After a solid year in Athens with Panathinaikos, Paris Lee will continue his career with ASVEL.
Paris Lee has returned to France. The 28-year-old, 1.84m guard has been announced by LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on a one-year deal.
Turning professional in 2017, the left-hander discovered Europe with Antwerp (Belgium), quickly carving out a reputation as a big-time defender to claim league MVP honors. He then moved to Bamberg (Germany), before he discovered the French league with Orleans in 2020.
Lee made his EuroLeague debut with Monaco, losing to Olympiacos in the EuroLeague playoffs and to ASVEL in the LNB finals.
Last season, the native of Maywood, Illinois continued his career in Greece, with Panathinaikos Athens, where he averaged 11.2 points and 3.9 assists).
Paris Lee had been inclined to stay in Athens for longer, but the player did not fit into the plans of Panathinaikos' new coach, Ergin Ataman.
"I heard rumors that Dimitris Giannakopoulos and everybody, for the most part, wanted me to come back. From what I've heard, it was the coach's decision," Lee spoke about his time with Panathinaikos in an extended interview with BasketNews.
"It's a business, so there's no hard feelings. He had a plan and a project of what he wanted to do. I just wasn't part of it. I have the utmost respect for Pana fans and the organization," he clarified.
"Paris will bring us a lot of things on the court," coach TJ Parker said.
"He has a lot of experience, great defensive qualities in one-on-one and a sense of creation on offense. He is a player who also knows the French league very well, who knows how to be decisive as well as to put himself at the service of his teammates."
 | LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | |
| Position | Player | Status |
| PG | Frank Jackson (story) | Signed until 2024 |
| PG | Paris Lee (story) | Signed until 2024 |
| PG/SG | Boris Dallo (story) | Signed until 2024 |
| SG | Nando De Colo | Signed until 2024 |
| SF | David Lighty | Signed until 2026 |
| SF | Charles Kahudi | Signed until 2024 |
| SF | Yves Pons | Signed until 2024 |
| SF/PF | Mbaye Ndiaye (story) | Signed until 2027 |
| PF | Amine Noua | Signed until 2024 |
| C | Yousoupha Fall | Signed until 2024 |
| C | Joffrey Lauvergne | Signed until 2024 |
| C | John Egbunu (story) | Signed until 2024 |
| Coach | TJ Parker (signed until 2026) | |
| Expired contract | Alex Tyus, Dee Bost, Retin Obasohan (will not return), Jonah Matthews (will not return) | |
| Rumored to leave | Zaccharie Risacher (will not return), Antoine Diot (will not return) | |
| Interested | ||
More ASVEL transfer news:
- Paris Lee officially returns to France for ASVEL
- Frank Jackson signs for ASVEL
- ASVEL sign big man John Egbunu
- Boris Dallo signs for ASVEL
