The National Basketball League (LNB) has revealed the names of the candidates for the December 2025 Betclic ELITE MVP trophy. We find Gerald Ayayi (Cholet), Mathis Dossou-Yovo (Nanterre), Nadir Hifi (Paris) and Gregor Hrovat (Dijon).
The month of December ends on the Betclic ELITE floors with a rare intensity, marked by the fierce race for the Leaders Cup and the brilliance of the All-Star Game. Between unrivaled domestic domination, iron defense and spectacular offensive records, four faces have left their mark on the league. Gérald Ayayi, Mathis Dossou-Yovo, Nadir Hifi and Gregor Hrovat are now competing for the “Player of the Month for December 2025” trophy. Discover the complete assessment and the decisive impact of these four leaders who made it through to the end of 2025.
Gérald Ayayi: The emergence of a multidimensional leader in Cholet
Gérald Ayayi embodies the constant progression of a player trained in the harsh school of French training. At 24 years old, the Cholet Basket guard is having a 2025/2026 season which now places him among the defensive and offensive elite of the league. His nomination for the December trophy is the result of a versatility that goes well beyond simple sheets of raw statistics.
Combo of 1.90 m, Gérald Ayayi established himself as the engine of Cholet with 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists for 13.6 evaluation in 22 minutes over 14 games since the opening of the championship. His performance against Limoges on December 6, where he scored 23 points, illustrates his ability to catch fire offensively while maintaining formidable efficiency (41.7% from 3 points over the season).
Over this last month of the calendar year he compiled 27 evaluations against CSP, 16 against Lyon-Villeurbanne, 14 against Paris, 12 against Monaco and 12 against Portel for a record of 3 victories in 5 matches for CB. Ayayi has become essential to the Cholet system, combining scoring, creation and physical impact on both sides of the floor.
PLAYER PROFILE
Post(s): Point guard/Back
Size: 191 cm
Age: 24 ans (24/08/2001)
Nationalities:
Stats 2025-2026 / Betclic ELITE
Mathis Dossou-Yovo: The inner strength of Nanterre 92
Mathis Dossou-Yovo achieves in 2025/2026 what looks like the season of absolute maturity. After a stint with Paris Basketball last year where his playing time was more erratic, his arrival at Nanterre 92 this summer under the direction of Julien Mahé acted as a revelation. Dossou-Yovo is not only a physical interior player, he became the tactical anchor of a Nanterre team which finished the month of December in 3rd place in the standings (10 wins for 4 defeats).
A 2.06 m strong winger with formidable power, Mathis Dossou-Yovo produced a dominant performance, establishing himself as the pillar of Nanterre 92 with 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for an 18.2 rating in 25 minutes over 14 championship matches. He exploits his mobility to torture opposing rackets, as evidenced by his colossal performances against Monaco (28 points, 12 rebounds) and Nancy (23 points, 11 rebounds). This ability to string together double-doubles makes him a natural candidate for the regular season MVP title.
His efficiency is surgical with 57.7% shooting success, making him the best scorer and rebounder on his team. The French international confirms his status as a major position 4 in the league, capable of taking his club to the top of the rankings. In 5 matches over the month of December he returned 32 evaluation copies against Bourg, 27 against Le Mans, 27 against Monaco, 19 against Nancy and 19 also against Paris. His team won 3 times.
PLAYER PROFILE
Post(s): Pivot
Size: 206 cm
Age: 25 ans (06/11/2000)
Nationalities:
Stats 2025-2026 / Betclic ELITE
Nadir Hifi: The Prince of Paris
Nadir Hifi is no longer just a talent scorer; he became one of the leading figures of French basketball. This season, he reached a new milestone by assuming the role of total offensive leader of Paris Basketball following the departure of TJ Shorts last summer for Greece. His nomination for player of the month is almost obvious given his volume of play and his aura in the championship.
Prodigy scorer leader of Paris Basketball, Nadir Hifi flies over the Betclic ELITE with an impressive average of 21 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists for 18.1 rating in 20 minutes over 11 matches making him the Top scorer of the championship. An undisputed offensive leader, he took his team to the heights, culminating with a 30-point performance against Nanterre on December 26 and an All-Star Game MVP title a few days ago. With formidable skill (60% at 2 points, 40 at 3 points, 92% on free throws), he displays absolute confidence and a rare ability to shine in crucial moments.
Voted best youngster in the Euroleague in 2025, “the Prince of Paris” confirms his status as an international superstar and driving force of a Parisian collective now established in the top 4 of the league. Over the 4 matches in December, the French international made 16 evaluations against Saint-Quentin, 25 against Nancy, 20 against the Cholet defense and 28 against Nanterre. Paris Basket had a balanced record of 2 wins and 2 losses.
PLAYER PROFILE
Post(s): Point guard/Back
Size: 185 cm
Age: 23 ans (16/07/2002)
Nationalities:
Stats 2025-2026 / Betclic ELITE
Gregor Hrovat: Excellence and experience at the service of the JDA
Gregor Hrovat is undoubtedly the most underrated player on this list of nominees, and yet his month of December was absolutely consistent and efficient. The Slovenian has become the real boss of JDA Bourgogne Dijon, a team which relies on his knowledge of the game and his versatility to move up the rankings.
Experienced Slovenian winger, Gregor Hrovat has established himself as the metronome of JDA Dijon this year with his 16.9 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds for 16.2 evaluation in 28 minutes over 14 games. His technical mastery reached new heights during his masterful performance against Saint-Quentin on December 13, where he compiled 31 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds to lead his team to victory. A defensive warrior with 1.4 interceptions per game, he is also absolutely reliable at the free-throw line (86% success rate).
A centerpiece of the Dijon system, the Slovenian international combines European experience and immediate impact, making him one of the most complete and respected players in the championship. In 5 matches over the month of December he scored 28 against Monaco, 32 against SQBB, 23 against Nancy, 26 against Portel and 14 against Boulazac for a record of 3 victories in 5 matches for the JDA.
PLAYER PROFILE
Post(s): Back / Winger
Size: 196 cm
Age: 31 ans (18/08/1994)
Nationalities:
Stats 2025-2026 / Betclic ELITE
The December 2025 player of the month election promises to be one of the closest of the season. Each candidate has weighty arguments. Nadir Hifi has the media spotlight and the title of MVP of the All-Star Game on his side. Mathis Dossou-Yovo can rely on double-double statistics and an unparalleled physical impact over the period. Gérald Ayayi is the favorite of defensive performance and overall efficiency analysts. Finally, Gregor Hrovat embodies leadership and resilience, with remarkable offensive heights.
They ended the year in the best possible way! 🔥
Vote for your best player of the month of December right here 👉 https://t.co/UNrGKWw7EY#JDMBetclicELITE #BetclicELITE #Basketball pic.twitter.com/vSRaO8zGtE
— Betclic ELITE (@Betclic_ELITE) December 31, 2025
Beyond individual trophies, this nomination underlines the vitality of Betclic ELITE, capable of producing or attracting talent of this caliber. Whether through scoring, rebounding, passing or defense, these four players left their mark on the month of December, offering basketball fans sporting moments of rare intensity. The final vote will reflect the vision of basketball that supporters wish to promote: raw talent, physical power, defensive altruism or mastered experience.
Who will succeed Strasbourg’s Nelly Joseph MVP in November 2025?
It’s up to you voter ! (Voting is open until Wednesday January 7 at 9 a.m.)
The winners:
- October: Lionel Gaudoux (Chalon)
- November : Nelly Joseph (Strasbourg)
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