Basketball: Nicolas Batum and the decline of a memorable career

Sep 22, 2026

Nicolas Batum, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in basketball with the French national team (2021 and 2024), announced his retirement after 18 seasons in the NBA in a video posted on Instagram. Hailing from Lisieux in Normandy, he will remain an iconic figure in both American and French basketball.

Published on: 22/09/2026 - 11:16Updated on: 22/09/2026 - 11:45

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“Dad has finished his basketball career,” said Nicolas Batum in a video partly made with his son in Pont-l'Evêque, reflecting on his “18 years in the NBA” and “15 years with the French national team.” “I decided to stop playing basketball because I want to go home (...) to make room for others, as I have done my time. When you have played as much as I have, it’s essential to know when to stop,” he added, choosing to share this video on September 21, the anniversary of his father's death at 31 from an aneurysm rupture on the court, when he was only two and a half years old.

Over 1,200 NBA Games

“Batman,” 37, who developed his skills in Pont-l'Evêque, Normandy, made his mark at Le Mans in ProA before crossing the Atlantic to play for Portland, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Clippers, participating in over 1,200 NBA games in total. “A legend of the Blazers in every sense of the word. Honored to have been the first chapter of your great NBA career,” said the Portland Trail Blazers.

“The world of the NBA is truly incredible. It’s the most followed basketball league in the world, and thanks to that, we have extraordinary lives. At 19, I was already in the spotlight. I was going to play in Los Angeles, and there were all these stars on the sidelines talking to you. Yes, it’s a strange universe, and you can rise very quickly. You need to be well surrounded to stay humble,” Nicolas Batum recalled in 2013 during an interview with RFI. At that time, while he could still move freely in the streets of Paris, in Portland, it was impossible.

In 2023, Batum joined the exclusive club of players who have played at least 1,000 regular-season games, alongside his former national teammates Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.

Two Olympic Finals

A French basketball icon, Nicolas Batum (2.02 meters) participated in two Olympic finals, first in 2021 in Tokyo and then in 2024 in Paris.

In Japan, he made history for his team by executing a remarkable block at the very end of the semifinal match against Slovenia, securing the French team's place in the final (90-89).

After the disappointment at the 2023 World Cup, Nicolas Batum took to the court one last time with the French team in the French capital, after 20 years of service to the national team.

“I feel that no one is afraid, that this event is crucial,” he stated to RFI regarding the Olympics. “Our only goal is to have a great campaign after the debacle of 2023. We know what awaits us, and we all know our responsibilities. Everyone is aware of the stakes. ”

A man of disarming simplicity, the former captain of the French team, European champion in 2013, finished third twice at the World Cup (2014 and 2019). “With the French team, I have accumulated many memories,” he confided just before the Paris Olympics. “There have been great moments and others that were difficult since 2004, when I joined the youth team. With France, I had the chance to travel, to meet people. I experienced incredible games, I lost some, I won some, and I cried with joy, with sadness, everything you can imagine. ”

“Congratulations on your career, ‘lil bro’” (little brother) ,” said Tony Parker, with whom Batum shared a significant number of his 177 caps for the French team.