Hugo Besson
Hugo Besson (born 26 April 2001) is a French professional basketball player who last played for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He debuted in the LNB Pro A in 2018 with Élan Chalon. After two seasons with Chalon, he was loaned to Saint-Quentin BB of the LNB Pro B and led the league in scoring in the 2020–21 season. Early life and career. Besson was born in Angers, France. He grew up in the Côte d'Azur town of Bandol. He started his youth basketball career in 2016 as a member of  the Antibes Sharks. He averaged 5.1 points in 15 games with the Under 21 team during the 2016–17 season. He joined Élan Chalon in 2017 and played for the Under 21 team. In 27 games during the 2017–18 season, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Professional career. Élan Chalon (2018–2021). Between 2018 and 2020, Besson was a member of the Élan Chalon senior squad. He played 14 games in the LNB Pro A over two seasons. In the ProA U21 competition, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals in  28 games during the 2018–19 season, and 26.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in six games during the 2019–20 season. In June 2020, Besson signed a three-year contract with Élan Chalon and was subsequently loaned to Saint-Quentin BB of the LNB Pro B. He led the league in scoring during the 2020–21 season with 19.5 points per game. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 26 games. He was nominated for league MVP and earned all-star five and best youngster. 2021 off-season. Besson was courted by several European clubs  during 2021, including Baskonia and ASVEL, and was in the running for the NBA draft. He withdrew his name from the draft after being unable to participate in work-outs due to an ankle injury. In August 2021, he was ranked by ESPN as the 35th top prospect for the 2022 NBA draft. New Zealand Breakers (2021–2022). On 23 September 2021, Besson signed with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2021–22 season. In his debut for the Breakers on 4 December 2021, he scored 10 points in an 89–65 season-opening loss to  the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He scored 20 or more points in each of the next three games. He had two 20-point games in March 2022. Besson left the Breakers on 17 April 2022 in order to prepare for the 2022 NBA draft. In 25 games, he averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. National team career. In June 2021, Besson was called up to the French Under 20 national team ahead of the FIBA U20 European Challengers. He ultimately did not play with the final team. Personal life. Besson's father, uncle and grandfather have  all played and coached professional basketball. He has a sister named Jade.