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