JA Vichy guard Élian Benitez will miss Friday’s home game against Évreux as he awaits a specialist’s surgical evaluation for persistent chronic knee pain, the club announced. BeBasket reported that the Catalan floor general has struggled with the issue since the start of the preseason, forcing him to watch from the bench in civil clothes while his teammates prepare for the fixture.
Chronic knee trouble forces surgical consultation
The recurring knee problems that sidelined Benitez last week during a matchup in Levallois have now reached a critical juncture. According to club communications cited by BeBasket, the guard’s inability to shake the chronic pain has prompted medical staff to seek a definitive surgical opinion. An upcoming procedure remains a distinct possibility, which would extend his absence from the ÉLITE 2 rotation significantly beyond this week’s contest.
Infos Effectif ℹ️
Elian Benitez ne sera pas présent sur le terrain demain soir dans l’attente un avis chirurgical. Il sera sur le banc en civil pour encourager les coéquipiers ✊
JA Vichy Basket (@jav_basket) October 8, 2026
Extended absence mirrors previous injury struggles
Benitez is no stranger to lengthy spells on the sidelines. During the 2025–26 campaign, a serious fracture suffered in mid-September during the opening week of the championship kept him out of action until February 2026. Following an extensive rehabilitation program, he returned to make 17 appearances down the stretch, averaging 6 points on 37 percent shooting alongside 2.5 assists.
Benitez struggles with limited minutes before knee injury
Before the knee discomfort flared up ahead of the current 2026–27 season, Benitez managed just two official appearances across the French Cup and ÉLITE 2 play. In those outings, he accumulated a total of 2 points and 1 assist before physical limitations forced him out of the lineup. JA Vichy will host Évreux on Friday evening, October 9, 2026, relying on its remaining backcourt depth while awaiting the surgeon’s verdict on their floor general’s immediate playing future.
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