Theo Maledon

Théo Louis Maledon, soon to be recognized as a prominent figure in the basketball world, was born in the city of Rouen, Normandy, France on June 12, 2001. He carries fingerprints of Guadeloupean decent and from an early age was involved in the sport his family treasured – basketball. Théo took to the court at the tender age of three with his local club, Mesnil-Esnard in Seine-Maritime. Théo’s potential was noticeable from early on. As the years passed, he transferred to SPO Rouen, his local area’s most notable club, upon graduating to the under-11 age group.

At 14, Théo landed an opportunity to join the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP) in Paris, on a scholarship. His first season saw him play three games for the INSEP-affiliated team Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball located in the amateur third-tier division of French basketball, the Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1), and two games for INSEP’s under-18 team in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT).

In the 2016-17 season, Théo became a regular starter with Centre Fédéral in the NM1, where he showcased promising averages of 8.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across games spanning 25.6 minutes. That very April, Théo scored a remarkable career-high of 20 points in a single game against Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées, stamping his mark in the realms of French basketball.

In mid-2017, Théo joined the LNB Pro A club ASVEL’s junior team, participating in the French U21 league. His debut season resulted in a consistent performance that won his team a 71-61 victory over Espoirs Limoges. Théo’s Pro A debut for the senior team came about in late September at the age of 16. He marked history books by being the second-youngest debutant in his club’s history. Following his debut, Théo played in the EuroCup for the first time against ratiopharm Ulm.

From 2017 onwards, Théo advanced to professional leagues and won numerous accolades. He was named the youngest LNB All-Star ever and won the LNB Pro A Best Young Player award. He led his team ASVEL to win Pro A and French Cup titles, and was named French Cup Final Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Internationally, Théo won a gold medal with France at the 2016 FIBA U16 European Championship and a silver at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup. He has also served honorably for the senior national team.

Théo’s professional basketball career began with him signing a contract with ASVEL in August 2018. His rookie season was an indication of his bright future, as he was nominated for the EuroLeague Rising Star award by the league’s website.

In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Théo declared entry for the 2020 NBA draft. The Philadelphia 76ers selected him as the 34th overall pick. His draft rights were then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, he moved around NBA franchises. For the 2024-2025 season, he returned to his home nation to play for his former club, LDLC ASVEL.

Maledon has trailblazed a successful career in his young life. This is evident in his rewarding run in youth Olympics, his sieving through national teams, and his remarkable debut in highly competitive leagues. His name will forever be etched in the annals of French basketball history, and his journey serves as a model for aspiring athletes.