The nature of basketball means that even in May, the exact standings required for European competition qualification for the following season in Betclic Elite remain unclear. This raises the question: does making the playoffs guarantee a European ticket? Jérôme Mérignac, President of Cholet Basket, addressed this in an interview with Le Courrier de l’Ouest:
“This is something we are currently clarifying with the League. There are points that truly need to be specified, and the rules must be clear for everyone. It’s true that there’s a degree of uncertainty regarding who will secure a spot in the Euroleague, who will apply for the Eurocup, and who will be eligible for BCL or FIBA Europe Cup berths. There are four European competitions, each with its own level and prestige, and they represent significant opportunities for us, for the club, and for attracting players. They also generate excitement for our fans and sponsors.”
Furthermore, the president of Cholet Basket spoke about the potential recruitment of Nathan Soliman, a 17-year-old currently playing in Elite 2 at Nantes, who is considered one of the top prospects of his generation worldwide.
“Our experience and history speak for themselves when we talk about being a development club, a club that highlights players, truly helps them improve, and gives them playing time. When we say it, we do it, and we have proven it. Yes, we are on the shortlist for Nathan’s case. The recruitment process remains open; we are very, very interested in his profile and believe we have a lot to offer him, but indeed, other clubs are also pursuing him.”